[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8297-8357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 4604. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Reed, and Mr. 
McCain) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the 
bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for 
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle B of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1216. SPECIAL IMMIGRANT STATUS FOR CERTAIN AFGHANS.

       (a) Prioritization of Applications by the Chief of 
     Mission.--Section 602(b)(2)(D)(i) of the Afghan Allies 
     Protection Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note) is amended by 
     adding at the end ``In processing applications under this 
     paragraph, the Chief of Mission shall prioritize, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, applications for those aliens who 
     have experienced or are experiencing an ongoing and credible 
     serious threat as a consequence of the alien's employment by 
     the United States Government.''.

[[Page 8298]]

       (b) Numerical Limitations.--Section 602(b)(3)(F) of such 
     Act is amended--
       (1) in the subparagraph heading, by striking ``and 2017'' 
     and inserting ``2017, and 2018'';
       (2) by striking ``December 31, 2016;'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``December 31, 2017;''; and
       (3) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
       (A) by striking ``exhausted,,'' and inserting 
     ``exhausted,''; and
       (B) by striking ``7,000'' and inserting ``9,500''.
       (c) Report.--Section 602(b)(14) of such Act is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this paragraph,'' and inserting ``Not later than December 31, 
     2016, and annually thereafter through January 31, 2021,''; 
     and
       (2) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``under this 
     section;'' and inserting ``under subclause (I) or (II)(bb) of 
     paragraph (2)(A)(ii);''.
       (d) Plan to Bring Afghan SIV Program to a Responsible 
     End.--Section 602(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(17) Plan to bring afghan siv program to a responsible 
     end.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     earlier of the date of the enactment of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 or March 1, 2018, the 
     Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
     Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commander of 
     United States Central Command, and the Commander Resolute 
     Support/United States Forces - Afghanistan, shall submit a 
     report to the appropriate committees of Congress that details 
     a strategy for bringing the program authorized under this 
     subsection to provide special immigrant status to certain 
     Afghans to a responsible end by or before December 31, 2018.
       ``(B) Content.--The report required under subparagraph (A) 
     shall--
       ``(i) identify the number of visas that would be required 
     to meet existing or reasonably projected commitments, taking 
     into account the need to support a continued United States 
     Government presence in Afghanistan;
       ``(ii) provide an estimate of how long such visas should 
     remain available;
       ``(iii) assess whether other existing programs would be 
     adequate to incentivize the continued recruitment, retention, 
     and protection of critical Afghan employees, after the 
     program authorized under this subsection expires; and
       ``(iv) describe potential alternative programs that could 
     be considered if existing programs are inadequate.''.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland 
     Security shall submit to Congress a report on the frequency, 
     duration, and reasons recipients of these visas from 
     Afghanistan travel back to Afghanistan.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4605. Mr. SCOTT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle F of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 582. INFORMATION ON MILITARY STUDENT PERFORMANCE.

       Section 574(b)(3) of the John Warner National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (20 U.S.C. 7703b note) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The plan for 
     outreach shall include annual updates of the most recent 
     information, disaggregated for each State and local 
     educational agency, available from the State and local report 
     cards required under section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311(h)(1)(C)(ii)) regarding--
       ``(A) the number of public elementary school and secondary 
     school students with a parent who is a member of the Armed 
     Forces (as defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United 
     States Code) on active duty (as defined in section 101(d)(5) 
     of such title); and
       ``(B) the achievement by such students for each level of 
     achievement, as determined by the State, on the academic 
     assessments described in section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311(b)(2)).''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4606. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike section 829A.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4607. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; as follows:

       On page 508, strike line 10 and all that follows through 
     ``(d) Training.--'' on line 15 and insert the following:
       Section 2332 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Training.--
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4608. Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself and Mrs. Murray) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike section 578 and insert the following:

     SEC. 578. CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS FOR COVERED INDIVIDUALS AT 
                   DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DOMESTIC DEPENDENT 
                   ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``covered individual'' means an individual 
     involved in the provision of child care services (as defined 
     in section 231 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 
     U.S.C. 13041)) for children under the age of 18 at a covered 
     school.
       (2) The term ``covered school'' means a Department of 
     Defense domestic dependent elementary or secondary school 
     established under section 2164 of title 10, United States 
     Code.
       (b) Criminal History Checks.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, pursuant to 
     chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (the Uniform Code 
     of Military Justice), and subtitle E of the Victims of Child 
     Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13041), shall have the authority 
     to establish regulations to implement policy, assign 
     responsibilities, and provide procedures, and shall have in 
     effect policies and procedures, regarding criminal history 
     checks.
       (2) Policies and procedures for criminal history checks.--
     The policies and procedures to implement criminal history 
     checks required under paragraph (1) may include the 
     following:
       (A) Databases searches of--
       (i) the State criminal registry or repository of the State 
     in which the covered individual resides;
       (ii) State-based child abuse and neglect registries and 
     databases of the State in which the covered individual 
     resides;
       (iii) a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check 
     using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification 
     System; and
       (iv) the National Sex Offender Registry established under 
     section 119 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act 
     of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16919).
       (B) Providing covered individuals with training and 
     professional development about how to recognize, respond to, 
     and prevent child abuse.
       (C) The development, implementation, or improvement of 
     mechanisms to assist covered schools in effectively 
     recognizing and quickly responding to incidents of child 
     abuse by covered individuals.
       (D) Developing and disseminating information on best 
     practices and Federal, State, and local resources available 
     to assist covered schools in preventing and responding to 
     incidents of child abuse by covered individuals.
       (E) Developing professional standards and codes of conduct 
     for the appropriate behavior of covered individuals.
       (F) Establishing, implementing, or improving policies and 
     procedures for covered schools to provide the results of 
     criminal history checks to--
       (i) covered individuals subject to the criminal history 
     checks in a statement that indicates whether the individual 
     is ineligible for certain employment due to the criminal 
     history check and includes information related to each 
     disqualifying finding from the criminal history check; and
       (ii) a covered school in a statement that indicates whether 
     a covered individual is eligible or ineligible for certain 
     employment, without revealing any disqualifying finding from 
     the criminal history check or other related information 
     regarding the covered individual.

[[Page 8299]]

       (G) Establishing, implementing, or improving procedures 
     that include periodic criminal history checks for covered 
     individuals, while maintaining an appeals process.
       (H) Establishing, implementing, or improving a process by 
     which a covered individual may appeal the results of a 
     criminal history check, which process shall be completed in a 
     timely manner, give each covered individual notice of an 
     opportunity to appeal, and give each covered individual 
     instructions on how to complete the appeals process.
       (I) Establishing, implementing, or improving a review 
     process through which a covered school may determine that a 
     covered individual who was disqualified due to a finding in 
     the criminal history check is eligible for employment due to 
     mitigating circumstances, as determined by the covered 
     school.
       (J) Establishing, implementing, or improving policies and 
     procedures intended to ensure that a covered school does not 
     knowingly transfer or facilitate the transfer of a covered 
     individual if the covered school knows or has probable cause 
     to believe that the covered individual has engaged in sexual 
     misconduct, in accordance with section 578A.
       (K) Publishing the applicable policies and procedures 
     described in this subsection on the website of covered 
     schools.
       (L) Providing covered individuals with training regarding 
     the appropriate reporting of incidents of child abuse under 
     section 106(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Child Abuse Prevention and 
     Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a(b)(2)(B)(i)).
       (M) Supporting any other activities determined by a covered 
     school to protect student safety or improve the 
     comprehensiveness, coordination, and transparency of policies 
     and procedures regarding criminal history checks for covered 
     individuals at the covered school.

     SEC. 578A. PROHIBITION ON AIDING AND ABETTING SEXUAL ABUSE.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall promulgate 
     regulations, policies, or procedures that prohibit any 
     individual who is a school employee, contractor, or agent of 
     any Department of Defense domestic dependent elementary or 
     secondary school established pursuant to section 2164 of 
     title 10, United States Code, from assisting a school 
     employee, contractor, or agent in obtaining a new job, apart 
     from the routine transmission of administrative and personnel 
     files, if the individual or agency knows, or has probable 
     cause to believe, that such school employee, contractor, or 
     agent engaged in sexual misconduct regarding a minor or 
     student in violation of the law.
       (b) Exception.--The requirements of subsection (a) shall 
     not apply if the information giving rise to probable cause--
       (1)(A) has been properly reported to a law enforcement 
     agency with jurisdiction over the alleged misconduct; and
       (B) has been properly reported to any other authorities as 
     required by Federal, State, or local law, including chapter 
     47 of title 10, United States Code (the Uniform Code of 
     Military Justice), title IX of the Education Amendments of 
     1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), and the regulations 
     implementing such title under part 106 of title 34, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or any succeeding regulations; and
       (2)(A) the matter has been officially closed or the 
     prosecutor or police with jurisdiction over the alleged 
     misconduct has investigated the allegations and notified 
     school officials that there is insufficient information to 
     establish probable cause that the school employee, 
     contractor, or agent engaged in sexual misconduct regarding a 
     minor or student in violation of the law;
       (B) the school employee, contractor, or agent has been 
     charged with, and acquitted or otherwise exonerated of the 
     alleged misconduct; or
       (C) the case or investigation remains open and there have 
     been no charges filed against, or indictment of, the school 
     employee, contractor, or agent within 4 years of the date on 
     which the information was reported to a law enforcement 
     agency.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4609. Mr. ALEXANDER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike section 578 and insert the following:

     SEC. 578. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

       (a) In General.--Subpart 2 of part F of title VIII of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7901 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 8549D. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR SCHOOL 
                   EMPLOYEES.

       ``(a) Criminal Background Check Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each State educational agency and local 
     educational agency that receives funds under this Act shall 
     have in effect policies and procedures that require a 
     criminal background check for each school employee in each 
     covered school served by such State educational agency and 
     local educational agency.
       ``(2) Requirements.--A background check required under 
     paragraph (1) shall be conducted and administered by--
       ``(A) the State;
       ``(B) the State educational agency; or
       ``(C) the local educational agency.
       ``(b) State and Local Uses of Funds.--A State educational 
     agency or local educational agency that receives funds under 
     this Act may use such funds to establish, implement, or 
     improve policies and procedures on background checks for 
     school employees required under subsection (a) to--
       ``(1) expand the registries or repositories searched when 
     conducting background checks, such as--
       ``(A) the State criminal registry or repository of the 
     State in which the school employee resides;
       ``(B) the State-based child abuse and neglect registries 
     and databases of the State in which the school employee 
     resides;
       ``(C) the Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check 
     using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification 
     System; and
       ``(D) the National Sex Offender Registry established under 
     section 119 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act 
     of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16919);
       ``(2) provide school employees with training and 
     professional development on how to recognize, respond to, and 
     prevent child abuse;
       ``(3) develop, implement, or improve mechanisms to assist 
     covered local educational agencies and covered schools in 
     effectively recognizing and quickly responding to incidents 
     of child abuse by school employees;
       ``(4) develop and disseminate information on best practices 
     and Federal, State, and local resources available to assist 
     local educational agencies and schools in preventing and 
     responding to incidents of child abuse by school employees;
       ``(5) develop professional standards and codes of conduct 
     for the appropriate behavior of school employees;
       ``(6) establish, implement, or improve policies and 
     procedures for covered State educational agencies, covered 
     local educational agencies, or covered schools to provide the 
     results of background checks to--
       ``(A) individuals subject to the background checks in a 
     statement that indicates whether the individual is ineligible 
     for such employment due to the background check and includes 
     information related to each disqualifying crime;
       ``(B) the employer in a statement that indicates whether a 
     school employee is eligible or ineligible for employment, 
     without revealing any disqualifying crime or other related 
     information regarding the individual;
       ``(C) another employer in the same State or another State, 
     as permitted under State law, without revealing any 
     disqualifying crime or other related information regarding 
     the individual; and
       ``(D) another local educational agency in the same State or 
     another State that is considering such school employee for 
     employment, as permitted under State law, without revealing 
     any disqualifying crime or other related information 
     regarding the individual;
       ``(7) establish, implement, or improve procedures that 
     include periodic background checks, which also allows for an 
     appeals process as described in paragraph (8), for school 
     employees in accordance with State policies or the policies 
     of covered local educational agencies served by the covered 
     State educational agency;
       ``(8) establish, implement, or improve a process by which a 
     school employee may appeal the results of a background check, 
     which process is completed in a timely manner, gives each 
     school employee notice of an opportunity to appeal, and 
     instructions on how to complete the appeals process;
       ``(9) establish, implement, or improve a review process 
     through which the covered State educational agency or covered 
     local educational agency may determine that a school employee 
     disqualified due to a crime is eligible for employment due to 
     mitigating circumstances as determined by a covered local 
     educational agency or a covered State educational agency;
       ``(10) establish, implement, or improve policies and 
     procedures intended to ensure a covered State educational 
     agency or covered local educational agency does not knowingly 
     transfer or facilitate the transfer of a school employee if 
     the agency knows that employee has engaged in sexual 
     misconduct, as defined by State law, with an elementary 
     school or secondary school student;
       ``(11) provide that policies and procedures are published 
     on the website of the covered State educational agency and 
     the website of each covered local educational agency served 
     by the covered State educational agency;
       ``(12) provide school employees with training regarding the 
     appropriate reporting of incidents of child abuse under 
     section 106(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Child Abuse Prevention and 
     Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a(b)(2)(B)(i)); and
       ``(13) support any other activities determined by the State 
     to protect student safety

[[Page 8300]]

     or improve the comprehensiveness, coordination, and 
     transparency of policies and procedures on criminal 
     background checks for school employees in the State.
       ``(c) No Private Right of Action.--Nothing in this section 
     shall be construed to create a private right of action if a 
     State, covered State educational agency, covered local 
     educational agency, or covered school is in compliance with 
     State regulations and requirements concerning background 
     checks.
       ``(d) Background Check Fees.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed as prohibiting States or local educational 
     agencies from charging school employees for the costs of 
     processing applications and administering a background check 
     as required by State law, provided that the fees charged to 
     school employees do not exceed the actual costs to the State 
     or local educational agency for the processing and 
     administration of the background check.
       ``(e) State and Local Plan Requirements.--Each plan 
     submitted by a State or local educational agency under title 
     I shall include--
       ``(1) an assurance that the State and local educational 
     agency has in effect policies and procedures that meet the 
     requirements of this section; and
       ``(2) a description of laws, regulations, or policies and 
     procedures in effect in the State for conducting background 
     checks for school employees designed to--
       ``(A) terminate individuals in violation of State 
     background check requirements;
       ``(B) improve the reporting of violations of the background 
     check requirements in the State;
       ``(C) reduce the instance of school employee transfers 
     following a substantiated violation of the State background 
     check requirements by a school employee;
       ``(D) provide for a timely process by which a school 
     employee may appeal the results of a criminal background 
     check;
       ``(E) provide each school employee, upon request, with a 
     copy of the results of the criminal background check, 
     including a description of the disqualifying item or items, 
     if applicable;
       ``(F) provide the results of the criminal background check 
     to the employer in a statement that indicates whether a 
     school employee is eligible or ineligible for employment, 
     without revealing any disqualifying crime or other related 
     information regarding the individual; and
       ``(G) provide for the public availability of the policies 
     and procedures for conducting background checks.
       ``(f) Technical Assistance to States, School Districts, and 
     Schools.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General, shall 
     provide technical assistance and support to States, local 
     educational agencies, and schools, which shall include, at a 
     minimum--
       ``(1) developing and disseminating a comprehensive package 
     of materials for States, State educational agencies, local 
     educational agencies, and schools that outlines steps that 
     can be taken to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse by 
     school personnel;
       ``(2) determining the most cost-effective way to 
     disseminate Federal information so that relevant State 
     educational agencies and local educational agencies, child 
     welfare agencies, and criminal justice entities are aware of 
     such information and have access to it; and
       ``(3) identifying mechanisms to better track and analyze 
     the prevalence of child sexual abuse by school personnel 
     through existing Federal data collection systems, such as the 
     School Survey on Crime and Safety, the National Child Abuse 
     and Neglect Data System, and the National Crime Victimization 
     Survey.
       ``(g) Reporting Requirements.--
       ``(1) Reports to the secretary.--A covered State 
     educational agency or covered local educational agency that 
     uses funds pursuant to this section shall report annually to 
     the Secretary on--
       ``(A) the amount of funds used; and
       ``(B) the purpose for which the funds were used under this 
     section.
       ``(2) Secretary's report card.--Not later than July 1, 
     2018, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, acting through 
     the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, shall 
     transmit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the 
     Workforce of the House of Representatives a national report 
     card that includes--
       ``(A) actions taken pursuant to subsection (f), including 
     any best practices identified under such subsection; and
       ``(B) incidents of reported child sexual abuse by school 
     personnel, as reported through existing Federal data 
     collection systems, such as the School Survey on Crime and 
     Safety, the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, and 
     the National Crime Victimization Survey.
       ``(h) Rules of Construction Regarding Background Checks.--
       ``(1) No federal control.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to authorize an officer or employee of the Federal 
     Government to--
       ``(A) mandate, direct, or control the background check 
     policies or procedures that a State or local educational 
     agency develops or implements under this section;
       ``(B) establish any criterion that specifies, defines, or 
     prescribes the background check policies or procedures that a 
     State or local educational agency develops or implements 
     under this section; or
       ``(C) require a State or local educational agency to submit 
     such background check policies or procedures for approval.
       ``(2) Prohibition on regulation.--Nothing in this section 
     shall be construed to permit the Secretary to establish any 
     criterion that--
       ``(A) prescribes, or specifies requirements regarding, 
     background checks for school employees;
       ``(B) defines the term `background checks', as such term is 
     used in this section; or
       ``(C) requires a State or local educational agency to 
     report additional data elements or information to the 
     Secretary not otherwise explicitly authorized under this 
     section or any other Federal law.
       ``(i) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `covered local educational agency' means a 
     local educational agency that receives funds under this Act;
       ``(2) the term `covered school' means a public elementary 
     school or public secondary school, including a public 
     elementary or secondary charter school, that receives funds 
     under this Act;
       ``(3) the term `covered State educational agency' means a 
     State educational agency that receives funds under this Act; 
     and
       ``(4) the term `school employee' includes, at a minimum--
       ``(A) an employee of, or a person seeking employment with, 
     a covered school, covered local educational agency, or 
     covered State educational agency and who, as a result of such 
     employment, has (or, in the case of a person seeking 
     employment, will have) a job duty that includes unsupervised 
     contact or interaction with elementary school or secondary 
     school students; or
       ``(B) any person, or any employee of any person, who has a 
     contract or agreement to provide services with a covered 
     school, covered local educational agency, or covered State 
     educational agency, and such person or employee, as a result 
     of such contract or agreement, has a job duty that includes 
     unsupervised contact or unsupervised interaction with 
     elementary school or secondary school students.''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 2 
     of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is 
     amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8549C 
     the following:

``Sec. 8549D. Criminal background checks for school employees.''.

       (c) Background Checks for Department of Defense Schools.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall have the 
     authority, pursuant to chapter 47 of title 10, United States 
     Code (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), and subtitle E 
     of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13041), 
     to establish regulations to implement policy, assign 
     responsibilities, and provide procedures to conduct criminal 
     history checks on individuals involved in the provision of 
     child care services (as defined in section 231 of such Act) 
     for children under the age of 18 in Department of Defense 
     domestic dependent elementary and secondary schools 
     established under section 2164 of title 10, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Contents of criminal history checks.--The criminal 
     history checks established in the regulations required under 
     paragraph (1) may include--
       (A) a search of the State criminal registry or repository 
     of the State in which the individual resides;
       (B) a search of State-based child abuse and neglect 
     registries and databases of the State in which the individual 
     resides;
       (C) a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check 
     using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification 
     System; and
       (D) a search of the National Sex Offender Registry 
     established under section 119 of the Adam Walsh Child 
     Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16919).
       (d) Prohibition On Aiding And Abetting Sexual Abuse.--
       (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 2 years after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Defense shall create regulations, policies, or procedures 
     that prohibit any individual who is a school employee, 
     contractor, or agent of any Department of Defense domestic 
     dependent elementary or secondary school established pursuant 
     to section 2164 of title 10, United States Code, from 
     assisting a school employee, contractor, or agent in 
     obtaining a new job, apart from the routine transmission of 
     administrative and personnel files, if the individual or 
     agency knows, or has probable cause to believe, that such 
     school employee, contractor, or agent engaged in sexual 
     misconduct regarding a minor or student in violation of the 
     law.
       (2) Exceptions.--The requirements of paragraph (1) shall 
     not apply if the information giving rise to probable cause--
       (A)(i) has been properly reported to a law enforcement 
     agency with jurisdiction over the alleged misconduct; and

[[Page 8301]]

       (ii) has been properly reported to any other authorities as 
     required by Federal, State, or local law, including chapter 
     47 of title 10, United States Code (the Uniform Code of 
     Military Justice), title IX of the Education Amendments of 
     1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), and the regulations 
     implementing such title under part 106 of title 34, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or any succeeding regulations; and
       (B)(i) the matter has been officially closed or the 
     prosecutor or police with jurisdiction over the alleged 
     misconduct has investigated the allegations and notified 
     school officials that there is insufficient information to 
     establish probable cause that the school employee, 
     contractor, or agent engaged in sexual misconduct regarding a 
     minor or student in violation of the law;
       (ii) the school employee, contractor, or agent has been 
     charged with, and acquitted or otherwise exonerated of the 
     alleged misconduct; or
       (iii) the case or investigation remains open and there have 
     been no charges filed against, or indictment of, the school 
     employee, contractor, or agent within 4 years of the date on 
     which the information was reported to a law enforcement 
     agency.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4610. Mr. BLUNT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title XXIX, add the following:

     SEC. 2904. FIRE STATION, FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI.

       The amount authorized to be appropriated under section 2903 
     and available for Army military construction projects as 
     specified in the funding table in section 4602 is increased 
     by $6,900,000, with the amount of such increase to be 
     allocated for a Fire Station, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4611. Mr. JOHNSON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION ON PROVISION OF HEALTH 
                   CARE BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND 
                   ABUSE OF OPIOIDS BY VETERANS.

       (a) Publication of Information.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less 
     frequently than once every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs shall publish on a publicly available 
     Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     information on the provision of health care by the Department 
     and the abuse of opioids by veterans.
       (b) Elements.--
       (1) Health care.--
       (A) In general.--Each publication required by subsection 
     (a) shall include, with respect to each medical facility of 
     the Department during the 180-day period preceding such 
     publication, the following:
       (i) The average number of patients seen per month by each 
     primary care physician.
       (ii) The average length of stay for inpatient care.
       (iii) A description of any hospital-acquired condition 
     acquired by a patient.
       (iv) The rate of readmission of patients within 30 days of 
     release.
       (v) The rate at which opioids are prescribed to each 
     patient.
       (vi) The average wait time for emergency room treatment.
       (vii) A description of any scheduling backlog with respect 
     to patient appointments.
       (B) Additional elements.--The Secretary may include in each 
     publication required by subsection (a) such additional 
     information on the safety of medical facilities of the 
     Department, health outcomes at such facilities, and quality 
     of care at such facilities as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (C) Searchability.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     information described in subparagraph (A) that is included on 
     the Internet website required by subsection (a) is searchable 
     by State, city, and facility.
       (2) Opioid abuse by veterans.--Each publication required by 
     subsection (a) shall include, for the 180-day period 
     preceding such publication, the following information:
       (A) The number of veterans prescribed opioids by health 
     care providers of the Department.
       (B) A comprehensive list of all facilities of the 
     Department offering an opioid treatment program, including 
     details on the types of services available at each facility.
       (C) The number of veterans treated by a health care 
     provider of the Department for opioid abuse.
       (D) Of the veterans described in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) the number treated for opioid abuse in conjunction with 
     posttraumic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety; and
       (ii) the number with a diagnosis of opioid abuse during the 
     one-year period before beginning treatment from a health care 
     provider of the Department and for which there is no evidence 
     of treatment for opioid abuse from a health care provider of 
     the Department during such period.
       (c) Personal Information.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     personal information connected to information published under 
     subsection (a) is protected from disclosure as required by 
     applicable law.
       (d) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
     General of the United States shall submit to Congress a 
     report setting forth recommendations for additional elements 
     to be included with the information published under 
     subsection (a) to improve the evaluation and assessment of 
     the safety and health of individuals receiving health care 
     under the laws administered by the Secretary and the quality 
     of health care received by such individuals.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4612. Mr. DONNELLY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title XVI, add the following:

     SEC. 1667. UNITED STATES POLICY ON BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE.

       (a) Policy.--With respect to ballistic missile defense, it 
     is the policy of the United States to--
       (1) defend the United States homeland against the threat of 
     limited ballistic missile attack, particularly from nations 
     such as North Korea and Iran;
       (2) defend against regional missile threats to deployed 
     United States military forces, while also protecting allies 
     and partners and helping enable them to defend themselves;
       (3) ensure that before new ballistic missile defense 
     capabilities are deployed, they must undergo sufficient 
     operationally realistic testing and demonstrate that they can 
     perform reliably and effectively to help United States forces 
     accomplish their missions;
       (4) ensure that such ballistic missile defense systems are 
     affordable and fiscally sustainable over the long term;
       (5) ensure that United States ballistic missile defense 
     capabilities are flexible enough to adapt to evolving missile 
     threats; and
       (6) enhance international efforts and cooperation on 
     ballistic missile defense to increase regional security and 
     appropriate burden-sharing.
       (b) Conforming Repeal.--The National Missile Defense Act of 
     1999 (Public Law 106-38) is hereby repealed.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4613. Ms. HEITKAMP (for herself, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Graham, and Mr. 
Donnelly) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the 
bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for 
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. QUORUM REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF 
                   EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES.

       Notwithstanding section 3(c)(6) of the Export-Import Bank 
     Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635a(c)(6)), the entire voting 
     membership of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import 
     Bank of the United States shall constitute a quorum during 
     any period during which there are fewer than 3 voting members 
     holding office on the Board.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4614. Mr. TESTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle F of title VI, add the following:

[[Page 8302]]



     SEC. 673. CREDIT PROTECTIONS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS.

       (a) Active Duty Freeze Alerts.--Section 605A of the Fair 
     Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681c-1) is amended--
       (1) in the heading for such section, by striking ``and 
     active duty alerts'' and inserting ``, active duty alerts, 
     and active duty freeze alerts'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (d) through (h) as 
     subsections (e) through (i), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) Active Duty Freeze Alerts.--Upon the direct request 
     of an active duty military consumer, or an individual acting 
     on behalf of or as a personal representative of an active 
     duty military consumer, a consumer reporting agency described 
     in section 603(p) that maintains a file on the active duty 
     military consumer and has received appropriate proof of the 
     identity of the requester, at no cost to the active duty 
     military consumer while the consumer is deployed, shall--
       ``(1) include an active duty freeze alert in the file of 
     that active duty military consumer, during a period of not 
     less than 12 months, or such longer period as the Bureau 
     shall determine, by regulation, beginning on the date of the 
     request, unless the active duty military consumer or such 
     representative requests that such freeze alert be removed 
     before the end of such period, and the agency has received 
     appropriate proof of the identity of the requester for such 
     purpose;
       ``(2) during the 2-year period beginning on the date of 
     such request, exclude the active duty military consumer from 
     any list of consumers prepared by the consumer reporting 
     agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or 
     insurance to the consumer as part of a transaction that was 
     not initiated by the consumer, unless the consumer requests 
     that such exclusion be rescinded before the end of such 
     period; and
       ``(3) refer the information regarding the active duty 
     freeze alert to each of the other consumer reporting agencies 
     described in section 603(p), in accordance with procedures 
     developed under section 621(f).'';
       (4) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--
       (A) by striking ``extended, and active duty alerts'' and 
     inserting ``extended, active duty, and active duty freeze 
     alerts''; and
       (B) by striking ``extended, or active duty alerts'' and 
     inserting ``extended, active duty, or active duty freeze 
     alerts'';
       (5) in subsection (f), as so redesignated--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``or 
     active duty alert'' and inserting ``active duty alert, or 
     active duty freeze alert'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (C) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d), in the case 
     of a referral under subsection (d)(3).'';
       (6) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking ``or 
     active duty alert'' and inserting ``active duty alert, or 
     active duty freeze alert''; and
       (7) in subsection (i), as so redesignated, by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(3) Requirements for active duty freeze alerts.--
       ``(A) Notification.--Each active duty freeze alert under 
     this section shall include information that notifies all 
     prospective users of a consumer report on the consumer to 
     which the freeze alert relates that the consumer does not 
     authorize the establishment of any new credit plan or 
     extension of credit, other than under an open-end credit plan 
     (as defined in section 103(i)), in the name of the consumer, 
     or issuance of an additional card on an existing credit 
     account requested by a consumer, or any increase in credit 
     limit on an existing credit account requested by a consumer.
       ``(B) Prohibition on users.--No prospective user of a 
     consumer report that includes an active duty freeze alert in 
     accordance with this section may establish a new credit plan 
     or extension of credit, other than under an open-end credit 
     plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the name of the 
     consumer, or issue an additional card on an existing credit 
     account requested by a consumer, or grant any increase in 
     credit limit on an existing credit account requested by a 
     consumer.''.
       (b) Rulemaking.--The Bureau of Consumer Financial 
     Protection shall prescribe regulations to define what 
     constitutes appropriate proof of identity for purposes of 
     section 605A(d) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended 
     by subsection (a).
       (c) Technical Amendment.--Section 603(q)(2) of the Fair 
     Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(q)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in the heading for such paragraph, by striking ``active 
     duty alert'' and inserting ``active duty alert; active duty 
     freeze alert''; and
       (2) by inserting ``and `active duty freeze alert''' before 
     ``mean''.
       (d) Effective Date.--This Act, and any amendment made by 
     this Act, shall take effect 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4615. Mr. GRAHAM submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title XXVIII, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 2853. CONGRESSIONAL DESIGNATION OF THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF 
                   HONOR MUSEUM.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The Medal of Honor Museum will be the only museum in 
     the United States that exists for the exclusive purpose of 
     interpreting the story of the Medal of Honor and all of its 
     recipients.
       (2) The Medal of Honor Museum will be the only museum to 
     educate a diverse group of audiences through its collection 
     of artifacts, photographs, letters, documents, and first-hand 
     personal accounts of Medal of Honor recipients and the wars 
     they fought in during United States conflicts since the Civil 
     War.
       (3) The Medal of Honor Museum mission is--
       (A) to preserve and present the extraordinary stories of 
     individuals who reached the highest levels of recognition, 
     ``above and beyond the call of duty,'' in service to the 
     Nation;
       (B) to inspire current and future generations about the 
     ideals of the Medal of Honor six columns of character--
     Courage, Commitment, Integrity, Citizenship, Sacrifice, and 
     Patriotism;
       (C) to help visitors understand the meaning and price of 
     freedom and what it means to put service above self; and
       (D) to serve as an education center that, through various 
     programs, reaches out across the country to further the Medal 
     of Honor's ideals among all Americans, especially our 
     Nation's youth.
       (4) The Medal of Honor was established by an Act of 
     Congress in 1861 and is awarded in its name. The Medal of 
     Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an 
     enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving 
     in the Armed Forces of the United States and is generally 
     presented to its recipient by the President in the name of 
     Congress.
       (5) The total number of Medal of Honor recipients from the 
     Civil War through the current War on Terrorism is 3,495 (19 
     individuals are double recipients). Since World War II, the 
     vast majority of recipients from WWII, the Korean War, and 
     Vietnam have been awarded posthumously.
       (6) As of May 3, 2016, there are only 76 living Medal of 
     Honor recipients, whose average age is 77, creating an urgent 
     need to preserve the stories, artifacts, and heroic 
     achievements of these individuals.
       (7) The United States has a need to preserve forever the 
     stories, knowledge, and history of the 3,495 recipients of 
     the Medal of Honor to portray that history and the courage, 
     commitment, integrity, citizenship, sacrifice, and patriotism 
     of the recipients to citizens, visitors, and school children 
     for centuries to come.
       (8) Therefore, it is appropriate to designate The Medal of 
     Honor Museum as ``National Medal of Honor Museum''.
       (b) Designation of the National Medal of Honor Museum.--The 
     Medal of Honor Museum is hereby designated as ``The National 
     Medal of Honor Museum''.
       (c) Funding.--The amount authorized to be appropriated 
     under section 2403 for military construction, land 
     acquisition, and military family housing functions of the 
     Department of Defense (other than the military departments), 
     as specified in the finding table in section 4601, is 
     increased by $10,000,000, with the amount of such increase to 
     be allocated for planning and construction of the National 
     Medal of Honor Museum.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4616. Mr. COTTON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle F of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1247. PROHIBITION ON REQUIRING UNITED STATES AIR 
                   CARRIERS TO COMPLY WITH AIR DEFENSE 
                   IDENTIFICATION ZONES DECLARED BY THE PEOPLE'S 
                   REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

       The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
     may not require an air carrier that holds an air carrier 
     certificate issued under chapter 411 of title 49, United 
     States Code, to comply with any air defense identification 
     zone declared by the People's Republic of China that is 
     inconsistent with United States policy, overlaps with 
     preexisting air identification zones, covers disputed 
     territory, or covers a specific geographic area over the East 
     China Sea or South China Sea.

[[Page 8303]]


                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4617. Mr. PORTMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle H of title VIII, add the following:

     SEC. 899C. STRATEGIC SOURCING IMPROVEMENTS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``Department'' means the Department of 
     Defense;
       (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Defense; 
     and
       (3) the term ``small business concern'' has the meaning 
     given that term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 632).
       (b) Improving the Use of Strategic Sourcing.--Not later 
     than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act--
       (1) the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary of 
     Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, shall 
     establish performance measures for the inclusion of small 
     business concerns in Department-wide strategic sourcing 
     initiatives, including efforts being conducted through the 
     Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative and the Category 
     Management Initiative; and
       (2) the Secretary shall begin collecting data, including 
     data relating to the performance measures established under 
     paragraph (1), on the participation of small business 
     concerns in strategic sourcing initiatives established by the 
     Department, which shall include participation as 
     subcontractors to the extent feasible and that data is 
     available in order to determine the effectiveness of these 
     contract vehicles and impact on the small business industrial 
     base.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4618. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle F of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1247. DEFENSE AND SECURITY COOPERATION WITH INDIA.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The United States and India face mutual security 
     threats, and a robust defense partnership is in the interest 
     of both countries.
       (2) The relationship between the United States and India 
     has developed over the past two decades to become a 
     multifaceted, global strategic and defense partnership rooted 
     in shared democratic values and the promotion of mutual 
     prosperity, greater economic cooperation, regional peace, 
     security, and stability.
       (3) In 2012, the Department of Defense began an initiative 
     to increase senior-level oversight and engagement on defense 
     cooperation between the United States and India, which is 
     referred to as the ``U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade 
     Initiative'' (DTTI).
       (4) On June 3, 2015, the Government of the United States 
     and the Government of India entered into an executive 
     agreement, entitled ``Framework for the U.S.-India Defense 
     Relationship'', which renewed and updated the previous 
     defense framework agreement between the United States and 
     India, executed on June 28, 2005.
       (5) Consistent with the Framework for the U.S.-India 
     Defense Relationship and the goals of the U.S.-India Defense 
     Technology and Trade Initiative, improving defense 
     cooperation, achieving greater interaction between the 
     military forces of both countries, increasing the flow of 
     technology and investment, developing capabilities and 
     partnership in co-development and co-production, and 
     strengthening two-way defense trade are in the national 
     security interests of the United States.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the defense partnership between the United States and 
     India is vital to regional and international stability and 
     security;
       (2) the national security interests of the United States 
     can be furthered by advancing the goals of the Framework for 
     the U.S.-India Defense Relationship and the effective 
     operation of the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade 
     Initiative; and
       (3) the commitment of the President to enhancing defense 
     and security cooperation with India should be considered a 
     priority in advancing the interests of the United States in 
     South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.
       (c) Required Actions.--The President shall take such 
     actions as may be necessary--
       (1) to recognize the status of India as a global strategic 
     and defense partner of the United States through appropriate 
     modifications to defense export control regulations;
       (2) to approve and facilitate the transfer of advanced 
     technology in the context of, and in order to satisfy, 
     combined military planning with the India military for 
     missions such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, 
     counter piracy, and maritime domain awareness;
       (3) to strengthen the effectiveness of the U.S.-India 
     Defense Technology and Trade Initiative and the durability of 
     the ``India Rapid Reaction Cell'' of the Department of 
     Defense;
       (4) to resolve issues impeding defense trade, security 
     cooperation, and co-production and co-development 
     opportunities between the United States and India;
       (5) to collaborate with the Government of India to develop 
     mutually agreeable mechanisms to verify the security of 
     defense technology information and equipment, such as 
     tailored cyber security and end-use monitoring arrangements;
       (6) to promote policies that will encourage the efficient 
     review and authorization of defense sales and exports to 
     India, including the treatment of military sales and export 
     authorizations to India in a manner similar to that of the 
     closest defense partners of the United States;
       (7) to pursue greater government-to-government and 
     commercial military transactions between the United States 
     and India; and
       (8) to support the development and alignment of the export 
     control and procurement regimes of India with those of the 
     United States and multilateral control regimes.
       (d) Bilateral Coordination.--The President is encouraged to 
     coordinate with the Government of India on an ongoing basis--
       (1) to develop and keep updated military contingency plans 
     for addressing threats to the mutual security interests of 
     both countries;
       (2) to develop combined military plans for missions such as 
     humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime domain 
     awareness, freedom of navigation, and other missions in the 
     national security interests of both countries; and
       (3) to work toward actions and joint efforts, such as 
     significant contributions to ongoing global conflicts, that 
     would allow the United States to treat India the same as its 
     closest partners and allies with respect to United States 
     laws and regulations.
       (e) Assessment Required.--
       (1) In general.--The President shall, on an ongoing basis, 
     carry out an assessment of the extent to which India 
     possesses capabilities to execute military operations of 
     mutual interest between the United States and India.
       (2) Use of assessment.--The President shall ensure that the 
     assessment described in paragraph (1) is used to inform the 
     review by the United States of applications to export defense 
     articles, defense services, or technical data to India under 
     the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4619. Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Mr. Hoeven, and Mr. Hatch) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 
2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTEGRATION EFFORTS WITH 
                   RESPECT TO CIVIL AND MILITARY UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
                   SYSTEMS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in 
     coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration and the heads of other relevant Federal 
     agencies, submit to Congress a report that--
       (1) assesses the risk posed by civil unmanned aircraft 
     systems operating at or below 400 feet above ground level 
     to--
       (A) the safety of aircraft of the Armed Forces operating in 
     military special use airspace and on military training 
     routes; and
       (B) the security of military installations located in the 
     United States that directly support strategic operations of 
     the Armed Forces;
       (2) assesses the technology the Department of Defense 
     employs to provide unmanned aircraft operators with airspace 
     situational awareness, the degree to which that technology is 
     compatible with any civilian unmanned aircraft system traffic 
     management system that may be part of the national airspace 
     system after the date of enactment of this Act, and the 
     potential of the technology to enhance the safety of the 
     United States national airspace system;
       (3) describes--
       (A) the cases in which unmanned aircraft of the Department 
     of Defense may need to be interoperable with any civilian 
     unmanned aircraft system traffic management system that may 
     be part of the national airspace

[[Page 8304]]

     system after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
       (B) the efforts of the Department of Defense to coordinate 
     with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration on--
       (i) research, development, testing, and evaluation of 
     concepts, technologies, and systems required to ensure that 
     unmanned aircraft systems of the Department of Defense are 
     interoperable with any civilian unmanned aircraft system 
     traffic management system that may be part of the national 
     airspace system after such date of enactment; and
       (ii) the development of technology and standards for any 
     civilian unmanned aircraft system traffic management system 
     that may be part of the national airspace system after such 
     date of enactment; and
       (4) assesses the adequacy of current laws, regulations, 
     procedures, and activities to address risks assessed under 
     paragraph (1) and identifies additional actions that may be 
     appropriate and necessary to address such risks.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Civil unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``civil 
     unmanned aircraft system'' means an unmanned aircraft system 
     that is a civil aircraft (as that term is defined in section 
     40102 of title 49, United States Code).
       (2) Unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft system.--The terms 
     ``unmanned aircraft'' and ``unmanned aircraft system'' have 
     the meanings given those terms in section 331 of the FAA 
     Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 
     U.S.C. 40101 note).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4620. Mrs. ERNST (for herself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Kirk, 
and Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle B of title XXVIII, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 2814. ARSENAL INSTALLATION REUTILIZATION AUTHORITY.

       (a) Modified Authority.--In the case of a military 
     manufacturing arsenal, the Secretary concerned may authorize 
     leases and contracts under section 2667 of title 10, United 
     States Code, for a term of up to 25 years, notwithstanding 
     subsection (b)(1) of such section, if the Secretary 
     determines that a lease or contract of that duration will 
     promote the national defense or be in the public interest for 
     the purpose of--
       (1) helping to maintain the viability of the military 
     manufacturing arsenal and any military installations on which 
     it is located;
       (2) eliminating, or at least reducing, the cost of 
     Government ownership of the military manufacturing arsenal, 
     including the costs of operations and maintenance, the costs 
     of environmental remediation, and other costs; and
       (3) leveraging private investment at the military 
     manufacturing arsenal through long-term facility use 
     contracts, property management contracts, leases, or other 
     agreements that support and advance the preceding purposes.
       (b) Delegation and Review Process.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary concerned may delegate the 
     authority provided by this section to the commander of the 
     major subordinate command of the Army that has responsibility 
     for the military manufacturing arsenal or, if part of a 
     larger military installation, the installation as a whole. 
     The commander may approve a lease or contract under such 
     authority on a case-by-case basis or a class basis.
       (2) Review period.--Any lease or contract that is approved 
     utilizing the delegation authority under paragraph (1) is 
     subject to a 90-day hold period so that the Army real 
     property manager may review the lease or contract pursuant to 
     paragraph (3).
       (3) Disposition of review.--If the Army real property 
     manager disapproves of a contract or lease submitted for 
     review under paragraph (2), the agreement shall be null and 
     void upon transmittal by the real property manager to the 
     delegating authority of a written disapproval, including a 
     justification for such disapproval, within the 90-day hold 
     period. If no such disapproval is transmitted within the 90-
     day hold period, the agreement shall be deemed approved.
       (4) Approval of revised agreement.--If, not later than 60 
     days after receiving a disapproval under paragraph (3), the 
     delegating authority submits to the Army real property 
     manager a new contract or lease that addresses the Army real 
     property manager's concerns outlined in such disapproval, the 
     new contract or lease shall be deemed approved unless the 
     Army real property manager transmits to the delegating 
     authority a disapproval of the new contract or lease within 
     30 days of such submission.
       (c) Military Manufacturing Arsenal Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``military manufacturing arsenal'' means a 
     Government-owned, Government-operated defense plant of the 
     Department of the Defense that manufactures weapons, weapon 
     components, or both.
       (d) Sunset.--The authority under this section shall 
     terminate at the close of September 30, 2019.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4621. Mrs. ERNST (for herself, Mr. Corker, and Mrs. Boxer) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 
2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle C of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1224. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE PESHMERGA OF THE 
                   KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have been 
     one of the most effective fighting forces in the military 
     campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham 
     (ISIS);
       (2) the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham poses an acute 
     threat to the people and territorial integrity of Iraq, 
     including the Kurdistan Region, and the security and 
     stability of the Middle East;
       (3) the severe budget shortfalls faced by both the 
     Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government are 
     hindering the effort to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and 
     al-Sham;
       (4) the $415,000,000 pledged by the Department of Defense 
     to the Peshmerga in April 2016, in coordination with the 
     Government of Iraq, in addition to the $65,000,000 already 
     provided from the Iraq Train and Equip Fund, should be a 
     priority for the Department as part of the continued support 
     for the Peshmerga in the fight against the Islamic State of 
     Iraq and al-Sham;
       (5) the Peshmerga should receive all weapons and equipment 
     that the United States agrees to provide uninterrupted and in 
     a timely manner;
       (6) the Peshmerga require medium and heavy weaponry that 
     will allow them to defend the Peshmerga and their coalition 
     advisers against the increased use of vehicle-borne 
     improvised explosive devices by the Islamic State of Iraq and 
     al-Sham; and
       (7) increased assistance to ensure the Peshmerga can 
     continue to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham is 
     vital to the liberation of Mosul, Iraq, to enhance the combat 
     medicine and logistical capabilities of the Peshmerga, for 
     the defense of internally displaced persons and refugees, and 
     for the defense of the coalition advisers of the Peshmerga.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4622. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 565. COORDINATION AND, AS APPROPRIATE, CONSOLIDATION OF 
                   FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS AND TRAINING FOR 
                   MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) Plan Required.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
     the House of Representatives a report setting forth a plan 
     for the coordination and, as possible, consolidation of the 
     current financial literacy training programs of the 
     Department of Defense and the military departments for 
     members of the Armed Forces into a coordinated and 
     comprehensive program of financial literacy training for 
     members that provides access over the life of the members' 
     service and in transit--
       (1) and reduces unnecessary duplication and unnecessary 
     costs in the provision of financial literacy training to 
     members; and
       (2) ensures that members receive effective and 
     comprehensive training in financial literacy as efficiently 
     as possible.
       (b) Implementation.--The Secretary of Defense and the 
     Secretaries of the military departments shall commence 
     implementation of the plan required by subsection (a) 90 days 
     after the date of the submittal of the plan as required by 
     that subsection.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4623. Mr. PAUL (for himself and Mr. Leahy) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy,

[[Page 8305]]

to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. JUSTICE SAFETY VALVE.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Justice Safety Valve Act of 2016''.
       (b) Authority to Impose a Sentence Below a Statutory 
     Minimum.--Section 3553 of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Authority to Impose a Sentence Below a Statutory 
     Minimum to Prevent an Unjust Sentence.--
       ``(1) General rule.--Notwithstanding any provision of law 
     other than this subsection, the court may impose a sentence 
     below a statutory minimum if the court finds that it is 
     necessary to do so in order to avoid violating the 
     requirements of subsection (a).
       ``(2) Court to give parties notice.--Before imposing a 
     sentence under paragraph (1), the court shall give the 
     parties reasonable notice of the court's intent to do so and 
     an opportunity to respond.
       ``(3) Statement in writing of factors.--The court shall 
     state, in the written statement of reasons, the factors under 
     subsection (a) that require imposition of a sentence below 
     the statutory minimum.
       ``(4) Appeal rights not limited.--This subsection does not 
     limit any right to appeal that would otherwise exist in its 
     absence.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4624. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title XVI, add the following:

     SEC. 1667. PROCUREMENT OF MEDIUM-RANGE DISCRIMINATION RADAR 
                   TO IMPROVE HOMELAND MISSILE DEFENSE.

       (a) Issuance of Request for Proposals.--Not later than 
     October 1, 2017, the Director of the Missile Defense Agency 
     shall issue a request for proposals for the Medium-Range 
     Discrimination Radar in order to improve homeland missile 
     defense.
       (b) Plan for Fielding.--The Director shall plan as follows:
       (1) To procure the Medium-Range Discrimination Radar, or an 
     equivalent sensor, for fielding at a location determined by 
     the Director to be appropriate to improve homeland missile 
     defense for the defense of Hawaii against limited ballistic 
     missile attack (including by accidental or unauthorized 
     launch).
       (2) To field the Radar, or such equivalent sensor, at the 
     location determined pursuant to paragraph (1) by not later 
     than December 31, 2021.
       (c) Funding.--Any procurement for purposes of this section 
     during fiscal year 2017 shall be made from within amounts 
     otherwise authorized to be appropriated by this Act. This 
     section does not authorize the appropriation of funds for 
     procurement for such purposes.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4625. Mr. MURPHY (for himself and Mr. Paul) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 1058, line 15, strike ``country.'' and insert the 
     following: ``country; and
       (9) consistent with the principles of good governance and 
     the rule of law, and to ensure alignment with the broader 
     foreign policy and national security objectives of the United 
     States, no funds authorized for the Defense Security 
     Cooperation Agency by this Act, any previous Act, or 
     otherwise available to the Agency may be used to carry out 
     the provisions of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 
     et seq.), for the purposes of implementing a sale of air to 
     ground munitions to Saudi Arabia unless the Government of 
     Saudi Arabia--
       (A) demonstrates an ongoing effort to combat the mutual 
     threat our nations face from designated foreign terrorist 
     organizations; and
       (B) takes all feasible precautions to reduce the risk of 
     harm to civilians and civilian objects, in compliance with 
     international humanitarian law, in the course of military 
     actions it pursues for the purpose of legitimate self-defense 
     as described in section 4 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2754).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4626. Mr. CARPER (for himself and Mr. Portman) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of division B, add the following:

             TITLE XXX--FEDERAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT REFORM

     SEC. 2951. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Federal Property 
     Management Reform Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 2952. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this title is to increase the efficiency and 
     effectiveness of the Federal Government in managing property 
     of the Federal Government by--
       (1) requiring the United States Postal Service to take 
     appropriate measures to better manage and account for 
     property and modernize the Postal fleet;
       (2) providing for increased collocation with Postal Service 
     facilities and guidance on Postal Service leasing practices;
       (3) establishing a Federal Property Council to develop 
     guidance on and ensure the implementation of strategies for 
     better managing Federal property;
       (4) providing incentives to agencies to dispose of excess 
     property through retention of proceeds; and
       (5) providing guidance for surplus property donations to 
     museums.

     SEC. 2953. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 5 of subtitle I of title 40, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

                 ``Subchapter VII--Property Management

     ``Sec. 621. Definitions

       ``In this subchapter:
       ``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the 
     Administrator of General Services.
       ``(2) Council.--The term `Council' means the Federal 
     Property Council established by section 623(a).
       ``(3) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
     the Office of Management and Budget.
       ``(4) Disposal.--The term `disposal' means any action that 
     constitutes the removal of any property from the inventory of 
     the Federal agency, including sale, transfer, deed, 
     demolition, donation, or exchange.
       ``(5) Federal agency.--The term `Federal agency' means--
       ``(A) an executive department or independent establishment 
     in the executive branch of the Government; or
       ``(B) a wholly owned Government corporation (other than the 
     United States Postal Service).
       ``(6) Field office.--The term `field office' means any 
     office of a Federal agency that is not the headquarters 
     office location for the Federal agency.
       ``(7) Postal property.--The term `postal property' means 
     any property owned or leased by the United States Postal 
     Service.
       ``(8) Public-private partnership.--The term `public-private 
     partnership' means any partnership or working relationship 
     between a Federal agency and a corporation, individual, or 
     nonprofit organization for the purpose of financing, 
     constructing, operating, managing, or maintaining 1 or more 
     Federal real property assets.
       ``(9) Underutilized property.--The term `underutilized 
     property' means a portion or the entirety of any real 
     property, including any improvements, that is used--
       ``(A) irregularly or intermittently by the accountable 
     Federal agency for program purposes of the Federal agency; or
       ``(B) for program purposes that can be satisfied only with 
     a portion of the property.

     ``Sec. 622. Collocation among United States Postal Service 
       properties

       ``(a) Identification of Postal Property.--Each year, the 
     Postmaster General shall--
       ``(1) identify a list of postal properties with space 
     available for use by Federal agencies; and
       ``(2) not later than September 30, submit the list to--
       ``(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate; and
       ``(B) the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of 
     the House of Representatives.
       ``(b) Voluntary Identification of Postal Property.--Each 
     year, the Postmaster General may submit the list under 
     subsection (a) to the Council.
       ``(c) Submission of List of Postal Properties to Federal 
     Agencies.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
     completion of a list under subsection (a), the Council shall 
     provide the list to each Federal agency.
       ``(2) Review by federal agencies.--Not later than 90 days 
     after the receipt of the list submitted under paragraph (1), 
     each Federal agency shall--
       ``(A) review the list;
       ``(B) review properties under the control of the Federal 
     agency; and
       ``(C) recommend collocations if appropriate.

[[Page 8306]]

       ``(d) Terms of Collocation.--On approval of the 
     recommendations under subsection (c) by the Postmaster 
     General and the applicable agency head, the Federal agency or 
     appropriate landholding entity may work with the Postmaster 
     General to establish appropriate terms of a lease for each 
     postal property.
       ``(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section 
     exceeds, modifies, or supplants any other Federal law 
     relating to any competitive bidding process governing the 
     leasing of postal property.

     ``Sec. 623. Establishment of a Federal Property Council

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established a Federal 
     Property Council.
       ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Council shall be--
       ``(1) to develop guidance and ensure implementation of an 
     efficient and effective property management strategy;
       ``(2) to identify opportunities for the Federal Government 
     to better manage property and assets of the Federal 
     Government; and
       ``(3) to reduce the costs of managing property of the 
     Federal Government, including operations, maintenance, and 
     security associated with Federal property.
       ``(c) Composition.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Council shall be composed 
     exclusively of--
       ``(A) the senior real property officers of each Federal 
     agency and the Postal Service;
       ``(B) the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of 
     Management and Budget;
       ``(C) the Controller of the Office of Management and 
     Budget;
       ``(D) the Administrator; and
       ``(E) any other full-time or permanent part-time Federal 
     officials or employees, as the Chairperson determines to be 
     necessary.
       ``(2) Chairperson.--The Deputy Director for Management of 
     the Office of Management and Budget shall serve as 
     Chairperson of the Council.
       ``(3) Executive director.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Chairperson shall designate an 
     Executive Director to assist in carrying out the duties of 
     the Council.
       ``(B) Qualifications; full-time.--The Executive Director 
     shall--
       ``(i) be appointed from among individuals who have 
     substantial experience in the areas of commercial real estate 
     and development, real property management, and Federal 
     operations and management;
       ``(ii) serve full time; and
       ``(iii) hold no outside employment that may conflict with 
     duties inherent to the position.
       ``(d) Meetings.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Council shall meet subject to the 
     call of the Chairperson.
       ``(2) Minimum.--The Council shall meet not fewer than 4 
     times each year.
       ``(e) Duties.--The Council, in consultation with the 
     Director and the Administrator, shall--
       ``(1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this subchapter, establish a property management plan 
     template, to be updated annually, which shall include 
     performance measures, specific milestones, measurable 
     savings, strategies, and Government-wide goals based on the 
     goals established under section 524(a)(7) to reduce surplus 
     property, to achieve better utilization of underutilized 
     property, or to enhance management of high value personal 
     property, and evaluation criteria to determine the 
     effectiveness of property management that are designed--
       ``(A) to enable Congress and heads of Federal agencies to 
     track progress in the achievement of property management 
     objectives on a Government-wide basis;
       ``(B) to improve the management of real property; and
       ``(C) to allow for comparison of the performance of Federal 
     agencies against industry and other public sector agencies in 
     terms of performance;
       ``(2) develop utilization rates consistent throughout each 
     category of space, considering the diverse nature of the 
     Federal portfolio and consistent with nongovernmental space 
     use rates;
       ``(3) develop a strategy to reduce the reliance of Federal 
     agencies on leased space for long-term needs if ownership 
     would be less costly;
       ``(4) provide guidance on eliminating inefficiencies in the 
     Federal leasing process;
       ``(5) compile a list of field offices that are suitable for 
     collocation with other property assets;
       ``(6) research best practices regarding the use of public-
     private partnerships to manage properties and develop 
     guidelines for the use of those partnerships in the 
     management of Federal property;
       ``(7) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this subchapter--
       ``(A) examine the disposal of surplus property through the 
     State Agencies for Surplus Property program; and
       ``(B) issue a report that includes recommendations on how 
     the program could be improved to ensure accountability and 
     increase efficiencies in the property disposal process; and
       ``(8) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this subchapter and annually during the 4-year period 
     beginning on the date that is 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this subchapter and ending on the date that is 5 
     years after the date of enactment of this subchapter, the 
     Council shall submit to the Director a report that contains--
       ``(A) a list of the remaining excess property or surplus 
     property that is real property, and underutilized properties 
     of each Federal agency;
       ``(B) the progress of the Council toward developing 
     guidance for Federal agencies to ensure that the assessment 
     required under section 524(a)(11)(B) is carried out in a 
     uniform manner;
       ``(C) the progress of Federal agencies toward achieving the 
     goals established under section 524(a)(7); and
       ``(D) if necessary, recommendations for legislation or 
     statutory reforms that would further the goals of the 
     Council, including streamlining the disposal of excess real 
     or personal property or underutilized property.
       ``(f) Consultation.--In carrying out the duties described 
     in subsection (e), the Council shall also consult with 
     representatives of--
       ``(1) State, local, tribal authorities, and affected 
     communities; and
       ``(2) appropriate private sector entities and 
     nongovernmental organizations that have expertise in areas 
     of--
       ``(A) commercial real estate and development;
       ``(B) government management and operations;
       ``(C) space planning;
       ``(D) community development, including transportation and 
     planning;
       ``(E) historic preservation;
       ``(F) providing housing to the homeless population; and
       ``(G) personal property management.
       ``(g) Council Resources.--The Director and the 
     Administrator shall provide staffing, and administrative 
     support for the Council, as appropriate.
       ``(h) Access to Information.--The Council shall make 
     available, on request, all information generated by the 
     Council in performing the duties of the Council to--
       ``(1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate;
       ``(2) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the 
     Senate;
       ``(3) the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of 
     the House of Representatives;
       ``(4) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
     the House of Representatives; and
       ``(5) the Comptroller General of the United States.
       ``(i) Exclusions.--In this section, surplus property shall 
     not include--
       ``(1) any military installation (as defined in section 2910 
     of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 
     U.S.C. 2687 note; Public Law 101-510));
       ``(2) any property that is excepted from the definition of 
     the term `property' under section 102;
       ``(3) Indian and native Eskimo property held in trust by 
     the Federal Government as described in section 
     3301(a)(5)(C)(iii);
       ``(4) real property operated and maintained by the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority pursuant to the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C. 831 et seq.);
       ``(5) any real property the Director excludes for reasons 
     of national security;
       ``(6) any public lands (as defined in section 203 of the 
     Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722)) administered 
     by--
       ``(A) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through--
       ``(i) the Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
       ``(ii) the Director of the National Park Service;
       ``(iii) the Commissioner of Reclamation; or
       ``(iv) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service; or
       ``(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
     Chief of the Forest Service; or
       ``(7) any property operated and maintained by the United 
     States Postal Service.

     ``Sec. 624. Inventory and database

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this subchapter, the Administrator shall 
     establish and maintain a single, comprehensive, and 
     descriptive database of all real property under the custody 
     and control of all Federal agencies.
       ``(b) Contents.--The database shall include--
       ``(1) information provided to the Administrator under 
     section 524(a)(11)(B); and
       ``(2) a list of property disposals completed, including--
       ``(A) the date and disposal method used for each property;
       ``(B) the proceeds obtained from the disposal of each 
     property;
       ``(C) the amount of time required to dispose of the 
     property, including the date on which the property is 
     designated as excess property;
       ``(D) the date on which the property is designated as 
     surplus property and the date on which the property is 
     disposed; and
       ``(E) all costs associated with the disposal.
       ``(c) Accessibility.--
       ``(1) Committees.--The database established under 
     subsection (a) shall be made available on request to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and 
     the Committee on Environment

[[Page 8307]]

     and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight 
     and Government Reform and the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
       ``(2) General public.--Not later than 3 years after the 
     date of enactment of this subchapter and to the extent 
     consistent with national security, the Administrator shall 
     make the database established under subsection (a) accessible 
     to the public at no cost through the website of the General 
     Services Administration.
       ``(d) Exclusions.--In this section, surplus property shall 
     not include--
       ``(1) any military installation (as defined in section 2910 
     of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 
     U.S.C. 2687 note; Public Law 101-510));
       ``(2) any property that is excepted from the definition of 
     the term `property' under section 102;
       ``(3) Indian and native Eskimo property held in trust by 
     the Federal Government as described in section 
     3301(a)(5)(C)(iii);
       ``(4) real property operated and maintained by the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority pursuant to the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C. 831 et seq.);
       ``(5) any real property the Director excludes for reasons 
     of national security;
       ``(6) any public lands (as defined in section 203 of the 
     Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722)) administered 
     by--
       ``(A) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through--
       ``(i) the Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
       ``(ii) the Director of the National Park Service;
       ``(iii) the Commissioner of Reclamation; or
       ``(iv) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service; or
       ``(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
     Chief of the Forest Service; or
       ``(7) any property operated and maintained by the United 
     States Postal Service.

     ``Sec. 625. Information on certain leasing authorities

       ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
     not later than December 31 of each year following the date of 
     enactment of this subchapter, a Federal agency with 
     independent leasing authority shall submit to the Council a 
     list of all leases, including operating leases, in effect on 
     the date of enactment of this subchapter that includes--
       ``(1) the date on which each lease was executed;
       ``(2) the date on which each lease will expire;
       ``(3) a description of the size of the space;
       ``(4) the location of the property;
       ``(5) the tenant agency;
       ``(6) the total annual rental payment; and
       ``(7) the amount of the net present value of the total 
     estimated legal obligations of the Federal Government over 
     the life of the contract.
       ``(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to--
       ``(1) the United States Postal Service; or
       ``(2) any other property the President excludes from 
     subsection (a) for reasons of national security.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 5 
     of subtitle I of title 40, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 611 the 
     following:

                  ``subchapter vii--property management

``Sec. 621. Definitions.
``Sec. 622. Collocation among United States Postal Service properties.
``Sec. 623. Establishment of a Federal Property Council.
``Sec. 624. Inventory and database.
``Sec. 625. Information on certain leasing authorities.''.

       (2) Technical amendment.--Section 102 of title 40, United 
     States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
     by striking ``The'' and inserting ``Except as provided in 
     subchapters VII and VIII of chapter 5 of this title, the''.

     SEC. 2954. UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 5 of subtitle I of title 40, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 2953, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

  ``Subchapter VIII--United States Postal Service Property Management

     ``Sec. 641. Definitions

       ``In this subchapter:
       ``(1) Excess property.--The term `excess property' means 
     any postal property that the Postal Service determines is not 
     required to meet the needs or responsibilities of the Postal 
     Service.
       ``(2) Postal property.--The term `postal property' means 
     any property owned or leased by, or under the control of, the 
     Postal Service.
       ``(3) Postal service.--The term `Postal Service' means the 
     United States Postal Service.
       ``(4) Underutilized property.--The term `underutilized 
     property' means a portion or the entirety of any real 
     property, including any improvements, that is used--
       ``(A) irregularly or intermittently by the Postal Service 
     for program purposes of the Postal Service; or
       ``(B) for program purposes that can be satisfied only with 
     a portion of the property.

     ``Sec. 642. United States Postal Service property management

       ``(a) In General.--The Postal Service--
       ``(1) shall maintain adequate inventory controls and 
     accountability systems for postal property;
       ``(2) shall develop current and future workforce 
     projections so as to have the capacity to assess the needs of 
     the Postal Service workforce regarding the use of property;
       ``(3) may develop a 5-year management template that--
       ``(A) establishes goals and policies that will lead to the 
     reduction of excess property and underutilized property in 
     the inventory of the Postal Service;
       ``(B) adopts workplace practices, configurations, and 
     management techniques that can achieve increased levels of 
     productivity and decrease the need for real property assets;
       ``(C) assesses leased space to identify space that is not 
     fully used or occupied;
       ``(D) develops recommendations on how to address excess 
     capacity at Postal Service facilities without negatively 
     impacting mail delivery; and
       ``(E) develops recommendations on ensuring the security of 
     mail processing operations; and
       ``(4) if the Postal Service develops a template under 
     paragraph (3), shall, as part of that template, on a regular 
     basis--
       ``(A) conduct an inventory of postal property that is real 
     property; and
       ``(B) create a report that covers each property identified 
     under subparagraph (A), similar to the `USPS Owned Facilities 
     Report' and the `USPS Leased Facilities Report', that 
     includes--
       ``(i) the date on which the Postal Service first occupied 
     the property;
       ``(ii) the size of the property in square footage and 
     acreage;
       ``(iii) the geographical location of the property, 
     including an address and description;
       ``(iv) the extent to which the property is being utilized;
       ``(v) the actual annual operating costs associated with the 
     property;
       ``(vi) the total cost of capital expenditures associated 
     with the property;
       ``(vii) the number of postal employees, contractor 
     employees, and functions housed at the property;
       ``(viii) the extent to which the mission of the Postal 
     Service is dependent on the property; and
       ``(ix) the estimated amount of capital expenditures 
     projected to maintain and operate the property over each of 
     the next 5 years after the date of enactment of this 
     subchapter.
       ``(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection 
     (a)(4)(B) shall be construed to require the Postal Service to 
     obtain an appraisal of postal property.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 5 of subtitle I of title 40, United 
     States Code, as amended by section 3, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 626 the following:

   ``subchapter viii--united states postal service property management

``Sec. 641. Definitions.
``Sec. 642. United States Postal Service property management.''.

     SEC. 2955. AGENCY RETENTION OF PROCEEDS.

       Section 571 of title 40, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``Sec. 571. General rules for deposit and use of proceeds

       ``(a) Proceeds From Transfer or Sale of Real Property.--
       ``(1) Deposit of net proceeds.--Except as otherwise 
     provided by Federal law, net proceeds described in subsection 
     (d) shall be deposited into the appropriate account of the 
     agency that had custody and accountability for the property 
     at the time the property is determined to be excess.
       ``(2) Expenditure of net proceeds.--The net proceeds 
     deposited pursuant to paragraph (1) may only be expended as 
     authorized in annual appropriations Acts, for--
       ``(A) activities described in sections 543 and 545, 
     including paying costs incurred by the General Services 
     Administration for any disposal-related activity authorized 
     by this title; and
       ``(B) activities pursuant to implementation of the Federal 
     Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010 (40 U.S.C. 581 note; 
     Public Law 111-308).
       ``(3) Deficit reduction.--Any net proceeds described in 
     subsection (d) from the sale, lease, or other disposition of 
     surplus real property that are not expended under paragraph 
     (2) shall be used for deficit reduction.
       ``(b) Effect on Other Sections.--Nothing in this section is 
     intended to affect section 572(b), 573, or 574.
       ``(c) Disposal Agency for Reverted Property.--For the 
     purposes of this section, for any property that reverts to 
     the United States under sections 550 and 553, the General 
     Services Administration, as the disposal agency, shall be 
     treated as the agency with custody and accountability for the 
     property at the time the property is determined to be excess.
       ``(d) Net Proceeds.--The net proceeds described in this 
     subsection are proceeds under

[[Page 8308]]

     this chapter, less expenses of the transfer or disposition as 
     provided in section 572(a), from--
       ``(1) a transfer of excess real property to a Federal 
     agency for agency use; or
       ``(2) a sale, lease, or other disposition of surplus real 
     property.
       ``(e) Proceeds From Transfer or Sale of Personal 
     Property.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     subchapter, proceeds described in paragraph (2) shall be 
     deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
       ``(2) Proceeds.--The proceeds described in this paragraph 
     are proceeds under this chapter from--
       ``(A) a transfer of excess personal property to a Federal 
     agency for agency use; or
       ``(B) a sale, lease, or other disposition of surplus 
     personal property.
       ``(3) Payment of expenses of sale before deposit.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to regulations under this 
     subtitle, the expenses of the sale of personal property may 
     be paid from the proceeds of the sale so that only the net 
     proceeds are deposited in the Treasury.
       ``(B) Application.--This paragraph applies whether proceeds 
     are deposited as miscellaneous receipts or to the credit of 
     an appropriation as authorized by law.
       ``(f) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section modifies, 
     affects, or repeals any other provision of Federal law 
     directing the use of retained proceeds relating to the sale 
     of the property of an agency.''.

     SEC. 2956. INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT ON UNITED STATES POSTAL 
                   SERVICE PROPERTY.

       (a) Definition of Excess Property.--In this section, the 
     term ``excess property'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 641 of title 40, United States Code, as added by 
     section 2954.
       (b) Excess Property Report.--Not later than 2 years after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of 
     the United States Postal Service shall submit to Congress a 
     report that includes--
       (1) a survey of excess property held by the United States 
     Postal Service; and
       (2) recommendations for repurposing property identified in 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) to--
       (i) reduce excess capacity; and
       (ii) increase collocation with other Federal agencies; and
       (B) without diminishing the ability of the United States 
     Postal Service to meet the service standards established 
     under section 3691 of title 39, United States Code, as in 
     effect on January 1, 2016.

     SEC. 2957. REPORTS ON UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FLEET 
                   MODERNIZATION.

       (a) GAO Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall study and submit to Congress a report on--
       (1) the feasibility of the United States Postal Service 
     designing mail delivery vehicles that are equipped for 
     diverse geographic conditions such as travel in rural areas 
     and extreme weather conditions; and
       (2) the feasibility and cost of the United States Postal 
     Service integrating the use of collision-averting technology 
     into its vehicle fleet.
       (b) Postal Service Report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the United States Postal 
     Service shall submit to Congress a report that includes--
       (1) a review of the efforts of the United States Postal 
     Service relating to fleet replacement and modernization; and
       (2) a strategy for carrying out the fleet replacement and 
     lifecycle plan of the United States Postal Service.

     SEC. 2958. SURPLUS PROPERTY DONATIONS TO MUSEUMS.

       Section 549(c)(3)(B) of title 40, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking clause (vii) and inserting the following:
       ``(vii) a museum open to the public on a regularly 
     scheduled weekly basis, and the hours of operation are, at a 
     minimum, during normal business hours (as determined by the 
     Administrator);''.

     SEC. 2959. DUTIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 524(a) of title 40, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) develop current and future workforce projections so 
     as to have the capacity to assess the needs of the Federal 
     workforce regarding the use of real property;
       ``(7) establish goals and policies that will lead the 
     executive agency to reduce excess property and underutilized 
     property in the inventory of the executive agency;
       ``(8) submit to the Federal Property Council an annual 
     report on all excess property that is real property and 
     underutilized property in the inventory of the executive 
     agency, including--
       ``(A) whether underutilized property can be better 
     utilized, including through collocation with other executive 
     agencies or consolidation with other facilities; and
       ``(B) the extent to which the executive agency believes 
     that retention of the underutilized property serves the needs 
     of the executive agency;
       ``(9) adopt workplace practices, configurations, and 
     management techniques that can achieve increased levels of 
     productivity and decrease the need for real property assets;
       ``(10) assess leased space to identify space that is not 
     fully used or occupied;
       ``(11) on an annual basis and subject to the guidance of 
     the Federal Property Council--
       ``(A) conduct an inventory of real property under control 
     of the executive agency; and
       ``(B) make an assessment of each property, which shall 
     include--
       ``(i) the age and condition of the property;
       ``(ii) the size of the property in square footage and 
     acreage;
       ``(iii) the geographical location of the property, 
     including an address and description;
       ``(iv) the extent to which the property is being utilized;
       ``(v) the actual annual operating costs associated with the 
     property;
       ``(vi) the total cost of capital expenditures incurred by 
     the Federal Government associated with the property;
       ``(vii) sustainability metrics associated with the 
     property;
       ``(viii) the number of Federal employees and contractor 
     employees and functions housed at the property;
       ``(ix) the extent to which the mission of the executive 
     agency is dependent on the property;
       ``(x) the estimated amount of capital expenditures 
     projected to maintain and operate the property during the 5-
     year period beginning on the date of enactment of this 
     paragraph; and
       ``(xi) any additional information required by the 
     Administrator of General Services to carry out section 623; 
     and
       ``(12) provide to the Federal Property Council and the 
     Administrator of General Services the information described 
     in paragraph (11)(B) to be used for the establishment and 
     maintenance of the database described in section 624.''.
       (b) Definition of Executive Agency.--Section 524 of title 
     40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(c) Definition of Executive Agency.--For the purpose of 
     paragraphs (6) through (12) of subsection (a), the term 
     `executive agency' shall have the meaning given the term 
     `Federal agency' in section 621.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4627. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT ON 
                   THE AIR FORCE STRATEGIC BASING PROCESS.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the congressional defense 
     committees an interim report on the suitability and 
     effectiveness of the Air Force's strategic basing process, 
     with a final report to follow not later than 270 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (b) Elements.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
     include a description and assessment of each of the 
     following:
       (1) Effectiveness and alignment of the strategic basing 
     process with Air Force strategy and objectives.
       (2) Authoritativeness, transparency, consistency, and 
     auditability of the Air Force strategic basing process.
       (3) Development of the criteria, basing objectives, 
     policies, programming, planning, and directives used for 
     determining the enterprise-wide review for potential basing 
     actions.
       (4) Development of the criteria basing objectives, 
     policies, programming, planning, and directives used for 
     determining candidate bases for potential basing actions.
       (5) Integration of risk management into the strategic 
     basing process and communication of risk to stakeholders and 
     Congress.
       (6) The decision-making process to arrive at final 
     strategic basing decisions.
       (7) Notification, method, timeliness, and transparency of 
     changes to criteria to stakeholders and Congress.
       (8) Appropriateness and timeliness of notifications to 
     various stakeholders.
       (9) Applicability to the other military departments and 
     Defense agencies.
       (10) Other information determined to be appropriate by the 
     Comptroller General.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4628. Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Rounds, Mrs. 
Gillibrand, and Mr. Franken) submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by her to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, 
for military construction, and for defense activities of

[[Page 8309]]

the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on 
the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN 
                   PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, MITIGATION, TREATMENT, 
                   AND REHABILITATION OF HEALTH CONDITIONS 
                   RELATING TO EXPOSURE TO BURN PITS AND OTHER 
                   ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 7330B. Center of excellence in prevention, diagnosis, 
       mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of health 
       conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and other 
       environmental exposures

       ``(a) Establishment.--(1) The Secretary shall establish 
     within the Department a center of excellence in the 
     prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and 
     rehabilitation of health conditions relating to exposure to 
     burn pits and other environmental exposures to carry out the 
     responsibilities specified in subsection (d).
       ``(2) The Secretary shall establish the center of 
     excellence under paragraph (1) through the use of--
       ``(A) the directives and policies of the Department in 
     effect as of the date of the enactment of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017;
       ``(B) the recommendations of the Comptroller General of the 
     United States and Inspector General of the Department in 
     effect as of such date; and
       ``(C) guidance issued by the Secretary of Defense under 
     section 313 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-239; 10 U.S.C. 1074 note).
       ``(b) Selection of Site.--In selecting the site for the 
     center of excellence established under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall consider entities that--
       ``(1) are equipped with the specialized equipment needed to 
     study, diagnose, and treat health conditions relating to 
     exposure to burn pits and other environmental exposures;
       ``(2) have a track record of publishing information 
     relating to post-deployment health exposures among veterans 
     who served in the Armed Forces in support of Operation Iraqi 
     Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom;
       ``(3) have access to animal models and in vitro models of 
     dust immunology and lung injury consistent with the injuries 
     of members of the Armed Forces who served in support of 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
       ``(4) have expertise in allergy, immunology, and pulmonary 
     diseases.
       ``(c) Collaboration.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
     center of excellence collaborates, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, with the Secretary of Defense, institutions of 
     higher education, and other appropriate public and private 
     entities (including international entities) to carry out the 
     responsibilities specified in subsection (d).
       ``(d) Responsibilities.--The center of excellence shall 
     have the following responsibilities:
       ``(1) To provide for the development, testing, and 
     dissemination within the Department of best practices for the 
     treatment of health conditions relating to exposure to burn 
     pits and other environmental exposures.
       ``(2) To provide guidance for the health systems of the 
     Department and the Department of Defense in determining the 
     personnel required to provide quality health care for members 
     of the Armed Forces and veterans with health conditions 
     relating to exposure to burn pits and other environmental 
     exposures.
       ``(3) To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive 
     program to train health professionals of the Department and 
     the Department of Defense in the treatment of health 
     conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and other 
     environmental exposures.
       ``(4) To facilitate advancements in the study of the short-
     term and long-term effects of exposure to burn pits and other 
     environmental exposures.
       ``(5) To disseminate within medical facilities of the 
     Department best practices for training health professionals 
     with respect to health conditions relating to exposure to 
     burn pits and other environmental exposures.
       ``(6) To conduct basic science and translational research 
     on health conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and 
     other environmental exposures for the purposes of 
     understanding the etiology of such conditions and developing 
     preventive interventions and new treatments.
       ``(7) To provide medical treatment to veterans diagnosed 
     with medical conditions specific to exposure to burn pits and 
     other environmental exposures.
       ``(e) Use of Burn Pits Registry Data.--In carrying out its 
     responsibilities under subsection (d), the center shall have 
     access to and make use of the data accumulated by the burn 
     pits registry established under section 201 of the Dignified 
     Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 
     (Public Law 112-260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note).
       ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `burn pit' means an area of land located in 
     Afghanistan or Iraq that--
       ``(A) is designated by the Secretary of Defense to be used 
     for disposing solid waste by burning in the outdoor air; and
       ``(B) does not contain a commercially manufactured 
     incinerator or other equipment specifically designed and 
     manufactured for the burning of solid waste.
       ``(2) The term `other environmental exposures' means 
     exposure to environmental hazards, including burn pits, dust 
     or sand, hazardous materials, and waste at any site in 
     Afghanistan or Iraq that emits smoke containing pollutants 
     present in the environment or smoke from fires or explosions.
       ``(g) Funding.--(1) There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out this section $30,000,000 for each of the first 
     five fiscal years beginning after the date of the enactment 
     of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2017.
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary may award additional amounts on a 
     competitive basis to the center of excellence from the 
     medical and prosthetics research account of the Department 
     for the purpose of conducting research under this section.
       ``(B) The Secretary shall give priority in the award of 
     amounts under subparagraph (A) to research on multiple 
     sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 73 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 7330A the following new 
     item:

``7330B. Center of excellence in prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, 
              treatment, and rehabilitation of health conditions 
              relating to exposure to burn pits and other environmental 
              exposures.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4629. Mr. RUBIO (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Warner, Mr. Inhofe, 
Mr. Hatch, Mr. Moran, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Lee, 
Mr. King, Mr. Thune, Ms. Ayotte, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Burr, Mr. Cardin, 
Ms. Collins, Mr. Kaine, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In section 844, strike subsection (e).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4630. Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Portman) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. COLLABORATION BETWEEN FEDERAL AVIATION 
                   ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ON 
                   UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

       (a) Collaboration Between Federal Aviation Administration 
     in Department of Defense Required.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration and the Secretary of Defense shall collaborate 
     on developing standards, policies, and procedures for sense 
     and avoid capabilities for unmanned aircraft systems.
       (2) Elements.--The collaboration required by paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following:
       (A) Sharing information and technology on safely 
     integrating unmanned aircraft systems and manned aircraft in 
     the national airspace system.
       (B) Building upon Air Force and Department of Defense 
     experience to inform the Federal Aviation Administration's 
     development of civil standards, policies, and procedures for 
     integrating unmanned aircraft systems in the national 
     airspace system.
       (C) Assisting in the development of best practices for 
     unmanned aircraft airworthiness certification, development of 
     airborne and ground-based sense and avoid capabilities for 
     unmanned aircraft systems, and research and development on 
     unmanned aircraft systems, especially with respect to matters 
     involving human factors, information assurance, and security.
       (b) Participation by Federal Aviation Administration in 
     Department of Defense Activities.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator may participate and 
     provide assistance for participation in test and evaluation 
     efforts of

[[Page 8310]]

     the Department of Defense, including the Air Force, relating 
     to ground-based sense and avoid and airborne sense and avoid 
     capabilities for unmanned aircraft systems.
       (2) Participation through centers of excellence and test 
     sites.--Participation under paragraph (1) may include 
     provision of assistance through the Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
     Center of Excellence and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test 
     Sites.
       (c) Unmanned Aircraft System Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``unmanned aircraft system'' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 331 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 
     of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4631. Mr. PETERS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In the funding table in section 4101, in the item relating 
     to Hi Mob Multi-Purp Whld Veh (HMMWV), strike the amount in 
     the Senate authorized column and insert ``26,000''.
       In the funding table in section 4101, in the item relating 
     to Total Other Procurement, Army, strike the amount in the 
     Senate authorized column and insert ``5,567,063''.
       In the funding table in section 4101, in the item relating 
     to Total Procurement, strike the amount in the Senate 
     authorized column and insert ``102,439,976''.
       In the funding table in section 4301, in the item for 
     Operation & Maintenance, Navy relating to Enterprise 
     Information, strike the amount in the Senate authorized 
     column and insert ``731,385''.
       In the funding table in section 4301, in the item relating 
     to Total Operation & Maintenance, Navy, strike the amount in 
     the Senate authorized column and insert ``39,394,291''.
       In the funding table in section 4301, in the item relating 
     to Total Operation & Maintenance, strike the amount in the 
     Senate authorized column and insert ``171,384,798''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4632. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike section 111.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4633. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SELF-DEFENSE AND 
                   PROTECTION.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Federal Law Enforcement Self-Defense and Protection Act of 
     2016''.
       (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Too often, Federal law enforcement officers encounter 
     potentially violent criminals, placing officers in danger of 
     grave physical harm.
       (2) In 2012 alone, 1,857 Federal law enforcement officers 
     were assaulted, with 206 sustaining serious injuries.
       (3) From 2008 through 2011, an additional 8,587 Federal law 
     enforcement officers were assaulted.
       (4) Federal law enforcement officers remain a target even 
     when they are off-duty. Over the past 3 years, 27 law 
     enforcement officers have been killed off-duty.
       (5) It is essential that law enforcement officers are able 
     to defend themselves, so they can carry out their critical 
     missions and ensure their own personal safety and the safety 
     of their families whether on-duty or off-duty.
       (6) These dangers to law enforcement officers continue to 
     exist during a covered furlough.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``agency'' means each authority of the 
     executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government 
     of the United States;
       (2) the term ``covered Federal law enforcement officer'' 
     means any individual who--
       (A) is an employee of an agency;
       (B) has the authority to make arrests or apprehensions for, 
     or prosecute, violations of Federal law; and
       (C) on the day before the date on which the applicable 
     covered furlough begins, is authorized by the agency 
     employing the individual to carry a firearm in the course of 
     official duties;
       (3) the term ``covered furlough'' means a planned event by 
     an agency during which employees are involuntarily furloughed 
     due to downsizing, reduced funding, lack of work, or any 
     budget situation including a lapse in appropriations; and
       (4) the term ``firearm'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 921 of title 18, United States Code.
       (d) Protecting Federal Law Enforcement Officers Who Are 
     Subjected to a Covered Furlough.--During a covered furlough, 
     a covered Federal law enforcement officer shall have the same 
     rights to carry a firearm issued by the Federal Government as 
     if the covered furlough was not in effect, including, if 
     authorized on the day before the date on which the covered 
     furlough begins, the right to carry a concealed firearm, if 
     the sole reason the covered Federal law enforcement officer 
     was placed on leave was due to the covered furlough.
       (e) Compensation for Federal Employees Affected by a Lapse 
     in Appropriations.--Section 1341 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``An officer'' and 
     inserting ``Except as specified in this subchapter or any 
     other provision of law, an officer''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c)(1) In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `covered lapse in appropriations' means a 
     lapse in appropriations that begins on or after October 1, 
     2016; and
       ``(B) the term `excepted employee' means an excepted 
     employee or an employee performing emergency work, as such 
     terms are defined by the Office of Personnel Management.
       ``(2) Each Federal employee furloughed as a result of a 
     covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for the period 
     of the lapse in appropriations, and each excepted employee 
     who is required to perform work during a covered lapse in 
     appropriations shall be paid for such work, at the employee's 
     standard rate of pay at the earliest date possible after the 
     lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay 
     dates.
       ``(3) During a covered lapse in appropriations, each 
     excepted employee who is required to perform work shall be 
     entitled to use leave under chapter 63 of title 5, or any 
     other applicable law governing the use of leave by the 
     excepted employee, for which compensation shall be paid at 
     the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations 
     ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4634. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle B of title II, add the following:

     SEC. 306. COMPLIANCE OF MILITARY HOUSING WATER SUPPLIES WITH 
                   FEDERAL AND STATE DRINKING WATER STANDARDS.

       (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
     a study to determine whether members of the Armed Forces and 
     their families who live in military housing in the United 
     States have access to water that complies with Federal and 
     State drinking water standards and guidance, including health 
     advisory levels.
       (b) Compliance Measures.--If the Secretary finds that water 
     available to members of the Armed Forces and their families 
     who live in military housing does not meet State or Federal 
     drinking water standards and guidance, including health 
     advisory levels, the Secretary shall--
       (1) in the case of military housing serviced by Department 
     of Defense-controlled water supply systems, take immediate 
     steps to bring noncompliant water sources into compliance 
     with State and Federal standards and guidance, including 
     health advisory levels, and in the case of military housing 
     serviced by non-Department of Defense-controlled water supply 
     systems, work with the municipal or private water system to 
     take immediate steps to bring noncompliant water sources into 
     compliance with State and Federal standards and guidance, 
     including health advisory levels; and
       (2) within 30 days of discovering that a water source does 
     not meet State or Federal drinking water standards and 
     guidance, including health advisory levels, provide to the 
     Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives and the congressional delegation of the 
     affected State written verification describing the 
     noncompliant water sources, including the location of all 
     affected members of the Armed Forces, and an explanation 
     about how the Secretary will bring the water source

[[Page 8311]]

     into compliance with State and Federal standards and 
     guidance, including health advisory levels.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4635. Mr. BROWN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle B of title VIII, add the following:

     SEC. 829K. PREFERENCE FOR POTENTIAL DEFENSE CONTRACTORS THAT 
                   CARRY OUT CERTAIN STEM-RELATED ACTIVITIES.

       (a) In General.--In evaluating offers submitted in response 
     to a solicitation for contracts, the Secretary of Defense 
     shall provide a preference to any offeror that--
       (1) establishes or enhances undergraduate, graduate, and 
     doctoral programs in science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics (in this section referred to as ``STEM'' 
     disciplines);
       (2) makes investments, such as programming and curriculum 
     development, in STEM programs within elementary and secondary 
     schools, including those that support the needs of military 
     children;
       (3) encourages employees to volunteer in schools eligible 
     for assistance under part A of title I of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) in 
     order to enhance STEM education and programs;
       (4) makes personnel available to advise and assist faculty 
     at colleges and universities in the performance of STEM 
     research and disciplines critical to the functions of the 
     Department of Defense;
       (5) establishes partnerships between the offeror and 
     historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and 
     other minority-serving institutions for the purpose of 
     training students in scientific disciplines;
       (6) awards scholarships and fellowships, and establishes 
     cooperative work-education programs in scientific 
     disciplines;
       (7) attracts and retains faculty involved in scientific 
     disciplines critical to the functions of the Department of 
     Defense;
       (8) conducts recruitment activities at universities and 
     community colleges, including HBCUs, or offers internships or 
     apprenticeships; or
       (9) establishes programs and outreach efforts to strengthen 
     STEM.
       (b) Consideration of Evaluation Factors and Effect on Small 
     Business Concerns.--In prescribing regulations to carry out 
     this section, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that all 
     award decisions are based on evaluation factors and 
     significant subfactors that are tailored to the acquisition, 
     and that small business concerns are not unduly adversely 
     affected.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4636. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of Program.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     1703 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703A. Veterans Choice Program

       ``(a) Program.--
       ``(1) Furnishing of care.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations provided for such purpose, hospital care and 
     medical services under this chapter may be furnished to an 
     eligible veteran described in subsection (b), at the election 
     of such veteran, through contracts authorized under 
     subsection (d), or any other law administered by the 
     Secretary, with entities specified in subparagraph (B) for 
     the furnishing of such care and services to veterans. The 
     furnishing of hospital care and medical services under this 
     section may be referred to as the `Veterans Choice Program'.
       ``(B) Entities specified.--The entities specified in this 
     subparagraph are the following:
       ``(i) Any health care provider that is participating in the 
     Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), including any physician furnishing 
     services under such program.
       ``(ii) Any Federally-qualified health center (as defined in 
     section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396d(l)(2)(B))).
       ``(iii) The Department of Defense.
       ``(iv) The Indian Health Service.
       ``(v) Any health care provider not otherwise covered under 
     any of clauses (i) through (iv) that meets criteria 
     established by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
       ``(2) Choice of provider.--An eligible veteran who makes an 
     election under subsection (c) to receive hospital care or 
     medical services under this section may select a provider of 
     such care or services from among the entities specified in 
     paragraph (1)(B) that are accessible to the veteran.
       ``(3) Coordination of care and services.--The Secretary 
     shall coordinate, through the Non-VA Care Coordination 
     Program of the Department, the furnishing of care and 
     services under this section to eligible veterans, including 
     by ensuring that an eligible veteran receives an appointment 
     for such care and services within the wait-time goals of the 
     Veterans Health Administration for the furnishing of hospital 
     care and medical services.
       ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--A veteran is an eligible veteran 
     for purposes of this section if--
       ``(1) the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment 
     system of the Department established and operated under 
     section 1705 of this title; and
       ``(2)(A) the veteran is unable to schedule an appointment 
     for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from a 
     health care provider of the Department within the lesser of--
       ``(i) the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health 
     Administration for such care or services; or
       ``(ii) a period determined by a health care provider of the 
     Department to be clinically necessary for the receipt of such 
     care or services;
       ``(B) the veteran does not reside within 40 miles driving 
     distance from a medical facility of the Department, including 
     a community-based outpatient clinic, with a full-time primary 
     care physician;
       ``(C) the veteran--
       ``(i) resides in a State without a medical facility of the 
     Department that provides--
       ``(I) hospital care;
       ``(II) emergency medical services; and
       ``(III) surgical care rated by the Secretary as having a 
     surgical complexity of standard; and
       ``(ii) does not reside within 20 miles driving distance 
     from a medical facility of the Department described in clause 
     (i);
       ``(D) the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in 
     accessing hospital care or medical services from a medical 
     facility of the Department that is within 40 miles driving 
     distance from the residence of the veteran due to--
       ``(i) geographical challenges;
       ``(ii) environmental factors, such as roads that are not 
     accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous 
     weather;
       ``(iii) a medical condition of the veteran that affects the 
     ability to travel; or
       ``(iv) such other factors as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(E) the veteran resides in a location, other than a 
     location in Guam, American Samoa, or the Republic of the 
     Philippines, that requires the veteran to travel by air, 
     boat, or ferry to reach a medical facility of the Department, 
     including a community-based outpatient clinic;
       ``(F) the veteran is enrolled in the pilot program under 
     section 403 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care 
     Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 1703 
     note) as of the date of the enactment of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017; or
       ``(G) there is a compelling reason, as determined by the 
     Secretary, that the veteran needs to receive hospital care or 
     medical services from a medical facility other than a medical 
     facility of the Department.
       ``(c) Election and Authorization.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of an eligible veteran 
     described in subsection (b)(2)(A), the Secretary shall, at 
     the election of the veteran--
       ``(A) provide the veteran an appointment that exceeds the 
     wait-time goals described in such subsection or place such 
     veteran on an electronic waiting list described in paragraph 
     (2) for an appointment for hospital care or medical services 
     the veteran has elected to receive under this section; or
       ``(B)(i) authorize that such care or services be furnished 
     to the eligible veteran under this section; and
       ``(ii) notify the eligible veteran by the most effective 
     means available, including electronic communication or 
     notification in writing, describing the care or services the 
     eligible veteran is eligible to receive under this section.
       ``(2) Electronic waiting list.--The electronic waiting list 
     described in this paragraph shall be maintained by the 
     Department and allow access by each eligible veteran via 
     www.myhealth.va.gov or any successor website (or other 
     digital channel) for the following purposes:
       ``(A) To determine the place of such eligible veteran on 
     the waiting list.
       ``(B) To determine the average length of time an individual 
     spends on the waiting list, disaggregated by medical facility 
     of the Department and type of care or service needed, for 
     purposes of allowing such eligible veteran to make an 
     informed election under paragraph (1).

[[Page 8312]]

       ``(d) Care and Services Through Contracts.--
       ``(1) Contracts.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B) 
     and subject to the availability of appropriations provided 
     for such purpose, the Secretary may enter into contracts for 
     furnishing care and services to eligible veterans under this 
     section with entities specified in subsection (a)(1)(B).
       ``(B) Other processes.--Before entering into a contract 
     under this paragraph, the Secretary shall, to the maximum 
     extent practicable and consistent with the requirements of 
     this section, furnish such care and services to such veterans 
     under this section with such entities pursuant to sharing 
     agreements, existing contracts entered into by the Secretary, 
     or other processes available at medical facilities of the 
     Department.
       ``(C) Treatment of contracts.--A contract entered into 
     under this paragraph may not be treated as a Federal contract 
     for the acquisition of goods or services and is not subject 
     to any provision of law governing Federal contracts for the 
     acquisition of goods or services.
       ``(D) Contract defined.--In this paragraph, the term 
     `contract' has the meaning given that term in subpart 2.101 
     of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
       ``(2) Rates and reimbursement.--
       ``(A) In general.--In entering into a contract under 
     paragraph (1) with an entity specified in subsection 
     (a)(1)(B), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) negotiate rates for the furnishing of care and 
     services under this section; and
       ``(ii) reimburse the entity for such care and services at 
     the rates negotiated under clause (i) as provided in such 
     contract.
       ``(B) Limit on rates.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), rates 
     negotiated under subparagraph (A)(i) shall not be more than 
     the rates paid by the United States to a provider of services 
     (as defined in section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1395x(u))) or a supplier (as defined in section 
     1861(d) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(d))) under the Medicare 
     program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the same care or services.
       ``(ii) Exceptions.--

       ``(I) In general.--The Secretary may negotiate a rate that 
     is more than the rate paid by the United States as described 
     in clause (i) with respect to the furnishing of care or 
     services under this section to an eligible veteran who 
     resides in a highly rural area.
       ``(II) Other exceptions.--

       ``(aa) Alaska.--With respect to furnishing care or services 
     under this section in Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs will be followed, except for 
     when another payment agreement, including a contract or 
     provider agreement, is in place.
       ``(bb) Other states.--With respect to care or services 
     furnished under this section in a State with an All-Payer 
     Model Agreement in effect under section 1814 of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f), the Medicare payment rates 
     under clause (i) shall be calculated based on the payment 
     rates under such agreement.

       ``(III) Highly rural area defined.--In this clause, the 
     term `highly rural area' means an area located in a county 
     that has fewer than seven individuals residing in that county 
     per square mile.

       ``(C) Limit on collection.--For the furnishing of care or 
     services pursuant to a contract under paragraph (1), an 
     entity specified in subsection (a)(1)(B) may not collect any 
     amount that is greater than the rate negotiated pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A)(i).
       ``(e) Veterans Choice Card.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of receiving care and 
     services under this section, the Secretary shall issue to 
     each veteran described in subsection (b)(1) a card that may 
     be presented to a health care provider to facilitate the 
     receipt of care or services under this section.
       ``(2) Name of card.--Each card issued under paragraph (1) 
     shall be known as a `Veterans Choice Card'.
       ``(3) Details of card.--Each Veterans Choice Card issued to 
     a veteran under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
       ``(A) The name of the veteran.
       ``(B) An identification number for the veteran that is not 
     the social security number of the veteran.
       ``(C) The contact information of an appropriate office of 
     the Department for health care providers to confirm that care 
     or services under this section are authorized for the 
     veteran.
       ``(D) Contact information and other relevant information 
     for the submittal of claims or bills for the furnishing of 
     care or services under this section.
       ``(E) The following statement: `This card is for qualifying 
     medical care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
     Please call the Department of Veterans Affairs phone number 
     specified on this card to ensure that treatment has been 
     authorized.'.
       ``(4) Information on use of card.--Upon issuing a Veterans 
     Choice Card to a veteran, the Secretary shall provide the 
     veteran with information clearly stating the circumstances 
     under which the veteran may be eligible for care or services 
     under this section.
       ``(f) Information on Availability of Care.--The Secretary 
     shall provide information to a veteran about the availability 
     of care and services under this section in the following 
     circumstances:
       ``(1) When the veteran enrolls in the patient enrollment 
     system of the Department established and operated under 
     section 1705 of this title.
       ``(2) When the veteran attempts to schedule an appointment 
     for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from the 
     Department but is unable to schedule an appointment within 
     the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health Administration for 
     the furnishing of such care or services.
       ``(3) When the veteran becomes eligible for hospital care 
     or medical services under this section under subparagraph 
     (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of subsection (b)(2).
       ``(g) Follow-Up Care.--The Secretary shall ensure that, at 
     the election of an eligible veteran who receives hospital 
     care or medical services from a health care provider in an 
     episode of care under this section, the veteran receives such 
     care or services from that health care provider or another 
     health care provider selected by the veteran, including a 
     health care provider of the Department, through the 
     completion of the episode of care, including all specialty 
     and ancillary services deemed necessary as part of the 
     treatment recommended in the course of such care or services.
       ``(h) Providers.--To be eligible to furnish care or 
     services under this section, a health care provider must--
       ``(1) maintain at least the same or similar credentials and 
     licenses as those credentials and licenses that are required 
     of health care providers of the Department, as determined by 
     the Secretary for purposes of this section; and
       ``(2) submit, not less frequently than annually, 
     verification of such licenses and credentials maintained by 
     such health care provider.
       ``(i) Cost-Sharing.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require an eligible 
     veteran to pay a copayment for the receipt of care or 
     services under this section only if such eligible veteran 
     would be required to pay a copayment for the receipt of such 
     care or services at a medical facility of the Department or 
     from a health care provider of the Department under this 
     chapter.
       ``(2) Limitation.--The amount of a copayment charged under 
     paragraph (1) may not exceed the amount of the copayment that 
     would be payable by such eligible veteran for the receipt of 
     such care or services at a medical facility of the Department 
     or from a health care provider of the Department under this 
     chapter.
       ``(j) Claims Processing System.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for an 
     efficient nationwide system for prompt processing and paying 
     of bills or claims for authorized care and services furnished 
     to eligible veterans under this section.
       ``(2) Oversight.--The Chief Business Office of the Veterans 
     Health Administration shall oversee the implementation and 
     maintenance of such system.
       ``(3) Accuracy of payment.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that such 
     system meets such goals for accuracy of payment as the 
     Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(B) Quarterly report.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a quarterly report on the accuracy of such 
     system.
       ``(ii) Elements.--Each report required by clause (i) shall 
     include the following:

       ``(I) A description of the goals for accuracy for such 
     system specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A).
       ``(II) An assessment of the success of the Department in 
     meeting such goals during the quarter covered by the report.

       ``(iii) Deadline.--The Secretary shall submit each report 
     required by clause (i) not later than 20 days after the end 
     of the quarter covered by the report.
       ``(k) Medical Records.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
     health care provider that furnishes care or services under 
     this section to an eligible veteran submits to the Department 
     a copy of any medical record related to the care or services 
     provided to such veteran by such health care provider for 
     inclusion in the electronic medical record of such veteran 
     maintained by the Department upon the completion of the 
     provision of such care or services to such veteran.
       ``(2) Electronic format.--Any medical record submitted to 
     the Department under paragraph (1) shall, to the extent 
     possible, be in an electronic format.
       ``(l) Records Not Required for Reimbursement.--With respect 
     to care or services furnished to an eligible veteran by a 
     health care provider under this section, the receipt by the 
     Department of a medical record under subsection (k) detailing 
     such care or services is not required before reimbursing the 
     health care provider for such care or services.
       ``(m) Tracking of Missed Appointments.--The Secretary shall 
     implement a mechanism

[[Page 8313]]

     to track any missed appointments for care or services under 
     this section by eligible veterans to ensure that the 
     Department does not pay for such care or services that were 
     not furnished to an eligible veteran.
       ``(n) Rules of Construction.--
       ``(1) Prescription medications.--Nothing in this section 
     shall be construed to alter the process of the Department for 
     filling and paying for prescription medications.
       ``(2) Tiered network.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to authorize the creation of a tiered network in 
     which an eligible veteran would be required to receive care 
     or services from an entity in a higher tier than any other 
     entity or provider network.
       ``(o) Wait-Time Goals of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
     this section, the term `wait-time goals of the Veterans 
     Health Administration' means not more than 30 days from the 
     date on which a veteran requests an appointment for hospital 
     care or medical services from the Department.
       ``(2) Alternate goals.--If the Secretary submits to 
     Congress, not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, a report stating that the actual wait-time 
     goals of the Veterans Health Administration are different 
     from the wait-time goals specified in paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) for purposes of this section, the wait-time goals of 
     the Veterans Health Administration shall be the wait-time 
     goals submitted by the Secretary under this paragraph; and
       ``(B) the Secretary shall publish such wait-time goals in 
     the Federal Register and on an Internet website of the 
     Department available to the public.
       ``(p) Waiver of Certain Printing Requirements.--Section 501 
     of title 44 shall not apply in carrying out this section.
       ``(q) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,500,000,000.
       ``(r) Termination.--The Secretary may not furnish hospital 
     care or medical services under this section after January 31, 
     2019.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1703 the following new 
     item:

``1703A. Veterans Choice Program.''.

       (3) Source of amounts.--All amounts required to carry out 
     section 1703A of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
     paragraph (1), shall be derived from the appropriations 
     account described in section 4003 of the Surface 
     Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement 
     Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note).
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4637. Ms. HIRONO (for herself and Mr. Sullivan) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 249, between lines 12 and 13, insert the following:
       (a) Report on Military Compensation Package.--
       (1) Report required.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
     shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
     Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the full 
     array of the military compensation package, including--
       (A) the adequacy of Regular Military Compensation to 
     sustain all aspects of the All-Volunteer Force;
       (B) the modernization of the military retirement system to 
     be accomplished by part I of subtitle D of title VI of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 
     (Public Law 114-92; 129 Stat. 842);
       (C) indirect compensation that accrues by reason of 
     military service, including commissary and exchange benefits, 
     child care, health care, military life insurance, education 
     benefits, and veterans benefits;
       (D) the value of providing greater transparency to members 
     of the Armed Forces, prospective members of the Armed Forces, 
     and the public by providing an annual statement to members of 
     the total value of their military compensation packing, 
     including the value of the compensation described in 
     subparagraph (C);
       (E) the impacts of the matters in subparagraphs (A) through 
     (D) on recruitment, retention, and compensation of the All-
     Volunteer Force.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A review of all the components of Regular Military 
     Compensation, defined by the Department of Defense as the 
     following:
       (i) Basic pay.
       (ii) Basic allowance for housing.
       (iii) Basic allowance for subsistence
       (iv) The tax treatment of pay and allowances.
       (B) An analysis of Regular Military Compensation with 
     respect to the following:
       (i) Members of the Armed Forces who are married to other 
     members.
       (ii) Members who reside with other members.
       (iii) Members who share accommodations to achieve improved 
     financial standards.
       (C) A review of--
       (i) the ability of members to contribute toward military 
     retirement under the modernized military retirement system 
     described in paragraph (1)(B), including a review of the pay 
     and allowances required to contribute under the current 
     Regular Military Compensation structure and under any 
     proposed changes to Regular Military Compensation; and
       (ii) the adequacy of the modernized system to contribute to 
     the successful recruitment and retention of individual to and 
     in military service.
       (D) A review of indirect compensation, including commissary 
     and exchange benefits, child care, health care, 
     Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), education 
     benefits, and veterans benefits, and the manner in which such 
     compensation impacts the total military compensation package.
       (E) A robust analysis of, and a proposal for reform of, the 
     personal statement of military compensation issued annually 
     to each member, including its accuracy, its currency with 
     current and proposed changes to military compensation, and a 
     requirement for the clear statement of both ``Total Direct 
     Compensation'' and ``Service-Estimated Indirect 
     Compensation''.
       (F) An assessment of the adequacy of Regular Military 
     Compensation, the modernized military retirement system, and 
     indirect compensation for the recruitment and retention of 
     the All-Volunteer Force (including the readiness and combat 
     effectiveness of the Force) and for overall military 
     compensation.
       (G) A review and assessment of any other matters the 
     Secretary considers appropriate to produce recommendations on 
     the means by which to best recruit, retain, and reward the 
     All-Volunteer Force with a competitive compensation and 
     benefits package.
       (3) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.
       (4) Surveys.--Each annual status of forces survey conducted 
     by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) after fiscal year 
     2017 shall include questions on the value of the total 
     military compensation package, including basic allowance for 
     housing, to members of the Armed Forces, with such questions 
     designed to determine the following:
       (A) The value of the total military compensation package to 
     members.
       (B) The impact of the current total military compensation 
     package on the retention of members, and on the recruitment 
     of individuals to military service in the All-Volunteer 
     Force.
       After section 604, insert the following:

     SEC. 604A. DELAY IN EFFECTIVE DATE AND IMPROVEMENT OF REFORM 
                   OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING.

       (a) Delay.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of section 
     403a of title 37, United States Code (as added by section 
     604(a) of this Act), or subsection (p) of section 403 of 
     title 37, United States Code (as added by section 604(b) of 
     this Act), the reform of basic allowance for housing provided 
     for in such section 403a shall take effect on January 1, 
     2019.
       (2) Construction of certain dates.--Any reference to 
     ``January 1, 2018'' in section 403a of title 37, United 
     States Code (as so added), or subsection (p) of section 403 
     of title 37, United States Code (as so added), shall be 
     deemed to be a reference to ``January 1, 2019''. Any 
     reference to ``December 31, 2017'' in subsection (m) of such 
     section 403a shall be deemed to be a reference to ``December 
     31, 2018''.
       (b) Inclusion of Cost Utilities in Determination of Amount 
     Payable.--
       (1) Inclusion.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 403a of title 
     37, United States Code (as so added), is amended by striking 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(A) A maximum amount of the allowance shall be 
     established for each military housing area, based on the 
     costs of adequate housing and utilities in such area, for 
     each pay grade and dependency status.
       ``(B) The amount of the allowance payable to a member may 
     not exceed the lesser of--
       ``(i) the actual monthly cost of housing of the member plus 
     an amount equal to the estimated average amount paid for 
     utilities in the military housing area concerned during the 
     preceding year; or
       ``(ii) the maximum amount determined under subparagraph (A) 
     for members in the member's pay grade and dependency 
     status.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act 
     immediately after the coming into effect of the amendment in 
     section 604(a) of this Act adding section 403a of title 37, 
     United States Code, to which section 403a the amendment made 
     by paragraph (1) relates.

[[Page 8314]]


                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4638. Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mrs. Ernst, and Mr. 
Durbin) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the 
bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for 
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle H of title VIII, add the following:

     SEC. 899C. STRATEGY ON REVITALIZING ARMY ORGANIC INDUSTRIAL 
                   BASE.

       (a) Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 
     submit to the congressional defense committees a strategy on 
     revitalizing the Army Organic Industrial Base (OIB). The 
     strategy should detail the Army's plan to ensure the long-
     term viability of the Army's Organic Industrial Base.
       (b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a) 
     shall include at a minimum the following elements:
       (1) An assessment of Army legacy items sustained by the 
     Defense Logistics Agency.
       (2) A description of the use of the OIB to address 
     Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages.
       (3) Required critical capabilities across the OIB.
       (4) An assessment of infrastructure across the OIB.
       (5) An assessment of the OIB and private sector 
     manufacturing sources.
       (6) A description of the use of contracting to meet the OIB 
     requirements.
       (7) An assessment of current and future workloads across 
     the OIB.
       (8) An assessment of processes used to identify critical 
     capabilities for the Army's OIB and methods used to determine 
     workloads.
       (9) An assessment of exiting labor rates.
       (10) A description of required manufacturing skills needed 
     to sustain readiness.
       (11) A description of the use of private and public 
     partnerships.
       (12) A description of the use of working capital funds.
       (13) An assessment of operating expenses and the ability to 
     reduce or recover those expenses.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Legacy items.--The term ``legacy items'' means 
     manufactured items that are no longer produced by the private 
     sector but continue to be used for Department of Defense 
     weapons systems, excluding information technology and 
     information systems (as those terms are defined in section 
     11101 of title 40, United States Code).
       (2) Organic industrial base.--The term ``organic industrial 
     base'' means United States military facilities, including 
     arsenals, depots, munition plants and centers, and storage 
     sites, that advance a vital national security interest by 
     producing, maintaining, repairing, and storing the necessary 
     materiel, munitions, and hardware.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4639. Mrs. ERNST (for herself, Mr. McCain, and Mr. Cardin) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 
2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 308 strike line 16 and insert the following:

     complies with the requirements of this subsection.
       ``(4) This subsection does not apply to the furnishing of 
     athletic footwear to the members of the Army, the Navy, the 
     Air Force, or the Marine Corps upon their initial entry into 
     the armed forces, or prohibit the provision of a cash 
     allowance to such members for such purpose, if--
       ``(A) the Secretary of Defense determines that compliance 
     with paragraph (2) would result in a sole source contract for 
     procurement of athletic footwear for the purpose stated in 
     paragraph (1) because there would be limited qualified or 
     approved sources of supply for such footwear; or
       ``(B) the Secretary of the military department concerned 
     determines, with respect to members in initial entry and 
     recruit training under the jurisdiction of such Secretary, 
     that providing athletic footwear as otherwise required by 
     this subsection would have the potential to cause unnecessary 
     harm and risk to the safety and wellbeing of members in 
     initial entry training.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4640. Ms. CANTWELL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. AUTHORIZATION OF CANINE TEAMS FOR PASSENGER 
                   SCREENING BY TRANSPORTATION SECURITY 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Transportation 
     Security Administration may employ 178 passenger screening 
     canine teams over the number of such teams in operation as of 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Transportation Security Administration for fiscal year 
     2017 $52,000,000 to carry out subsection (a).
       (2) Offset.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     reduce amounts available for fiscal year 2017 for the Office 
     of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Management, the Office of Chief 
     Information Officer, and the Office of the Administrator of 
     Transportation Security Administration on a pro rata basis so 
     that the aggregate amount of such reductions is equal to the 
     amount authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4641. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. Burr, and Ms. Ayotte) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 
2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title XVI, add the following:

     SEC. 1667. REPORT ON FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF 
                   TRANSFERRING EXISTING DEVELOPMENTAL CRUISE 
                   MISSILE DEFENSE PLATFORMS TO MISSILE DEFENSE 
                   AGENCY.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
     shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
     that assesses the feasibility and advisability of 
     transferring existing developmental cruise missile defense 
     platforms to the Missile Defense Agency.
       (b) Limitation on Demilitarization.--The Secretary of the 
     Army may not demilitarize any existing developmental cruise 
     missile defense platform until the date that is 30 days after 
     the submission of the report required by subsection (a).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4642. Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Schumer, Mr. 
Menendez, and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, 
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department 
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal 
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. COMPLETION OF OUTSTANDING TRANSPORTATION SECURITY 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) According to the Inspector General of the Department of 
     Homeland Security, the Transportation Security 
     Administration's failure to complete certain requirements of 
     the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act 
     of 2007 (Public Law 110-53) may diminish the ability of the 
     Transportation Security Agency to strengthen passenger rail 
     security.
       (2) The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland 
     Security--
       (A) recognizes that voluntary initiatives can assist the 
     Transportation Security Agency in identifying potential 
     security vulnerabilities; and
       (B) recommends completing the requirements of the 
     Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
     2007 to improve passenger rail security.
       (b) Required Completion.--Not later than 6 months after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
     Transportation Security Administration shall, at a minimum, 
     complete sections 1512 and 1517 of the Implementing 
     Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 
     1162 and 1167).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4643. Mr. CARPER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction,

[[Page 8315]]

and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike section 812 and insert the following:

     SEC. 812. MICRO-PURCHASE THRESHOLD APPLICABLE TO GOVERNMENT 
                   PROCUREMENTS.

       (a) Department of Defense Procurements.--
       (1) Increased micro-purchase threshold.--
       (A) In general.--Chapter 137 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 2338. Micro-purchase threshold

       ``Notwithstanding subsection (a) of section 1902 of title 
     41, the micro-purchase threshold for the Department of 
     Defense for purposes of such section is $5,000.''.
       (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new item:

``2338. Micro-purchase threshold.''.

       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1902(a) of title 41, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``For purposes'' 
     and inserting ``Except as provided in section 2338 of title 
     10, for purposes''.
       (b) Other Procurements.--
       (1) Increase in threshold.--Section 1902 of title 41, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``$3,000'' and inserting 
     ``$10,000''; and
       (B) in subsections (d) and (e), by striking ``not greater 
     than $3,000'' and inserting ``with a price not greater than 
     the micro-purchase threshold''.
       (c) OMB Guidance.--The Director of the Office of Management 
     and Budget shall update the guidance in Circular A-123, 
     Appendix B, as appropriate, to ensure that agencies--
       (1) follow sound acquisition practices when making 
     purchases using the Government purchase card; and
       (2) maintain internal controls that reduce the risk of 
     fraud, waste, and abuse in Government charge card programs.
       (d) Convenience Checks.--A convenience check may not be 
     used for an amount in excess of one half of the micro-
     purchase threshold under section 1902(a) of title 41, United 
     States Code, or a lower amount set by the head of the agency, 
     and use of convenience checks shall comply with controls 
     prescribed in OMB Circular A-123, Appendix B.
       At the end of subtitle B of title VIII, add the following:

     SEC. 829K. PILOT PROGRAMS FOR AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE INNOVATIVE 
                   COMMERCIAL ITEMS USING GENERAL SOLICITATION 
                   COMPETITIVE PROCEDURES.

       (a) Authority.--
       (1) In general.--The head of an agency may carry out a 
     pilot program, to be known as a ``commercial solutions 
     opening pilot program'', under which innovative commercial 
     items may be acquired through a competitive selection of 
     proposals resulting from a general solicitation and the peer 
     review of such proposals.
       (2) Head of an agency.--In this section, the term ``head of 
     an agency'' means the following:
       (A) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
       (B) The Administrator of General Services.
       (3) Applicability of section.--This section applies to the 
     following agencies:
       (A) The Department of Homeland Security.
       (B) The General Services Administration.
       (b) Treatment as Competitive Procedures.--Use of general 
     solicitation competitive procedures for the pilot program 
     under subsection (a) shall be considered, in the case of the 
     Department of Homeland Security and the General Services 
     Administration, to be use of competitive procedures for 
     purposes division C of title 41, United States Code (as 
     defined in section 152 of such title).
       (c) Limitation.--The head of an agency may not enter into a 
     contract under the pilot program for an amount in excess of 
     $10,000,000.
       (d) Guidance.--The head of an agency shall issue guidance 
     for the implementation of the pilot program under this 
     section within that agency. Such guidance shall be issued in 
     consultation with the Office of Management and Budget and 
     shall be posted for access by the public.
       (e) Report Required.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than three years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the head of an agency shall 
     submit to the congressional committees specified in paragraph 
     (3) a report on the activities the agency carried out under 
     the pilot program.
       (2) Elements of report.--Each report under this subsection 
     shall include the following:
       (A) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program on 
     competition.
       (B) A comparison of acquisition timelines for--
       (i) procurements made using the pilot program; and
       (ii) procurements made using other competitive procedures 
     that do not use general solicitations.
       (C) A recommendation on whether the authority for the pilot 
     program should be made permanent.
       (3) Specified congressional committees.--The congressional 
     committees specified in this paragraph are the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House 
     of Representatives.
       (f) Innovative Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``innovative'' means--
       (1) any new technology, process, or method, including 
     research and development; or
       (2) any new application of an existing technology, process, 
     or method.
       (g) Termination.--The authority to enter into a contract 
     under a pilot program under this section terminates on 
     September 30, 2022.

     SEC. 829L. INCREASE IN SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD.

       (a) Civilian Contracts.--Section 134 of title 41, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``$100,000'' and 
     inserting ``$500,000''.
       (b) Defense Contracts.--Section 2302a(a) of title 10, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``as specified in 
     section 134 of title 41'' and inserting ``$150,000''.
       (c) Homeland Security Contracts.--Section 604(f) of the 
     American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (6 U.S.C. 
     453b(f)) is amended by striking ``the simplified acquisition 
     threshold referred to in section 2304(g) of title 10, United 
     States Code'' and inserting ``$150,000''.

     SEC. 829M. INNOVATION SET ASIDE PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Management 
     and Budget may, in consultation with the Administrator of the 
     Small Business Administration, conduct a pilot program to 
     increase the participation of new, innovative entities in 
     Federal contracting through the use of innovation set-asides.
       (b) Authority.--(1) Notwithstanding the competition 
     requirements in chapter 33 of title 41, United States Code, 
     and the set-aside requirements in section 15 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644), a Federal agency other than the 
     Department of Defense, with the concurrence of the Director, 
     may set aside a contract award to one or more new entrant 
     contractors. The Director shall consult with the 
     Administrator prior to providing concurrence.
       (2) Notwithstanding any law addressing compliance 
     requirements for Federal contracts--
       (A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), a contract 
     award to a new entrant contractor under the pilot program 
     shall be subject to the same relief afforded under section 
     1905 of title 41, United States Code, to contracts the value 
     of which is not greater than the simplified acquisition 
     threshold; and
       (B) for up to five pilots, the Director may authorize an 
     agency to make an award to a new entrant contractor subject 
     to the same compliance requirements that apply to a 
     contractor receiving an award from the Secretary of Defense 
     under section 2371 of title 10 United States Code.
       (c) Conditions for Use.--The authority provided in 
     subsection (b) may be used under the following conditions:
       (1)(A) The agency has a requirement for new methods, 
     processes, or technologies, which may include research and 
     development, or new applications of existing methods, 
     processes or technologies, to improve quality, reduce costs, 
     or both; or
       (B) Based on market research, the agency has determined 
     that the requirement cannot be easily provided through an 
     existing Federal contract;
       (2) The agency intends either to make an award to a small 
     business concern or to give special consideration to a small 
     business concern before making an award to other than a small 
     business; and
       (3) The length of the resulting contract will not exceed 2 
     years.
       (d) Number of Pilots.--The Director may authorize the use 
     of up to 25 innovation set-asides acquisitions.
       (e) Award Amount.--
       (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amount of an 
     award under the pilot program under this section may not 
     exceed $2,000,000 (including any options).
       (2) The Director may authorize not more than 5 set-asides 
     with an award amount greater than $2,000,000 but not greater 
     than $5,000,000 (including any options).
       (f) Guidance and Reporting.--
       (1) The Director shall issue guidance, as necessary, to 
     implement the pilot program under this section.
       (2) Within 3 years after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Director, in consultation with the Administrator 
     shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program under 
     this section. The report shall include the following:
       (A) The number of awards (or orders under the Schedule) 
     made under the authority of this section.
       (B) For each award (or order)--
       (i) the agency that made the award (or order);
       (ii) the amount of the award (or order); and
       (iii) a brief description of the award (or order), 
     including the nature of the requirement and the innovation 
     produced from the award (or expected if contract performance 
     is not completed).

[[Page 8316]]

       (g) Sunset.--The authority to award an innovation set-aside 
     under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2020.
       (h) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     ``new entrant contractor'', with respect to any contract 
     under the program, means an entity that has not been awarded 
     a Federal contract within the 5-year period ending on the 
     date on which a solicitation for that contract is issued 
     under the program.

     SEC. 829N. OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF 
                   HOMELAND SECURITY.

       Section 831 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     391) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Until September 30, 
     2016,'' and inserting ``Until September 30, 2021,''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``September 30, 
     2016,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2021,''.

                                 ______
                                 

  SA 4644. Ms. WARREN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 565. INFORMATION REGARDING EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR 
                   MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 101 of title 10, United States 
     Code, as amended by section 563 of this Act, is further 
     amended by inserting after section 2012a the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 2012b. Information regarding educational benefits for 
       members of the armed forces

       ``(a) Website Regarding Educational Benefits for Members of 
     the Armed Forces.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
     shall create a revised and updated searchable Internet 
     website that--
       ``(A) contains information, in simple and understandable 
     terms, about all Federal and State student financial 
     assistance, readmission requirements under section 484C of 
     the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091c), and other 
     student services, for which members of the armed forces 
     (including members of the National Guard and Reserves), 
     veterans, and the dependents of such members or veterans may 
     be eligible; and
       ``(B) is easily accessible through the Internet website 
     described in section 131(e)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015(e)(3)).
       ``(2) Implementation.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     of enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, the Secretary of Defense shall make 
     publicly available the revised and updated Internet website 
     described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Dissemination.--The Secretary of Defense, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Education and the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall make the availability of 
     the Internet website described in paragraph (1) widely known 
     to members of the armed forces (including members of the 
     National Guard and Reserves), veterans, the dependents of 
     such members or veterans, States, institutions of higher 
     education, and the general public.
       ``(4) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `Federal 
     and State student financial assistance' means any grant, 
     loan, work assistance, tuition assistance, scholarship, 
     fellowship, or other form of financial aid for pursuing a 
     postsecondary education that is--
       ``(A) administered, sponsored, or supported by the 
     Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, or a State; and
       ``(B) available to members of the armed forces (including 
     members of the National Guard and Reserves), veterans, or the 
     dependents of such members or veterans.
       ``(b) Enrollment Form for Benefits for Members of the Armed 
     Forces.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Bureau of Consumer 
     Financial Protection, the Secretary of Education, and the 
     heads of any other relevant Federal agencies, shall create a 
     simplified disclosure and enrollment form for borrowers who 
     are performing military service.
       ``(2) Contents.--The disclosure and enrollment form 
     described in paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) information about the benefits and protections under 
     title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 
     et seq.) and under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 
     U.S.C. 3901 et seq.) that are available to such borrower 
     because the borrower is performing military service; and
       ``(B) an opportunity for the borrower, by completing the 
     enrollment form, to invoke certain protections, activate 
     certain benefits, and enroll in certain programs that may be 
     available to that borrower, which shall include the 
     opportunity--
       ``(i) to invoke applicable protections that are available 
     under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3901 et 
     seq.), as such protections relate to Federal student loans 
     under parts B, D, or E of title IV of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.; 1087a et seq.; 1087aa et 
     seq.); and
       ``(ii) to activate or enroll in any other applicable 
     benefits that are available to such borrower under the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) because the 
     borrower is performing military service, such as eligibility 
     for a deferment or eligibility for a period during which 
     interest shall not accrue.
       ``(3) Implementation.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     of enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Education, shall make the disclosure 
     and enrollment form described in paragraph (1) available to--
       ``(A) lenders of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under 
     part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1071 et seq.);
       ``(B) institutions of higher education eligible to 
     participate in any program under title IV of such Act (20 
     U.S.C. 1070 et seq.); and
       ``(C) personnel at the Department of Education, the Bureau 
     of Consumer Financial Protection, and other Federal agencies 
     that provide services to borrowers who are members of the 
     armed forces or the dependents of such members.
       ``(4) Notice requirements.--
       ``(A) SCRA interest rate limitation.--The completion of the 
     disclosure and enrollment form created pursuant to paragraph 
     (1) by the borrower of a loan made, insured, or guaranteed 
     under part B or part D of title IV of Higher Education Act of 
     1965 who is otherwise subject to the interest rate limitation 
     in subsection (a) of section 207 of the Servicemembers Civil 
     Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3937(a)) and submittal of such form to 
     the Secretary of Defense shall be considered, for purposes of 
     such section, provision to the creditor of written notice as 
     described in subsection (b)(1) of such section.
       ``(B) FFEL lenders.--The Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall provide 
     each such disclosure and enrollment form completed and 
     submitted by a borrower of a loan made, insured, or 
     guaranteed under part B of title IV of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.) who is otherwise subject 
     to the interest rate limitation in subsection (a) of section 
     207 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 
     3937(a)) to any applicable eligible lender under such part B 
     so as to satisfy the provision to the lender of written 
     notice as described in subsection (b)(1) of such section 
     207.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 101 of such title, as amended by section 
     563 of this Act, is further amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 2012a the following new item:

``2012a. Information regarding educational benefits for members of the 
              armed forces.''.

                                 ______
                                 

  SA 4645. Ms. WARREN (for herself and Mrs. Murray) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 565. IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDENT LOAN BORROWER BENEFITS 
                   FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVING IN A 
                   CONFLICT.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall enter into 
     any necessary agreements, with the Secretary of Education and 
     the heads of any other relevant agencies, in order to take 
     all actions necessary to--
       (1) ensure that interest does not accrue for eligible 
     military borrowers in accordance with section 455(o) of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(o)), for any 
     loan made under part D of title IV of such Act and disbursed 
     on or after October 1, 2008;
       (2) ensure that any borrower of such a loan who was an 
     eligible military borrower and qualified for the no accrual 
     of interest benefit under such section 455(o) during any 
     period beginning on or after October 1, 2008, and did not 
     receive the full benefit under such section for which the 
     borrower qualified, is provided compensation in an amount 
     equal to the amount of interest paid by the borrower that 
     would have been subject to the benefit;
       (3) ensure that any borrower who is eligible for a waiver 
     or modification provided by the Secretary of Education under 
     the authority of section 2(a) of the Higher Education Relief 
     Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (20

[[Page 8317]]

     U.S.C. 1098bb) is provided such waiver or modification 
     (including through automatic enrollment to the extent 
     practicable and beneficial to the borrower), including 
     waivers from income certifications required under an income-
     based repayment program under section 493C of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1098e) or other similar 
     certifications;
       (4) ensure that any borrower with a Federal Perkins Loan 
     under part E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1087aa et seq.) receives a cancellation of the 
     percentage of debt based on years of qualifying service in 
     accordance with section 465(a)(2)(D) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1087ee(a)(2)(D)); and
       (5) obtain or provide any information securely and as 
     necessary to implement this section without requiring a 
     request from the borrower, including information regarding--
       (A) whether a military borrower is serving on active duty 
     in connection with a war, national emergency, or contingency 
     operation and, if so, the time period of such service; and
       (B) whether a military borrower is receiving special pay 
     under section 310 of title 37, United States Code, and if so, 
     the time period of such service.
       (b) Reports.--
       (1) Plan.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall prepare 
     and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
     on the implementation of subsection (a).
       (2) Follow-up report.--If the Secretary of Defense has not 
     implemented subsection (a) during the 90-day period beginning 
     on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, 
     shall prepare and submit, by the final day of such period, a 
     report to the appropriate committees of Congress that 
     includes an explanation of why such subsection has not been 
     implemented.

     SEC. 566. IMPLEMENTATION OF SCRA INTEREST RATE LIMITATION FOR 
                   MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall provide to 
     the Secretary of Education and any other relevant agencies 
     the necessary information as to the duty status of military 
     borrowers to provide that the interest rate charged on any 
     loan made under part D of title IV of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) for borrowers who are 
     subject to section 207(a)(1) of the Servicemembers Civil 
     Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3937(a)(1)) does not exceed the maximum 
     interest rate set forth in such section.
       (b) Scra Interest Rate Limitation Notice Requirements.--The 
     submittal by the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of 
     Education of information that informs the Secretary of 
     Education that a member of the Armed Forces with a student 
     loan under part D of title IV of Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) has been or is being called to 
     military service (as defined in section 101 of the 
     Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3911)), including 
     a member of a reserve unit who is ordered to report for 
     military service as provided for under section 106 of such 
     Act (50 U.S.C. 3917), shall be considered, for purposes of 
     subjecting such student loan to the provisions of section 207 
     of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3937), 
     provision by the borrower to the creditor of written notice 
     and a copy of military orders as described in subsection 
     (b)(1) of such section.
       (c) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall prepare 
     and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
     that includes a plan to implement the interest rate 
     limitation provision described in subsection (a).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4646. Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Lee, Mr. Paul, Mr. Udall, 
Mr. Cruz, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Coons, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Heinrich) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 
2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle D of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1031. PROHIBITION ON THE INDEFINITE DETENTION OF 
                   CITIZENS AND LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

       Section 4001 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) No citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United 
     States shall be imprisoned or otherwise detained by the 
     United States except consistent with the Constitution and 
     pursuant to an Act of Congress that expressly authorizes such 
     imprisonment or detention.'';
       (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b)(1) A general authorization to use military force, a 
     declaration of war, or any similar authority, on its own, 
     shall not be construed to authorize the imprisonment or 
     detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful 
     permanent resident of the United States apprehended in the 
     United States.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) applies to an authorization to use 
     military force, a declaration of war, or any similar 
     authority enacted before, on, or after the date of the 
     enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017.
       ``(3) This section shall not be construed to authorize the 
     imprisonment or detention of a citizen of the United States, 
     a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or any 
     other person who is apprehended in the United States.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4647. Mr. SHELBY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike sections 1036 and 1037 and insert the following:

     SEC. 1036. COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT AND PHASE OUT OF ROCKET 
                   ENGINES FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN THE 
                   EVOLVED EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE PROGRAM FOR 
                   SPACE LAUNCH OF NATIONAL SECURITY SATELLITES.

       (a) In General.--Any competition for a contract for the 
     provision of launch services for the evolved expendable 
     launch vehicle program shall be open for award to all 
     certified providers of evolved expendable launch vehicle-
     class systems.
       (b) Award of Contracts.--In awarding a contract under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense--
       (1) subject to paragraph (2), shall award the contract to 
     the provider of launch services that offers the best value to 
     the Federal Government; and
       (2) notwithstanding any other provision of law, may, during 
     the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act 
     and ending on December 31, 2022, award the contract to a 
     provider of launch services that intends to use any certified 
     launch vehicle in its inventory without regard to the country 
     of origin of the rocket engine that will be used on that 
     launch vehicle, in order to ensure robust competition and 
     continued assured access to space.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4648. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:
       This Act shall become effective 3 days after enactment.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4649. Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Schumer, 
Mr. Portman, Mr. Rubio, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Vitter, Mr. 
Hatch, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Nelson, Mr. 
Wyden, and Mr. Markey) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title XII, add the following:

                 Subtitle I--Matters Relating to Israel

     SEC. 1281. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Combating BDS Act of 
     2016''.

     SEC. 1282. AUTHORITY OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DIVEST 
                   FROM ENTITIES THAT ENGAGE IN CERTAIN BOYCOTT, 
                   DIVESTMENT, OR SANCTIONS ACTIVITIES TARGETING 
                   ISRAEL.

       (a) Authority To Divest.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, a State or local government may adopt and 
     enforce measures that meet the requirements of subsection (b) 
     to divest the assets of the State or local government from, 
     or prohibit investment of the assets of the State or local 
     government in--

[[Page 8318]]

       (1) an entity that the State or local government 
     determines, using credible information available to the 
     public, knowingly engages in a commerce-related or 
     investment-related boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity 
     targeting Israel;
       (2) a successor entity or subunit of an entity described in 
     paragraph (1); or
       (3) an entity that owns or controls, is owned or controlled 
     by, or is under common ownership or control with, an entity 
     described in paragraph (1).
       (b) Requirements.--A State or local government that seeks 
     to adopt or enforce a measure under subsection (a) shall meet 
     the following requirements:
       (1) Notice.--The State or local government shall provide 
     written notice to each entity to which a measure under 
     subsection (a) is to be applied.
       (2) Timing.--The measure shall apply to an entity not 
     earlier than the date that is 90 days after the date on which 
     written notice is provided to the entity under paragraph (1).
       (3) Opportunity for hearing.--The State or local government 
     shall provide an opportunity to comment in writing to each 
     entity to which a measure is to be applied. If the entity 
     demonstrates to the State or local government that the entity 
     has not engaged in a commerce-related or investment-related 
     boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity targeting Israel, 
     the measure shall not apply to the entity.
       (4) Sense of congress on avoiding erroneous targeting.--It 
     is the sense of Congress that a State or local government 
     should not adopt a measure under subsection (a) with respect 
     to an entity unless the State or local government has made 
     every effort to avoid erroneously targeting the entity and 
     has verified that the entity engages in a commerce-related or 
     investment-related boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity 
     targeting Israel.
       (c) Notice to Department of Justice.--Not later than 30 
     days after adopting a measure pursuant to subsection (a), a 
     State or local government shall submit written notice to the 
     Attorney General describing the measure.
       (d) Nonpreemption.--A measure of a State or local 
     government authorized under subsection (a) is not preempted 
     by any Federal law.
       (e) Effective Date.--This section applies to any measure 
     adopted by a State or local government before, on, or after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (f) Rule of Construction.--
       (1) Authority of states.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to abridge the authority of a State to issue and 
     enforce rules governing the safety, soundness, and solvency 
     of a financial institution subject to its jurisdiction or the 
     business of insurance pursuant to the Act of March 9, 1945 
     (59 Stat. 33, chapter 20; 15 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) (commonly 
     known as the ``McCarran-Ferguson Act'').
       (2) Policy of the united states.--Nothing in this section 
     shall be construed to alter the established policy of the 
     United States concerning final status issues associated with 
     the Arab-Israeli conflict, including border delineation, that 
     can only be resolved through direct negotiations between the 
     parties.
       (g) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Assets.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the term ``assets'' means any pension, retirement, annuity, 
     or endowment fund, or similar instrument, that is controlled 
     by a State or local government.
       (B) Exception.--The term ``assets'' does not include 
     employee benefit plans covered by title I of the Employee 
     Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et 
     seq.).
       (2) Boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity targeting 
     israel.--The term ``boycott, divestment, or sanctions 
     activity targeting Israel'' means any activity that is 
     intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or otherwise 
     limit commercial relations with Israel or persons doing 
     business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories for 
     purposes of coercing political action by, or imposing policy 
     positions on, the Government of Israel.
       (3) Entity.--The term ``entity'' includes--
       (A) any corporation, company, business association, 
     partnership, or trust; and
       (B) any governmental entity or instrumentality of a 
     government, including a multilateral development institution 
     (as defined in section 1701(c)(3) of the International 
     Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 262r(c)(3))).
       (4) Investment.--The term ``investment'' includes--
       (A) a commitment or contribution of funds or property;
       (B) a loan or other extension of credit; and
       (C) the entry into or renewal of a contract for goods or 
     services.
       (5) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
     States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
     Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
     American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and 
     any other territory or possession of the United States.
       (6) State or local government.--The term ``State or local 
     government'' includes--
       (A) any State and any agency or instrumentality thereof;
       (B) any local government within a State and any agency or 
     instrumentality thereof; and
       (C) any other governmental instrumentality of a State or 
     locality.

     SEC. 1283. SAFE HARBOR FOR CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICIES BY 
                   ASSET MANAGERS.

       Section 13(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 
     U.S.C. 80a-13(c)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; or'' and inserting 
     a semicolon;
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) engage in any boycott, divestment, or sanctions 
     activity targeting Israel described in section 1282 of the 
     Combating BDS Act of 2016.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4650. Mr. WYDEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. MODIFICATION OF LIMITATIONS ON PROCUREMENT OF 
                   PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   DEFENSE.

       Section 846(b)(2) of the Ike Skelton National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (10 U.S.C. 2534 note; 
     Public Law 111-383) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``exclusive'' and inserting ``principal''; 
     and
       (2) by striking ``full''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4651. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:
       This Act shall be in effect 4 days after enactment.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4652. Mr. SCOTT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle F of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 582. INFORMATION ON MILITARY STUDENT PERFORMANCE.

       Section 574(b)(3) of the John Warner National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (20 U.S.C. 7703b note) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The plan for 
     outreach shall include annual updates of the most recent 
     information, disaggregated for each State, local educational 
     agency, and school, available from the State and local
     report cards required under section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311(h)(1)(C)(ii)) regarding--
       ``(A) the number of public elementary school and secondary 
     school students with a parent who is a member of the Armed 
     Forces (as defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United 
     States Code) on active duty (as defined in section 101(d)(5) 
     of such title); and
       ``(B) the achievement by such students for each level of 
     achievement, as determined by the State, on the academic 
     assessments described in section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311(b)(2)).''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4653. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 1, line 1, strike ``4'' and insert ``3''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4654. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal

[[Page 8319]]

year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       On page 1, line 1, strike ``3'' and insert ``2''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4655. Mr. VITTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1227. ASSESSMENT OF INADEQUACIES IN INTERNATIONAL 
                   MONITORING AND VERIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO 
                   IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall, in 
     conjuction with the Secretary of Energy and the heads and 
     other officials of related agencies, submit to Congress a 
     joint assessment report detailing existing inadequacies in 
     the international monitoring and verification system, 
     including the extent to which such inadequacies relate to the 
     findings and recommendations pertaining to verification 
     shortcomings identified within--
       (1) the September 26, 2006, Government Accountability 
     Office report entitled, ``Nuclear Nonproliferation: IAEA Has 
     Strengthened Its Safeguards and Nuclear Security Programs, 
     but Weaknesses Need to Be Addressed'';
       (2) the May 16, 2013, Government Accountability Office 
     report entitled, ``IAEA Has Made Progress in Implementing 
     Critical Programs but Continues to Face Challenges'';
       (3) the Defense Science Board Study entitled, ``Task Force 
     on the Assessment of Nuclear Treaty Monitoring and 
     Verification Technologies'';
       (4) the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency 
     (in this section referred to as the ``IAEA'') entitled, ``The 
     Safeguards System of the International Atomic Energy Agency'' 
     and the IAEA Safeguards Statement for 2010;
       (5) the IAEA Safeguards Overview: Comprehensive Safeguards 
     Agreements and Additional Protocols;
       (6) the IAEA Model Additional Protocol;
       (7) the IAEA February 2015 Director General Report to the 
     Board of Governors; and
       (8) other related reports on Iranian safeguard challenges.
       (b) Recommendations.--The joint assessment report required 
     by subsection (a) shall include recommendations based upon 
     the reports referenced in that subsection, including 
     recommendations to overcome inadequacies or develop an 
     improved monitoring framework and recommendations related to 
     the following matters:
       (1) The nuclear program of Iran.
       (2) Development of a plan for--
       (A) the long-term operation and funding of increased 
     activities of the IAEA and relevant agencies in order to 
     maintain the necessary level of oversight with respect to 
     Iran's nuclear program;
       (B) resolving all issues of past and present concern with 
     the IAEA, including possible military dimensions of Iran's 
     nuclear program; and
       (C) giving IAEA inspectors access to personnel, documents, 
     and facilities involved, at any point, with nuclear or 
     nuclear weapons-related activities of Iran.
       (3) A potential national strategy and implementation plan 
     supported by a planning and assessment team aimed at cutting 
     across agency boundaries or limitations that affect the 
     ability to draw conclusions, with absolute assurance, about 
     whether Iran is developing a clandestine nuclear weapons 
     program.
       (4) The limitations of IAEA actors.
       (5) Challenges in the region that may be too large to 
     anticipate under applicable treaties or agreements or the 
     national technical means monitoring regimes alone.
       (6) Continuation of sanctions with respect to the 
     Government of Iran and Iranian persons and Iran's proxies 
     for--
       (A) ongoing abuses of human rights;
       (B) actions in support of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in 
     Syria;
       (C) procurement, sale, or transfer of technology, services, 
     or goods that support the development or acquisition of 
     weapons of mass destruction or the means of delivery of those 
     weapons; and
       (D) continuing sponsorship of international terrorism.
       (c) Form of Report.--The joint assessment report required 
     by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, 
     but may include a classified annex.
       (d) Presidential Certification.--Not later than 60 days 
     after the joint assessment report is submitted under 
     subsection (a), the President shall certify to Congress that 
     the President has reviewed the report, including the 
     recommendations contained therein, and has taken available 
     actions to address existing gaps within the monitoring and 
     verification framework, including identified potential 
     funding needs to address necessary requirements.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4656. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, 
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department 
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal 
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       At the end, add the following:

                      DIVISION F--VETERANS MATTERS

                  TITLE LXIV--VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM

     SEC. 6401. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of Program.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     1703 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703A. Veterans Choice Program

       ``(a) Program.--
       ``(1) Furnishing of care.--Hospital care and medical 
     services under this chapter shall be furnished to an eligible 
     veteran described in subsection (b), at the election of such 
     veteran, through contracts authorized under subsection (e), 
     or any other law administered by the Secretary, with eligible 
     providers described in subsection (c) for the furnishing of 
     such care and services to veterans. The furnishing of 
     hospital care and medical services under this section may be 
     referred to as the `Veterans Choice Program'.
       ``(2) Coordination of care and services.--The Secretary 
     shall coordinate, through the Non-VA Care Coordination 
     Program of the Department, the furnishing of care and 
     services under this section to eligible veterans, including 
     by ensuring that an eligible veteran receives an appointment 
     for such care and services within the wait-time goals of the 
     Veterans Health Administration for the furnishing of hospital 
     care and medical services.
       ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--A veteran is an eligible veteran 
     for purposes of this section if--
       ``(1) the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment 
     system of the Department established and operated under 
     section 1705 of this title; and
       ``(2)(A) the veteran is unable to schedule an appointment 
     for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from a 
     health care provider of the Department within the lesser of--
       ``(i) the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health 
     Administration for such care or services; or
       ``(ii) a period determined by a health care provider of the 
     Department to be clinically necessary for the receipt of such 
     care or services;
       ``(B) the veteran does not reside within 40 miles driving 
     distance from a medical facility of the Department, including 
     a community-based outpatient clinic, with a full-time primary 
     care physician;
       ``(C) the veteran--
       ``(i) resides in a State without a medical facility of the 
     Department that provides--
       ``(I) hospital care;
       ``(II) emergency medical services; and
       ``(III) surgical care rated by the Secretary as having a 
     surgical complexity of standard; and
       ``(ii) does not reside within 20 miles driving distance 
     from a medical facility of the Department described in clause 
     (i);
       ``(D) the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in 
     accessing hospital care or medical services from a medical 
     facility of the Department that is within 40 miles driving 
     distance from the residence of the veteran due to--
       ``(i) geographical challenges;
       ``(ii) environmental factors, such as roads that are not 
     accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous 
     weather;
       ``(iii) a medical condition of the veteran that affects the 
     ability to travel; or
       ``(iv) such other factors as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(E) the veteran resides in a location, other than a 
     location in Guam, American Samoa, or the Republic of the 
     Philippines, that requires the veteran to travel by air, 
     boat, or ferry to reach a medical facility of the Department, 
     including a community-based outpatient clinic;
       ``(F) the veteran is enrolled in the pilot program under 
     section 403 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care 
     Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 1703 
     note) as of the date on which such pilot program terminates 
     under such section; or
       ``(G) there is a compelling reason, as determined by the 
     Secretary, that the veteran needs to receive hospital care or 
     medical services from a medical facility other than a medical 
     facility of the Department.
       ``(c) Eligible Providers.--
       ``(1) In general.--A health care provider is an eligible 
     provider for purposes of this section if the health care 
     provider is a health care provider specified in paragraph (2) 
     and meets standards established by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section, including standards relating to education, 
     certification, licensure, training, and employment history.

[[Page 8320]]

       ``(2) Health care providers specified.--The health care 
     providers specified in this paragraph are the following:
       ``(A) Any health care provider that is participating in the 
     Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), including any physician furnishing 
     services under such program.
       ``(B) Any health care provider of a Federally-qualified 
     health center (as defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B))).
       ``(C) Any health care provider of the Department of 
     Defense.
       ``(D) Any health care provider of the Indian Health 
     Service.
       ``(E) Any health care provider of an academic affiliate of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       ``(F) Any health care provider of a health system 
     established to serve Alaska Natives.
       ``(G) Any other health care provider that meets criteria 
     established by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
       ``(3) Choice of provider.--An eligible veteran who makes an 
     election under subsection (d) to receive hospital care or 
     medical services under this section may select a provider of 
     such care or services from among the health care providers 
     specified in paragraph (2) that are accessible to the 
     veteran.
       ``(4) Eligibility.--To be eligible to furnish care or 
     services under this section, a health care provider must--
       ``(A) maintain at least the same or similar credentials and 
     licenses as those credentials and licenses that are required 
     of health care providers of the Department, as determined by 
     the Secretary for purposes of this section; and
       ``(B) submit, not less frequently than annually, 
     verification of such licenses and credentials maintained by 
     such health care provider.
       ``(5) Tiered network.--
       ``(A) In general.--To promote the provision of high-quality 
     and high-value health care under this section, the Secretary 
     may develop a tiered provider network of eligible providers 
     based on criteria established by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section.
       ``(B) Exception.--In developing a tiered provider network 
     of eligible providers under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
     may not prioritize providers in a tier over providers in any 
     other tier in a manner that limits the choice of an eligible 
     veteran in selecting an eligible provider under this section.
       ``(6) Alaska native defined.--In this subsection, the term 
     `Alaska Native' means a person who is a member of any Native 
     village, Village Corporation, or Regional Corporation, as 
     those terms are defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native 
     Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602).
       ``(d) Election and Authorization.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of an eligible veteran 
     described in subsection (b)(2)(A), the Secretary shall, at 
     the election of the veteran--
       ``(A) provide the veteran an appointment that exceeds the 
     wait-time goals described in such subsection or place such 
     veteran on an electronic waiting list described in paragraph 
     (2) for an appointment for hospital care or medical services 
     the veteran has elected to receive under this section; or
       ``(B)(i) authorize that such care or services be furnished 
     to the eligible veteran under this section; and
       ``(ii) notify the eligible veteran by the most effective 
     means available, including electronic communication or 
     notification in writing, describing the care or services the 
     eligible veteran is eligible to receive under this section.
       ``(2) Electronic waiting list.--The electronic waiting list 
     described in this paragraph shall be maintained by the 
     Department and allow access by each eligible veteran via 
     www.myhealth.va.gov or any successor website (or other 
     digital channel) for the following purposes:
       ``(A) To determine the place of such eligible veteran on 
     the waiting list.
       ``(B) To determine the average length of time an individual 
     spends on the waiting list, disaggregated by medical facility 
     of the Department and type of care or service needed, for 
     purposes of allowing such eligible veteran to make an 
     informed election under paragraph (1).
       ``(e) Care and Services Through Contracts.--
       ``(1) Contracts.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible 
     providers for furnishing care and services to eligible 
     veterans under this section.
       ``(B) Other processes.--Before entering into a contract 
     under this paragraph, the Secretary shall, to the maximum 
     extent practicable and consistent with the requirements of 
     this section, furnish such care and services to eligible 
     veterans under this section with eligible providers pursuant 
     to sharing agreements, existing contracts entered into by the 
     Secretary, or other processes available at medical facilities 
     of the Department.
       ``(C) Contract defined.--In this paragraph, the term 
     `contract' has the meaning given that term in subpart 2.101 
     of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
       ``(2) Rates and reimbursement.--
       ``(A) In general.--In entering into a contract under 
     paragraph (1) with an eligible provider, the Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(i) negotiate rates for the furnishing of care and 
     services under this section; and
       ``(ii) reimburse the provider for such care and services at 
     the rates negotiated under clause (i) as provided in such 
     contract.
       ``(B) Limit on rates.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), and 
     to the extent practicable, rates negotiated under 
     subparagraph (A)(i) shall not be more than the rates paid by 
     the United States to a provider of services (as defined in 
     section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395x(u))) or a supplier (as defined in section 1861(d) of 
     such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(d))) under the Medicare program 
     under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 
     et seq.) for the same care or services.
       ``(ii) Exceptions.--

       ``(I) In general.--The Secretary may negotiate a rate that 
     is more than the rate paid by the United States as described 
     in clause (i) with respect to the furnishing of care or 
     services under this section to an eligible veteran who 
     resides in a highly rural area.
       ``(II) Other exceptions.--

       ``(aa) Alaska.--With respect to furnishing care or services 
     under this section in Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule of the 
     Department shall be followed, except for when another payment 
     agreement, including a contract or provider agreement, is in 
     place, in which case rates for reimbursement shall be set 
     forth under such payment agreement.
       ``(bb) Other states.--With respect to care or services 
     furnished under this section in a State with an All-Payer 
     Model Agreement in effect under the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 301 et seq.), the Medicare payment rates under clause 
     (i) shall be calculated based on the payment rates under such 
     agreement.

       ``(III) Highly rural area defined.--In this clause, the 
     term `highly rural area' means an area located in a county 
     that has fewer than seven individuals residing in that county 
     per square mile.

       ``(C) Limit on collection.--For the furnishing of care or 
     services pursuant to a contract under paragraph (1), an 
     eligible provider may not collect any amount that is greater 
     than the rate negotiated pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i).
       ``(D) Value-based reimbursement.--In negotiating rates for 
     the furnishing of care and services under this section, the 
     Secretary may incorporate the use of value-based 
     reimbursement models to promote the provision of high-quality 
     care.
       ``(f) Responsibility for Costs of Certain Care.--In any 
     case in which an eligible veteran is furnished hospital care 
     or medical services under this section for a non-service-
     connected disability described in subsection (a)(2) of 
     section 1729 of this title, the Secretary may recover or 
     collect reasonable charges for such care or services from a 
     health-plan contract (as defined in subsection (i) of such 
     section 1729) in accordance with such section 1729.
       ``(g) Veterans Choice Card.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (5), for 
     purposes of receiving care and services under this section, 
     the Secretary shall issue to each veteran described in 
     subsection (b)(1) a card that may be presented to a health 
     care provider to facilitate the receipt of care or services 
     under this section.
       ``(2) Name of card.--Each card issued under paragraph (1) 
     shall be known as a `Veterans Choice Card'.
       ``(3) Details of card.--Each Veterans Choice Card issued to 
     a veteran under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
       ``(A) The name of the veteran.
       ``(B) An identification number for the veteran that is not 
     the social security number of the veteran.
       ``(C) The contact information of an appropriate office of 
     the Department for health care providers to confirm that care 
     or services under this section are authorized for the 
     veteran.
       ``(D) Contact information and other relevant information 
     for the submittal of claims or bills for the furnishing of 
     care or services under this section.
       ``(E) The following statement: `This card is for qualifying 
     medical care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
     Please call the Department of Veterans Affairs phone number 
     specified on this card to ensure that treatment has been 
     authorized.'.
       ``(4) Information on use of card.--Upon issuing a Veterans 
     Choice Card to a veteran, the Secretary shall provide the 
     veteran with information clearly stating the circumstances 
     under which the veteran may be eligible for care or services 
     under this section.
       ``(5) Previous program.--A Veterans Choice Card issued 
     under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note), as in effect on the day before the date of the 
     enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, shall be sufficient for purposes of 
     receiving care and services under this section and the 
     Secretary is not required to reissue a Veterans Choice Card 
     under paragraph (1) to any veteran that has such a card 
     issued under such section 101.

[[Page 8321]]

       ``(h) Information on Availability of Care.--The Secretary 
     shall provide information to a veteran about the availability 
     of care and services under this section in the following 
     circumstances:
       ``(1) When the veteran enrolls in the patient enrollment 
     system of the Department established and operated under 
     section 1705 of this title.
       ``(2) When the veteran attempts to schedule an appointment 
     for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from the 
     Department but is unable to schedule an appointment within 
     the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health Administration for 
     the furnishing of such care or services.
       ``(3) When the veteran becomes eligible for hospital care 
     or medical services under this section under subparagraph 
     (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of subsection (b)(2).
       ``(i) Follow-up Care.--The Secretary shall ensure that, at 
     the election of an eligible veteran who receives hospital 
     care or medical services from an eligible provider in an 
     episode of care under this section, the veteran receives such 
     care or services from that provider or another health care 
     provider selected by the veteran, including a health care 
     provider of the Department, through the completion of the 
     episode of care, including all specialty and ancillary 
     services deemed necessary as part of the treatment 
     recommended in the course of such care or services.
       ``(j) Cost-sharing.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require an eligible 
     veteran to pay a copayment for the receipt of care or 
     services under this section only if such eligible veteran 
     would be required to pay a copayment for the receipt of such 
     care or services at a medical facility of the Department or 
     from a health care provider of the Department under this 
     chapter.
       ``(2) Limitation.--The amount of a copayment charged under 
     paragraph (1) may not exceed the amount of the copayment that 
     would be payable by such eligible veteran for the receipt of 
     such care or services at a medical facility of the Department 
     or from a health care provider of the Department under this 
     chapter.
       ``(k) Claims Processing System.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for an 
     efficient nationwide system for prompt processing and paying 
     of bills or claims for authorized care and services furnished 
     to eligible veterans under this section.
       ``(2) Accuracy of payment.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that such 
     system meets such goals for accuracy of payment as the 
     Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(B) Annual report.--
       ``(i) In general.--Not less frequently than annually, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives a report on the accuracy of such 
     system.
       ``(ii) Elements.--Each report required by clause (i) shall 
     include the following:

       ``(I) A description of the goals for accuracy for such 
     system specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A).
       ``(II) An assessment of the success of the Department in 
     meeting such goals during the year covered by the report.

       ``(l) Disclosure of Information.--For purposes of section 
     7332(b)(1) of this title, an election by an eligible veteran 
     to receive care or services under this section shall serve as 
     written consent for the disclosure of information to health 
     care providers for purposes of treatment under this section.
       ``(m) Medical Records.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
     eligible provider that furnishes care or services under this 
     section to an eligible veteran submits to the Department a 
     copy of any medical record related to the care or services 
     provided to such veteran by such provider for inclusion in 
     the electronic medical record of such veteran maintained by 
     the Department upon the completion of the provision of such 
     care or services to such veteran.
       ``(2) Electronic format.--Any medical record submitted to 
     the Department under paragraph (1) shall, to the extent 
     possible, be in an electronic format.
       ``(n) Records Not Required for Reimbursement.--With respect 
     to care or services furnished to an eligible veteran by an 
     eligible provider under this section, the receipt by the 
     Department of a medical record under subsection (m) detailing 
     such care or services is not required before reimbursing the 
     provider for such care or services.
       ``(o) Tracking of Missed Appointments.--The Secretary shall 
     implement a mechanism to track any missed appointments for 
     care or services under this section by eligible veterans to 
     ensure that the Department does not pay for such care or 
     services that were not furnished to an eligible veteran.
       ``(p) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to alter the process of the Department for 
     filling and paying for prescription medications.
       ``(q) Wait-time Goals of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
     this section, the term `wait-time goals of the Veterans 
     Health Administration' means not more than 30 days from the 
     date on which a veteran requests an appointment for hospital 
     care or medical services from the Department.
       ``(2) Alternate goals.--If the Secretary submits to 
     Congress a report stating that the actual wait-time goals of 
     the Veterans Health Administration are different from the 
     wait-time goals specified in paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) for purposes of this section, the wait-time goals of 
     the Veterans Health Administration shall be the wait-time 
     goals submitted by the Secretary under this paragraph; and
       ``(B) the Secretary shall publish such wait-time goals in 
     the Federal Register and on an Internet website of the 
     Department available to the public.
       ``(r) Waiver of Certain Printing Requirements.--Section 501 
     of title 44 shall not apply in carrying out this section.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1703 the following new 
     item:

``1703A. Veterans Choice Program.''.

       (3) Conforming repeal of superseded authority.--
       (A) In general.--Section 101 of the Veterans Access, 
     Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 
     38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is repealed.
       (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 208(1) of such Act is 
     amended by striking ``section 101'' and inserting ``section 
     1703A of title 38, United States Code''.
       (C) Effective date.--
       (i) In general.--The amendments made by this paragraph 
     shall take effect on the date on which the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs begins implementation of section 1703A of 
     title 38, United States Code as added by paragraph (1).
       (ii) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     specified in clause (i) in the Federal Register and on an 
     publicly available Internet website of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs not later than 30 days before such date.
       (4) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act , the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the furnishing of care and 
     services under section 1703A of title 38, United States Code, 
     as added by paragraph (1), that includes the following:
       (A) The total number of veterans who have received care or 
     services under this section, disaggregated by--
       (i) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(A) of 
     such section;
       (ii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(B) of 
     such section;
       (iii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(C) 
     of such section;
       (iv) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(D) of 
     such section;
       (v) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(E) of 
     such section;
       (vi) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(F) of 
     such section; and
       (vii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(G) 
     of such section.
       (B) A description of the types of care and services 
     furnished to veterans under such section.
       (C) An accounting of the total cost of furnishing care and 
     services to veterans under such section.
       (D) The results of a survey of veterans who have received 
     care or services under such section on the satisfaction of 
     such veterans with the care or services received by such 
     veterans under such section.
       (E) An assessment of the effect of furnishing care and 
     services under such section on wait times for appointments 
     for the receipt of hospital care and medical services from 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Classification of Services.--Services provided under 
     the following programs, contracts, and agreements shall be 
     considered services provided under the Veterans Choice 
     Program established under section 1703A of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1):
       (1) The Patient-Centered Community Care program (commonly 
     referred to as ``PC3'').
       (2) Contracts through the retail pharmacy network of the 
     Department.
       (3) Veterans Care Agreements under section 1703C of title 
     38, United States Code, as added by section 6411(a).
       (4) Health care agreements with Federal entities or 
     entities funded by the Federal Government, including the 
     Department of Defense, the Indian Health Service, tribal 
     health programs, Federally-qualified health centers (as 
     defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B))), and academic teaching 
     affiliates.
       (c) Establishment of Criteria and Standards for Non-
     Department Care.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish consistent 
     criteria and standards--
       (A) for purposes of determining eligibility of non-
     Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers to 
     provide health care under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary, including standards relating to education, 
     certification, licensure, training, and employment history; 
     and

[[Page 8322]]

       (B) for the reimbursement of such health care providers for 
     care or services provided under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary, which to the extent practicable shall--
       (i) except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii), use rates 
     for reimbursement that are not more than the rates paid by 
     the United States to a provider of services (as defined in 
     section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395x(u))) under the Medicare program under title XVIII of 
     the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the same 
     care or services;
       (ii) with respect to care or services provided in Alaska, 
     use rates for reimbursement set forth in the Alaska Fee 
     Schedule of the Department of Veterans Affairs, except for 
     when another payment agreement, including a contract or 
     provider agreement, is in place, in which case use rates for 
     reimbursement set forth under such payment agreement;
       (iii) with respect to care or services provided in a State 
     with an All-Payer Model Agreement in effect under the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), use rates for 
     reimbursement based on the payment rates under such 
     agreement;
       (iv) incorporate the use of value-based reimbursement 
     models to promote the provision of high-quality care to 
     improve health outcomes and the experience of care for 
     veterans; and
       (v) be consistent with prompt payment standards required of 
     Federal agencies under chapter 39 of title 31, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Inapplicability to certain care.--The criteria and 
     standards established under paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
     care or services furnished under section 1703A of title 38, 
     United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).

     SEC. 6402. FUNDING FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--All amounts required to carry out the 
     Veterans Choice Program shall be derived from the 
     appropriations account described in section 4003 of the 
     Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice 
     Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 
     note).
       (b) Transfer of Amounts.--
       (1) In general.--All amounts in the Veterans Choice Fund 
     under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) shall be transferred to the appropriations account 
     described in section 4003 of the Surface Transportation and 
     Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (Public 
     Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note).
       (2) Conforming repeal.--
       (A) In general.--Section 802 of the Veterans Access, 
     Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 
     38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is repealed.
       (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 4003 of the Surface 
     Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement 
     Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
     amended by striking ``to be comprised of'' and all that 
     follows and inserting ``to be comprised of discretionary 
     medical services funding that is designated for hospital care 
     and medical services furnished at non-Department 
     facilities''.
       (c) Veterans Choice Program Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``Veterans Choice Program'' means--
       (1) the program under section 1703A of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by section 6401(a)(1); and
       (2) the programs, contracts, and agreements of the 
     Department described in section 6401(b).

     SEC. 6403. PAYMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS UNDER VETERANS 
                   CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) Payment of Providers.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 6401(a)(1), is 
     further amended by inserting after section 1703A the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703B. Veterans Choice Program: payment of health care 
       providers

       ``(a) Prompt Payment Compliance.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that payments made to health care providers under the 
     Veterans Choice Program comply with chapter 39 of title 31 
     (commonly referred to as the `Prompt Payment Act') and the 
     requirements of this section. If there is a conflict between 
     the requirements of the Prompt Payment Act and the 
     requirements of this section, the Secretary shall comply with 
     the requirements of this section.
       ``(b) Submittal of Claim.--(1) A health care provider that 
     seeks reimbursement under this section for care or services 
     furnished under the Veterans Choice Program shall submit to 
     the Secretary a claim for reimbursement not later than 180 
     days after furnishing such care or services.
       ``(2) On and after January 1, 2019, the Secretary shall not 
     accept any claim under this section that is submitted to the 
     Secretary in a manner other than electronically.
       ``(c) Payment Schedule.--(1) The Secretary shall reimburse 
     a health care provider for care or services furnished under 
     the Veterans Choice Program--
       ``(A) in the case of a clean claim submitted to the 
     Secretary electronically, not later than 30 days after 
     receiving the claim; or
       ``(B) in the case of a clean claim submitted to the 
     Secretary in a manner other than electronically, not later 
     than 45 days after receiving the claim.
       ``(2)(A) If the Secretary determines that a claim received 
     from a health care provider for care or services furnished 
     under the Veterans Choice Program is a non-clean claim, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the provider, not later than 30 
     days after receiving the claim--
       ``(i) a notification that the claim is a non-clean claim;
       ``(ii) an explanation of why the claim has been determined 
     to be a non-clean claim; and
       ``(iii) an identification of the information or 
     documentation that is required to make the claim a clean 
     claim.
       ``(B) If the Secretary does not comply with the 
     requirements of subparagraph (A) with respect to a claim, the 
     claim shall be deemed a clean claim for purposes of paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(3) Upon receipt by the Secretary of information or 
     documentation described in paragraph (2)(A)(iii) with respect 
     to a claim, the Secretary shall reimburse a health care 
     provider for care or services furnished under the Veterans 
     Choice Program--
       ``(A) in the case of a claim submitted to the Secretary 
     electronically, not later than 30 days after receiving such 
     information or documentation; or
       ``(B) in the case of claim submitted to the Secretary in a 
     manner other than electronically, not later than 45 days 
     after receiving such information or documentation.
       ``(4) If the Secretary fails to comply with the deadlines 
     for payment set forth in this subsection with respect to a 
     claim, interest shall accrue on the amount owed under such 
     claim in accordance with section 3902 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       ``(d) Information and Documentation Required.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall provide to all health care providers 
     participating in the Veterans Choice Program a list of 
     information and documentation that is required to establish a 
     clean claim under this section.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall consult with entities in the 
     health care industry, in the public and private sector, to 
     determine the information and documentation to include in the 
     list under paragraph (1).
       ``(3) If the Secretary modifies the information and 
     documentation included in the list under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall notify all health care providers 
     participating in the Veterans Choice Program not later than 
     30 days before such modifications take effect.
       ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `clean claim' means a claim for 
     reimbursement for care or services furnished under the 
     Veterans Choice Program, on a nationally recognized standard 
     format, that includes the information and documentation 
     necessary to adjudicate the claim.
       ``(2) The term `non-clean claim' means a claim for 
     reimbursement for care or services furnished under the 
     Veterans Choice Program, on a nationally recognized standard 
     format, that does not include the information and 
     documentation necessary to adjudicate the claim.
       ``(3) The term `Veterans Choice Program' means--
       ``(A) the program under section 1703A of this title; and
       ``(B) the programs, contracts, and agreements of the 
     Department described in section 6401(b) of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title, as amended by section 
     6401(a)(2), is further amended by inserting after the item 
     related to section 1703A the following new item:

``1703B. Veterans Choice Program: payment of health care providers.''.

       (b) Electronic Submittal of Claims for Reimbursement.--
       (1) Prohibition on acceptance of non-electronic claims.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), on 
     and after January 1, 2019, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall not accept any claim for reimbursement under section 
     1703B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (a), that is submitted to the Secretary in a manner other 
     than electronically, including medical records in connection 
     with such a claim.
       (B) Exception.--If the Secretary determines that accepting 
     claims and medical records in a manner other than 
     electronically is necessary for the timely processing of 
     claims for reimbursement under such section 1703B due to a 
     failure or serious malfunction of the electronic interface 
     established under paragraph (2), the Secretary--
       (i) after determining that such a failure or serious 
     malfunction has occurred, may accept claims and medical 
     records in a manner other than electronically for a period 
     not to exceed 90 days; and
       (ii) shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives a report setting forth--

       (I) the reason for accepting claims and medical records in 
     a manner other than electronically;
       (II) the duration of time that the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs will accept claims and medical records in a manner 
     other than electronically; and

[[Page 8323]]

       (III) the steps that the Department is taking to resolve 
     such failure or malfunction.

       (2) Electronic interface.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2019, the Chief 
     Information Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     shall establish an electronic interface for health care 
     providers to submit claims for reimbursement under such 
     section 1703B.
       (B) Functions.--The electronic interface established under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include the following functions:
       (i) A function through which a health care provider may 
     input all relevant data required for claims submittal and 
     reimbursement.
       (ii) A function through which a health care provider may 
     upload medical records to accompany a claim for 
     reimbursement.
       (iii) A function through which a health care provider may 
     ascertain the status of a pending claim for reimbursement 
     that--

       (I) indicates whether the claim is a clean claim or a non-
     clean claim; and
       (II) in the event that a submitted claim is indicated as a 
     non-clean claim, provides--

       (aa) an explanation of why the claim has been determined to 
     be a non-clean claim; and
       (bb) an identification of the information or documentation 
     that is required to make the claim a clean claim.
       (iv) A function through which a health care provider is 
     notified when a claim for reimbursement is accepted or 
     rejected.
       (v) Such other features as the Secretary considers 
     necessary.
       (C) Protection of information.--
       (i) In general.--The electronic interface established under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be developed and implemented based on 
     industry-accepted information security and privacy 
     engineering principles and best practices and shall provide 
     for the following:

       (I) The elicitation, analysis, and prioritization of 
     functional and nonfunctional information security and privacy 
     requirements for such interface, including specific security 
     and privacy services and architectural requirements relating 
     to security and privacy based on a thorough analysis of all 
     reasonably anticipated cyber and noncyber threats to the 
     security and privacy of electronic protected health 
     information made available through such interface.
       (II) The elicitation, analysis, and prioritization of 
     secure development requirements relating to such interface.
       (III) The assurance that the prioritized information 
     security and privacy requirements of such interface--

       (aa) are correctly implemented in the design and 
     implementation of such interface throughout the system 
     development lifecycle; and
       (bb) satisfy the information objectives of such interface 
     relating to security and privacy throughout the system 
     development lifecycle.
       (ii) Definitions.--In this subparagraph:

       (I) Electronic protected health information.--The term 
     ``electronic protected health information'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (II) Secure development requirements.--The term ``secure 
     development requirements'' means, with respect to the 
     electronic interface established under subparagraph (A), 
     activities that are required to be completed during the 
     system development lifecycle of such interface, such as 
     secure coding principles and test methodologies.

       (3) Analysis of available technology for electronic 
     interface.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2017, or before 
     entering into a contract to procure or design and build the 
     electronic interface described in paragraph (2) or making a 
     decision to internally design and build such electronic 
     interface, whichever occurs first, the Secretary shall--
       (i) conduct an analysis of commercially available 
     technology that may satisfy the requirements of such 
     electronic interface set forth in such paragraph; and
       (ii) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report setting forth such analysis.
       (B) Elements.--The report required under subparagraph 
     (A)(ii) shall include the following:
       (i) An evaluation of commercially available systems that 
     may satisfy the requirements of paragraph (2).
       (ii) The estimated cost of procuring a commercially 
     available system if a suitable commercially available system 
     exists.
       (iii) If no suitable commercially available system exists, 
     an assessment of the feasibility of modifying a commercially 
     available system to meet the requirements of paragraph (2), 
     including the estimated cost associated with such 
     modifications.
       (iv) If no suitable commercially available system exists 
     and modifying a commercially available system is not 
     feasible, an assessment of the estimated cost and time that 
     would be required to contract with a commercial entity to 
     design and build an electronic interface that meets the 
     requirements of paragraph (2).
       (v) If the Secretary determines that the Department has the 
     capabilities required to design and build an electronic 
     interface that meets the requirements of paragraph (2), an 
     assessment of the estimated cost and time that would be 
     required to design and build such electronic interface.
       (vi) A description of the decision of the Secretary 
     regarding how the Department plans to establish the 
     electronic interface required under paragraph (2) and the 
     justification of the Secretary for such decision.
       (4) Limitation on use of amounts.--The Secretary may not 
     spend any amounts to procure or design and build the 
     electronic interface described in paragraph (2) until the 
     date that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary 
     submits the report required under paragraph (3)(A)(ii).

     SEC. 6404. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS AUTHORIZING CARE 
                   TO VETERANS THROUGH NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS PROVIDERS.

       (a) Termination of Authority to Contract for Care in Non-
     Department Facilities.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1703 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the follow new 
     subsection:
       ``(e) The authority of the Secretary under this section 
     terminates on December 31, 2017.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) In general.--
       (i) Dental care.--Section 1712(a) of such title is 
     amended--

       (I) in paragraph (3), by striking ``under clause (1), (2), 
     or (5) of section 1703(a) of this title'' and inserting 
     ``under the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 
     1703B(e) of this title)''; and
       (II) in paragraph (4)(A), in the first sentence--

       (aa) by striking ``and section 1703 of this title'' and 
     inserting ``and the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in 
     section 1703B(e) of this title)''; and
       (bb) by striking ``in section 1703 of this title'' and 
     inserting ``under the Veterans Choice Program''.
       (ii) Readjustment counseling.--Section 1712A(e)(1) of such 
     title is amended by striking ``(under sections 1703(a)(2) and 
     1710(a)(1)(B) of this title)'' and inserting ``(under the 
     Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 1703B(e) of 
     this title) and section 1710(a)(1)(B) of this title)''.
       (iii) Death in department facility.--Section 
     2303(a)(2)(B)(i) of such title is amended by striking ``in 
     accordance with section 1703'' and inserting ``under the 
     Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 1703B(e) of 
     this title)''.
       (iv) Medicare provider agreements.--Section 1866(a)(1)(L) 
     of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)(L)) is 
     amended--

       (I) by striking ``under section 1703 of title 38'' and 
     inserting ``under the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in 
     section 1703B(e) of title 38, United States Code)''; and
       (II) by striking ``such section'' and inserting ``such 
     program''.

       (B) Effective date.--The amendments made by subparagraph 
     (A) shall take effect on January 1, 2018.
       (b) Repeal of Authority to Contract for Scarce Medical 
     Specialists.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7409 of such title is repealed.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 74 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 7409.

             TITLE LXV--HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

             Subtitle A--Care From Non-Department Providers

     SEC. 6411. AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT 
                   OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON-DEPARTMENT 
                   PROVIDERS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 6403(a)(1), is 
     further amended by inserting after section 1703B the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703C. Veterans Care Agreements

       ``(a) Agreements to Furnish Care.--(1) In addition to the 
     authority of the Secretary under this chapter to furnish 
     hospital care, medical services, and extended care at 
     facilities of the Department and under contracts or sharing 
     agreements entered into under authorities other than this 
     section, the Secretary may furnish hospital care, medical 
     services, and extended care through the use of agreements 
     entered into under this section. An agreement entered into 
     under this section may be referred to as a `Veterans Care 
     Agreement'.
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary may enter into agreements under this 
     section with eligible providers that are certified under 
     subsection (d) if the Secretary is not feasibly able to 
     furnish care or services described in paragraph (1) at 
     facilities of the Department.
       ``(B) The Secretary is not feasibly able to furnish care or 
     services described in paragraph (1) at facilities of the 
     Department if the Secretary determines that the medical 
     condition of the veteran, the travel involved, the nature of 
     the care or services required, or a combination of those 
     factors make the use of facilities of the Department 
     impracticable or inadvisable.
       ``(b) Receipt of Care.--Eligibility of a veteran under this 
     section for care or services described in paragraph (1) shall 
     be determined as if such care or services were furnished in a 
     facility of the Department and

[[Page 8324]]

     provisions of this title applicable to veterans receiving 
     such care or services in a facility of the Department shall 
     apply to veterans receiving such care or services under this 
     section.
       ``(c) Eligible Providers.--For purposes of this section, an 
     eligible provider is one of the following:
       ``(1) A provider of services that has enrolled and entered 
     into a provider agreement under section 1866(a) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)).
       ``(2) A physician or supplier that has enrolled and entered 
     into a participation agreement under section 1842(h) of such 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(h)).
       ``(3) A provider of items and services receiving payment 
     under a State plan under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396 et seq.) or a waiver of such a plan.
       ``(4) A health care provider that is--
       ``(A) an Aging and Disability Resource Center, an area 
     agency on aging, or a State agency (as defined in section 102 
     of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002)); or
       ``(B) a center for independent living (as defined in 
     section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
     796a)).
       ``(5) A provider that is located in--
       ``(A) an area that is designated as a health professional 
     shortage area (as defined in section 332 of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e)); or
       ``(B) a county that is not in a metropolitan statistical 
     area.
       ``(6) Such other health care providers as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate for purposes of this section.
       ``(d) Certification of Eligible Providers.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall establish a process for the certification of 
     eligible providers under this section that shall, at a 
     minimum, set forth the following.
       ``(A) Procedures for the submittal of applications for 
     certification and deadlines for actions taken by the 
     Secretary with respect to such applications.
       ``(B) Standards and procedures for approval and denial of 
     certification, duration of certification, revocation of 
     certification, and recertification.
       ``(C) Procedures for assessing eligible providers based on 
     the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse of such providers similar 
     to the level of screening under section 1866(j)(2)(B) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(j)(2)(B)) and the 
     standards set forth under section 9.104 of title 48, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall deny or revoke certification to 
     an eligible provider under this subsection if the Secretary 
     determines that the eligible provider is currently--
       ``(A) excluded from participation in a Federal health care 
     program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under section 1128 or 
     1128A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 
     1320a-7a); or
       ``(B) identified as an excluded source on the list 
     maintained in the System for Award Management, or any 
     successor system.
       ``(e) Terms of Agreements.--Each agreement entered into 
     with an eligible provider under this section shall include 
     provisions requiring the eligible provider to do the 
     following:
       ``(1) To accept payment for care or services furnished 
     under this section at rates established by the Secretary for 
     purposes of this section, which shall be, to the extent 
     practicable, the rates paid by the United States for such 
     care or services to providers of services and suppliers under 
     the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
       ``(2) To accept payment under paragraph (1) as payment in 
     full for care or services furnished under this section and to 
     not seek any payment for such care or services from the 
     recipient of such care or services.
       ``(3) To furnish under this section only the care or 
     services authorized by the Department under this section 
     unless the eligible provider receives prior written consent 
     from the Department to furnish care or services outside the 
     scope of such authorization.
       ``(4) To bill the Department for care or services furnished 
     under this section in accordance with a methodology 
     established by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
       ``(5) Not to seek to recover or collect from a health-plan 
     contract or third party, as those terms are defined in 
     section 1729 of this title, for any care or services for 
     which payment is made by the Department under this section.
       ``(6) To provide medical records for veterans furnished 
     care or services under this section to the Department in a 
     time frame and format specified by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section.
       ``(7) To meet such other terms and conditions, including 
     quality of care assurance standards, as the Secretary may 
     specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(f) Termination of Agreements.--(1) An eligible provider 
     may terminate an agreement with the Secretary under this 
     section at such time and upon such notice to the Secretary as 
     the Secretary may specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(2) The Secretary may terminate an agreement with an 
     eligible provider under this section at such time and upon 
     such notice to the eligible provider as the Secretary may 
     specify for purposes of this section, if the Secretary--
       ``(A) determines that the eligible provider failed to 
     comply substantially with the provisions of the agreement or 
     with the provisions of this section and the regulations 
     prescribed thereunder;
       ``(B) determines that the eligible provider is--
       ``(i) excluded from participation in a Federal health care 
     program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under section 1128 or 
     1128A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 
     1320a-7a); or
       ``(ii) identified as an excluded source on the list 
     maintained in the System for Award Management, or any 
     successor system;
       ``(C) ascertains that the eligible provider has been 
     convicted of a felony or other serious offense under Federal 
     or State law and determines that the continued participation 
     of the eligible provider would be detrimental to the best 
     interests of veterans or the Department; or
       ``(D) determines that it is reasonable to terminate the 
     agreement based on the health care needs of a veteran or 
     veterans.
       ``(g) Periodic Review of Certain Agreements.--(1) Not less 
     frequently than once every two years, the Secretary shall 
     review each Veterans Care Agreement of material size entered 
     into during the two-year period preceding the review to 
     determine whether it is feasible and advisable to furnish the 
     hospital care, medical services, or extended care furnished 
     under such agreement at facilities of the Department or 
     through contracts or sharing agreements entered into under 
     authorities other than this section.
       ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a Veterans Care 
     Agreement is of material size as determined by the Secretary 
     for purposes of this section.
       ``(B) A Veterans Care Agreement entered into after 
     September 30, 2016, for the purchase of extended care 
     services is of material size if the purchase of such services 
     under the agreement exceeds $1,000,000 annually. The 
     Secretary may adjust such amount to account for changes in 
     the cost of health care based upon recognized health care 
     market surveys and other available data and shall publish any 
     such adjustments in the Federal Register.
       ``(h) Treatment of Certain Laws.--(1) An agreement under 
     this section may be entered into without regard to any law 
     that would require the Secretary to use competitive 
     procedures in selecting the party with which to enter into 
     the agreement.
       ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and unless 
     otherwise provided in this section or regulations prescribed 
     pursuant to this section, an eligible provider that enters 
     into an agreement under this section is not subject to, in 
     the carrying out of the agreement, any law to which an 
     eligible provider described in subsection (b)(1), (b)(2), or 
     (b)(3) is not subject under the original Medicare fee-for-
     service program under parts A and B of title XVIII of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or the Medicaid 
     program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
       ``(B) The exclusion under subparagraph (A) does not apply 
     to laws regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that subject a 
     person to civil or criminal penalties.
       ``(3) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
     2000e et seq.) shall apply with respect to an eligible 
     provider that enters into an agreement under this section to 
     the same extent as such title applies with respect to the 
     eligible provider in providing care or services through an 
     agreement or arrangement other than under this section.
       ``(i) Monitoring of Quality of Care.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a system or systems, consistent with survey and 
     certification procedures used by the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services and State survey agencies to the extent 
     practicable--
       ``(1) to monitor the quality of care and services furnished 
     to veterans under this section; and
       ``(2) to assess the quality of care and services furnished 
     by an eligible provider under this section for purposes of 
     determining whether to renew an agreement under this section 
     with the eligible provider.
       ``(j) Dispute Resolution.--The Secretary shall establish 
     administrative procedures for eligible providers with which 
     the Secretary has entered into an agreement under this 
     section to present any dispute arising under or related to 
     the agreement.''.
       (b) Regulations.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     prescribe an interim final rule to carry out section 1703C of 
     such title, as added by subsection (a), not later than one 
     year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title, as amended by section 
     6403(a)(2), is further amended by inserting after the item 
     related to section 1703B the following new item:

``1703C. Veterans Care Agreements.''.

     SEC. 6412. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS 
                   WITH STATE HOMES TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE.

       (a) Use of Agreements.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 1745(a) of title 
     38, United States Code, is

[[Page 8325]]

     amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
     striking ``a contract (or agreement under section 1720(c)(1) 
     of this title)'' and inserting ``an agreement''.
       (2) Payment.--Paragraph (2) of such section is amended by 
     striking ``contract (or agreement)'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``agreement''.
       (b) Treatment of Certain Laws.--Such section is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4)(A) An agreement under this section may be entered 
     into without regard to any law that would require the 
     Secretary to use competitive procedures in selecting the 
     party with which to enter into the agreement.
       ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) and unless 
     otherwise provided in this section or in regulations 
     prescribed pursuant to this section, a State home that enters 
     into an agreement under this section is not subject to, in 
     the carrying out of the agreement, any law to which providers 
     of services and suppliers are not subject under the original 
     Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title 
     XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or 
     the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396 et seq.).
       ``(ii) The exclusion under clause (i) does not apply to 
     laws regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that subject a 
     person to civil or criminal penalties.
       ``(C) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
     2000e et seq.) shall apply with respect to a State home that 
     enters into an agreement under this section to the same 
     extent as such title applies with respect to the State home 
     in providing care or services through an agreement or 
     arrangement other than under this section.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply to agreements entered into under section 1745 of such 
     title on and after the date on which the regulations 
     prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement 
     such amendments take effect.
       (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     described in paragraph (1) in the Federal Register not later 
     than 30 days before such date.

     SEC. 6413. EXPANSION OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT 
                   AND URGENT CARE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1725 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 1725. Reimbursement for emergency treatment and urgent 
       care

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the provisions of this 
     section, the Secretary shall reimburse a veteran described in 
     subsection (b) for the reasonable value of emergency 
     treatment or urgent care furnished the veteran in a non-
     Department facility.
       ``(2) In any case in which reimbursement of a veteran is 
     authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary may, in lieu of 
     reimbursing the veteran, make payment of the reasonable value 
     of the furnished emergency treatment or urgent care 
     directly--
       ``(A) to the hospital or other health care provider that 
     furnished the treatment or care; or
       ``(B) to the person or organization that paid for such 
     treatment or care on behalf of the veteran.
       ``(3) Notwithstanding section 111 of this title, 
     reimbursement for the reasonable value of emergency treatment 
     or urgent care under this section shall include reimbursement 
     for the reasonable value of transportation for such emergency 
     treatment or urgent care.
       ``(b) Eligibility.--A veteran described in this subsection 
     is an individual who--
       ``(1) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the 
     Department established and operated under section 1705 of 
     this title; and
       ``(2) has received care under this chapter during the 24-
     month period preceding the furnishing of the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care for which reimbursement is sought 
     under this section.
       ``(c) Responsibility for Payment.--The Secretary shall be 
     the primary payer with respect to reimbursing or otherwise 
     paying the reasonable value of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care under this section.
       ``(d) Limitations on Payment.--(1) The Secretary, in 
     accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary for 
     purposes of this section, shall--
       ``(A) establish the maximum amount payable under subsection 
     (a); and
       ``(B) delineate the circumstances under which such payments 
     may be made, including such requirements on requesting 
     reimbursement as the Secretary may establish.
       ``(2)(A) Payment by the Secretary under this section on 
     behalf of a veteran to a provider of emergency treatment or 
     urgent care shall, unless rejected and refunded by the 
     provider within 30 days of receipt--
       ``(i) constitute payment in full for the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care provided; and
       ``(ii) extinguish any liability on the part of the veteran 
     for that treatment or care.
       ``(B) Neither the absence of a contract or agreement 
     between the Secretary and a provider of emergency treatment 
     or urgent care nor any provision of a contract, agreement, or 
     assignment to the contrary shall operate to modify, limit, or 
     negate the requirements of subparagraph (A).
       ``(C) An individual or entity may not seek to recover from 
     any third party the cost of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care for which the Secretary has made payment under this 
     section.
       ``(e) Recovery.--The United States has an independent right 
     to recover or collect reasonable charges for emergency 
     treatment or urgent care furnished under this section in 
     accordance with the provisions of section 1729 of this title.
       ``(f) Copayments.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     a veteran shall pay to the Department a copayment (in an 
     amount prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this 
     section) for each episode of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care for which reimbursement is provided to the veteran under 
     this section.
       ``(2) The requirement under paragraph (1) to pay a 
     copayment does not apply to a veteran who--
       ``(A) would not be required to pay to the Department a 
     copayment for emergency treatment or urgent care furnished at 
     facilities of the Department;
       ``(B) meets an exemption specified by the Secretary in 
     regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this 
     section; or
       ``(C) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or 
     observation following, and in connection with, the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care for which the veteran is provided 
     reimbursement under this section.
       ``(3) The requirement that a veteran pay a copayment under 
     this section shall apply notwithstanding the authority of the 
     Secretary to offset such a requirement with amounts recovered 
     from a third party under section 1729 of this title.
       ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `emergency treatment' means medical care or 
     services furnished, in the judgment of the Secretary--
       ``(A) when such care or services are rendered in a medical 
     emergency of such nature that a prudent layperson reasonably 
     expects that delay in seeking immediate medical attention 
     would be hazardous to life or health; and
       ``(B) until--
       ``(i) such time as the veteran can be transferred safely to 
     a Department facility or community care provider authorized 
     by the Secretary and such facility or provider is capable of 
     accepting such transfer; or
       ``(ii) such time as a Department facility or community care 
     provider authorized by the Secretary accepts such transfer 
     if--

       ``(I) at the time the veteran could have been transferred 
     safely to such a facility or provider, no such facility or 
     provider agreed to accept such transfer; and
       ``(II) the non-Department facility in which such medical 
     care or services was furnished made and documented reasonable 
     attempts to transfer the veteran to a Department facility or 
     community care provider.

       ``(2) The term `health-plan contract' includes any of the 
     following:
       ``(A) An insurance policy or contract, medical or hospital 
     service agreement, membership or subscription contract, or 
     similar arrangement under which health services for 
     individuals are provided or the expenses of such services are 
     paid.
       ``(B) An insurance program described in section 1811 of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c) or established by 
     section 1831 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j).
       ``(C) A State plan for medical assistance approved under 
     title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
       ``(D) A workers' compensation law or plan described in 
     section 1729(a)(2)(A) of this title.
       ``(3) The term `third party' means any of the following:
       ``(A) A Federal entity.
       ``(B) A State or political subdivision of a State.
       ``(C) An employer or an employer's insurance carrier.
       ``(D) An automobile accident reparations insurance carrier.
       ``(E) A person or entity obligated to provide, or to pay 
     the expenses of, health services under a health-plan 
     contract.
       ``(4) The term `urgent care' shall have the meaning given 
     that term by the Secretary in regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary for purposes of this section.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 1725 and inserting the following new 
     item:

``1725. Reimbursement for emergency treatment and urgent care.''.

       (c) Repeal of Superseded Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1728 is repealed.
       (2) Effective date.--
       (A) In general.--The repeal made by paragraph (1) shall 
     take effect on the date on which the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs prescribes regulations to carry out section 1725 of 
     title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a).
       (B) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     specified in subparagraph (A) in the Federal Register and on 
     an publicly available Internet website of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs not later than 30 days before such date.
       (d) Conforming Amendments.--

[[Page 8326]]

       (1) Medical care for survivors and dependents.--Section 
     1781(a)(4) is amended by striking ``(as defined in section 
     1725(f) of this title)'' and inserting ``(as defined in 
     section 1725(g) of this title)''.
       (2) Health care of family members of veterans stationed at 
     camp lejeune, north carolina.--Section 1787(b)(3) is amended 
     by striking ``(as defined in section 1725(f) of this title)'' 
     and inserting ``(as defined in section 1725(g) of this 
     title)''.
       (e) Regulations.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe 
     regulations to carry out the amendments made by this section.
       (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 6414. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 
                   VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM ACCOUNT OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Section 117(c) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(7) Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Choice 
     Program.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1105(a)(37) of title 31, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(G) Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Choice 
     Program.''.
       (c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 
     2016.

     SEC. 6415. ANNUAL TRANSFER OF AMOUNTS WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE FROM 
                   NON-DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.

       Section 106 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c) Annual Transfer of Amounts.--
       ``(1) In general.--At the beginning of each fiscal year, 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transfer to the 
     Veterans Health Administration an amount equal to the amount 
     estimated to be required to furnish hospital care, medical 
     services, and other health care through non-Department of 
     Veterans Affairs providers during that fiscal year.
       ``(2) Adjustments.--During a fiscal year, the Secretary may 
     make adjustments to the amount transferred under paragraph 
     (1) for that fiscal year to accommodate any variances in 
     demand for hospital care, medical services, or other health 
     care through non-Department providers.''.

     SEC. 6416. APPLICABILITY OF DIRECTIVE OF OFFICE OF FEDERAL 
                   CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Directive 2014-01 of the Office of Federal 
     Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor 
     (effective as of May 7, 2014) shall apply to any health care 
     provider entering into a contract or agreement under section 
     1703A, 1703C, or 1745 of title 38, United States Code, in the 
     same manner as such directive applies to subcontractors under 
     the TRICARE program.
       (b) Applicability Period.--The directive described in 
     subsection (a), and the moratorium provided under such 
     directive, shall not be altered or rescinded before May 7, 
     2019.
       (c) TRICARE Program Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``TRICARE program'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.

          Subtitle B--Other Health Care Administrative Matters

     SEC. 6421. REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN ENTITIES FOR EMERGENCY 
                   MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     1725 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1725A. Reimbursement of certain entities for emergency 
       medical transportation

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary shall reimburse an ambulance provider or 
     any other entity that provides transportation to a veteran 
     described in section 1725(b) of this title for the purpose of 
     receiving emergency treatment at a non-Department facility 
     the cost of such transportation.
       ``(b) Service Connection.--(1) The Secretary shall 
     reimburse an ambulance provider or any other entity under 
     subsection (a) regardless of whether the underlying medical 
     condition for which the veteran is seeking emergency 
     treatment is in connection with a service-connected 
     disability.
       ``(2) If the Secretary determines that the underlying 
     medical condition for which the veteran receives emergency 
     treatment is not in connection with a service-connected 
     disability, the Secretary shall recoup the cost of 
     transportation paid under subsection (a) in connection with 
     such emergency treatment from any health-plan contract under 
     which the veteran is covered.
       ``(c) Timing.--Reimbursement under subsection (a) shall be 
     made not later than 30 days after receiving a request for 
     reimbursement under such subsection.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `emergency 
     treatment' and `health-plan contract' have the meanings given 
     those terms in section 1725(f) of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item related to section 1725 the following new 
     item:

``1725A. Reimbursement for emergency medical transportation.''.

     SEC. 6422. REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   COLLECT HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by 
     inserting after section 1705 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1705A. Management of health care: information 
       regarding health-plan contracts

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Any individual who seeks hospital 
     care or medical services under this chapter shall provide to 
     the Secretary such current information as the Secretary may 
     require to identify any health-plan contract under which such 
     individual is covered.
       ``(2) The information required to be provided to the 
     Secretary under paragraph (1) with respect to a health-plan 
     contract shall include, as applicable, the following:
       ``(A) The name of the entity providing coverage under the 
     health-plan contract.
       ``(B) If coverage under the health-plan contract is in the 
     name of an individual other than the individual required to 
     provide information under this section, the name of the 
     policy holder of the health-plan contract.
       ``(C) The identification number for the health-plan 
     contract.
       ``(D) The group code for the health-plan contract.
       ``(b) Action to Collect Information.--The Secretary may 
     take such action as the Secretary considers appropriate to 
     collect the information required under subsection (a).
       ``(c) Effect on Services From Department.--The Secretary 
     may not deny any services under this chapter to an individual 
     solely due to the fact that the individual fails to provide 
     information required under subsection (a).
       ``(d) Health-plan Contract Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `health-plan contract' has the meaning given that term 
     in section 1725(g) of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1705 the following new 
     item:

``1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-plan 
              contracts.''.

     SEC. 6423. MODIFICATION OF HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR PHYSICIANS 
                   AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS EMPLOYED BY THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 7423(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``(a) The hours'' and inserting ``(a)(1) 
     Except as provided in paragraph (2), the hours''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) The Secretary may modify the hours of employment for 
     a physician or physician assistant appointed in the 
     Administration under any provision of this chapter on a full-
     time basis to be more than or less than 80 hours in a 
     biweekly pay period if the total hours of employment for such 
     employee in a calendar year are not less than 2,080 hours.''.

                     TITLE LXVI--FAMILY CAREGIVERS

     SEC. 6431. EXPANSION OF FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Family Caregiver Program.--
       (1) Expansion of eligibility.--
       (A) In general.--Subsection (a)(2)(B) of section 1720G of 
     title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) for assistance provided under this subsection--
       ``(i) before the date on which the Secretary submits to 
     Congress a certification that the Department has fully 
     implemented the information technology system required by 
     section 6432(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, has a serious injury (including traumatic 
     brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) 
     incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active 
     military, naval, or air service on or after September 11, 
     2001;
       ``(ii) during the two-year period beginning on the date 
     specified in clause (i), has a serious injury (including 
     traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental 
     disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the 
     active military, naval, or air service--
       ``(I) on or before May 7, 1975; or
       ``(II) on or after September 11, 2001; or
       ``(iii) after the date that is two years after the date 
     specified in clause (i), has a serious injury (including 
     traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental 
     disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the 
     active military, naval, or air service; and''.
       (B) Publication in federal register.--Not later than 30 
     days after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs submits to Congress the certification described in 
     subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) of section 1720G of such title, as 
     amended by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary 
     shall publish the date specified in such subsection in the 
     Federal Register.

[[Page 8327]]

       (2) Expansion of needed services in eligibility criteria.--
     Subsection (a)(2)(C) of such section is amended--
       (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and
       (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause 
     (iii):
       ``(iii) a need for regular or extensive instruction or 
     supervision without which the ability of the veteran to 
     function in daily life would be seriously impaired; or''.
       (3) Expansion of services provided.--Subsection 
     (a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended--
       (A) in subclause (IV), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
     a semicolon;
       (B) in subclause (V), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
       ``(VI) through the use of contracts with, or the provision 
     of grants to, public or private entities--
       ``(aa) financial planning services relating to the needs of 
     injured veterans and their caregivers; and
       ``(bb) legal services, including legal advice and 
     consultation, relating to the needs of injured veterans and 
     their caregivers.''.
       (4) Modification of stipend calculation.--Subsection 
     (a)(3)(C) of such section is amended--
       (A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and
       (B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause 
     (iii):
       ``(iii) In determining the amount and degree of personal 
     care services provided under clause (i) with respect to an 
     eligible veteran whose need for personal care services is 
     based in whole or in part on a need for supervision or 
     protection under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or regular or extensive 
     instruction or supervision under paragraph (2)(C)(iii), the 
     Secretary shall take into account the following:
       ``(I) The assessment by the family caregiver of the needs 
     and limitations of the veteran.
       ``(II) The extent to which the veteran can function safely 
     and independently in the absence of such supervision, 
     protection, or instruction.
       ``(III) The amount of time required for the family 
     caregiver to provide such supervision, protection, or 
     instruction to the veteran.''.
       (5) Periodic evaluation of need for certain services.--
     Subsection (a)(3) of such section is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) In providing instruction, preparation, and training 
     under subparagraph (A)(i)(I) and technical support under 
     subparagraph (A)(i)(II) to each family caregiver who is 
     approved as a provider of personal care services for an 
     eligible veteran under paragraph (6), the Secretary shall 
     periodically evaluate the needs of the eligible veteran and 
     the skills of the family caregiver of such veteran to 
     determine if additional instruction, preparation, training, 
     or technical support under those subparagraphs is 
     necessary.''.
       (6) Use of primary care teams.--Subsection (a)(5) of such 
     section is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
     by inserting ``(in collaboration with the primary care team 
     for the eligible veteran to the maximum extent practicable)'' 
     after ``evaluate''.
       (7) Assistance for family caregivers.--Subsection (a) of 
     such section is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(11)(A) In providing assistance under this subsection to 
     family caregivers of eligible veterans, the Secretary may 
     enter into contracts, provider agreements, and memoranda of 
     understanding with Federal agencies, States, and private, 
     nonprofit, and other entities to provide such assistance to 
     such family caregivers.
       ``(B) The Secretary may provide assistance under this 
     paragraph only if such assistance is reasonably accessible to 
     the family caregiver and is substantially equivalent or 
     better in quality to similar services provided by the 
     Department.
       ``(C) The Secretary may provide fair compensation to 
     Federal agencies, States, and other entities that provide 
     assistance under this paragraph.''.
       (b) Modification of Definition of Personal Care Services.--
     Subsection (d)(4) of such section is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``independent'';
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(B) Supervision or protection based on symptoms or 
     residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury.
       ``(C) Regular or extensive instruction or supervision 
     without which the ability of the veteran to function in daily 
     life would be seriously impaired.''.

     SEC. 6432. IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSESS AND 
                   IMPROVE THE FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM.

       (a) Implementation of New System.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2016, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement an information 
     technology system that fully supports the Program and allows 
     for data assessment and comprehensive monitoring of the 
     Program.
       (2) Elements of system.--The information technology system 
     required to be implemented under paragraph (1) shall include 
     the following:
       (A) The ability to easily retrieve data that will allow all 
     aspects of the Program (at the medical center and aggregate 
     levels) and the workload trends for the Program to be 
     assessed and comprehensively monitored.
       (B) The ability to manage data with respect to a number of 
     caregivers that is more than the number of caregivers that 
     the Secretary expects to apply for the Program.
       (C) The ability to integrate the system with other relevant 
     information technology systems of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.
       (b) Assessment of Program.--Not later than 180 days after 
     implementing the system described in subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall, through the Under Secretary for Health, use 
     data from the system and other relevant data to conduct an 
     assessment of how key aspects of the Program are structured 
     and carried out.
       (c) Ongoing Monitoring of and Modifications to Program.--
       (1) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall use the system 
     implemented under subsection (a) to monitor and assess the 
     workload of the Program, including monitoring and assessment 
     of data on--
       (A) the status of applications, appeals, and home visits in 
     connection with the Program; and
       (B) the use by caregivers participating in the Program of 
     other support services under the Program such as respite 
     care.
       (2) Modifications.--Based on the monitoring and assessment 
     conducted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall identify 
     and implement such modifications to the Program as the 
     Secretary considers necessary to ensure the Program is 
     functioning as intended and providing veterans and caregivers 
     participating in the Program with services in a timely 
     manner.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Initial report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the 
     Comptroller General of the United States a report that 
     includes--
       (i) the status of the planning, development, and deployment 
     of the system required to be implemented under subsection 
     (a), including any changes in the timeline for the 
     implementation of the system; and
       (ii) an assessment of the needs of family caregivers of 
     veterans described in subparagraph (B), the resources needed 
     for the inclusion of such family caregivers in the Program, 
     and such changes to the Program as the Secretary considers 
     necessary to ensure the successful expansion of the Program 
     to include such family caregivers.
       (B) Veterans described.--Veterans described in this 
     subparagraph are veterans who are eligible for the Program 
     under clause (ii) or (iii) of section 1720G(a)(2)(B) of title 
     38, United States Code, as amended by section 6431(a)(1) of 
     this Act, solely due to a serious injury (including traumatic 
     brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) 
     incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active 
     military, naval, or air service before September 11, 2001.
       (2) Notification by comptroller general.--The Comptroller 
     General shall review the report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     and notify the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives with respect to the progress of the Secretary 
     in--
       (A) fully implementing the system required under subsection 
     (a); and
       (B) implementing a process for using such system to monitor 
     and assess the Program under subsection (c)(1) and modify the 
     Program as considered necessary under subsection (c)(2).
       (3) Final report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General a 
     report on the implementation of subsections (a) through (c).
       (B) Elements.--The report required by subparagraph (A) 
     shall include the following:
       (i) A certification by the Secretary with respect to 
     whether the information technology system described in 
     subsection (a) has been implemented.
       (ii) A description of how the Secretary has implemented 
     such system.
       (iii) A description of the modifications to the Program, if 
     any, that were identified and implemented under subsection 
     (c)(2).
       (iv) A description of how the Secretary is using such 
     system to monitor the workload of the Program.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Active military, naval, or air service.--The term 
     ``active military, naval, or air service'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program of 
     comprehensive assistance for

[[Page 8328]]

     family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of title 38, United 
     States Code, as amended by section 6431 of this Act.

     SEC. 6433. MODIFICATIONS TO ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT ON 
                   CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) Barriers to Care and Services.--Subparagraph (A)(iv) of 
     section 101(c)(2) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
     Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 
     1720G note) is amended by inserting ``, including a 
     description of any barriers to accessing and receiving care 
     and services under such programs'' before the semicolon.
       (b) Sufficiency of Training for Family Caregiver Program.--
     Subparagraph (B) of such section is amended--
       (1) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iii) an evaluation of the sufficiency and consistency of 
     the training provided to family caregivers under such program 
     in preparing family caregivers to provide care to veterans 
     under such program.''.

     SEC. 6434. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CAREGIVER POLICY.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs an advisory committee on policies 
     relating to caregivers of veterans (in this section referred 
     to as the ``Committee'').
       (b) Composition.--The Committee shall be composed of the 
     following:
       (1) A Chair selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       (2) A representative from each of the following agencies or 
     organizations selected by the head of such agency or 
     organization:
       (A) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (B) The Department of Defense.
       (C) The Department of Health and Human Services.
       (D) The Department of Labor.
       (E) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
       (3) Not fewer than seven individuals who are not employees 
     of the Federal Government selected by the Secretary from 
     among the following individuals:
       (A) Academic experts in fields relating to caregivers.
       (B) Clinicians.
       (C) Caregivers.
       (D) Individuals in receipt of caregiver services.
       (E) Such other individuals with expertise that is relevant 
     to the duties of the Committee as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (c) Duties.--The duties of the Committee are as follows:
       (1) To regularly review and recommend policies of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs relating to caregivers of 
     veterans.
       (2) To examine and advise the implementation of such 
     policies.
       (3) To evaluate the effectiveness of such policies.
       (4) To recommend standards of care for caregiver services 
     and respite care services provided to a caregiver or veteran 
     by a nonprofit or private sector entity.
       (5) To develop recommendations for legislative or 
     administrative action to enhance the provision of services to 
     caregivers and veterans, including eliminating gaps in such 
     services and eliminating disparities in eligibility for such 
     services.
       (6) To make recommendations on coordination with State and 
     local agencies and relevant nonprofit organizations on 
     maximizing the use and effectiveness of resources for 
     caregivers of veterans.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Annual report to secretary.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than September 1, 2017, and not 
     less frequently than annually thereafter until the 
     termination date specified in subsection (e), the Chair of 
     the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on 
     policies and services of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     relating to caregivers of veterans.
       (B) Elements.--Each report required by subparagraph (A) 
     shall include the following:
       (i) An assessment of the policies of the Department 
     relating to caregivers of veterans and services provided 
     pursuant to such policies as of the date of the submittal of 
     the report.
       (ii) A description of any recommendations made by the 
     Committee to improve the coordination of services for 
     caregivers of veterans between the Department and the 
     entities specified in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of 
     subsection (b)(2) and to eliminate barriers to the effective 
     use of such services, including with respect to eligibility 
     criteria.
       (iii) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Department 
     in providing services for caregivers of veterans.
       (iv) An evaluation of the quality and sufficiency of 
     services for caregivers of veterans available from 
     nongovernmental organizations.
       (v) A description of any gaps identified by the Committee 
     in care or services provided by caregivers to veterans and 
     recommendations for legislative or administrative action to 
     address such gaps.
       (vi) Such other matters or recommendations as the Chair 
     considers appropriate.
       (2) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall transmit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a copy of such report, together with such 
     comments and recommendations concerning such report as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate.
       (e) Termination.--The Committee shall terminate on December 
     31, 2022.

     SEC. 6435. COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON SERIOUSLY INJURED VETERANS 
                   AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.

       (a) Study Required.--During the period specified in 
     subsection (d), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     provide for the conduct by an independent entity of a 
     comprehensive study on the following:
       (1) Veterans who have incurred a serious injury or illness, 
     including a mental health injury or illness.
       (2) Individuals who are acting as caregivers for veterans.
       (b) Elements.--The comprehensive study required by 
     subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to 
     each veteran included in such study:
       (1) The health of the veteran and, if applicable, the 
     impact of the caregiver of such veteran on the health of such 
     veteran.
       (2) The employment status of the veteran and, if 
     applicable, the impact of the caregiver of such veteran on 
     the employment status of such veteran.
       (3) The financial status and needs of the veteran.
       (4) The use by the veteran of benefits available to such 
     veteran from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (5) Such other information as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (c) Contract.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract 
     with an appropriate independent entity to conduct the study 
     required by subsection (a).
       (d) Period Specified.--The period specified in this 
     subsection is the one-year period beginning on the date that 
     is four years after the date specified in section 
     1720G(a)(2)(B)(i) of title 38, United States Code, as amended 
     by section 6431(a)(1) of this Act.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the end of the 
     period specified in subsection (d), the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the results of the study required 
     by subsection (a).

             TITLE LXVII--FACILITY CONSTRUCTION AND LEASES

          Subtitle A--Medical Facility Construction and Leases

     SEC. 6441. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
                   PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       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) Seismic corrections to buildings, including 
     retrofitting and replacement of high-risk buildings, in San 
     Francisco, California, in an amount not to exceed 
     $317,300,000.
       (2) Seismic corrections to facilities, including facilities 
     to support homeless veterans, at the medical center in West 
     Los Angeles, California, in an amount not to exceed 
     $370,800,000.
       (3) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community 
     living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not to 
     exceed $317,300,000.
       (4) Construction of an outpatient clinic, administrative 
     space, cemetery, and columbarium in Alameda, California, in 
     an amount not to exceed $240,200,000.
       (5) Realignment of medical facilities in Livermore, 
     California, in an amount not to exceed $415,600,000.
       (6) Construction of a replacement community living center 
     in Perry Point, Maryland, in an amount not to exceed 
     $92,700,000.
       (7) Seismic corrections and other renovations to several 
     buildings and construction of a specialty care building in 
     American Lake, Washington, in an amount not to exceed 
     $161,700,000.

     SEC. 6442. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
                   LEASES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the 
     following major medical facility leases at the locations 
     specified and in an amount for each lease not to exceed the 
     amount specified for such location (not including any 
     estimated cancellation costs):
       (1) For an outpatient clinic, Ann Arbor, Michigan, an 
     amount not to exceed $17,093,000.
       (2) For an outpatient mental health clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $6,971,000.
       (3) For an outpatient specialty clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $10,479,000.
       (4) For research space, Boston, Massachusetts, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,497,000.
       (5) For research space, Charleston, South Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,581,000.
       (6) For an outpatient clinic, Daytona Beach, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $12,664,000.

[[Page 8329]]

       (7) For Chief Business Office Purchased Care office space, 
     Denver, Colorado, an amount not to exceed $17,215,000.
       (8) For an outpatient clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $4,686,000.
       (9) For an outpatient clinic, Hampton Roads, Virginia, an 
     amount not to exceed $18,124,000.
       (10) For research space, Mission Bay, California, an amount 
     not to exceed $23,454,000.
       (11) For an outpatient clinic, Missoula, Montana, an amount 
     not to exceed $7,130,000.
       (12) For an outpatient clinic, Northern Colorado, Colorado, 
     an amount not to exceed $8,776,000.
       (13) For an outpatient clinic, Ocala, Florida, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,279,000.
       (14) For an outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,297,000.
       (15) For an outpatient clinic, Pike County, Georgia, an 
     amount not to exceed $5,757,000.
       (16) For an outpatient clinic, Portland, Maine, an amount 
     not to exceed $6,846,000.
       (17) For an outpatient clinic, Raleigh, North Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $21,607,000.
       (18) For an outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,498,000.
       (19) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Corpus Christi, 
     Texas, an amount not to exceed $7,452,000.
       (20) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Jacksonville, 
     Florida, an amount not to exceed $18,136,000.
       (21) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Pontiac, 
     Michigan, an amount not to exceed $4,532,000.
       (22) For a replacement outpatient clinic, phase II, 
     Rochester, New York, an amount not to exceed $6,901,000.
       (23) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Tampa, Florida, 
     an amount not to exceed $10,568,000.
       (24) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Terre Haute, 
     Indiana, an amount not to exceed $4,475,000.

     SEC. 6443. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Construction.--
     There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016 or the year in which 
     funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects, 
     account $1,915,600,000 for the projects authorized in section 
     6441.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations for Medical Facility 
     Leases.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016 or the 
     year in which funds are appropriated for the Medical 
     Facilities account $190,954,000 for the leases authorized in 
     section 6442.
       (c) Limitation.--The projects authorized in section 6431 
     may only be carried out using--
       (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2016 pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations in subsection (b);
       (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year before fiscal year 2016 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for fiscal year 2016 for a category of activity not specific 
     to a project;
       (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2016 for a category of 
     activity not specific to a project; and
       (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 for a category of 
     activity not specific to a project.

 Subtitle B--Leases at Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles 
                                 Campus

     SEC. 6451. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN LEASES AT THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WEST LOS ANGELES 
                   CAMPUS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     carry out leases described in subsection (b) at the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los 
     Angeles, California (hereinafter in this section referred to 
     as the ``Campus'').
       (b) Leases Described.--Leases described in this subsection 
     are the following:
       (1) Any enhanced-use lease of real property under 
     subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, 
     for purposes of providing supportive housing, as that term is 
     defined in section 8161(3) of such title, that principally 
     benefit veterans and their families.
       (2) Any lease of real property for a term not to exceed 50 
     years to a third party to provide services that principally 
     benefit veterans and their families and that are limited to 
     one or more of the following purposes:
       (A) The promotion of health and wellness, including 
     nutrition and spiritual wellness.
       (B) Education.
       (C) Vocational training, skills building, or other training 
     related to employment.
       (D) Peer activities, socialization, or physical recreation.
       (E) Assistance with legal issues and Federal benefits.
       (F) Volunteerism.
       (G) Family support services, including child care.
       (H) Transportation.
       (I) Services in support of one or more of the purposes 
     specified in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
       (3) A lease of real property for a term not to exceed 10 
     years to The Regents of the University of California, a 
     corporation organized under the laws of the State of 
     California, on behalf of its University of California, Los 
     Angeles (UCLA) campus (hereinafter in this section referred 
     to as ``The Regents''), if--
       (A) the lease is consistent with the master plan described 
     in subsection (g);
       (B) the provision of services to veterans is the 
     predominant focus of the activities of The Regents at the 
     Campus during the term of the lease;
       (C) The Regents expressly agrees to provide, during the 
     term of the lease and to an extent and in a manner that the 
     Secretary considers appropriate, additional services and 
     support (for which The Regents is not compensated by the 
     Secretary or through an existing medical affiliation 
     agreement) that--
       (i) principally benefit veterans and their families, 
     including veterans who are severely disabled, women, aging, 
     or homeless; and
       (ii) may consist of activities relating to the medical, 
     clinical, therapeutic, dietary, rehabilitative, legal, 
     mental, spiritual, physical, recreational, research, and 
     counseling needs of veterans and their families or any of the 
     purposes specified in any of subparagraphs (A) through (I) of 
     paragraph (2); and
       (D) The Regents maintains records documenting the value of 
     the additional services and support that The Regents provides 
     pursuant to subparagraph (C) for the duration of the lease 
     and makes such records available to the Secretary.
       (c) Limitation on Land-Sharing Agreements.--The Secretary 
     may not carry out any land-sharing agreement pursuant to 
     section 8153 of title 38, United States Code, at the Campus 
     unless such agreement--
       (1) provides additional health-care resources to the 
     Campus; and
       (2) benefits veterans and their families other than from 
     the generation of revenue for the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs.
       (d) Revenues From Leases at the Campus.--Any funds received 
     by the Secretary under a lease described in subsection (b) 
     shall be credited to the applicable Department medical 
     facilities account and shall be available, without fiscal 
     year limitation and without further appropriation, 
     exclusively for the renovation and maintenance of the land 
     and facilities at the Campus.
       (e) Easements.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     (other than Federal laws relating to environmental and 
     historic preservation), pursuant to section 8124 of title 38, 
     United States Code, the Secretary may grant easements or 
     rights-of-way on, above, or under lands at the Campus to--
       (A) any local or regional public transportation authority 
     to access, construct, use, operate, maintain, repair, or 
     reconstruct public mass transit facilities, including, fixed 
     guideway facilities and transportation centers; and
       (B) the State of California, County of Los Angeles, City of 
     Los Angeles, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, 
     or any public utility company (including any company 
     providing electricity, gas, water, sewage, or 
     telecommunication services to the public) for the purpose of 
     providing such public utilities.
       (2) Improvements.--Any improvements proposed pursuant to an 
     easement or right-of-way authorized under paragraph (1) shall 
     be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       (3) Termination.--Any easement or right-of-way authorized 
     under paragraph (1) shall be terminated upon the abandonment 
     or nonuse of the easement or right-of-way and all right, 
     title, and interest in the land covered by the easement or 
     right-of-way shall revert to the United States.
       (f) Prohibition on Sale of Property.--Notwithstanding 
     section 8164 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary 
     may not sell or otherwise convey to a third party fee simple 
     title to any real property or improvements to real property 
     made at the Campus.
       (g) Consistency With Master Plan.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that each lease carried out under this section is 
     consistent with the draft master plan approved by the 
     Secretary on January 28, 2016, or successor master plans.
       (h) Compliance With Certain Laws.--
       (1) Laws relating to leases and land use.--If the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Veterans Affairs determines, as 
     part of an audit report or evaluation conducted by the 
     Inspector General, that the Department is not in compliance 
     with all Federal laws relating to leases and land use at the 
     Campus, or that significant mismanagement has occurred with 
     respect to leases or land use at the Campus, the Secretary 
     may not enter into any lease or land-sharing agreement at the 
     Campus, or renew any such lease or land-sharing agreement 
     that is not in compliance with such laws, until the Secretary 
     certifies to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives, and each Member of the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives who represents the area in which the 
     Campus is located that all recommendations included in the 
     audit report or evaluation have been implemented.
       (2) Compliance of particular leases.--Except as otherwise 
     expressly provided by

[[Page 8330]]

     this section, no lease may be entered into or renewed under 
     this section unless the lease complies with chapter 33 of 
     title 41, United States Code, and all Federal laws relating 
     to environmental and historic preservation.
       (i) Community Veterans Engagement Board.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
     Community Veterans Engagement Board (in this subsection 
     referred to as the ``Board'') for the Campus to coordinate 
     locally with the Department of Veterans Affairs to--
       (A) identify the goals of the community; and
       (B) provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary to 
     improve services and outcomes for veterans, members of the 
     Armed Forces, and the families of such veterans and members.
       (2) Members.--The Board shall be comprised of a number of 
     members that the Secretary determines appropriate, of which 
     not less than 50 percent shall be veterans. The nonveteran 
     members shall be family members of veterans, veteran 
     advocates, service providers, or stakeholders.
       (3) Community input.--In carrying out subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) of paragraph (1), the Board shall--
       (A) provide the community opportunities to collaborate and 
     communicate with the Board, including by conducting public 
     forums on the Campus; and
       (B) focus on local issues regarding the Department that are 
     identified by the community, including with respect to health 
     care, benefits, and memorial services at the Campus.
       (j) Notification and Reports.--
       (1) Congressional notification.--With respect to each lease 
     or land-sharing agreement intended to be entered into or 
     renewed at the Campus, the Secretary shall notify the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and 
     each Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     who represents the area in which the Campus is located of the 
     intent of the Secretary to enter into or renew the lease or 
     land-sharing agreement not later than 45 days before entering 
     into or renewing the lease or land-sharing agreement.
       (2) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than 
     annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and 
     each Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     who represents the area in which the Campus is located an 
     annual report evaluating all leases and land-sharing 
     agreements carried out at the Campus, including--
       (A) an evaluation of the management of the revenue 
     generated by the leases; and
       (B) the records described in subsection (b)(3)(D).
       (3) Inspector general report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than each of two years and five 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and as 
     determined necessary by the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs thereafter, the Inspector 
     General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
     the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
     of Representatives, and each Member of the Senate and the 
     House of Representatives who represents the area in which the 
     Campus is located a report on all leases carried out at the 
     Campus and the management by the Department of the use of 
     land at the Campus, including an assessment of the efforts of 
     the Department to implement the master plan described in 
     subsection (g) with respect to the Campus.
       (B) Consideration of annual report.--In preparing each 
     report required by subparagraph (A), the Inspector General 
     shall take into account the most recent report submitted to 
     Congress by the Secretary under paragraph (2).
       (k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed as a limitation on the authority of the Secretary 
     to enter into other agreements regarding the Campus that are 
     authorized by law and not inconsistent with this section.
       (l) Principally Benefit Veterans and Their Families 
     Defined.--In this section the term ``principally benefit 
     veterans and their families'', with respect to services 
     provided by a person or entity under a lease of property or 
     land-sharing agreement--
       (1) means services--
       (A) provided exclusively to veterans and their families; or
       (B) that are designed for the particular needs of veterans 
     and their families, as opposed to the general public, and any 
     benefit of those services to the general public is distinct 
     from the intended benefit to veterans and their families; and
       (2) excludes services in which the only benefit to veterans 
     and their families is the generation of revenue for the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (m) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Prohibition on disposal of property.--Section 224(a) of 
     the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161; 121 
     Stat. 2272) is amended by striking ``The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs'' and inserting ``Except as authorized under 
     section 6451 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs''.
       (2) Enhanced-use leases.--Section 8162(c) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, other than an 
     enhanced-use lease under section 6451 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017,'' before ``shall be 
     considered''.

                  TITLE LXVIII--OTHER VETERANS MATTERS

     SEC. 6461. CLARIFICATION OF PRESUMPTIONS OF EXPOSURE FOR 
                   VETERANS WHO SERVED IN VICINITY OF REPUBLIC OF 
                   VIETNAM.

       (a) Compensation.--Subsections (a)(1) and (f) of section 
     1116 of title 38, United States Code, are amended by 
     inserting ``(including its territorial seas)'' after ``served 
     in the Republic of Vietnam'' each place it appears.
       (b) Health Care.--Section 1710(e)(4) of such title is 
     amended by inserting ``(including its territorial seas)'' 
     after ``served on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall take effect as if enacted on September 25, 
     1985.

                       TITLE LXIX--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 6471. TEMPORARY VISA FEE FOR EMPLOYERS WITH MORE THAN 50 
                   PERCENT FOREIGN WORKFORCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 411 of the Air Transportation 
     Safety and System Stabilization Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), 
     as added by section 402(g) of the James Zadroga 9/11 Victim 
     Compensation Fund Reauthorization Act (title IV of division O 
     of Public Law 114-113), is amended--
       (1) by amending to section heading to read as follows: 
     ``temporary visa fee for employers with more than 50 percent 
     foreign workforce''; and
       (2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) Temporary L Visa Fee Increase.--Notwithstanding 
     section 281 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1351) or any other provision of law, the filing fee required 
     to be submitted with a petition filed under section 
     101(a)(15)(L) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(L)), except for an amended petition 
     without an extension of stay request, shall be increased by 
     $4,500 for petitioners that employ 50 or more employees in 
     the United States if more than 50 percent of the petitioner's 
     employees are nonimmigrants described in subparagraph 
     (H)(1)(b) or (L) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act. This fee 
     shall also apply to petitioners described in this subsection 
     who file an individual petition on the basis of an approved 
     blanket petition.
       ``(b) Temporary H-1b Visa Fee Increase.--Notwithstanding 
     section 281 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1351) or any other provision of law, the filing fee required 
     to be submitted with a petition under section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)), except for an amended petition 
     without an extension of stay request, shall be increased by 
     $4,000 for petitioners that employ 50 or more employees in 
     the United States if more than 50 percent of the petitioner's 
     employees are nonimmigrants described in subparagraph 
     (H)(1)(b) or (L) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act.''.
       (b) Effective Dates.--The amendments made by subsection 
     (a)--
       (1) shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act; and
       (2) shall apply to any petition filed during the period 
     beginning on such effective date and ending on September 30, 
     2025.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4657. Mr. COTTON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

                           Amendment No. 4657

       At the end of subtitle F of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1247. PROHIBITION ON REQUIRING UNITED STATES AIR 
                   CARRIERS TO COMPLY WITH AIR DEFENSE 
                   IDENTIFICATION ZONES DECLARED BY THE PEOPLE'S 
                   REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

       The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
     shall not promulgate a special rule that requires an air 
     carrier that holds an air carrier certificate issued under 
     chapter 411 of title 49, United States Code, to comply with 
     any air defense identification zone declared by the People's 
     Republic of China that is inconsistent with United States 
     policy, overlaps with preexisting air identification zones, 
     covers disputed territory, or covers a specific geographic 
     area over the East China Sea or South China Sea.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4658. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be

[[Page 8331]]

proposed to amendment SA 4336 submitted by Mr. Brown and intended to be 
proposed to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       Beginning on page 1 of the amendment, strike line 2 and all 
     that follows through page 20, line 6, and insert the 
     following:

                      Subtitle J--Veterans Matters

                    PART I--VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM

     SEC. 1097. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of Program.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     1703 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703A. Veterans Choice Program

       ``(a) Program.--
       ``(1) Furnishing of care.--Hospital care and medical 
     services under this chapter shall be furnished to an eligible 
     veteran described in subsection (b), at the election of such 
     veteran, through contracts authorized under subsection (e), 
     or any other law administered by the Secretary, with eligible 
     providers described in subsection (c) for the furnishing of 
     such care and services to veterans. The furnishing of 
     hospital care and medical services under this section may be 
     referred to as the `Veterans Choice Program'.
       ``(2) Coordination of care and services.--The Secretary 
     shall coordinate, through the Non-VA Care Coordination 
     Program of the Department, the furnishing of care and 
     services under this section to eligible veterans, including 
     by ensuring that an eligible veteran receives an appointment 
     for such care and services within the wait-time goals of the 
     Veterans Health Administration for the furnishing of hospital 
     care and medical services.
       ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--A veteran is an eligible veteran 
     for purposes of this section if--
       ``(1) the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment 
     system of the Department established and operated under 
     section 1705 of this title; and
       ``(2)(A) the veteran is unable to schedule an appointment 
     for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from a 
     health care provider of the Department within the lesser of--
       ``(i) the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health 
     Administration for such care or services; or
       ``(ii) a period determined by a health care provider of the 
     Department to be clinically necessary for the receipt of such 
     care or services;
       ``(B) the veteran does not reside within 40 miles driving 
     distance from a medical facility of the Department, including 
     a community-based outpatient clinic, with a full-time primary 
     care physician;
       ``(C) the veteran--
       ``(i) resides in a State without a medical facility of the 
     Department that provides--
       ``(I) hospital care;
       ``(II) emergency medical services; and
       ``(III) surgical care rated by the Secretary as having a 
     surgical complexity of standard; and
       ``(ii) does not reside within 20 miles driving distance 
     from a medical facility of the Department described in clause 
     (i);
       ``(D) the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in 
     accessing hospital care or medical services from a medical 
     facility of the Department that is within 40 miles driving 
     distance from the residence of the veteran due to--
       ``(i) geographical challenges;
       ``(ii) environmental factors, such as roads that are not 
     accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous 
     weather;
       ``(iii) a medical condition of the veteran that affects the 
     ability to travel; or
       ``(iv) such other factors as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(E) the veteran resides in a location, other than a 
     location in Guam, American Samoa, or the Republic of the 
     Philippines, that requires the veteran to travel by air, 
     boat, or ferry to reach a medical facility of the Department, 
     including a community-based outpatient clinic;
       ``(F) the veteran is enrolled in the pilot program under 
     section 403 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care 
     Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 1703 
     note) as of the date on which such pilot program terminates 
     under such section; or
       ``(G) there is a compelling reason, as determined by the 
     Secretary, that the veteran needs to receive hospital care or 
     medical services from a medical facility other than a medical 
     facility of the Department.
       ``(c) Eligible Providers.--
       ``(1) In general.--A health care provider is an eligible 
     provider for purposes of this section if the health care 
     provider is a health care provider specified in paragraph (2) 
     and meets standards established by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section, including standards relating to education, 
     certification, licensure, training, and employment history.
       ``(2) Health care providers specified.--The health care 
     providers specified in this paragraph are the following:
       ``(A) Any health care provider that is participating in the 
     Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), including any physician furnishing 
     services under such program.
       ``(B) Any health care provider of a Federally-qualified 
     health center (as defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B))).
       ``(C) Any health care provider of the Department of 
     Defense.
       ``(D) Any health care provider of the Indian Health 
     Service.
       ``(E) Any health care provider of an academic affiliate of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       ``(F) Any health care provider of a health system 
     established to serve Alaska Natives.
       ``(G) Any other health care provider that meets criteria 
     established by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
       ``(3) Choice of provider.--An eligible veteran who makes an 
     election under subsection (d) to receive hospital care or 
     medical services under this section may select a provider of 
     such care or services from among the health care providers 
     specified in paragraph (2) that are accessible to the 
     veteran.
       ``(4) Eligibility.--To be eligible to furnish care or 
     services under this section, a health care provider must--
       ``(A) maintain at least the same or similar credentials and 
     licenses as those credentials and licenses that are required 
     of health care providers of the Department, as determined by 
     the Secretary for purposes of this section; and
       ``(B) submit, not less frequently than annually, 
     verification of such licenses and credentials maintained by 
     such health care provider.
       ``(5) Tiered network.--
       ``(A) In general.--To promote the provision of high-quality 
     and high-value health care under this section, the Secretary 
     may develop a tiered provider network of eligible providers 
     based on criteria established by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section.
       ``(B) Exception.--In developing a tiered provider network 
     of eligible providers under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
     may not prioritize providers in a tier over providers in any 
     other tier in a manner that limits the choice of an eligible 
     veteran in selecting an eligible provider under this section.
       ``(6) Alaska native defined.--In this subsection, the term 
     `Alaska Native' means a person who is a member of any Native 
     village, Village Corporation, or Regional Corporation, as 
     those terms are defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native 
     Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602).
       ``(d) Election and Authorization.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of an eligible veteran 
     described in subsection (b)(2)(A), the Secretary shall, at 
     the election of the veteran--
       ``(A) provide the veteran an appointment that exceeds the 
     wait-time goals described in such subsection or place such 
     veteran on an electronic waiting list described in paragraph 
     (2) for an appointment for hospital care or medical services 
     the veteran has elected to receive under this section; or
       ``(B)(i) authorize that such care or services be furnished 
     to the eligible veteran under this section; and
       ``(ii) notify the eligible veteran by the most effective 
     means available, including electronic communication or 
     notification in writing, describing the care or services the 
     eligible veteran is eligible to receive under this section.
       ``(2) Electronic waiting list.--The electronic waiting list 
     described in this paragraph shall be maintained by the 
     Department and allow access by each eligible veteran via 
     www.myhealth.va.gov or any successor website (or other 
     digital channel) for the following purposes:
       ``(A) To determine the place of such eligible veteran on 
     the waiting list.
       ``(B) To determine the average length of time an individual 
     spends on the waiting list, disaggregated by medical facility 
     of the Department and type of care or service needed, for 
     purposes of allowing such eligible veteran to make an 
     informed election under paragraph (1).
       ``(e) Care and Services Through Contracts.--
       ``(1) Contracts.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible 
     providers for furnishing care and services to eligible 
     veterans under this section.
       ``(B) Other processes.--Before entering into a contract 
     under this paragraph, the Secretary shall, to the maximum 
     extent practicable and consistent with the requirements of 
     this section, furnish such care and services to eligible 
     veterans under this section with eligible providers pursuant 
     to sharing agreements, existing contracts entered into by the 
     Secretary, or other processes available at medical facilities 
     of the Department.
       ``(C) Contract defined.--In this paragraph, the term 
     `contract' has the meaning given that term in subpart 2.101 
     of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

[[Page 8332]]

       ``(2) Rates and reimbursement.--
       ``(A) In general.--In entering into a contract under 
     paragraph (1) with an eligible provider, the Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(i) negotiate rates for the furnishing of care and 
     services under this section; and
       ``(ii) reimburse the provider for such care and services at 
     the rates negotiated under clause (i) as provided in such 
     contract.
       ``(B) Limit on rates.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), and 
     to the extent practicable, rates negotiated under 
     subparagraph (A)(i) shall not be more than the rates paid by 
     the United States to a provider of services (as defined in 
     section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395x(u))) or a supplier (as defined in section 1861(d) of 
     such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(d))) under the Medicare program 
     under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 
     et seq.) for the same care or services.
       ``(ii) Exceptions.--

       ``(I) In general.--The Secretary may negotiate a rate that 
     is more than the rate paid by the United States as described 
     in clause (i) with respect to the furnishing of care or 
     services under this section to an eligible veteran who 
     resides in a highly rural area.
       ``(II) Other exceptions.--

       ``(aa) Alaska.--With respect to furnishing care or services 
     under this section in Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule of the 
     Department shall be followed, except for when another payment 
     agreement, including a contract or provider agreement, is in 
     place, in which case rates for reimbursement shall be set 
     forth under such payment agreement.
       ``(bb) Other states.--With respect to care or services 
     furnished under this section in a State with an All-Payer 
     Model Agreement in effect under the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 301 et seq.), the Medicare payment rates under clause 
     (i) shall be calculated based on the payment rates under such 
     agreement.

       ``(III) Highly rural area defined.--In this clause, the 
     term `highly rural area' means an area located in a county 
     that has fewer than seven individuals residing in that county 
     per square mile.

       ``(C) Limit on collection.--For the furnishing of care or 
     services pursuant to a contract under paragraph (1), an 
     eligible provider may not collect any amount that is greater 
     than the rate negotiated pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i).
       ``(D) Value-based reimbursement.--In negotiating rates for 
     the furnishing of care and services under this section, the 
     Secretary may incorporate the use of value-based 
     reimbursement models to promote the provision of high-quality 
     care.
       ``(f) Responsibility for Costs of Certain Care.--In any 
     case in which an eligible veteran is furnished hospital care 
     or medical services under this section for a non-service-
     connected disability described in subsection (a)(2) of 
     section 1729 of this title, the Secretary may recover or 
     collect reasonable charges for such care or services from a 
     health-plan contract (as defined in subsection (i) of such 
     section 1729) in accordance with such section 1729.
       ``(g) Veterans Choice Card.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (5), for 
     purposes of receiving care and services under this section, 
     the Secretary shall issue to each veteran described in 
     subsection (b)(1) a card that may be presented to a health 
     care provider to facilitate the receipt of care or services 
     under this section.
       ``(2) Name of card.--Each card issued under paragraph (1) 
     shall be known as a `Veterans Choice Card'.
       ``(3) Details of card.--Each Veterans Choice Card issued to 
     a veteran under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
       ``(A) The name of the veteran.
       ``(B) An identification number for the veteran that is not 
     the social security number of the veteran.
       ``(C) The contact information of an appropriate office of 
     the Department for health care providers to confirm that care 
     or services under this section are authorized for the 
     veteran.
       ``(D) Contact information and other relevant information 
     for the submittal of claims or bills for the furnishing of 
     care or services under this section.
       ``(E) The following statement: `This card is for qualifying 
     medical care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
     Please call the Department of Veterans Affairs phone number 
     specified on this card to ensure that treatment has been 
     authorized.'.
       ``(4) Information on use of card.--Upon issuing a Veterans 
     Choice Card to a veteran, the Secretary shall provide the 
     veteran with information clearly stating the circumstances 
     under which the veteran may be eligible for care or services 
     under this section.
       ``(5) Previous program.--A Veterans Choice Card issued 
     under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note), as in effect on the day before the date of the 
     enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, shall be sufficient for purposes of 
     receiving care and services under this section and the 
     Secretary is not required to reissue a Veterans Choice Card 
     under paragraph (1) to any veteran that has such a card 
     issued under such section 101.
       ``(h) Information on Availability of Care.--The Secretary 
     shall provide information to a veteran about the availability 
     of care and services under this section in the following 
     circumstances:
       ``(1) When the veteran enrolls in the patient enrollment 
     system of the Department established and operated under 
     section 1705 of this title.
       ``(2) When the veteran attempts to schedule an appointment 
     for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from the 
     Department but is unable to schedule an appointment within 
     the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health Administration for 
     the furnishing of such care or services.
       ``(3) When the veteran becomes eligible for hospital care 
     or medical services under this section under subparagraph 
     (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of subsection (b)(2).
       ``(i) Follow-up Care.--The Secretary shall ensure that, at 
     the election of an eligible veteran who receives hospital 
     care or medical services from an eligible provider in an 
     episode of care under this section, the veteran receives such 
     care or services from that provider or another health care 
     provider selected by the veteran, including a health care 
     provider of the Department, through the completion of the 
     episode of care, including all specialty and ancillary 
     services deemed necessary as part of the treatment 
     recommended in the course of such care or services.
       ``(j) Cost-sharing.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require an eligible 
     veteran to pay a copayment for the receipt of care or 
     services under this section only if such eligible veteran 
     would be required to pay a copayment for the receipt of such 
     care or services at a medical facility of the Department or 
     from a health care provider of the Department under this 
     chapter.
       ``(2) Limitation.--The amount of a copayment charged under 
     paragraph (1) may not exceed the amount of the copayment that 
     would be payable by such eligible veteran for the receipt of 
     such care or services at a medical facility of the Department 
     or from a health care provider of the Department under this 
     chapter.
       ``(k) Claims Processing System.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for an 
     efficient nationwide system for prompt processing and paying 
     of bills or claims for authorized care and services furnished 
     to eligible veterans under this section.
       ``(2) Accuracy of payment.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that such 
     system meets such goals for accuracy of payment as the 
     Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(B) Annual report.--
       ``(i) In general.--Not less frequently than annually, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives a report on the accuracy of such 
     system.
       ``(ii) Elements.--Each report required by clause (i) shall 
     include the following:

       ``(I) A description of the goals for accuracy for such 
     system specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A).
       ``(II) An assessment of the success of the Department in 
     meeting such goals during the year covered by the report.

       ``(l) Disclosure of Information.--For purposes of section 
     7332(b)(1) of this title, an election by an eligible veteran 
     to receive care or services under this section shall serve as 
     written consent for the disclosure of information to health 
     care providers for purposes of treatment under this section.
       ``(m) Medical Records.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
     eligible provider that furnishes care or services under this 
     section to an eligible veteran submits to the Department a 
     copy of any medical record related to the care or services 
     provided to such veteran by such provider for inclusion in 
     the electronic medical record of such veteran maintained by 
     the Department upon the completion of the provision of such 
     care or services to such veteran.
       ``(2) Electronic format.--Any medical record submitted to 
     the Department under paragraph (1) shall, to the extent 
     possible, be in an electronic format.
       ``(n) Records Not Required for Reimbursement.--With respect 
     to care or services furnished to an eligible veteran by an 
     eligible provider under this section, the receipt by the 
     Department of a medical record under subsection (m) detailing 
     such care or services is not required before reimbursing the 
     provider for such care or services.
       ``(o) Tracking of Missed Appointments.--The Secretary shall 
     implement a mechanism to track any missed appointments for 
     care or services under this section by eligible veterans to 
     ensure that the Department does not pay for such care or 
     services that were not furnished to an eligible veteran.
       ``(p) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to alter the process of the Department for 
     filling and paying for prescription medications.
       ``(q) Wait-time Goals of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
     this section, the term `wait-

[[Page 8333]]

     time goals of the Veterans Health Administration' means not 
     more than 30 days from the date on which a veteran requests 
     an appointment for hospital care or medical services from the 
     Department.
       ``(2) Alternate goals.--If the Secretary submits to 
     Congress a report stating that the actual wait-time goals of 
     the Veterans Health Administration are different from the 
     wait-time goals specified in paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) for purposes of this section, the wait-time goals of 
     the Veterans Health Administration shall be the wait-time 
     goals submitted by the Secretary under this paragraph; and
       ``(B) the Secretary shall publish such wait-time goals in 
     the Federal Register and on an Internet website of the 
     Department available to the public.
       ``(r) Waiver of Certain Printing Requirements.--Section 501 
     of title 44 shall not apply in carrying out this section.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1703 the following new 
     item:

``1703A. Veterans Choice Program.''.

       (3) Conforming repeal of superseded authority.--
       (A) In general.--Section 101 of the Veterans Access, 
     Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 
     38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is repealed.
       (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 208(1) of such Act is 
     amended by striking ``section 101'' and inserting ``section 
     1703A of title 38, United States Code''.
       (C) Effective date.--
       (i) In general.--The amendments made by this paragraph 
     shall take effect on the date on which the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs begins implementation of section 1703A of 
     title 38, United States Code as added by paragraph (1).
       (ii) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     specified in clause (i) in the Federal Register and on an 
     publicly available Internet website of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs not later than 30 days before such date.
       (4) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the furnishing of care and 
     services under section 1703A of title 38, United States Code, 
     as added by paragraph (1), that includes the following:
       (A) The total number of veterans who have received care or 
     services under this section, disaggregated by--
       (i) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(A) of 
     such section;
       (ii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(B) of 
     such section;
       (iii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(C) 
     of such section;
       (iv) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(D) of 
     such section;
       (v) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(E) of 
     such section;
       (vi) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(F) of 
     such section; and
       (vii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(G) 
     of such section.
       (B) A description of the types of care and services 
     furnished to veterans under such section.
       (C) An accounting of the total cost of furnishing care and 
     services to veterans under such section.
       (D) The results of a survey of veterans who have received 
     care or services under such section on the satisfaction of 
     such veterans with the care or services received by such 
     veterans under such section.
       (E) An assessment of the effect of furnishing care and 
     services under such section on wait times for appointments 
     for the receipt of hospital care and medical services from 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Classification of Services.--Services provided under 
     the following programs, contracts, and agreements shall be 
     considered services provided under the Veterans Choice 
     Program established under section 1703A of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1):
       (1) The Patient-Centered Community Care program (commonly 
     referred to as ``PC3'').
       (2) Contracts through the retail pharmacy network of the 
     Department.
       (3) Veterans Care Agreements under section 1703C of title 
     38, United States Code, as added by section 1097D(a).
       (4) Health care agreements with Federal entities or 
     entities funded by the Federal Government, including the 
     Department of Defense, the Indian Health Service, tribal 
     health programs, Federally-qualified health centers (as 
     defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B))), and academic teaching 
     affiliates.
       (c) Establishment of Criteria and Standards for Non-
     Department Care.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish consistent 
     criteria and standards--
       (A) for purposes of determining eligibility of non-
     Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers to 
     provide health care under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary, including standards relating to education, 
     certification, licensure, training, and employment history; 
     and
       (B) for the reimbursement of such health care providers for 
     care or services provided under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary, which to the extent practicable shall--
       (i) except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii), use rates 
     for reimbursement that are not more than the rates paid by 
     the United States to a provider of services (as defined in 
     section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395x(u))) under the Medicare program under title XVIII of 
     the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the same 
     care or services;
       (ii) with respect to care or services provided in Alaska, 
     use rates for reimbursement set forth in the Alaska Fee 
     Schedule of the Department of Veterans Affairs, except for 
     when another payment agreement, including a contract or 
     provider agreement, is in place, in which case use rates for 
     reimbursement set forth under such payment agreement;
       (iii) with respect to care or services provided in a State 
     with an All-Payer Model Agreement in effect under the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), use rates for 
     reimbursement based on the payment rates under such 
     agreement;
       (iv) incorporate the use of value-based reimbursement 
     models to promote the provision of high-quality care to 
     improve health outcomes and the experience of care for 
     veterans; and
       (v) be consistent with prompt payment standards required of 
     Federal agencies under chapter 39 of title 31, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Inapplicability to certain care.--The criteria and 
     standards established under paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
     care or services furnished under section 1703A of title 38, 
     United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).

     SEC. 1097A. FUNDING FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--All amounts required to carry out the 
     Veterans Choice Program shall be derived from the 
     appropriations account described in section 4003 of the 
     Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice 
     Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 
     note).
       (b) Transfer of Amounts.--
       (1) In general.--All amounts in the Veterans Choice Fund 
     under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) shall be transferred to the appropriations account 
     described in section 4003 of the Surface Transportation and 
     Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (Public 
     Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note).
       (2) Conforming repeal.--
       (A) In general.--Section 802 of the Veterans Access, 
     Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 
     38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is repealed.
       (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 4003 of the Surface 
     Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement 
     Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
     amended by striking ``to be comprised of'' and all that 
     follows and inserting ``to be comprised of discretionary 
     medical services funding that is designated for hospital care 
     and medical services furnished at non-Department 
     facilities''.
       (c) Veterans Choice Program Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``Veterans Choice Program'' means--
       (1) the program under section 1703A of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by section 1097(a)(1); and
       (2) the programs, contracts, and agreements of the 
     Department described in section 1097(b).

     SEC. 1097B. PAYMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS UNDER VETERANS 
                   CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) Payment of Providers.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 1097(a)(1), is 
     further amended by inserting after section 1703A the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703B. Veterans Choice Program: payment of health care 
       providers

       ``(a) Prompt Payment Compliance.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that payments made to health care providers under the 
     Veterans Choice Program comply with chapter 39 of title 31 
     (commonly referred to as the `Prompt Payment Act') and the 
     requirements of this section. If there is a conflict between 
     the requirements of the Prompt Payment Act and the 
     requirements of this section, the Secretary shall comply with 
     the requirements of this section.
       ``(b) Submittal of Claim.--(1) A health care provider that 
     seeks reimbursement under this section for care or services 
     furnished under the Veterans Choice Program shall submit to 
     the Secretary a claim for reimbursement not later than 180 
     days after furnishing such care or services.
       ``(2) On and after January 1, 2019, the Secretary shall not 
     accept any claim under this section that is submitted to the 
     Secretary in a manner other than electronically.
       ``(c) Payment Schedule.--(1) The Secretary shall reimburse 
     a health care provider for care or services furnished under 
     the Veterans Choice Program--

[[Page 8334]]

       ``(A) in the case of a clean claim submitted to the 
     Secretary electronically, not later than 30 days after 
     receiving the claim; or
       ``(B) in the case of a clean claim submitted to the 
     Secretary in a manner other than electronically, not later 
     than 45 days after receiving the claim.
       ``(2)(A) If the Secretary determines that a claim received 
     from a health care provider for care or services furnished 
     under the Veterans Choice Program is a non-clean claim, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the provider, not later than 30 
     days after receiving the claim--
       ``(i) a notification that the claim is a non-clean claim;
       ``(ii) an explanation of why the claim has been determined 
     to be a non-clean claim; and
       ``(iii) an identification of the information or 
     documentation that is required to make the claim a clean 
     claim.
       ``(B) If the Secretary does not comply with the 
     requirements of subparagraph (A) with respect to a claim, the 
     claim shall be deemed a clean claim for purposes of paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(3) Upon receipt by the Secretary of information or 
     documentation described in paragraph (2)(A)(iii) with respect 
     to a claim, the Secretary shall reimburse a health care 
     provider for care or services furnished under the Veterans 
     Choice Program--
       ``(A) in the case of a claim submitted to the Secretary 
     electronically, not later than 30 days after receiving such 
     information or documentation; or
       ``(B) in the case of claim submitted to the Secretary in a 
     manner other than electronically, not later than 45 days 
     after receiving such information or documentation.
       ``(4) If the Secretary fails to comply with the deadlines 
     for payment set forth in this subsection with respect to a 
     claim, interest shall accrue on the amount owed under such 
     claim in accordance with section 3902 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       ``(d) Information and Documentation Required.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall provide to all health care providers 
     participating in the Veterans Choice Program a list of 
     information and documentation that is required to establish a 
     clean claim under this section.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall consult with entities in the 
     health care industry, in the public and private sector, to 
     determine the information and documentation to include in the 
     list under paragraph (1).
       ``(3) If the Secretary modifies the information and 
     documentation included in the list under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall notify all health care providers 
     participating in the Veterans Choice Program not later than 
     30 days before such modifications take effect.
       ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `clean claim' means a claim for 
     reimbursement for care or services furnished under the 
     Veterans Choice Program, on a nationally recognized standard 
     format, that includes the information and documentation 
     necessary to adjudicate the claim.
       ``(2) The term `non-clean claim' means a claim for 
     reimbursement for care or services furnished under the 
     Veterans Choice Program, on a nationally recognized standard 
     format, that does not include the information and 
     documentation necessary to adjudicate the claim.
       ``(3) The term `Veterans Choice Program' means--
       ``(A) the program under section 1703A of this title; and
       ``(B) the programs, contracts, and agreements of the 
     Department described in section 1097(b) of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title, as amended by section 
     1097(a)(2), is further amended by inserting after the item 
     related to section 1703A the following new item:

``1703B. Veterans Choice Program: payment of health care providers.''.

       (b) Electronic Submittal of Claims for Reimbursement.--
       (1) Prohibition on acceptance of non-electronic claims.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), on 
     and after January 1, 2019, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall not accept any claim for reimbursement under section 
     1703B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (a), that is submitted to the Secretary in a manner other 
     than electronically, including medical records in connection 
     with such a claim.
       (B) Exception.--If the Secretary determines that accepting 
     claims and medical records in a manner other than 
     electronically is necessary for the timely processing of 
     claims for reimbursement under such section 1703B due to a 
     failure or serious malfunction of the electronic interface 
     established under paragraph (2), the Secretary--
       (i) after determining that such a failure or serious 
     malfunction has occurred, may accept claims and medical 
     records in a manner other than electronically for a period 
     not to exceed 90 days; and
       (ii) shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives a report setting forth--

       (I) the reason for accepting claims and medical records in 
     a manner other than electronically;
       (II) the duration of time that the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs will accept claims and medical records in a manner 
     other than electronically; and
       (III) the steps that the Department is taking to resolve 
     such failure or malfunction.

       (2) Electronic interface.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2019, the Chief 
     Information Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     shall establish an electronic interface for health care 
     providers to submit claims for reimbursement under such 
     section 1703B.
       (B) Functions.--The electronic interface established under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include the following functions:
       (i) A function through which a health care provider may 
     input all relevant data required for claims submittal and 
     reimbursement.
       (ii) A function through which a health care provider may 
     upload medical records to accompany a claim for 
     reimbursement.
       (iii) A function through which a health care provider may 
     ascertain the status of a pending claim for reimbursement 
     that--

       (I) indicates whether the claim is a clean claim or a non-
     clean claim; and
       (II) in the event that a submitted claim is indicated as a 
     non-clean claim, provides--

       (aa) an explanation of why the claim has been determined to 
     be a non-clean claim; and
       (bb) an identification of the information or documentation 
     that is required to make the claim a clean claim.
       (iv) A function through which a health care provider is 
     notified when a claim for reimbursement is accepted or 
     rejected.
       (v) Such other features as the Secretary considers 
     necessary.
       (C) Protection of information.--
       (i) In general.--The electronic interface established under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be developed and implemented based on 
     industry-accepted information security and privacy 
     engineering principles and best practices and shall provide 
     for the following:

       (I) The elicitation, analysis, and prioritization of 
     functional and nonfunctional information security and privacy 
     requirements for such interface, including specific security 
     and privacy services and architectural requirements relating 
     to security and privacy based on a thorough analysis of all 
     reasonably anticipated cyber and noncyber threats to the 
     security and privacy of electronic protected health 
     information made available through such interface.
       (II) The elicitation, analysis, and prioritization of 
     secure development requirements relating to such interface.
       (III) The assurance that the prioritized information 
     security and privacy requirements of such interface--

       (aa) are correctly implemented in the design and 
     implementation of such interface throughout the system 
     development lifecycle; and
       (bb) satisfy the information objectives of such interface 
     relating to security and privacy throughout the system 
     development lifecycle.
       (ii) Definitions.--In this subparagraph:

       (I) Electronic protected health information.--The term 
     ``electronic protected health information'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (II) Secure development requirements.--The term ``secure 
     development requirements'' means, with respect to the 
     electronic interface established under subparagraph (A), 
     activities that are required to be completed during the 
     system development lifecycle of such interface, such as 
     secure coding principles and test methodologies.

       (3) Analysis of available technology for electronic 
     interface.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2017, or before 
     entering into a contract to procure or design and build the 
     electronic interface described in paragraph (2) or making a 
     decision to internally design and build such electronic 
     interface, whichever occurs first, the Secretary shall--
       (i) conduct an analysis of commercially available 
     technology that may satisfy the requirements of such 
     electronic interface set forth in such paragraph; and
       (ii) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report setting forth such analysis.
       (B) Elements.--The report required under subparagraph 
     (A)(ii) shall include the following:
       (i) An evaluation of commercially available systems that 
     may satisfy the requirements of paragraph (2).
       (ii) The estimated cost of procuring a commercially 
     available system if a suitable commercially available system 
     exists.
       (iii) If no suitable commercially available system exists, 
     an assessment of the feasibility of modifying a commercially 
     available system to meet the requirements of paragraph (2), 
     including the estimated cost associated with such 
     modifications.
       (iv) If no suitable commercially available system exists 
     and modifying a commercially available system is not 
     feasible, an assessment of the estimated cost and time that

[[Page 8335]]

     would be required to contract with a commercial entity to 
     design and build an electronic interface that meets the 
     requirements of paragraph (2).
       (v) If the Secretary determines that the Department has the 
     capabilities required to design and build an electronic 
     interface that meets the requirements of paragraph (2), an 
     assessment of the estimated cost and time that would be 
     required to design and build such electronic interface.
       (vi) A description of the decision of the Secretary 
     regarding how the Department plans to establish the 
     electronic interface required under paragraph (2) and the 
     justification of the Secretary for such decision.
       (4) Limitation on use of amounts.--The Secretary may not 
     spend any amounts to procure or design and build the 
     electronic interface described in paragraph (2) until the 
     date that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary 
     submits the report required under paragraph (3)(A)(ii).

     SEC. 1097C. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS AUTHORIZING 
                   CARE TO VETERANS THROUGH NON-DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVIDERS.

       (a) Termination of Authority to Contract for Care in Non-
     Department Facilities.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1703 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the follow new 
     subsection:
       ``(e) The authority of the Secretary under this section 
     terminates on December 31, 2017.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) In general.--
       (i) Dental care.--Section 1712(a) of such title is 
     amended--

       (I) in paragraph (3), by striking ``under clause (1), (2), 
     or (5) of section 1703(a) of this title'' and inserting 
     ``under the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 
     1703B(e) of this title)''; and
       (II) in paragraph (4)(A), in the first sentence--

       (aa) by striking ``and section 1703 of this title'' and 
     inserting ``and the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in 
     section 1703B(e) of this title)''; and
       (bb) by striking ``in section 1703 of this title'' and 
     inserting ``under the Veterans Choice Program''.
       (ii) Readjustment counseling.--Section 1712A(e)(1) of such 
     title is amended by striking ``(under sections 1703(a)(2) and 
     1710(a)(1)(B) of this title)'' and inserting ``(under the 
     Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 1703B(e) of 
     this title) and section 1710(a)(1)(B) of this title)''.
       (iii) Death in department facility.--Section 
     2303(a)(2)(B)(i) of such title is amended by striking ``in 
     accordance with section 1703'' and inserting ``under the 
     Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 1703B(e) of 
     this title)''.
       (iv) Medicare provider agreements.--Section 1866(a)(1)(L) 
     of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)(L)) is 
     amended--

       (I) by striking ``under section 1703 of title 38'' and 
     inserting ``under the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in 
     section 1703B(e) of title 38, United States Code)''; and
       (II) by striking ``such section'' and inserting ``such 
     program''.

       (B) Effective date.--The amendments made by subparagraph 
     (A) shall take effect on January 1, 2018.
       (b) Repeal of Authority to Contract for Scarce Medical 
     Specialists.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7409 of such title is repealed.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 74 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 7409.

              PART II--HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

             Subpart A--Care From Non-Department Providers

     SEC. 1097D. AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON-
                   DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 1097B(a)(1), is 
     further amended by inserting after section 1703B the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703C. Veterans Care Agreements

       ``(a) Agreements to Furnish Care.--(1) In addition to the 
     authority of the Secretary under this chapter to furnish 
     hospital care, medical services, and extended care at 
     facilities of the Department and under contracts or sharing 
     agreements entered into under authorities other than this 
     section, the Secretary may furnish hospital care, medical 
     services, and extended care through the use of agreements 
     entered into under this section. An agreement entered into 
     under this section may be referred to as a `Veterans Care 
     Agreement'.
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary may enter into agreements under this 
     section with eligible providers that are certified under 
     subsection (d) if the Secretary is not feasibly able to 
     furnish care or services described in paragraph (1) at 
     facilities of the Department.
       ``(B) The Secretary is not feasibly able to furnish care or 
     services described in paragraph (1) at facilities of the 
     Department if the Secretary determines that the medical 
     condition of the veteran, the travel involved, the nature of 
     the care or services required, or a combination of those 
     factors make the use of facilities of the Department 
     impracticable or inadvisable.
       ``(b) Receipt of Care.--Eligibility of a veteran under this 
     section for care or services described in paragraph (1) shall 
     be determined as if such care or services were furnished in a 
     facility of the Department and provisions of this title 
     applicable to veterans receiving such care or services in a 
     facility of the Department shall apply to veterans receiving 
     such care or services under this section.
       ``(c) Eligible Providers.--For purposes of this section, an 
     eligible provider is one of the following:
       ``(1) A provider of services that has enrolled and entered 
     into a provider agreement under section 1866(a) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)).
       ``(2) A physician or supplier that has enrolled and entered 
     into a participation agreement under section 1842(h) of such 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(h)).
       ``(3) A provider of items and services receiving payment 
     under a State plan under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396 et seq.) or a waiver of such a plan.
       ``(4) A health care provider that is--
       ``(A) an Aging and Disability Resource Center, an area 
     agency on aging, or a State agency (as defined in section 102 
     of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002)); or
       ``(B) a center for independent living (as defined in 
     section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
     796a)).
       ``(5) A provider that is located in--
       ``(A) an area that is designated as a health professional 
     shortage area (as defined in section 332 of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e)); or
       ``(B) a county that is not in a metropolitan statistical 
     area.
       ``(6) Such other health care providers as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate for purposes of this section.
       ``(d) Certification of Eligible Providers.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall establish a process for the certification of 
     eligible providers under this section that shall, at a 
     minimum, set forth the following.
       ``(A) Procedures for the submittal of applications for 
     certification and deadlines for actions taken by the 
     Secretary with respect to such applications.
       ``(B) Standards and procedures for approval and denial of 
     certification, duration of certification, revocation of 
     certification, and recertification.
       ``(C) Procedures for assessing eligible providers based on 
     the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse of such providers similar 
     to the level of screening under section 1866(j)(2)(B) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(j)(2)(B)) and the 
     standards set forth under section 9.104 of title 48, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall deny or revoke certification to 
     an eligible provider under this subsection if the Secretary 
     determines that the eligible provider is currently--
       ``(A) excluded from participation in a Federal health care 
     program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under section 1128 or 
     1128A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 
     1320a-7a); or
       ``(B) identified as an excluded source on the list 
     maintained in the System for Award Management, or any 
     successor system.
       ``(e) Terms of Agreements.--Each agreement entered into 
     with an eligible provider under this section shall include 
     provisions requiring the eligible provider to do the 
     following:
       ``(1) To accept payment for care or services furnished 
     under this section at rates established by the Secretary for 
     purposes of this section, which shall be, to the extent 
     practicable, the rates paid by the United States for such 
     care or services to providers of services and suppliers under 
     the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
       ``(2) To accept payment under paragraph (1) as payment in 
     full for care or services furnished under this section and to 
     not seek any payment for such care or services from the 
     recipient of such care or services.
       ``(3) To furnish under this section only the care or 
     services authorized by the Department under this section 
     unless the eligible provider receives prior written consent 
     from the Department to furnish care or services outside the 
     scope of such authorization.
       ``(4) To bill the Department for care or services furnished 
     under this section in accordance with a methodology 
     established by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
       ``(5) Not to seek to recover or collect from a health-plan 
     contract or third party, as those terms are defined in 
     section 1729 of this title, for any care or services for 
     which payment is made by the Department under this section.
       ``(6) To provide medical records for veterans furnished 
     care or services under this section to the Department in a 
     time frame and format specified by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section.
       ``(7) To meet such other terms and conditions, including 
     quality of care assurance standards, as the Secretary may 
     specify for purposes of this section.

[[Page 8336]]

       ``(f) Termination of Agreements.--(1) An eligible provider 
     may terminate an agreement with the Secretary under this 
     section at such time and upon such notice to the Secretary as 
     the Secretary may specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(2) The Secretary may terminate an agreement with an 
     eligible provider under this section at such time and upon 
     such notice to the eligible provider as the Secretary may 
     specify for purposes of this section, if the Secretary--
       ``(A) determines that the eligible provider failed to 
     comply substantially with the provisions of the agreement or 
     with the provisions of this section and the regulations 
     prescribed thereunder;
       ``(B) determines that the eligible provider is--
       ``(i) excluded from participation in a Federal health care 
     program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under section 1128 or 
     1128A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 
     1320a-7a); or
       ``(ii) identified as an excluded source on the list 
     maintained in the System for Award Management, or any 
     successor system;
       ``(C) ascertains that the eligible provider has been 
     convicted of a felony or other serious offense under Federal 
     or State law and determines that the continued participation 
     of the eligible provider would be detrimental to the best 
     interests of veterans or the Department; or
       ``(D) determines that it is reasonable to terminate the 
     agreement based on the health care needs of a veteran or 
     veterans.
       ``(g) Periodic Review of Certain Agreements.--(1) Not less 
     frequently than once every two years, the Secretary shall 
     review each Veterans Care Agreement of material size entered 
     into during the two-year period preceding the review to 
     determine whether it is feasible and advisable to furnish the 
     hospital care, medical services, or extended care furnished 
     under such agreement at facilities of the Department or 
     through contracts or sharing agreements entered into under 
     authorities other than this section.
       ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a Veterans Care 
     Agreement is of material size as determined by the Secretary 
     for purposes of this section.
       ``(B) A Veterans Care Agreement entered into after 
     September 30, 2016, for the purchase of extended care 
     services is of material size if the purchase of such services 
     under the agreement exceeds $1,000,000 annually. The 
     Secretary may adjust such amount to account for changes in 
     the cost of health care based upon recognized health care 
     market surveys and other available data and shall publish any 
     such adjustments in the Federal Register.
       ``(h) Treatment of Certain Laws.--(1) An agreement under 
     this section may be entered into without regard to any law 
     that would require the Secretary to use competitive 
     procedures in selecting the party with which to enter into 
     the agreement.
       ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and unless 
     otherwise provided in this section or regulations prescribed 
     pursuant to this section, an eligible provider that enters 
     into an agreement under this section is not subject to, in 
     the carrying out of the agreement, any law to which an 
     eligible provider described in subsection (b)(1), (b)(2), or 
     (b)(3) is not subject under the original Medicare fee-for-
     service program under parts A and B of title XVIII of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or the Medicaid 
     program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
       ``(B) The exclusion under subparagraph (A) does not apply 
     to laws regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that subject a 
     person to civil or criminal penalties.
       ``(3) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
     2000e et seq.) shall apply with respect to an eligible 
     provider that enters into an agreement under this section to 
     the same extent as such title applies with respect to the 
     eligible provider in providing care or services through an 
     agreement or arrangement other than under this section.
       ``(i) Monitoring of Quality of Care.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a system or systems, consistent with survey and 
     certification procedures used by the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services and State survey agencies to the extent 
     practicable--
       ``(1) to monitor the quality of care and services furnished 
     to veterans under this section; and
       ``(2) to assess the quality of care and services furnished 
     by an eligible provider under this section for purposes of 
     determining whether to renew an agreement under this section 
     with the eligible provider.
       ``(j) Dispute Resolution.--The Secretary shall establish 
     administrative procedures for eligible providers with which 
     the Secretary has entered into an agreement under this 
     section to present any dispute arising under or related to 
     the agreement.''.
       (b) Regulations.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     prescribe an interim final rule to carry out section 1703C of 
     such title, as added by subsection (a), not later than one 
     year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title, as amended by section 
     1097B(a)(2), is further amended by inserting after the item 
     related to section 1703B the following new item:

``1703C. Veterans Care Agreements.''.

     SEC. 1097E. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO 
                   AGREEMENTS WITH STATE HOMES TO PROVIDE NURSING 
                   HOME CARE.

       (a) Use of Agreements.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 1745(a) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A), by striking ``a contract (or agreement 
     under section 1720(c)(1) of this title)'' and inserting ``an 
     agreement''.
       (2) Payment.--Paragraph (2) of such section is amended by 
     striking ``contract (or agreement)'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``agreement''.
       (b) Treatment of Certain Laws.--Such section is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4)(A) An agreement under this section may be entered 
     into without regard to any law that would require the 
     Secretary to use competitive procedures in selecting the 
     party with which to enter into the agreement.
       ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) and unless 
     otherwise provided in this section or in regulations 
     prescribed pursuant to this section, a State home that enters 
     into an agreement under this section is not subject to, in 
     the carrying out of the agreement, any law to which providers 
     of services and suppliers are not subject under the original 
     Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title 
     XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or 
     the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396 et seq.).
       ``(ii) The exclusion under clause (i) does not apply to 
     laws regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that subject a 
     person to civil or criminal penalties.
       ``(C) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
     2000e et seq.) shall apply with respect to a State home that 
     enters into an agreement under this section to the same 
     extent as such title applies with respect to the State home 
     in providing care or services through an agreement or 
     arrangement other than under this section.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply to agreements entered into under section 1745 of such 
     title on and after the date on which the regulations 
     prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement 
     such amendments take effect.
       (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     described in paragraph (1) in the Federal Register not later 
     than 30 days before such date.

     SEC. 1097F. EXPANSION OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY 
                   TREATMENT AND URGENT CARE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1725 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 1725. Reimbursement for emergency treatment and urgent 
       care

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the provisions of this 
     section, the Secretary shall reimburse a veteran described in 
     subsection (b) for the reasonable value of emergency 
     treatment or urgent care furnished the veteran in a non-
     Department facility.
       ``(2) In any case in which reimbursement of a veteran is 
     authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary may, in lieu of 
     reimbursing the veteran, make payment of the reasonable value 
     of the furnished emergency treatment or urgent care 
     directly--
       ``(A) to the hospital or other health care provider that 
     furnished the treatment or care; or
       ``(B) to the person or organization that paid for such 
     treatment or care on behalf of the veteran.
       ``(3) Notwithstanding section 111 of this title, 
     reimbursement for the reasonable value of emergency treatment 
     or urgent care under this section shall include reimbursement 
     for the reasonable value of transportation for such emergency 
     treatment or urgent care.
       ``(b) Eligibility.--A veteran described in this subsection 
     is an individual who--
       ``(1) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the 
     Department established and operated under section 1705 of 
     this title; and
       ``(2) has received care under this chapter during the 24-
     month period preceding the furnishing of the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care for which reimbursement is sought 
     under this section.
       ``(c) Responsibility for Payment.--The Secretary shall be 
     the primary payer with respect to reimbursing or otherwise 
     paying the reasonable value of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care under this section.
       ``(d) Limitations on Payment.--(1) The Secretary, in 
     accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary for 
     purposes of this section, shall--
       ``(A) establish the maximum amount payable under subsection 
     (a); and
       ``(B) delineate the circumstances under which such payments 
     may be made, including such requirements on requesting 
     reimbursement as the Secretary may establish.
       ``(2)(A) Payment by the Secretary under this section on 
     behalf of a veteran to a provider of emergency treatment or 
     urgent care shall, unless rejected and refunded by the 
     provider within 30 days of receipt--

[[Page 8337]]

       ``(i) constitute payment in full for the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care provided; and
       ``(ii) extinguish any liability on the part of the veteran 
     for that treatment or care.
       ``(B) Neither the absence of a contract or agreement 
     between the Secretary and a provider of emergency treatment 
     or urgent care nor any provision of a contract, agreement, or 
     assignment to the contrary shall operate to modify, limit, or 
     negate the requirements of subparagraph (A).
       ``(C) An individual or entity may not seek to recover from 
     any third party the cost of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care for which the Secretary has made payment under this 
     section.
       ``(e) Recovery.--The United States has an independent right 
     to recover or collect reasonable charges for emergency 
     treatment or urgent care furnished under this section in 
     accordance with the provisions of section 1729 of this title.
       ``(f) Copayments.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     a veteran shall pay to the Department a copayment (in an 
     amount prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this 
     section) for each episode of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care for which reimbursement is provided to the veteran under 
     this section.
       ``(2) The requirement under paragraph (1) to pay a 
     copayment does not apply to a veteran who--
       ``(A) would not be required to pay to the Department a 
     copayment for emergency treatment or urgent care furnished at 
     facilities of the Department;
       ``(B) meets an exemption specified by the Secretary in 
     regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this 
     section; or
       ``(C) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or 
     observation following, and in connection with, the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care for which the veteran is provided 
     reimbursement under this section.
       ``(3) The requirement that a veteran pay a copayment under 
     this section shall apply notwithstanding the authority of the 
     Secretary to offset such a requirement with amounts recovered 
     from a third party under section 1729 of this title.
       ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `emergency treatment' means medical care or 
     services furnished, in the judgment of the Secretary--
       ``(A) when such care or services are rendered in a medical 
     emergency of such nature that a prudent layperson reasonably 
     expects that delay in seeking immediate medical attention 
     would be hazardous to life or health; and
       ``(B) until--
       ``(i) such time as the veteran can be transferred safely to 
     a Department facility or community care provider authorized 
     by the Secretary and such facility or provider is capable of 
     accepting such transfer; or
       ``(ii) such time as a Department facility or community care 
     provider authorized by the Secretary accepts such transfer 
     if--

       ``(I) at the time the veteran could have been transferred 
     safely to such a facility or provider, no such facility or 
     provider agreed to accept such transfer; and
       ``(II) the non-Department facility in which such medical 
     care or services was furnished made and documented reasonable 
     attempts to transfer the veteran to a Department facility or 
     community care provider.

       ``(2) The term `health-plan contract' includes any of the 
     following:
       ``(A) An insurance policy or contract, medical or hospital 
     service agreement, membership or subscription contract, or 
     similar arrangement under which health services for 
     individuals are provided or the expenses of such services are 
     paid.
       ``(B) An insurance program described in section 1811 of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c) or established by 
     section 1831 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j).
       ``(C) A State plan for medical assistance approved under 
     title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
       ``(D) A workers' compensation law or plan described in 
     section 1729(a)(2)(A) of this title.
       ``(3) The term `third party' means any of the following:
       ``(A) A Federal entity.
       ``(B) A State or political subdivision of a State.
       ``(C) An employer or an employer's insurance carrier.
       ``(D) An automobile accident reparations insurance carrier.
       ``(E) A person or entity obligated to provide, or to pay 
     the expenses of, health services under a health-plan 
     contract.
       ``(4) The term `urgent care' shall have the meaning given 
     that term by the Secretary in regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary for purposes of this section.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 1725 and inserting the following new 
     item:

``1725. Reimbursement for emergency treatment and urgent care.''.

       (c) Repeal of Superseded Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1728 is repealed.
       (2) Effective date.--
       (A) In general.--The repeal made by paragraph (1) shall 
     take effect on the date on which the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs prescribes regulations to carry out section 1725 of 
     title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a).
       (B) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     specified in subparagraph (A) in the Federal Register and on 
     an publicly available Internet website of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs not later than 30 days before such date.
       (d) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Medical care for survivors and dependents.--Section 
     1781(a)(4) is amended by striking ``(as defined in section 
     1725(f) of this title)'' and inserting ``(as defined in 
     section 1725(g) of this title)''.
       (2) Health care of family members of veterans stationed at 
     camp lejeune, north carolina.--Section 1787(b)(3) is amended 
     by striking ``(as defined in section 1725(f) of this title)'' 
     and inserting ``(as defined in section 1725(g) of this 
     title)''.
       (e) Regulations.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe 
     regulations to carry out the amendments made by this section.
       (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 1097G. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 
                   VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM ACCOUNT OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Section 117(c) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(7) Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Choice 
     Program.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1105(a)(37) of title 31, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(G) Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Choice 
     Program.''.
       (c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 
     2016.

     SEC. 1097H. ANNUAL TRANSFER OF AMOUNTS WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE FROM 
                   NON-DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.

       Section 106 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c) Annual Transfer of Amounts.--
       ``(1) In general.--At the beginning of each fiscal year, 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transfer to the 
     Veterans Health Administration an amount equal to the amount 
     estimated to be required to furnish hospital care, medical 
     services, and other health care through non-Department of 
     Veterans Affairs providers during that fiscal year.
       ``(2) Adjustments.--During a fiscal year, the Secretary may 
     make adjustments to the amount transferred under paragraph 
     (1) for that fiscal year to accommodate any variances in 
     demand for hospital care, medical services, or other health 
     care through non-Department providers.''.

     SEC. 1097I. APPLICABILITY OF DIRECTIVE OF OFFICE OF FEDERAL 
                   CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Directive 2014-01 of the Office of Federal 
     Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor 
     (effective as of May 7, 2014) shall apply to any health care 
     provider entering into a contract or agreement under section 
     1703A, 1703C, or 1745 of title 38, United States Code, in the 
     same manner as such directive applies to subcontractors under 
     the TRICARE program.
       (b) Applicability Period.--The directive described in 
     subsection (a), and the moratorium provided under such 
     directive, shall not be altered or rescinded before May 7, 
     2019.
       (c) TRICARE Program Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``TRICARE program'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.

          Subpart B--Other Health Care Administrative Matters

     SEC. 1097J. REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN ENTITIES FOR EMERGENCY 
                   MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     1725 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1725A. Reimbursement of certain entities for emergency 
       medical transportation

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary shall reimburse an ambulance provider or 
     any other entity that provides transportation to a veteran 
     described in section 1725(b) of this title for the purpose of 
     receiving emergency treatment at a non-Department facility 
     the cost of such transportation.
       ``(b) Service Connection.--(1) The Secretary shall 
     reimburse an ambulance provider or any other entity under 
     subsection (a) regardless of whether the underlying medical 
     condition for which the veteran is seeking emergency 
     treatment is in connection with a service-connected 
     disability.
       ``(2) If the Secretary determines that the underlying 
     medical condition for which the veteran receives emergency 
     treatment is not in connection with a service-connected 
     disability, the Secretary shall recoup the cost

[[Page 8338]]

     of transportation paid under subsection (a) in connection 
     with such emergency treatment from any health-plan contract 
     under which the veteran is covered.
       ``(c) Timing.--Reimbursement under subsection (a) shall be 
     made not later than 30 days after receiving a request for 
     reimbursement under such subsection.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `emergency 
     treatment' and `health-plan contract' have the meanings given 
     those terms in section 1725(f) of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item related to section 1725 the following new 
     item:

``1725A. Reimbursement for emergency medical transportation.''.

     SEC. 1097K. REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   COLLECT HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by 
     inserting after section 1705 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1705A. Management of health care: information 
       regarding health-plan contracts

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Any individual who seeks hospital 
     care or medical services under this chapter shall provide to 
     the Secretary such current information as the Secretary may 
     require to identify any health-plan contract under which such 
     individual is covered.
       ``(2) The information required to be provided to the 
     Secretary under paragraph (1) with respect to a health-plan 
     contract shall include, as applicable, the following:
       ``(A) The name of the entity providing coverage under the 
     health-plan contract.
       ``(B) If coverage under the health-plan contract is in the 
     name of an individual other than the individual required to 
     provide information under this section, the name of the 
     policy holder of the health-plan contract.
       ``(C) The identification number for the health-plan 
     contract.
       ``(D) The group code for the health-plan contract.
       ``(b) Action to Collect Information.--The Secretary may 
     take such action as the Secretary considers appropriate to 
     collect the information required under subsection (a).
       ``(c) Effect on Services From Department.--The Secretary 
     may not deny any services under this chapter to an individual 
     solely due to the fact that the individual fails to provide 
     information required under subsection (a).
       ``(d) Health-plan Contract Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `health-plan contract' has the meaning given that term 
     in section 1725(g) of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1705 the following new 
     item:

``1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-plan 
              contracts.''.

     SEC. 1097L. MODIFICATION OF HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR 
                   PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS EMPLOYED BY 
                   THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 7423(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``(a) The hours'' and inserting ``(a)(1) 
     Except as provided in paragraph (2), the hours''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) The Secretary may modify the hours of employment for 
     a physician or physician assistant appointed in the 
     Administration under any provision of this chapter on a full-
     time basis to be more than or less than 80 hours in a 
     biweekly pay period if the total hours of employment for such 
     employee in a calendar year are not less than 2,080 hours.''.

                      PART III--FAMILY CAREGIVERS

     SEC. 1097M. EXPANSION OF FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Family Caregiver Program.--
       (1) Expansion of eligibility.--
       (A) In general.--Subsection (a)(2)(B) of section 1720G of 
     title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) for assistance provided under this subsection--
       ``(i) before the date on which the Secretary submits to 
     Congress a certification that the Department has fully 
     implemented the information technology system required by 
     section 1097N(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2017, has a serious injury (including 
     traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental 
     disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the 
     active military, naval, or air service on or after September 
     11, 2001;
       ``(ii) during the two-year period beginning on the date 
     specified in clause (i), has a serious injury (including 
     traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental 
     disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the 
     active military, naval, or air service--
       ``(I) on or before May 7, 1975; or
       ``(II) on or after September 11, 2001; or
       ``(iii) after the date that is two years after the date 
     specified in clause (i), has a serious injury (including 
     traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental 
     disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the 
     active military, naval, or air service; and''.
       (B) Publication in federal register.--Not later than 30 
     days after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs submits to Congress the certification described in 
     subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) of section 1720G of such title, as 
     amended by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary 
     shall publish the date specified in such subsection in the 
     Federal Register.
       (2) Expansion of needed services in eligibility criteria.--
     Subsection (a)(2)(C) of such section is amended--
       (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and
       (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause 
     (iii):
       ``(iii) a need for regular or extensive instruction or 
     supervision without which the ability of the veteran to 
     function in daily life would be seriously impaired; or''.
       (3) Expansion of services provided.--Subsection 
     (a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended--
       (A) in subclause (IV), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
     a semicolon;
       (B) in subclause (V), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
       ``(VI) through the use of contracts with, or the provision 
     of grants to, public or private entities--
       ``(aa) financial planning services relating to the needs of 
     injured veterans and their caregivers; and
       ``(bb) legal services, including legal advice and 
     consultation, relating to the needs of injured veterans and 
     their caregivers.''.
       (4) Modification of stipend calculation.--Subsection 
     (a)(3)(C) of such section is amended--
       (A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and
       (B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause 
     (iii):
       ``(iii) In determining the amount and degree of personal 
     care services provided under clause (i) with respect to an 
     eligible veteran whose need for personal care services is 
     based in whole or in part on a need for supervision or 
     protection under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or regular or extensive 
     instruction or supervision under paragraph (2)(C)(iii), the 
     Secretary shall take into account the following:
       ``(I) The assessment by the family caregiver of the needs 
     and limitations of the veteran.
       ``(II) The extent to which the veteran can function safely 
     and independently in the absence of such supervision, 
     protection, or instruction.
       ``(III) The amount of time required for the family 
     caregiver to provide such supervision, protection, or 
     instruction to the veteran.''.
       (5) Periodic evaluation of need for certain services.--
     Subsection (a)(3) of such section is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) In providing instruction, preparation, and training 
     under subparagraph (A)(i)(I) and technical support under 
     subparagraph (A)(i)(II) to each family caregiver who is 
     approved as a provider of personal care services for an 
     eligible veteran under paragraph (6), the Secretary shall 
     periodically evaluate the needs of the eligible veteran and 
     the skills of the family caregiver of such veteran to 
     determine if additional instruction, preparation, training, 
     or technical support under those subparagraphs is 
     necessary.''.
       (6) Use of primary care teams.--Subsection (a)(5) of such 
     section is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
     by inserting ``(in collaboration with the primary care team 
     for the eligible veteran to the maximum extent practicable)'' 
     after ``evaluate''.
       (7) Assistance for family caregivers.--Subsection (a) of 
     such section is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(11)(A) In providing assistance under this subsection to 
     family caregivers of eligible veterans, the Secretary may 
     enter into contracts, provider agreements, and memoranda of 
     understanding with Federal agencies, States, and private, 
     nonprofit, and other entities to provide such assistance to 
     such family caregivers.
       ``(B) The Secretary may provide assistance under this 
     paragraph only if such assistance is reasonably accessible to 
     the family caregiver and is substantially equivalent or 
     better in quality to similar services provided by the 
     Department.
       ``(C) The Secretary may provide fair compensation to 
     Federal agencies, States, and other entities that provide 
     assistance under this paragraph.''.
       (b) Modification of Definition of Personal Care Services.--
     Subsection (d)(4) of such section is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``independent'';
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(B) Supervision or protection based on symptoms or 
     residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury.

[[Page 8339]]

       ``(C) Regular or extensive instruction or supervision 
     without which the ability of the veteran to function in daily 
     life would be seriously impaired.''.

     SEC. 1097N. IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM 
                   OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSESS AND 
                   IMPROVE THE FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM.

       (a) Implementation of New System.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2016, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement an information 
     technology system that fully supports the Program and allows 
     for data assessment and comprehensive monitoring of the 
     Program.
       (2) Elements of system.--The information technology system 
     required to be implemented under paragraph (1) shall include 
     the following:
       (A) The ability to easily retrieve data that will allow all 
     aspects of the Program (at the medical center and aggregate 
     levels) and the workload trends for the Program to be 
     assessed and comprehensively monitored.
       (B) The ability to manage data with respect to a number of 
     caregivers that is more than the number of caregivers that 
     the Secretary expects to apply for the Program.
       (C) The ability to integrate the system with other relevant 
     information technology systems of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.
       (b) Assessment of Program.--Not later than 180 days after 
     implementing the system described in subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall, through the Under Secretary for Health, use 
     data from the system and other relevant data to conduct an 
     assessment of how key aspects of the Program are structured 
     and carried out.
       (c) Ongoing Monitoring of and Modifications to Program.--
       (1) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall use the system 
     implemented under subsection (a) to monitor and assess the 
     workload of the Program, including monitoring and assessment 
     of data on--
       (A) the status of applications, appeals, and home visits in 
     connection with the Program; and
       (B) the use by caregivers participating in the Program of 
     other support services under the Program such as respite 
     care.
       (2) Modifications.--Based on the monitoring and assessment 
     conducted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall identify 
     and implement such modifications to the Program as the 
     Secretary considers necessary to ensure the Program is 
     functioning as intended and providing veterans and caregivers 
     participating in the Program with services in a timely 
     manner.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Initial report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the 
     Comptroller General of the United States a report that 
     includes--
       (i) the status of the planning, development, and deployment 
     of the system required to be implemented under subsection 
     (a), including any changes in the timeline for the 
     implementation of the system; and
       (ii) an assessment of the needs of family caregivers of 
     veterans described in subparagraph (B), the resources needed 
     for the inclusion of such family caregivers in the Program, 
     and such changes to the Program as the Secretary considers 
     necessary to ensure the successful expansion of the Program 
     to include such family caregivers.
       (B) Veterans described.--Veterans described in this 
     subparagraph are veterans who are eligible for the Program 
     under clause (ii) or (iii) of section 1720G(a)(2)(B) of title 
     38, United States Code, as amended by section 1097M(a)(1) of 
     this Act, solely due to a serious injury (including traumatic 
     brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) 
     incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active 
     military, naval, or air service before September 11, 2001.
       (2) Notification by comptroller general.--The Comptroller 
     General shall review the report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     and notify the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives with respect to the progress of the Secretary 
     in--
       (A) fully implementing the system required under subsection 
     (a); and
       (B) implementing a process for using such system to monitor 
     and assess the Program under subsection (c)(1) and modify the 
     Program as considered necessary under subsection (c)(2).
       (3) Final report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General a 
     report on the implementation of subsections (a) through (c).
       (B) Elements.--The report required by subparagraph (A) 
     shall include the following:
       (i) A certification by the Secretary with respect to 
     whether the information technology system described in 
     subsection (a) has been implemented.
       (ii) A description of how the Secretary has implemented 
     such system.
       (iii) A description of the modifications to the Program, if 
     any, that were identified and implemented under subsection 
     (c)(2).
       (iv) A description of how the Secretary is using such 
     system to monitor the workload of the Program.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Active military, naval, or air service.--The term 
     ``active military, naval, or air service'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program of 
     comprehensive assistance for family caregivers under section 
     1720G(a) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by 
     section 1097M of this Act.

     SEC. 1097O. MODIFICATIONS TO ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT ON 
                   CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) Barriers to Care and Services.--Subparagraph (A)(iv) of 
     section 101(c)(2) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
     Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 
     1720G note) is amended by inserting ``, including a 
     description of any barriers to accessing and receiving care 
     and services under such programs'' before the semicolon.
       (b) Sufficiency of Training for Family Caregiver Program.--
     Subparagraph (B) of such section is amended--
       (1) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iii) an evaluation of the sufficiency and consistency of 
     the training provided to family caregivers under such program 
     in preparing family caregivers to provide care to veterans 
     under such program.''.

     SEC. 1097P. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CAREGIVER POLICY.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs an advisory committee on policies 
     relating to caregivers of veterans (in this section referred 
     to as the ``Committee'').
       (b) Composition.--The Committee shall be composed of the 
     following:
       (1) A Chair selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       (2) A representative from each of the following agencies or 
     organizations selected by the head of such agency or 
     organization:
       (A) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (B) The Department of Defense.
       (C) The Department of Health and Human Services.
       (D) The Department of Labor.
       (E) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
       (3) Not fewer than seven individuals who are not employees 
     of the Federal Government selected by the Secretary from 
     among the following individuals:
       (A) Academic experts in fields relating to caregivers.
       (B) Clinicians.
       (C) Caregivers.
       (D) Individuals in receipt of caregiver services.
       (E) Such other individuals with expertise that is relevant 
     to the duties of the Committee as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (c) Duties.--The duties of the Committee are as follows:
       (1) To regularly review and recommend policies of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs relating to caregivers of 
     veterans.
       (2) To examine and advise the implementation of such 
     policies.
       (3) To evaluate the effectiveness of such policies.
       (4) To recommend standards of care for caregiver services 
     and respite care services provided to a caregiver or veteran 
     by a nonprofit or private sector entity.
       (5) To develop recommendations for legislative or 
     administrative action to enhance the provision of services to 
     caregivers and veterans, including eliminating gaps in such 
     services and eliminating disparities in eligibility for such 
     services.
       (6) To make recommendations on coordination with State and 
     local agencies and relevant nonprofit organizations on 
     maximizing the use and effectiveness of resources for 
     caregivers of veterans.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Annual report to secretary.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than September 1, 2017, and not 
     less frequently than annually thereafter until the 
     termination date specified in subsection (e), the Chair of 
     the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on 
     policies and services of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     relating to caregivers of veterans.
       (B) Elements.--Each report required by subparagraph (A) 
     shall include the following:
       (i) An assessment of the policies of the Department 
     relating to caregivers of veterans and services provided 
     pursuant to such policies as of the date of the submittal of 
     the report.
       (ii) A description of any recommendations made by the 
     Committee to improve the coordination of services for 
     caregivers of veterans between the Department and the 
     entities specified in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of 
     subsection (b)(2) and to eliminate barriers to the effective 
     use of such services, including with respect to eligibility 
     criteria.

[[Page 8340]]

       (iii) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Department 
     in providing services for caregivers of veterans.
       (iv) An evaluation of the quality and sufficiency of 
     services for caregivers of veterans available from 
     nongovernmental organizations.
       (v) A description of any gaps identified by the Committee 
     in care or services provided by caregivers to veterans and 
     recommendations for legislative or administrative action to 
     address such gaps.
       (vi) Such other matters or recommendations as the Chair 
     considers appropriate.
       (2) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall transmit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a copy of such report, together with such 
     comments and recommendations concerning such report as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate.
       (e) Termination.--The Committee shall terminate on December 
     31, 2022.

     SEC. 1097Q. COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON SERIOUSLY INJURED VETERANS 
                   AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.

       (a) Study Required.--During the period specified in 
     subsection (d), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     provide for the conduct by an independent entity of a 
     comprehensive study on the following:
       (1) Veterans who have incurred a serious injury or illness, 
     including a mental health injury or illness.
       (2) Individuals who are acting as caregivers for veterans.
       (b) Elements.--The comprehensive study required by 
     subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to 
     each veteran included in such study:
       (1) The health of the veteran and, if applicable, the 
     impact of the caregiver of such veteran on the health of such 
     veteran.
       (2) The employment status of the veteran and, if 
     applicable, the impact of the caregiver of such veteran on 
     the employment status of such veteran.
       (3) The financial status and needs of the veteran.
       (4) The use by the veteran of benefits available to such 
     veteran from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (5) Such other information as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (c) Contract.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract 
     with an appropriate independent entity to conduct the study 
     required by subsection (a).
       (d) Period Specified.--The period specified in this 
     subsection is the one-year period beginning on the date that 
     is four years after the date specified in section 
     1720G(a)(2)(B)(i) of title 38, United States Code, as amended 
     by section 1097M(a)(1) of this Act.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the end of the 
     period specified in subsection (d), the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the results of the study required 
     by subsection (a).

               PART IV--FACILITY CONSTRUCTION AND LEASES

          Subpart A--Medical Facility Construction and Leases

     SEC. 1097R. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
                   PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       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) Seismic corrections to buildings, including 
     retrofitting and replacement of high-risk buildings, in San 
     Francisco, California, in an amount not to exceed 
     $317,300,000.
       (2) Seismic corrections to facilities, including facilities 
     to support homeless veterans, at the medical center in West 
     Los Angeles, California, in an amount not to exceed 
     $370,800,000.
       (3) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community 
     living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not to 
     exceed $317,300,000.
       (4) Construction of an outpatient clinic, administrative 
     space, cemetery, and columbarium in Alameda, California, in 
     an amount not to exceed $240,200,000.
       (5) Realignment of medical facilities in Livermore, 
     California, in an amount not to exceed $415,600,000.
       (6) Construction of a replacement community living center 
     in Perry Point, Maryland, in an amount not to exceed 
     $92,700,000.
       (7) Seismic corrections and other renovations to several 
     buildings and construction of a specialty care building in 
     American Lake, Washington, in an amount not to exceed 
     $161,700,000.

     SEC. 1097S. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
                   LEASES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the 
     following major medical facility leases at the locations 
     specified and in an amount for each lease not to exceed the 
     amount specified for such location (not including any 
     estimated cancellation costs):
       (1) For an outpatient clinic, Ann Arbor, Michigan, an 
     amount not to exceed $17,093,000.
       (2) For an outpatient mental health clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $6,971,000.
       (3) For an outpatient specialty clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $10,479,000.
       (4) For research space, Boston, Massachusetts, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,497,000.
       (5) For research space, Charleston, South Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,581,000.
       (6) For an outpatient clinic, Daytona Beach, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $12,664,000.
       (7) For Chief Business Office Purchased Care office space, 
     Denver, Colorado, an amount not to exceed $17,215,000.
       (8) For an outpatient clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $4,686,000.
       (9) For an outpatient clinic, Hampton Roads, Virginia, an 
     amount not to exceed $18,124,000.
       (10) For research space, Mission Bay, California, an amount 
     not to exceed $23,454,000.
       (11) For an outpatient clinic, Missoula, Montana, an amount 
     not to exceed $7,130,000.
       (12) For an outpatient clinic, Northern Colorado, Colorado, 
     an amount not to exceed $8,776,000.
       (13) For an outpatient clinic, Ocala, Florida, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,279,000.
       (14) For an outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,297,000.
       (15) For an outpatient clinic, Pike County, Georgia, an 
     amount not to exceed $5,757,000.
       (16) For an outpatient clinic, Portland, Maine, an amount 
     not to exceed $6,846,000.
       (17) For an outpatient clinic, Raleigh, North Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $21,607,000.
       (18) For an outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,498,000.
       (19) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Corpus Christi, 
     Texas, an amount not to exceed $7,452,000.
       (20) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Jacksonville, 
     Florida, an amount not to exceed $18,136,000.
       (21) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Pontiac, 
     Michigan, an amount not to exceed $4,532,000.
       (22) For a replacement outpatient clinic, phase II, 
     Rochester, New York, an amount not to exceed $6,901,000.
       (23) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Tampa, Florida, 
     an amount not to exceed $10,568,000.
       (24) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Terre Haute, 
     Indiana, an amount not to exceed $4,475,000.

     SEC. 1097T. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Construction.--
     There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016 or the year in which 
     funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects, 
     account $1,915,600,000 for the projects authorized in section 
     1097R.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations for Medical Facility 
     Leases.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016 or the 
     year in which funds are appropriated for the Medical 
     Facilities account $190,954,000 for the leases authorized in 
     section 1097S.
       (c) Limitation.--The projects authorized in section 1097R 
     may only be carried out using--
       (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2016 pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations in subsection (b);
       (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year before fiscal year 2016 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for fiscal year 2016 for a category of activity not specific 
     to a project;
       (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2016 for a category of 
     activity not specific to a project; and
       (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 for a category of 
     activity not specific to a project.

 Subpart B--Leases at Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles 
                                 Campus

     SEC. 1097U. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN LEASES AT THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WEST LOS ANGELES 
                   CAMPUS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     carry out leases described in subsection (b) at the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los 
     Angeles, California (hereinafter in this section referred to 
     as the ``Campus'').
       (b) Leases Described.--Leases described in this subsection 
     are the following:
       (1) Any enhanced-use lease of real property under 
     subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, 
     for purposes of providing supportive housing, as that term is 
     defined in section 8161(3) of such title, that principally 
     benefit veterans and their families.
       (2) Any lease of real property for a term not to exceed 50 
     years to a third party to provide services that principally 
     benefit veterans and their families and that are limited to 
     one or more of the following purposes:

[[Page 8341]]

       (A) The promotion of health and wellness, including 
     nutrition and spiritual wellness.
       (B) Education.
       (C) Vocational training, skills building, or other training 
     related to employment.
       (D) Peer activities, socialization, or physical recreation.
       (E) Assistance with legal issues and Federal benefits.
       (F) Volunteerism.
       (G) Family support services, including child care.
       (H) Transportation.
       (I) Services in support of one or more of the purposes 
     specified in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
       (3) A lease of real property for a term not to exceed 10 
     years to The Regents of the University of California, a 
     corporation organized under the laws of the State of 
     California, on behalf of its University of California, Los 
     Angeles (UCLA) campus (hereinafter in this section referred 
     to as ``The Regents''), if--
       (A) the lease is consistent with the master plan described 
     in subsection (g);
       (B) the provision of services to veterans is the 
     predominant focus of the activities of The Regents at the 
     Campus during the term of the lease;
       (C) The Regents expressly agrees to provide, during the 
     term of the lease and to an extent and in a manner that the 
     Secretary considers appropriate, additional services and 
     support (for which The Regents is not compensated by the 
     Secretary or through an existing medical affiliation 
     agreement) that--
       (i) principally benefit veterans and their families, 
     including veterans who are severely disabled, women, aging, 
     or homeless; and
       (ii) may consist of activities relating to the medical, 
     clinical, therapeutic, dietary, rehabilitative, legal, 
     mental, spiritual, physical, recreational, research, and 
     counseling needs of veterans and their families or any of the 
     purposes specified in any of subparagraphs (A) through (I) of 
     paragraph (2); and
       (D) The Regents maintains records documenting the value of 
     the additional services and support that The Regents provides 
     pursuant to subparagraph (C) for the duration of the lease 
     and makes such records available to the Secretary.
       (c) Limitation on Land-Sharing Agreements.--The Secretary 
     may not carry out any land-sharing agreement pursuant to 
     section 8153 of title 38, United States Code, at the Campus 
     unless such agreement--
       (1) provides additional health-care resources to the 
     Campus; and
       (2) benefits veterans and their families other than from 
     the generation of revenue for the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs.
       (d) Revenues From Leases at the Campus.--Any funds received 
     by the Secretary under a lease described in subsection (b) 
     shall be credited to the applicable Department medical 
     facilities account and shall be available, without fiscal 
     year limitation and without further appropriation, 
     exclusively for the renovation and maintenance of the land 
     and facilities at the Campus.
       (e) Easements.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     (other than Federal laws relating to environmental and 
     historic preservation), pursuant to section 8124 of title 38, 
     United States Code, the Secretary may grant easements or 
     rights-of-way on, above, or under lands at the Campus to--
       (A) any local or regional public transportation authority 
     to access, construct, use, operate, maintain, repair, or 
     reconstruct public mass transit facilities, including, fixed 
     guideway facilities and transportation centers; and
       (B) the State of California, County of Los Angeles, City of 
     Los Angeles, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, 
     or any public utility company (including any company 
     providing electricity, gas, water, sewage, or 
     telecommunication services to the public) for the purpose of 
     providing such public utilities.
       (2) Improvements.--Any improvements proposed pursuant to an 
     easement or right-of-way authorized under paragraph (1) shall 
     be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       (3) Termination.--Any easement or right-of-way authorized 
     under paragraph (1) shall be terminated upon the abandonment 
     or nonuse of the easement or right-of-way and all right, 
     title, and interest in the land covered by the easement or 
     right-of-way shall revert to the United States.
       (f) Prohibition on Sale of Property.--Notwithstanding 
     section 8164 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary 
     may not sell or otherwise convey to a third party fee simple 
     title to any real property or improvements to real property 
     made at the Campus.
       (g) Consistency With Master Plan.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that each lease carried out under this section is 
     consistent with the draft master plan approved by the 
     Secretary on January 28, 2016, or successor master plans.
       (h) Compliance With Certain Laws.--
       (1) Laws relating to leases and land use.--If the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Veterans Affairs determines, as 
     part of an audit report or evaluation conducted by the 
     Inspector General, that the Department is not in compliance 
     with all Federal laws relating to leases and land use at the 
     Campus, or that significant mismanagement has occurred with 
     respect to leases or land use at the Campus, the Secretary 
     may not enter into any lease or land-sharing agreement at the 
     Campus, or renew any such lease or land-sharing agreement 
     that is not in compliance with such laws, until the Secretary 
     certifies to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives, and each Member of the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives who represents the area in which the 
     Campus is located that all recommendations included in the 
     audit report or evaluation have been implemented.
       (2) Compliance of particular leases.--Except as otherwise 
     expressly provided by this section, no lease may be entered 
     into or renewed under this section unless the lease complies 
     with chapter 33 of title 41, United States Code, and all 
     Federal laws relating to environmental and historic 
     preservation.
       (i) Community Veterans Engagement Board.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
     Community Veterans Engagement Board (in this subsection 
     referred to as the ``Board'') for the Campus to coordinate 
     locally with the Department of Veterans Affairs to--
       (A) identify the goals of the community; and
       (B) provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary to 
     improve services and outcomes for veterans, members of the 
     Armed Forces, and the families of such veterans and members.
       (2) Members.--The Board shall be comprised of a number of 
     members that the Secretary determines appropriate, of which 
     not less than 50 percent shall be veterans. The nonveteran 
     members shall be family members of veterans, veteran 
     advocates, service providers, or stakeholders.
       (3) Community input.--In carrying out subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) of paragraph (1), the Board shall--
       (A) provide the community opportunities to collaborate and 
     communicate with the Board, including by conducting public 
     forums on the Campus; and
       (B) focus on local issues regarding the Department that are 
     identified by the community, including with respect to health 
     care, benefits, and memorial services at the Campus.
       (j) Notification and Reports.--
       (1) Congressional notification.--With respect to each lease 
     or land-sharing agreement intended to be entered into or 
     renewed at the Campus, the Secretary shall notify the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and 
     each Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     who represents the area in which the Campus is located of the 
     intent of the Secretary to enter into or renew the lease or 
     land-sharing agreement not later than 45 days before entering 
     into or renewing the lease or land-sharing agreement.
       (2) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than 
     annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and 
     each Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     who represents the area in which the Campus is located an 
     annual report evaluating all leases and land-sharing 
     agreements carried out at the Campus, including--
       (A) an evaluation of the management of the revenue 
     generated by the leases; and
       (B) the records described in subsection (b)(3)(D).
       (3) Inspector general report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than each of two years and five 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and as 
     determined necessary by the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs thereafter, the Inspector 
     General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
     the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
     of Representatives, and each Member of the Senate and the 
     House of Representatives who represents the area in which the 
     Campus is located a report on all leases carried out at the 
     Campus and the management by the Department of the use of 
     land at the Campus, including an assessment of the efforts of 
     the Department to implement the master plan described in 
     subsection (g) with respect to the Campus.
       (B) Consideration of annual report.--In preparing each 
     report required by subparagraph (A), the Inspector General 
     shall take into account the most recent report submitted to 
     Congress by the Secretary under paragraph (2).
       (k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed as a limitation on the authority of the Secretary 
     to enter into other agreements regarding the Campus that are 
     authorized by law and not inconsistent with this section.
       (l) Principally Benefit Veterans and Their Families 
     Defined.--In this section the term ``principally benefit 
     veterans and their families'', with respect to services 
     provided by a person or entity under a lease of property or 
     land-sharing agreement--

[[Page 8342]]

       (1) means services--
       (A) provided exclusively to veterans and their families; or
       (B) that are designed for the particular needs of veterans 
     and their families, as opposed to the general public, and any 
     benefit of those services to the general public is distinct 
     from the intended benefit to veterans and their families; and
       (2) excludes services in which the only benefit to veterans 
     and their families is the generation of revenue for the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (m) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Prohibition on disposal of property.--Section 224(a) of 
     the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161; 121 
     Stat. 2272) is amended by striking ``The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs'' and inserting ``Except as authorized under 
     section 1097U of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs''.
       (2) Enhanced-use leases.--Section 8162(c) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, other than an 
     enhanced-use lease under section 1097U of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017,'' before 
     ``shall be considered''.

                     PART V--OTHER VETERANS MATTERS

     SEC. 1097V. CLARIFICATION OF PRESUMPTIONS OF EXPOSURE FOR 
                   VETERANS WHO SERVED IN VICINITY OF REPUBLIC OF 
                   VIETNAM.

       (a) Compensation.--Subsections (a)(1) and (f) of section 
     1116 of title 38, United States Code, are amended by 
     inserting ``(including its territorial seas)'' after ``served 
     in the Republic of Vietnam'' each place it appears.
       (b) Health Care.--Section 1710(e)(4) of such title is 
     amended by inserting ``(including its territorial seas)'' 
     after ``served on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall take effect as if enacted on September 25, 
     1985.

                         PART VI--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 1097W. TEMPORARY VISA FEE FOR EMPLOYERS WITH MORE THAN 
                   50 PERCENT FOREIGN WORKFORCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 411 of the Air Transportation 
     Safety and System Stabilization Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), 
     as added by section 402(g) of the James Zadroga 9/11 Victim 
     Compensation Fund Reauthorization Act (title IV of division O 
     of Public Law 114-113), is amended--
       (1) by amending to section heading to read as follows: 
     ``temporary visa fee for employers with more than 50 percent 
     foreign workforce''; and
       (2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) Temporary L Visa Fee Increase.--Notwithstanding 
     section 281 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1351) or any other provision of law, the filing fee required 
     to be submitted with a petition filed under section 
     101(a)(15)(L) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(L)), except for an amended petition 
     without an extension of stay request, shall be increased by 
     $4,500 for petitioners that employ 50 or more employees in 
     the United States if more than 50 percent of the petitioner's 
     employees are nonimmigrants described in subparagraph 
     (H)(1)(b) or (L) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act. This fee 
     shall also apply to petitioners described in this subsection 
     who file an individual petition on the basis of an approved 
     blanket petition.
       ``(b) Temporary H-1b Visa Fee Increase.--Notwithstanding 
     section 281 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1351) or any other provision of law, the filing fee required 
     to be submitted with a petition under section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)), except for an amended petition 
     without an extension of stay request, shall be increased by 
     $4,000 for petitioners that employ 50 or more employees in 
     the United States if more than 50 percent of the petitioner's 
     employees are nonimmigrants described in subparagraph 
     (H)(1)(b) or (L) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act.''.
       (b) Effective Dates.--The amendments made by subsection 
     (a)--
       (1) shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act; and
       (2) shall apply to any petition filed during the period 
     beginning on such effective date and ending on September 30, 
     2025.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4659. Mr. FRANKEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. __. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS REGARDING OIL WELL AND 
                   PETROCHEMICAL MANUFACTURING PLANT SAFETY.

       (a) Reporting Oil and Gas Production Safety Information.--
     Each issuer that is required to file reports pursuant to 
     section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
     (15 U.S.C. 78m, 78o) and that is an operator, or that has a 
     subsidiary that is an operator, of an oil well or 
     petrochemical manufacturing plant shall include, in each 
     periodic report filed with the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission under the securities laws on or after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the following information for the time 
     period covered by such report:
       (1) For each oil well or petrochemical manufacturing plant 
     of which the issuer or a subsidiary of the issuer is an 
     operator--
       (A) the total number of serious violations of mandatory 
     health or safety standards at an oil well or petrochemical 
     manufacturing plant safety, including health hazards under 
     section 9 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970;
       (B) the total number of citations issued including serious, 
     willful and repeated violations under section 5 of the 
     Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970;
       (C) the total dollar value of proposed penalties under the 
     Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; and
       (D) the total number of oil well or petrochemical 
     manufacturing plant related fatalities.
       (2) A list of oil wells or petrochemical manufacturing 
     plants of which the issuer or a subsidiary of the issuer is 
     an operator, that receive written notice from the 
     Occupational Safety and Health Administration of willful, 
     serious and repeated violations of mandatory health or safety 
     standards at an oil well or petrochemical manufacturing plant 
     health, including safety hazards under section 9 of the 
     Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
       (3) Any pending legal action before the Occupational Safety 
     and Health Review Commission involving such oil well or a 
     petrochemical manufacturing plant.
       (b) Reporting Shutdowns and Patterns of Violations.--
     Beginning on and after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     each issuer that is an operator, or that has a subsidiary 
     that is an operator, of an oil well or petrochemical 
     manufacturing plant shall file a current report with the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K (or any 
     successor form) disclosing the following regarding each oil 
     well or a petrochemical manufacturing plant of which the 
     issuer or subsidiary is an operator:
       (1) The receipt of a citation issued under section 5 of the 
     Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
       (2) The receipt of a citation from the Occupational Safety 
     and Health Administration that the oil well or petrochemical 
     manufacturing plant has--
       (A) willfully or repeatedly violated mandatory health or 
     safety standards at an oil well or petrochemical 
     manufacturing plant health or safety hazards under such Act; 
     or
       (B) the potential to have such a pattern.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to affect any obligation of a person to make a 
     disclosure under any other applicable law in effect before, 
     on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (d) Commission Authority.--
       (1) Enforcement.--A violation by any person of this 
     section, or any rule or regulation of the Commission issued 
     under this section, shall be treated for all purposes in the 
     same manner as a violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 
     1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) or the rules and regulations 
     issued thereunder, consistent with the provisions of this 
     section, and any such person shall be subject to the same 
     penalties, and to the same extent, as for a violation of such 
     Act or the rules or regulations issued thereunder.
       (2) Rules and regulations.--The Securities and Exchange 
     Commission is authorized to issue such rules or regulations 
     as are necessary or appropriate for the protection of 
     investors and to carry out the purposes of this section.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the terms ``issuer'' and ``securities laws'' have the 
     meaning given the terms in section 3 of the Securities 
     Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c);
       (2) the term ``operator of an oil well'' shall refer to the 
     North American Industry Classification System code 213111; 
     and
       (3) the term ``petrochemical manufacturing plant shall 
     refer to any entity assigned North American Industry 
     Classification System code 213112, 324, or 32511.
       (f) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     day that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4660. Mr. MURPHY (for himself and Mr. Paul) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle H of title XII, add the following:

[[Page 8343]]



     SEC. 1277. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE CONFLICT IN YEMEN.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) all sides to the current conflict in Yemen should--
       (A) abide by international obligations to protect 
     civilians;
       (B) facilitate the delivery of humanitarian relief 
     throughout the country; and
       (C) respect negotiated cease-fires and work toward a 
     lasting political settlement;
       (2) United States-supported Saudi military operations in 
     Yemen should--
       (A) take all feasible precautions to reduce the risk of 
     harm to civilians and civilian objects, in compliance with 
     international humanitarian law; and
       (B) increase prioritization of targeting of designated 
     foreign terrorist organizations, including al Qaeda in the 
     Arabian Peninsula and affiliates of the Islamic State of Iraq 
     and the Levant; and
       (3) the Houthi-Saleh forces engaged in the conflict in 
     Yemen should--
       (A) cease indiscriminate shelling of areas inhabited by 
     civilians; and
       (B) allow free access by humanitarian relief organizations 
     seeking to deliver aid to civilian populations under siege.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4661. Mr. GRAHAM (for himself and Mr. McCain) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle B of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1216. SENSE OF SENATE ON THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE 
                   ADVICE OF MILITARY COMMANDERS TO ENSURE FORCE 
                   LEVELS IN AFGHANISTAN AFTER 2016 ARE 
                   CONDITIONS-BASED.

       (a) Finding.--The Senate makes the following findings:
       (1) The United States vowed to hold those responsible for 
     the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks accountable, and 
     seeks to ensure that terrorists never again use Afghan soil 
     to plot an attack on another country.
       (2) Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 
     the United States decisively expelled the Taliban from 
     control of Afghanistan and sought to promote a multilateral 
     agenda to support the stabilization and reconstruction of 
     Afghanistan by rebuilding its institutions and economy.
       (3) The United States and Afghanistan signed a Bilateral 
     Security Agreement (BSA) on September 30, 2014, that provides 
     for an enduring commitment between the Government of the 
     United States and the Government of Afghanistan to enhance 
     the ability of the Government of Afghanistan to deter 
     internal and external threats against its sovereignty.
       (4) The United States and its coalition partners remain in 
     Afghanistan at the invitation of the National Unity 
     Government.
       (5) Continued political and economic progress in 
     Afghanistan is contingent upon the security of the country 
     and the safety of its people.
       (6) Since the beginning of 2016, senior military 
     commanders, including the current Commander of Resolute 
     Support and United States Forces-Afghanistan, General John W. 
     Nicholson Jr. and the current Commander of United States 
     Central Command, General
     Joseph L. Votel, the senior military commanders closest to 
     the fight, have testified that the security situation in 
     Afghanistan is deteriorating, and that they support a 
     withdrawal of United States forces from Afghanistan only when 
     conditions warrant.
       (7) In the first three months of 2016, the United Nations 
     reported that Afghanistan documented 600 civilian deaths and 
     1,343 wounded, with almost one-third of the casualties being 
     children.
       (8) The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has 
     metastasized beyond the borders of Iraq and Syria, announcing 
     its formation on January 10, 2015, in Afghanistan where it 
     has carried out bombings, small arms attacks, and kidnappings 
     against civilians and security forces in a number of 
     provinces.
       (b) Sense of Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the future trajectory of security and stability in 
     Afghanistan relies significantly upon the continued support 
     of the United States and coalition partners;
       (2) adjustments to United States and coalition force levels 
     in Afghanistan should be conditions-based and made with all 
     due consideration to the assessment and advice of military 
     commanders on the ground;
       (3) decisions on United States and coalition force levels 
     in Afghanistan should take into account the capabilities 
     required to preserve and promote the hard-fought gains 
     achieved over the last 15 years;
       (4) any decisions with regard to changes in United States 
     force levels in Afghanistan should be determined in a timely 
     manner and communicated to allies and partners to afford 
     adequate planning and force generation lead times;
       (5) the United States should continue its efforts to train 
     and advise the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces 
     (ANDSF) in warfighting functions so that they are capable of 
     defending their country and ensuring that Afghanistan never 
     again becomes a terrorist safe-haven for groups like the 
     Taliban, al Qaeda, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the 
     Levant (ISIL);
       (6) the United States should continue, in partnership with 
     the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and 
     conducting counterterrorism operations to address threats to 
     the national security interests of the United States and the 
     security of Afghanistan;
       (7) the decision of the President in October 2015 to 
     continue the missions of training, advising, and assisting 
     the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and 
     conducting counterterrorism operations while maintaining the 
     associated United States force level of 9,800 troops in 
     Afghanistan was in the national security interests of the 
     United States; and
       (8) Congress should support the President if the President 
     decides to adjust current plans based on conditions on the 
     ground by continuing robust missions to train, advise, and 
     assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and 
     conduct counterterrorism operations and maintain the 
     necessary level of United States forces in Afghanistan.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4662. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle H of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 597. MILITARY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

       (a) Promotion Required.--The Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall promote the 
     enhancement and implementation of military apprenticeship 
     programs that provide an opportunity for members of the Armed 
     Forces to improve their job skills and obtain certificates of 
     completion for such apprenticeship programs while such 
     members are on active duty. The Secretary of Defense also 
     shall promote connections between military training, 
     education, and transition activities and registered 
     apprenticeship programs in order to improve employment 
     outcomes for veterans and help ready-to-hire employers 
     connect to this skilled workforce.
       (b) Voluntary Goals.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary of Defense shall establish voluntary goals for each 
     Armed Force relating to the following:
       (1) The number of members participating in activities 
     relating to military apprenticeships prior to separation from 
     active duty.
       (2) The establishment of partnerships with apprenticeship 
     programs, including registered apprenticeship programs, 
     through the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program, 
     Skill Bridge programs, the Transition Assistance Program, 
     tuition assistance programs, and other appropriate 
     mechanisms.
       (3) The number of veterans entering apprenticeship 
     programs, including registered apprenticeship programs, upon 
     separation from active duty.
       (c) Biennial Report.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit 
     to the appropriate committees of the Congress on a biennial 
     basis a report describing the activities undertaken pursuant 
     to this section, including the progress in achieving the 
     voluntary goals established under subsection (b).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4663. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 4636 submitted by Mr. McCain and intended to 
be proposed to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       Beginning on page 1 of the amendment, strike line 2 and all 
     that follows through page 20, line 6, and insert the 
     following:

                      Subtitle J--Veterans Matters

                    PART I--VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM

     SEC. 1097. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of Program.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     1703 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703A. Veterans Choice Program

       ``(a) Program.--

[[Page 8344]]

       ``(1) Furnishing of care.--Hospital care and medical 
     services under this chapter shall be furnished to an eligible 
     veteran described in subsection (b), at the election of such 
     veteran, through contracts authorized under subsection (e), 
     or any other law administered by the Secretary, with eligible 
     providers described in subsection (c) for the furnishing of 
     such care and services to veterans. The furnishing of 
     hospital care and medical services under this section may be 
     referred to as the `Veterans Choice Program'.
       ``(2) Coordination of care and services.--The Secretary 
     shall coordinate, through the Non-VA Care Coordination 
     Program of the Department, the furnishing of care and 
     services under this section to eligible veterans, including 
     by ensuring that an eligible veteran receives an appointment 
     for such care and services within the wait-time goals of the 
     Veterans Health Administration for the furnishing of hospital 
     care and medical services.
       ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--A veteran is an eligible veteran 
     for purposes of this section if--
       ``(1) the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment 
     system of the Department established and operated under 
     section 1705 of this title; and
       ``(2)(A) the veteran is unable to schedule an appointment 
     for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from a 
     health care provider of the Department within the lesser of--
       ``(i) the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health 
     Administration for such care or services; or
       ``(ii) a period determined by a health care provider of the 
     Department to be clinically necessary for the receipt of such 
     care or services;
       ``(B) the veteran does not reside within 40 miles driving 
     distance from a medical facility of the Department, including 
     a community-based outpatient clinic, with a full-time primary 
     care physician;
       ``(C) the veteran--
       ``(i) resides in a State without a medical facility of the 
     Department that provides--
       ``(I) hospital care;
       ``(II) emergency medical services; and
       ``(III) surgical care rated by the Secretary as having a 
     surgical complexity of standard; and
       ``(ii) does not reside within 20 miles driving distance 
     from a medical facility of the Department described in clause 
     (i);
       ``(D) the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in 
     accessing hospital care or medical services from a medical 
     facility of the Department that is within 40 miles driving 
     distance from the residence of the veteran due to--
       ``(i) geographical challenges;
       ``(ii) environmental factors, such as roads that are not 
     accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous 
     weather;
       ``(iii) a medical condition of the veteran that affects the 
     ability to travel; or
       ``(iv) such other factors as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(E) the veteran resides in a location, other than a 
     location in Guam, American Samoa, or the Republic of the 
     Philippines, that requires the veteran to travel by air, 
     boat, or ferry to reach a medical facility of the Department, 
     including a community-based outpatient clinic;
       ``(F) the veteran is enrolled in the pilot program under 
     section 403 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care 
     Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 1703 
     note) as of the date on which such pilot program terminates 
     under such section; or
       ``(G) there is a compelling reason, as determined by the 
     Secretary, that the veteran needs to receive hospital care or 
     medical services from a medical facility other than a medical 
     facility of the Department.
       ``(c) Eligible Providers.--
       ``(1) In general.--A health care provider is an eligible 
     provider for purposes of this section if the health care 
     provider is a health care provider specified in paragraph (2) 
     and meets standards established by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section, including standards relating to education, 
     certification, licensure, training, and employment history.
       ``(2) Health care providers specified.--The health care 
     providers specified in this paragraph are the following:
       ``(A) Any health care provider that is participating in the 
     Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), including any physician furnishing 
     services under such program.
       ``(B) Any health care provider of a Federally-qualified 
     health center (as defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B))).
       ``(C) Any health care provider of the Department of 
     Defense.
       ``(D) Any health care provider of the Indian Health 
     Service.
       ``(E) Any health care provider of an academic affiliate of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       ``(F) Any health care provider of a health system 
     established to serve Alaska Natives.
       ``(G) Any other health care provider that meets criteria 
     established by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
       ``(3) Choice of provider.--An eligible veteran who makes an 
     election under subsection (d) to receive hospital care or 
     medical services under this section may select a provider of 
     such care or services from among the health care providers 
     specified in paragraph (2) that are accessible to the 
     veteran.
       ``(4) Eligibility.--To be eligible to furnish care or 
     services under this section, a health care provider must--
       ``(A) maintain at least the same or similar credentials and 
     licenses as those credentials and licenses that are required 
     of health care providers of the Department, as determined by 
     the Secretary for purposes of this section; and
       ``(B) submit, not less frequently than annually, 
     verification of such licenses and credentials maintained by 
     such health care provider.
       ``(5) Tiered network.--
       ``(A) In general.--To promote the provision of high-quality 
     and high-value health care under this section, the Secretary 
     may develop a tiered provider network of eligible providers 
     based on criteria established by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section.
       ``(B) Exception.--In developing a tiered provider network 
     of eligible providers under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
     may not prioritize providers in a tier over providers in any 
     other tier in a manner that limits the choice of an eligible 
     veteran in selecting an eligible provider under this section.
       ``(6) Alaska native defined.--In this subsection, the term 
     `Alaska Native' means a person who is a member of any Native 
     village, Village Corporation, or Regional Corporation, as 
     those terms are defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native 
     Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602).
       ``(d) Election and Authorization.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of an eligible veteran 
     described in subsection (b)(2)(A), the Secretary shall, at 
     the election of the veteran--
       ``(A) provide the veteran an appointment that exceeds the 
     wait-time goals described in such subsection or place such 
     veteran on an electronic waiting list described in paragraph 
     (2) for an appointment for hospital care or medical services 
     the veteran has elected to receive under this section; or
       ``(B)(i) authorize that such care or services be furnished 
     to the eligible veteran under this section; and
       ``(ii) notify the eligible veteran by the most effective 
     means available, including electronic communication or 
     notification in writing, describing the care or services the 
     eligible veteran is eligible to receive under this section.
       ``(2) Electronic waiting list.--The electronic waiting list 
     described in this paragraph shall be maintained by the 
     Department and allow access by each eligible veteran via 
     www.myhealth.va.gov or any successor website (or other 
     digital channel) for the following purposes:
       ``(A) To determine the place of such eligible veteran on 
     the waiting list.
       ``(B) To determine the average length of time an individual 
     spends on the waiting list, disaggregated by medical facility 
     of the Department and type of care or service needed, for 
     purposes of allowing such eligible veteran to make an 
     informed election under paragraph (1).
       ``(e) Care and Services Through Contracts.--
       ``(1) Contracts.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible 
     providers for furnishing care and services to eligible 
     veterans under this section.
       ``(B) Other processes.--Before entering into a contract 
     under this paragraph, the Secretary shall, to the maximum 
     extent practicable and consistent with the requirements of 
     this section, furnish such care and services to eligible 
     veterans under this section with eligible providers pursuant 
     to sharing agreements, existing contracts entered into by the 
     Secretary, or other processes available at medical facilities 
     of the Department.
       ``(C) Contract defined.--In this paragraph, the term 
     `contract' has the meaning given that term in subpart 2.101 
     of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
       ``(2) Rates and reimbursement.--
       ``(A) In general.--In entering into a contract under 
     paragraph (1) with an eligible provider, the Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(i) negotiate rates for the furnishing of care and 
     services under this section; and
       ``(ii) reimburse the provider for such care and services at 
     the rates negotiated under clause (i) as provided in such 
     contract.
       ``(B) Limit on rates.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), and 
     to the extent practicable, rates negotiated under 
     subparagraph (A)(i) shall not be more than the rates paid by 
     the United States to a provider of services (as defined in 
     section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395x(u))) or a supplier (as defined in section 1861(d) of 
     such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(d))) under the Medicare program 
     under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 
     et seq.) for the same care or services.
       ``(ii) Exceptions.--

       ``(I) In general.--The Secretary may negotiate a rate that 
     is more than the rate paid by the United States as described 
     in clause (i) with respect to the furnishing of care or 
     services under this section to an eligible veteran who 
     resides in a highly rural area.

[[Page 8345]]

       ``(II) Other exceptions.--

       ``(aa) Alaska.--With respect to furnishing care or services 
     under this section in Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule of the 
     Department shall be followed, except for when another payment 
     agreement, including a contract or provider agreement, is in 
     place, in which case rates for reimbursement shall be set 
     forth under such payment agreement.
       ``(bb) Other states.--With respect to care or services 
     furnished under this section in a State with an All-Payer 
     Model Agreement in effect under the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 301 et seq.), the Medicare payment rates under clause 
     (i) shall be calculated based on the payment rates under such 
     agreement.

       ``(III) Highly rural area defined.--In this clause, the 
     term `highly rural area' means an area located in a county 
     that has fewer than seven individuals residing in that county 
     per square mile.

       ``(C) Limit on collection.--For the furnishing of care or 
     services pursuant to a contract under paragraph (1), an 
     eligible provider may not collect any amount that is greater 
     than the rate negotiated pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i).
       ``(D) Value-based reimbursement.--In negotiating rates for 
     the furnishing of care and services under this section, the 
     Secretary may incorporate the use of value-based 
     reimbursement models to promote the provision of high-quality 
     care.
       ``(f) Responsibility for Costs of Certain Care.--In any 
     case in which an eligible veteran is furnished hospital care 
     or medical services under this section for a non-service-
     connected disability described in subsection (a)(2) of 
     section 1729 of this title, the Secretary may recover or 
     collect reasonable charges for such care or services from a 
     health-plan contract (as defined in subsection (i) of such 
     section 1729) in accordance with such section 1729.
       ``(g) Veterans Choice Card.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (5), for 
     purposes of receiving care and services under this section, 
     the Secretary shall issue to each veteran described in 
     subsection (b)(1) a card that may be presented to a health 
     care provider to facilitate the receipt of care or services 
     under this section.
       ``(2) Name of card.--Each card issued under paragraph (1) 
     shall be known as a `Veterans Choice Card'.
       ``(3) Details of card.--Each Veterans Choice Card issued to 
     a veteran under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
       ``(A) The name of the veteran.
       ``(B) An identification number for the veteran that is not 
     the social security number of the veteran.
       ``(C) The contact information of an appropriate office of 
     the Department for health care providers to confirm that care 
     or services under this section are authorized for the 
     veteran.
       ``(D) Contact information and other relevant information 
     for the submittal of claims or bills for the furnishing of 
     care or services under this section.
       ``(E) The following statement: `This card is for qualifying 
     medical care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
     Please call the Department of Veterans Affairs phone number 
     specified on this card to ensure that treatment has been 
     authorized.'.
       ``(4) Information on use of card.--Upon issuing a Veterans 
     Choice Card to a veteran, the Secretary shall provide the 
     veteran with information clearly stating the circumstances 
     under which the veteran may be eligible for care or services 
     under this section.
       ``(5) Previous program.--A Veterans Choice Card issued 
     under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note), as in effect on the day before the date of the 
     enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, shall be sufficient for purposes of 
     receiving care and services under this section and the 
     Secretary is not required to reissue a Veterans Choice Card 
     under paragraph (1) to any veteran that has such a card 
     issued under such section 101.
       ``(h) Information on Availability of Care.--The Secretary 
     shall provide information to a veteran about the availability 
     of care and services under this section in the following 
     circumstances:
       ``(1) When the veteran enrolls in the patient enrollment 
     system of the Department established and operated under 
     section 1705 of this title.
       ``(2) When the veteran attempts to schedule an appointment 
     for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from the 
     Department but is unable to schedule an appointment within 
     the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health Administration for 
     the furnishing of such care or services.
       ``(3) When the veteran becomes eligible for hospital care 
     or medical services under this section under subparagraph 
     (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of subsection (b)(2).
       ``(i) Follow-up Care.--The Secretary shall ensure that, at 
     the election of an eligible veteran who receives hospital 
     care or medical services from an eligible provider in an 
     episode of care under this section, the veteran receives such 
     care or services from that provider or another health care 
     provider selected by the veteran, including a health care 
     provider of the Department, through the completion of the 
     episode of care, including all specialty and ancillary 
     services deemed necessary as part of the treatment 
     recommended in the course of such care or services.
       ``(j) Cost-sharing.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require an eligible 
     veteran to pay a copayment for the receipt of care or 
     services under this section only if such eligible veteran 
     would be required to pay a copayment for the receipt of such 
     care or services at a medical facility of the Department or 
     from a health care provider of the Department under this 
     chapter.
       ``(2) Limitation.--The amount of a copayment charged under 
     paragraph (1) may not exceed the amount of the copayment that 
     would be payable by such eligible veteran for the receipt of 
     such care or services at a medical facility of the Department 
     or from a health care provider of the Department under this 
     chapter.
       ``(k) Claims Processing System.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for an 
     efficient nationwide system for prompt processing and paying 
     of bills or claims for authorized care and services furnished 
     to eligible veterans under this section.
       ``(2) Accuracy of payment.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that such 
     system meets such goals for accuracy of payment as the 
     Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(B) Annual report.--
       ``(i) In general.--Not less frequently than annually, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives a report on the accuracy of such 
     system.
       ``(ii) Elements.--Each report required by clause (i) shall 
     include the following:

       ``(I) A description of the goals for accuracy for such 
     system specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A).
       ``(II) An assessment of the success of the Department in 
     meeting such goals during the year covered by the report.

       ``(l) Disclosure of Information.--For purposes of section 
     7332(b)(1) of this title, an election by an eligible veteran 
     to receive care or services under this section shall serve as 
     written consent for the disclosure of information to health 
     care providers for purposes of treatment under this section.
       ``(m) Medical Records.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
     eligible provider that furnishes care or services under this 
     section to an eligible veteran submits to the Department a 
     copy of any medical record related to the care or services 
     provided to such veteran by such provider for inclusion in 
     the electronic medical record of such veteran maintained by 
     the Department upon the completion of the provision of such 
     care or services to such veteran.
       ``(2) Electronic format.--Any medical record submitted to 
     the Department under paragraph (1) shall, to the extent 
     possible, be in an electronic format.
       ``(n) Records Not Required for Reimbursement.--With respect 
     to care or services furnished to an eligible veteran by an 
     eligible provider under this section, the receipt by the 
     Department of a medical record under subsection (m) detailing 
     such care or services is not required before reimbursing the 
     provider for such care or services.
       ``(o) Tracking of Missed Appointments.--The Secretary shall 
     implement a mechanism to track any missed appointments for 
     care or services under this section by eligible veterans to 
     ensure that the Department does not pay for such care or 
     services that were not furnished to an eligible veteran.
       ``(p) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to alter the process of the Department for 
     filling and paying for prescription medications.
       ``(q) Wait-time Goals of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
     this section, the term `wait-time goals of the Veterans 
     Health Administration' means not more than 30 days from the 
     date on which a veteran requests an appointment for hospital 
     care or medical services from the Department.
       ``(2) Alternate goals.--If the Secretary submits to 
     Congress a report stating that the actual wait-time goals of 
     the Veterans Health Administration are different from the 
     wait-time goals specified in paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) for purposes of this section, the wait-time goals of 
     the Veterans Health Administration shall be the wait-time 
     goals submitted by the Secretary under this paragraph; and
       ``(B) the Secretary shall publish such wait-time goals in 
     the Federal Register and on an Internet website of the 
     Department available to the public.
       ``(r) Waiver of Certain Printing Requirements.--Section 501 
     of title 44 shall not apply in carrying out this section.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1703 the following new 
     item:

``1703A. Veterans Choice Program.''.

       (3) Conforming repeal of superseded authority.--
       (A) In general.--Section 101 of the Veterans Access, 
     Choice, and Accountability Act

[[Page 8346]]

     of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
     repealed.
       (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 208(1) of such Act is 
     amended by striking ``section 101'' and inserting ``section 
     1703A of title 38, United States Code''.
       (C) Effective date.--
       (i) In general.--The amendments made by this paragraph 
     shall take effect on the date on which the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs begins implementation of section 1703A of 
     title 38, United States Code as added by paragraph (1).
       (ii) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     specified in clause (i) in the Federal Register and on an 
     publicly available Internet website of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs not later than 30 days before such date.
       (4) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the furnishing of care and 
     services under section 1703A of title 38, United States Code, 
     as added by paragraph (1), that includes the following:
       (A) The total number of veterans who have received care or 
     services under this section, disaggregated by--
       (i) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(A) of 
     such section;
       (ii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(B) of 
     such section;
       (iii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(C) 
     of such section;
       (iv) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(D) of 
     such section;
       (v) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(E) of 
     such section;
       (vi) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(F) of 
     such section; and
       (vii) eligible veterans described in subsection (b)(2)(G) 
     of such section.
       (B) A description of the types of care and services 
     furnished to veterans under such section.
       (C) An accounting of the total cost of furnishing care and 
     services to veterans under such section.
       (D) The results of a survey of veterans who have received 
     care or services under such section on the satisfaction of 
     such veterans with the care or services received by such 
     veterans under such section.
       (E) An assessment of the effect of furnishing care and 
     services under such section on wait times for appointments 
     for the receipt of hospital care and medical services from 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Classification of Services.--Services provided under 
     the following programs, contracts, and agreements shall be 
     considered services provided under the Veterans Choice 
     Program established under section 1703A of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1):
       (1) The Patient-Centered Community Care program (commonly 
     referred to as ``PC3'').
       (2) Contracts through the retail pharmacy network of the 
     Department.
       (3) Veterans Care Agreements under section 1703C of title 
     38, United States Code, as added by section 1097D(a).
       (4) Health care agreements with Federal entities or 
     entities funded by the Federal Government, including the 
     Department of Defense, the Indian Health Service, tribal 
     health programs, Federally-qualified health centers (as 
     defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B))), and academic teaching 
     affiliates.
       (c) Establishment of Criteria and Standards for Non-
     Department Care.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish consistent 
     criteria and standards--
       (A) for purposes of determining eligibility of non-
     Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers to 
     provide health care under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary, including standards relating to education, 
     certification, licensure, training, and employment history; 
     and
       (B) for the reimbursement of such health care providers for 
     care or services provided under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary, which to the extent practicable shall--
       (i) except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii), use rates 
     for reimbursement that are not more than the rates paid by 
     the United States to a provider of services (as defined in 
     section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395x(u))) under the Medicare program under title XVIII of 
     the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the same 
     care or services;
       (ii) with respect to care or services provided in Alaska, 
     use rates for reimbursement set forth in the Alaska Fee 
     Schedule of the Department of Veterans Affairs, except for 
     when another payment agreement, including a contract or 
     provider agreement, is in place, in which case use rates for 
     reimbursement set forth under such payment agreement;
       (iii) with respect to care or services provided in a State 
     with an All-Payer Model Agreement in effect under the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), use rates for 
     reimbursement based on the payment rates under such 
     agreement;
       (iv) incorporate the use of value-based reimbursement 
     models to promote the provision of high-quality care to 
     improve health outcomes and the experience of care for 
     veterans; and
       (v) be consistent with prompt payment standards required of 
     Federal agencies under chapter 39 of title 31, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Inapplicability to certain care.--The criteria and 
     standards established under paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
     care or services furnished under section 1703A of title 38, 
     United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).

     SEC. 1097A. FUNDING FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--All amounts required to carry out the 
     Veterans Choice Program shall be derived from the 
     appropriations account described in section 4003 of the 
     Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice 
     Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 
     note).
       (b) Transfer of Amounts.--
       (1) In general.--All amounts in the Veterans Choice Fund 
     under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) shall be transferred to the appropriations account 
     described in section 4003 of the Surface Transportation and 
     Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (Public 
     Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note).
       (2) Conforming repeal.--
       (A) In general.--Section 802 of the Veterans Access, 
     Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 
     38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is repealed.
       (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 4003 of the Surface 
     Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement 
     Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
     amended by striking ``to be comprised of'' and all that 
     follows and inserting ``to be comprised of discretionary 
     medical services funding that is designated for hospital care 
     and medical services furnished at non-Department 
     facilities''.
       (c) Veterans Choice Program Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``Veterans Choice Program'' means--
       (1) the program under section 1703A of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by section 1097(a)(1); and
       (2) the programs, contracts, and agreements of the 
     Department described in section 1097(b).

     SEC. 1097B. PAYMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS UNDER VETERANS 
                   CHOICE PROGRAM.

       (a) Payment of Providers.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 1097(a)(1), is 
     further amended by inserting after section 1703A the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703B. Veterans Choice Program: payment of health care 
       providers

       ``(a) Prompt Payment Compliance.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that payments made to health care providers under the 
     Veterans Choice Program comply with chapter 39 of title 31 
     (commonly referred to as the `Prompt Payment Act') and the 
     requirements of this section. If there is a conflict between 
     the requirements of the Prompt Payment Act and the 
     requirements of this section, the Secretary shall comply with 
     the requirements of this section.
       ``(b) Submittal of Claim.--(1) A health care provider that 
     seeks reimbursement under this section for care or services 
     furnished under the Veterans Choice Program shall submit to 
     the Secretary a claim for reimbursement not later than 180 
     days after furnishing such care or services.
       ``(2) On and after January 1, 2019, the Secretary shall not 
     accept any claim under this section that is submitted to the 
     Secretary in a manner other than electronically.
       ``(c) Payment Schedule.--(1) The Secretary shall reimburse 
     a health care provider for care or services furnished under 
     the Veterans Choice Program--
       ``(A) in the case of a clean claim submitted to the 
     Secretary electronically, not later than 30 days after 
     receiving the claim; or
       ``(B) in the case of a clean claim submitted to the 
     Secretary in a manner other than electronically, not later 
     than 45 days after receiving the claim.
       ``(2)(A) If the Secretary determines that a claim received 
     from a health care provider for care or services furnished 
     under the Veterans Choice Program is a non-clean claim, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the provider, not later than 30 
     days after receiving the claim--
       ``(i) a notification that the claim is a non-clean claim;
       ``(ii) an explanation of why the claim has been determined 
     to be a non-clean claim; and
       ``(iii) an identification of the information or 
     documentation that is required to make the claim a clean 
     claim.
       ``(B) If the Secretary does not comply with the 
     requirements of subparagraph (A) with respect to a claim, the 
     claim shall be deemed a clean claim for purposes of paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(3) Upon receipt by the Secretary of information or 
     documentation described in paragraph (2)(A)(iii) with respect 
     to a claim, the Secretary shall reimburse a health care 
     provider for care or services furnished under the Veterans 
     Choice Program--
       ``(A) in the case of a claim submitted to the Secretary 
     electronically, not later than

[[Page 8347]]

     30 days after receiving such information or documentation; or
       ``(B) in the case of claim submitted to the Secretary in a 
     manner other than electronically, not later than 45 days 
     after receiving such information or documentation.
       ``(4) If the Secretary fails to comply with the deadlines 
     for payment set forth in this subsection with respect to a 
     claim, interest shall accrue on the amount owed under such 
     claim in accordance with section 3902 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       ``(d) Information and Documentation Required.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall provide to all health care providers 
     participating in the Veterans Choice Program a list of 
     information and documentation that is required to establish a 
     clean claim under this section.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall consult with entities in the 
     health care industry, in the public and private sector, to 
     determine the information and documentation to include in the 
     list under paragraph (1).
       ``(3) If the Secretary modifies the information and 
     documentation included in the list under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall notify all health care providers 
     participating in the Veterans Choice Program not later than 
     30 days before such modifications take effect.
       ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `clean claim' means a claim for 
     reimbursement for care or services furnished under the 
     Veterans Choice Program, on a nationally recognized standard 
     format, that includes the information and documentation 
     necessary to adjudicate the claim.
       ``(2) The term `non-clean claim' means a claim for 
     reimbursement for care or services furnished under the 
     Veterans Choice Program, on a nationally recognized standard 
     format, that does not include the information and 
     documentation necessary to adjudicate the claim.
       ``(3) The term `Veterans Choice Program' means--
       ``(A) the program under section 1703A of this title; and
       ``(B) the programs, contracts, and agreements of the 
     Department described in section 1097(b) of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title, as amended by section 
     1097(a)(2), is further amended by inserting after the item 
     related to section 1703A the following new item:

``1703B. Veterans Choice Program: payment of health care providers.''.

       (b) Electronic Submittal of Claims for Reimbursement.--
       (1) Prohibition on acceptance of non-electronic claims.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), on 
     and after January 1, 2019, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall not accept any claim for reimbursement under section 
     1703B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (a), that is submitted to the Secretary in a manner other 
     than electronically, including medical records in connection 
     with such a claim.
       (B) Exception.--If the Secretary determines that accepting 
     claims and medical records in a manner other than 
     electronically is necessary for the timely processing of 
     claims for reimbursement under such section 1703B due to a 
     failure or serious malfunction of the electronic interface 
     established under paragraph (2), the Secretary--
       (i) after determining that such a failure or serious 
     malfunction has occurred, may accept claims and medical 
     records in a manner other than electronically for a period 
     not to exceed 90 days; and
       (ii) shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives a report setting forth--

       (I) the reason for accepting claims and medical records in 
     a manner other than electronically;
       (II) the duration of time that the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs will accept claims and medical records in a manner 
     other than electronically; and
       (III) the steps that the Department is taking to resolve 
     such failure or malfunction.

       (2) Electronic interface.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2019, the Chief 
     Information Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     shall establish an electronic interface for health care 
     providers to submit claims for reimbursement under such 
     section 1703B.
       (B) Functions.--The electronic interface established under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include the following functions:
       (i) A function through which a health care provider may 
     input all relevant data required for claims submittal and 
     reimbursement.
       (ii) A function through which a health care provider may 
     upload medical records to accompany a claim for 
     reimbursement.
       (iii) A function through which a health care provider may 
     ascertain the status of a pending claim for reimbursement 
     that--

       (I) indicates whether the claim is a clean claim or a non-
     clean claim; and
       (II) in the event that a submitted claim is indicated as a 
     non-clean claim, provides--

       (aa) an explanation of why the claim has been determined to 
     be a non-clean claim; and
       (bb) an identification of the information or documentation 
     that is required to make the claim a clean claim.
       (iv) A function through which a health care provider is 
     notified when a claim for reimbursement is accepted or 
     rejected.
       (v) Such other features as the Secretary considers 
     necessary.
       (C) Protection of information.--
       (i) In general.--The electronic interface established under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be developed and implemented based on 
     industry-accepted information security and privacy 
     engineering principles and best practices and shall provide 
     for the following:

       (I) The elicitation, analysis, and prioritization of 
     functional and nonfunctional information security and privacy 
     requirements for such interface, including specific security 
     and privacy services and architectural requirements relating 
     to security and privacy based on a thorough analysis of all 
     reasonably anticipated cyber and noncyber threats to the 
     security and privacy of electronic protected health 
     information made available through such interface.
       (II) The elicitation, analysis, and prioritization of 
     secure development requirements relating to such interface.
       (III) The assurance that the prioritized information 
     security and privacy requirements of such interface--

       (aa) are correctly implemented in the design and 
     implementation of such interface throughout the system 
     development lifecycle; and
       (bb) satisfy the information objectives of such interface 
     relating to security and privacy throughout the system 
     development lifecycle.
       (ii) Definitions.--In this subparagraph:

       (I) Electronic protected health information.--The term 
     ``electronic protected health information'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (II) Secure development requirements.--The term ``secure 
     development requirements'' means, with respect to the 
     electronic interface established under subparagraph (A), 
     activities that are required to be completed during the 
     system development lifecycle of such interface, such as 
     secure coding principles and test methodologies.

       (3) Analysis of available technology for electronic 
     interface.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2017, or before 
     entering into a contract to procure or design and build the 
     electronic interface described in paragraph (2) or making a 
     decision to internally design and build such electronic 
     interface, whichever occurs first, the Secretary shall--
       (i) conduct an analysis of commercially available 
     technology that may satisfy the requirements of such 
     electronic interface set forth in such paragraph; and
       (ii) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report setting forth such analysis.
       (B) Elements.--The report required under subparagraph 
     (A)(ii) shall include the following:
       (i) An evaluation of commercially available systems that 
     may satisfy the requirements of paragraph (2).
       (ii) The estimated cost of procuring a commercially 
     available system if a suitable commercially available system 
     exists.
       (iii) If no suitable commercially available system exists, 
     an assessment of the feasibility of modifying a commercially 
     available system to meet the requirements of paragraph (2), 
     including the estimated cost associated with such 
     modifications.
       (iv) If no suitable commercially available system exists 
     and modifying a commercially available system is not 
     feasible, an assessment of the estimated cost and time that 
     would be required to contract with a commercial entity to 
     design and build an electronic interface that meets the 
     requirements of paragraph (2).
       (v) If the Secretary determines that the Department has the 
     capabilities required to design and build an electronic 
     interface that meets the requirements of paragraph (2), an 
     assessment of the estimated cost and time that would be 
     required to design and build such electronic interface.
       (vi) A description of the decision of the Secretary 
     regarding how the Department plans to establish the 
     electronic interface required under paragraph (2) and the 
     justification of the Secretary for such decision.
       (4) Limitation on use of amounts.--The Secretary may not 
     spend any amounts to procure or design and build the 
     electronic interface described in paragraph (2) until the 
     date that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary 
     submits the report required under paragraph (3)(A)(ii).

     SEC. 1097C. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS AUTHORIZING 
                   CARE TO VETERANS THROUGH NON-DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVIDERS.

       (a) Termination of Authority to Contract for Care in Non-
     Department Facilities.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1703 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the follow new 
     subsection:
       ``(e) The authority of the Secretary under this section 
     terminates on December 31, 2017.''.

[[Page 8348]]

       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) In general.--
       (i) Dental care.--Section 1712(a) of such title is 
     amended--

       (I) in paragraph (3), by striking ``under clause (1), (2), 
     or (5) of section 1703(a) of this title'' and inserting 
     ``under the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 
     1703B(e) of this title)''; and
       (II) in paragraph (4)(A), in the first sentence--

       (aa) by striking ``and section 1703 of this title'' and 
     inserting ``and the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in 
     section 1703B(e) of this title)''; and
       (bb) by striking ``in section 1703 of this title'' and 
     inserting ``under the Veterans Choice Program''.
       (ii) Readjustment counseling.--Section 1712A(e)(1) of such 
     title is amended by striking ``(under sections 1703(a)(2) and 
     1710(a)(1)(B) of this title)'' and inserting ``(under the 
     Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 1703B(e) of 
     this title) and section 1710(a)(1)(B) of this title)''.
       (iii) Death in department facility.--Section 
     2303(a)(2)(B)(i) of such title is amended by striking ``in 
     accordance with section 1703'' and inserting ``under the 
     Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 1703B(e) of 
     this title)''.
       (iv) Medicare provider agreements.--Section 1866(a)(1)(L) 
     of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)(L)) is 
     amended--

       (I) by striking ``under section 1703 of title 38'' and 
     inserting ``under the Veterans Choice Program (as defined in 
     section 1703B(e) of title 38, United States Code)''; and
       (II) by striking ``such section'' and inserting ``such 
     program''.

       (B) Effective date.--The amendments made by subparagraph 
     (A) shall take effect on January 1, 2018.
       (b) Repeal of Authority to Contract for Scarce Medical 
     Specialists.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7409 of such title is repealed.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 74 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 7409.

              PART II--HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

             Subpart A--Care From Non-Department Providers

     SEC. 1097D. AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON-
                   DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 1097B(a)(1), is 
     further amended by inserting after section 1703B the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1703C. Veterans Care Agreements

       ``(a) Agreements to Furnish Care.--(1) In addition to the 
     authority of the Secretary under this chapter to furnish 
     hospital care, medical services, and extended care at 
     facilities of the Department and under contracts or sharing 
     agreements entered into under authorities other than this 
     section, the Secretary may furnish hospital care, medical 
     services, and extended care through the use of agreements 
     entered into under this section. An agreement entered into 
     under this section may be referred to as a `Veterans Care 
     Agreement'.
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary may enter into agreements under this 
     section with eligible providers that are certified under 
     subsection (d) if the Secretary is not feasibly able to 
     furnish care or services described in paragraph (1) at 
     facilities of the Department.
       ``(B) The Secretary is not feasibly able to furnish care or 
     services described in paragraph (1) at facilities of the 
     Department if the Secretary determines that the medical 
     condition of the veteran, the travel involved, the nature of 
     the care or services required, or a combination of those 
     factors make the use of facilities of the Department 
     impracticable or inadvisable.
       ``(b) Receipt of Care.--Eligibility of a veteran under this 
     section for care or services described in paragraph (1) shall 
     be determined as if such care or services were furnished in a 
     facility of the Department and provisions of this title 
     applicable to veterans receiving such care or services in a 
     facility of the Department shall apply to veterans receiving 
     such care or services under this section.
       ``(c) Eligible Providers.--For purposes of this section, an 
     eligible provider is one of the following:
       ``(1) A provider of services that has enrolled and entered 
     into a provider agreement under section 1866(a) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)).
       ``(2) A physician or supplier that has enrolled and entered 
     into a participation agreement under section 1842(h) of such 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(h)).
       ``(3) A provider of items and services receiving payment 
     under a State plan under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396 et seq.) or a waiver of such a plan.
       ``(4) A health care provider that is--
       ``(A) an Aging and Disability Resource Center, an area 
     agency on aging, or a State agency (as defined in section 102 
     of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002)); or
       ``(B) a center for independent living (as defined in 
     section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
     796a)).
       ``(5) A provider that is located in--
       ``(A) an area that is designated as a health professional 
     shortage area (as defined in section 332 of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e)); or
       ``(B) a county that is not in a metropolitan statistical 
     area.
       ``(6) Such other health care providers as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate for purposes of this section.
       ``(d) Certification of Eligible Providers.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall establish a process for the certification of 
     eligible providers under this section that shall, at a 
     minimum, set forth the following.
       ``(A) Procedures for the submittal of applications for 
     certification and deadlines for actions taken by the 
     Secretary with respect to such applications.
       ``(B) Standards and procedures for approval and denial of 
     certification, duration of certification, revocation of 
     certification, and recertification.
       ``(C) Procedures for assessing eligible providers based on 
     the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse of such providers similar 
     to the level of screening under section 1866(j)(2)(B) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(j)(2)(B)) and the 
     standards set forth under section 9.104 of title 48, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall deny or revoke certification to 
     an eligible provider under this subsection if the Secretary 
     determines that the eligible provider is currently--
       ``(A) excluded from participation in a Federal health care 
     program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under section 1128 or 
     1128A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 
     1320a-7a); or
       ``(B) identified as an excluded source on the list 
     maintained in the System for Award Management, or any 
     successor system.
       ``(e) Terms of Agreements.--Each agreement entered into 
     with an eligible provider under this section shall include 
     provisions requiring the eligible provider to do the 
     following:
       ``(1) To accept payment for care or services furnished 
     under this section at rates established by the Secretary for 
     purposes of this section, which shall be, to the extent 
     practicable, the rates paid by the United States for such 
     care or services to providers of services and suppliers under 
     the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
       ``(2) To accept payment under paragraph (1) as payment in 
     full for care or services furnished under this section and to 
     not seek any payment for such care or services from the 
     recipient of such care or services.
       ``(3) To furnish under this section only the care or 
     services authorized by the Department under this section 
     unless the eligible provider receives prior written consent 
     from the Department to furnish care or services outside the 
     scope of such authorization.
       ``(4) To bill the Department for care or services furnished 
     under this section in accordance with a methodology 
     established by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
       ``(5) Not to seek to recover or collect from a health-plan 
     contract or third party, as those terms are defined in 
     section 1729 of this title, for any care or services for 
     which payment is made by the Department under this section.
       ``(6) To provide medical records for veterans furnished 
     care or services under this section to the Department in a 
     time frame and format specified by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section.
       ``(7) To meet such other terms and conditions, including 
     quality of care assurance standards, as the Secretary may 
     specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(f) Termination of Agreements.--(1) An eligible provider 
     may terminate an agreement with the Secretary under this 
     section at such time and upon such notice to the Secretary as 
     the Secretary may specify for purposes of this section.
       ``(2) The Secretary may terminate an agreement with an 
     eligible provider under this section at such time and upon 
     such notice to the eligible provider as the Secretary may 
     specify for purposes of this section, if the Secretary--
       ``(A) determines that the eligible provider failed to 
     comply substantially with the provisions of the agreement or 
     with the provisions of this section and the regulations 
     prescribed thereunder;
       ``(B) determines that the eligible provider is--
       ``(i) excluded from participation in a Federal health care 
     program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under section 1128 or 
     1128A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 
     1320a-7a); or
       ``(ii) identified as an excluded source on the list 
     maintained in the System for Award Management, or any 
     successor system;
       ``(C) ascertains that the eligible provider has been 
     convicted of a felony or other serious offense under Federal 
     or State law and determines that the continued participation 
     of the eligible provider would be detrimental to the best 
     interests of veterans or the Department; or
       ``(D) determines that it is reasonable to terminate the 
     agreement based on the health care needs of a veteran or 
     veterans.

[[Page 8349]]

       ``(g) Periodic Review of Certain Agreements.--(1) Not less 
     frequently than once every two years, the Secretary shall 
     review each Veterans Care Agreement of material size entered 
     into during the two-year period preceding the review to 
     determine whether it is feasible and advisable to furnish the 
     hospital care, medical services, or extended care furnished 
     under such agreement at facilities of the Department or 
     through contracts or sharing agreements entered into under 
     authorities other than this section.
       ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a Veterans Care 
     Agreement is of material size as determined by the Secretary 
     for purposes of this section.
       ``(B) A Veterans Care Agreement entered into after 
     September 30, 2016, for the purchase of extended care 
     services is of material size if the purchase of such services 
     under the agreement exceeds $1,000,000 annually. The 
     Secretary may adjust such amount to account for changes in 
     the cost of health care based upon recognized health care 
     market surveys and other available data and shall publish any 
     such adjustments in the Federal Register.
       ``(h) Treatment of Certain Laws.--(1) An agreement under 
     this section may be entered into without regard to any law 
     that would require the Secretary to use competitive 
     procedures in selecting the party with which to enter into 
     the agreement.
       ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and unless 
     otherwise provided in this section or regulations prescribed 
     pursuant to this section, an eligible provider that enters 
     into an agreement under this section is not subject to, in 
     the carrying out of the agreement, any law to which an 
     eligible provider described in subsection (b)(1), (b)(2), or 
     (b)(3) is not subject under the original Medicare fee-for-
     service program under parts A and B of title XVIII of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or the Medicaid 
     program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
       ``(B) The exclusion under subparagraph (A) does not apply 
     to laws regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that subject a 
     person to civil or criminal penalties.
       ``(3) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
     2000e et seq.) shall apply with respect to an eligible 
     provider that enters into an agreement under this section to 
     the same extent as such title applies with respect to the 
     eligible provider in providing care or services through an 
     agreement or arrangement other than under this section.
       ``(i) Monitoring of Quality of Care.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a system or systems, consistent with survey and 
     certification procedures used by the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services and State survey agencies to the extent 
     practicable--
       ``(1) to monitor the quality of care and services furnished 
     to veterans under this section; and
       ``(2) to assess the quality of care and services furnished 
     by an eligible provider under this section for purposes of 
     determining whether to renew an agreement under this section 
     with the eligible provider.
       ``(j) Dispute Resolution.--The Secretary shall establish 
     administrative procedures for eligible providers with which 
     the Secretary has entered into an agreement under this 
     section to present any dispute arising under or related to 
     the agreement.''.
       (b) Regulations.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     prescribe an interim final rule to carry out section 1703C of 
     such title, as added by subsection (a), not later than one 
     year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title, as amended by section 
     1097B(a)(2), is further amended by inserting after the item 
     related to section 1703B the following new item:

``1703C. Veterans Care Agreements.''.

     SEC. 1097E. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO 
                   AGREEMENTS WITH STATE HOMES TO PROVIDE NURSING 
                   HOME CARE.

       (a) Use of Agreements.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 1745(a) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A), by striking ``a contract (or agreement 
     under section 1720(c)(1) of this title)'' and inserting ``an 
     agreement''.
       (2) Payment.--Paragraph (2) of such section is amended by 
     striking ``contract (or agreement)'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``agreement''.
       (b) Treatment of Certain Laws.--Such section is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4)(A) An agreement under this section may be entered 
     into without regard to any law that would require the 
     Secretary to use competitive procedures in selecting the 
     party with which to enter into the agreement.
       ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) and unless 
     otherwise provided in this section or in regulations 
     prescribed pursuant to this section, a State home that enters 
     into an agreement under this section is not subject to, in 
     the carrying out of the agreement, any law to which providers 
     of services and suppliers are not subject under the original 
     Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title 
     XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or 
     the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396 et seq.).
       ``(ii) The exclusion under clause (i) does not apply to 
     laws regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that subject a 
     person to civil or criminal penalties.
       ``(C) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
     2000e et seq.) shall apply with respect to a State home that 
     enters into an agreement under this section to the same 
     extent as such title applies with respect to the State home 
     in providing care or services through an agreement or 
     arrangement other than under this section.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply to agreements entered into under section 1745 of such 
     title on and after the date on which the regulations 
     prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement 
     such amendments take effect.
       (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     described in paragraph (1) in the Federal Register not later 
     than 30 days before such date.

     SEC. 1097F. EXPANSION OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY 
                   TREATMENT AND URGENT CARE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1725 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 1725. Reimbursement for emergency treatment and urgent 
       care

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the provisions of this 
     section, the Secretary shall reimburse a veteran described in 
     subsection (b) for the reasonable value of emergency 
     treatment or urgent care furnished the veteran in a non-
     Department facility.
       ``(2) In any case in which reimbursement of a veteran is 
     authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary may, in lieu of 
     reimbursing the veteran, make payment of the reasonable value 
     of the furnished emergency treatment or urgent care 
     directly--
       ``(A) to the hospital or other health care provider that 
     furnished the treatment or care; or
       ``(B) to the person or organization that paid for such 
     treatment or care on behalf of the veteran.
       ``(3) Notwithstanding section 111 of this title, 
     reimbursement for the reasonable value of emergency treatment 
     or urgent care under this section shall include reimbursement 
     for the reasonable value of transportation for such emergency 
     treatment or urgent care.
       ``(b) Eligibility.--A veteran described in this subsection 
     is an individual who--
       ``(1) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the 
     Department established and operated under section 1705 of 
     this title; and
       ``(2) has received care under this chapter during the 24-
     month period preceding the furnishing of the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care for which reimbursement is sought 
     under this section.
       ``(c) Responsibility for Payment.--The Secretary shall be 
     the primary payer with respect to reimbursing or otherwise 
     paying the reasonable value of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care under this section.
       ``(d) Limitations on Payment.--(1) The Secretary, in 
     accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary for 
     purposes of this section, shall--
       ``(A) establish the maximum amount payable under subsection 
     (a); and
       ``(B) delineate the circumstances under which such payments 
     may be made, including such requirements on requesting 
     reimbursement as the Secretary may establish.
       ``(2)(A) Payment by the Secretary under this section on 
     behalf of a veteran to a provider of emergency treatment or 
     urgent care shall, unless rejected and refunded by the 
     provider within 30 days of receipt--
       ``(i) constitute payment in full for the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care provided; and
       ``(ii) extinguish any liability on the part of the veteran 
     for that treatment or care.
       ``(B) Neither the absence of a contract or agreement 
     between the Secretary and a provider of emergency treatment 
     or urgent care nor any provision of a contract, agreement, or 
     assignment to the contrary shall operate to modify, limit, or 
     negate the requirements of subparagraph (A).
       ``(C) An individual or entity may not seek to recover from 
     any third party the cost of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care for which the Secretary has made payment under this 
     section.
       ``(e) Recovery.--The United States has an independent right 
     to recover or collect reasonable charges for emergency 
     treatment or urgent care furnished under this section in 
     accordance with the provisions of section 1729 of this title.
       ``(f) Copayments.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     a veteran shall pay to the Department a copayment (in an 
     amount prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this 
     section) for each episode of emergency treatment or urgent 
     care for which reimbursement is provided to the veteran under 
     this section.
       ``(2) The requirement under paragraph (1) to pay a 
     copayment does not apply to a veteran who--
       ``(A) would not be required to pay to the Department a 
     copayment for emergency treatment or urgent care furnished at 
     facilities of the Department;

[[Page 8350]]

       ``(B) meets an exemption specified by the Secretary in 
     regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this 
     section; or
       ``(C) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or 
     observation following, and in connection with, the emergency 
     treatment or urgent care for which the veteran is provided 
     reimbursement under this section.
       ``(3) The requirement that a veteran pay a copayment under 
     this section shall apply notwithstanding the authority of the 
     Secretary to offset such a requirement with amounts recovered 
     from a third party under section 1729 of this title.
       ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `emergency treatment' means medical care or 
     services furnished, in the judgment of the Secretary--
       ``(A) when such care or services are rendered in a medical 
     emergency of such nature that a prudent layperson reasonably 
     expects that delay in seeking immediate medical attention 
     would be hazardous to life or health; and
       ``(B) until--
       ``(i) such time as the veteran can be transferred safely to 
     a Department facility or community care provider authorized 
     by the Secretary and such facility or provider is capable of 
     accepting such transfer; or
       ``(ii) such time as a Department facility or community care 
     provider authorized by the Secretary accepts such transfer 
     if--

       ``(I) at the time the veteran could have been transferred 
     safely to such a facility or provider, no such facility or 
     provider agreed to accept such transfer; and
       ``(II) the non-Department facility in which such medical 
     care or services was furnished made and documented reasonable 
     attempts to transfer the veteran to a Department facility or 
     community care provider.

       ``(2) The term `health-plan contract' includes any of the 
     following:
       ``(A) An insurance policy or contract, medical or hospital 
     service agreement, membership or subscription contract, or 
     similar arrangement under which health services for 
     individuals are provided or the expenses of such services are 
     paid.
       ``(B) An insurance program described in section 1811 of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c) or established by 
     section 1831 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j).
       ``(C) A State plan for medical assistance approved under 
     title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
       ``(D) A workers' compensation law or plan described in 
     section 1729(a)(2)(A) of this title.
       ``(3) The term `third party' means any of the following:
       ``(A) A Federal entity.
       ``(B) A State or political subdivision of a State.
       ``(C) An employer or an employer's insurance carrier.
       ``(D) An automobile accident reparations insurance carrier.
       ``(E) A person or entity obligated to provide, or to pay 
     the expenses of, health services under a health-plan 
     contract.
       ``(4) The term `urgent care' shall have the meaning given 
     that term by the Secretary in regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary for purposes of this section.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 1725 and inserting the following new 
     item:

``1725. Reimbursement for emergency treatment and urgent care.''.

       (c) Repeal of Superseded Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1728 is repealed.
       (2) Effective date.--
       (A) In general.--The repeal made by paragraph (1) shall 
     take effect on the date on which the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs prescribes regulations to carry out section 1725 of 
     title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a).
       (B) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
     specified in subparagraph (A) in the Federal Register and on 
     an publicly available Internet website of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs not later than 30 days before such date.
       (d) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Medical care for survivors and dependents.--Section 
     1781(a)(4) is amended by striking ``(as defined in section 
     1725(f) of this title)'' and inserting ``(as defined in 
     section 1725(g) of this title)''.
       (2) Health care of family members of veterans stationed at 
     camp lejeune, north carolina.--Section 1787(b)(3) is amended 
     by striking ``(as defined in section 1725(f) of this title)'' 
     and inserting ``(as defined in section 1725(g) of this 
     title)''.
       (e) Regulations.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe 
     regulations to carry out the amendments made by this section.
       (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 1097G. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 
                   VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM ACCOUNT OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Section 117(c) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(7) Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Choice 
     Program.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1105(a)(37) of title 31, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(G) Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Choice 
     Program.''.
       (c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 
     2016.

     SEC. 1097H. ANNUAL TRANSFER OF AMOUNTS WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE FROM 
                   NON-DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.

       Section 106 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c) Annual Transfer of Amounts.--
       ``(1) In general.--At the beginning of each fiscal year, 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transfer to the 
     Veterans Health Administration an amount equal to the amount 
     estimated to be required to furnish hospital care, medical 
     services, and other health care through non-Department of 
     Veterans Affairs providers during that fiscal year.
       ``(2) Adjustments.--During a fiscal year, the Secretary may 
     make adjustments to the amount transferred under paragraph 
     (1) for that fiscal year to accommodate any variances in 
     demand for hospital care, medical services, or other health 
     care through non-Department providers.''.

     SEC. 1097I. APPLICABILITY OF DIRECTIVE OF OFFICE OF FEDERAL 
                   CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Directive 2014-01 of the Office of Federal 
     Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor 
     (effective as of May 7, 2014) shall apply to any health care 
     provider entering into a contract or agreement under section 
     1703A, 1703C, or 1745 of title 38, United States Code, in the 
     same manner as such directive applies to subcontractors under 
     the TRICARE program.
       (b) Applicability Period.--The directive described in 
     subsection (a), and the moratorium provided under such 
     directive, shall not be altered or rescinded before May 7, 
     2019.
       (c) TRICARE Program Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``TRICARE program'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.

          Subpart B--Other Health Care Administrative Matters

     SEC. 1097J. REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN ENTITIES FOR EMERGENCY 
                   MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     1725 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1725A. Reimbursement of certain entities for emergency 
       medical transportation

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary shall reimburse an ambulance provider or 
     any other entity that provides transportation to a veteran 
     described in section 1725(b) of this title for the purpose of 
     receiving emergency treatment at a non-Department facility 
     the cost of such transportation.
       ``(b) Service Connection.--(1) The Secretary shall 
     reimburse an ambulance provider or any other entity under 
     subsection (a) regardless of whether the underlying medical 
     condition for which the veteran is seeking emergency 
     treatment is in connection with a service-connected 
     disability.
       ``(2) If the Secretary determines that the underlying 
     medical condition for which the veteran receives emergency 
     treatment is not in connection with a service-connected 
     disability, the Secretary shall recoup the cost of 
     transportation paid under subsection (a) in connection with 
     such emergency treatment from any health-plan contract under 
     which the veteran is covered.
       ``(c) Timing.--Reimbursement under subsection (a) shall be 
     made not later than 30 days after receiving a request for 
     reimbursement under such subsection.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `emergency 
     treatment' and `health-plan contract' have the meanings given 
     those terms in section 1725(f) of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item related to section 1725 the following new 
     item:

``1725A. Reimbursement for emergency medical transportation.''.

     SEC. 1097K. REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   COLLECT HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by 
     inserting after section 1705 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1705A. Management of health care: information 
       regarding health-plan contracts

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Any individual who seeks hospital 
     care or medical services under this chapter shall provide to 
     the Secretary such current information as the Secretary may 
     require to identify any health-plan contract under which such 
     individual is covered.
       ``(2) The information required to be provided to the 
     Secretary under paragraph (1) with respect to a health-plan 
     contract shall include, as applicable, the following:

[[Page 8351]]

       ``(A) The name of the entity providing coverage under the 
     health-plan contract.
       ``(B) If coverage under the health-plan contract is in the 
     name of an individual other than the individual required to 
     provide information under this section, the name of the 
     policy holder of the health-plan contract.
       ``(C) The identification number for the health-plan 
     contract.
       ``(D) The group code for the health-plan contract.
       ``(b) Action to Collect Information.--The Secretary may 
     take such action as the Secretary considers appropriate to 
     collect the information required under subsection (a).
       ``(c) Effect on Services From Department.--The Secretary 
     may not deny any services under this chapter to an individual 
     solely due to the fact that the individual fails to provide 
     information required under subsection (a).
       ``(d) Health-plan Contract Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `health-plan contract' has the meaning given that term 
     in section 1725(g) of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1705 the following new 
     item:

``1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-plan 
              contracts.''.

     SEC. 1097L. MODIFICATION OF HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR 
                   PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS EMPLOYED BY 
                   THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 7423(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``(a) The hours'' and inserting ``(a)(1) 
     Except as provided in paragraph (2), the hours''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) The Secretary may modify the hours of employment for 
     a physician or physician assistant appointed in the 
     Administration under any provision of this chapter on a full-
     time basis to be more than or less than 80 hours in a 
     biweekly pay period if the total hours of employment for such 
     employee in a calendar year are not less than 2,080 hours.''.

                      PART III--FAMILY CAREGIVERS

     SEC. 1097M. EXPANSION OF FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Family Caregiver Program.--
       (1) Expansion of eligibility.--
       (A) In general.--Subsection (a)(2)(B) of section 1720G of 
     title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) for assistance provided under this subsection--
       ``(i) before the date on which the Secretary submits to 
     Congress a certification that the Department has fully 
     implemented the information technology system required by 
     section 1097N(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2017, has a serious injury (including 
     traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental 
     disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the 
     active military, naval, or air service on or after September 
     11, 2001;
       ``(ii) during the two-year period beginning on the date 
     specified in clause (i), has a serious injury (including 
     traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental 
     disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the 
     active military, naval, or air service--
       ``(I) on or before May 7, 1975; or
       ``(II) on or after September 11, 2001; or
       ``(iii) after the date that is two years after the date 
     specified in clause (i), has a serious injury (including 
     traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental 
     disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the 
     active military, naval, or air service; and''.
       (B) Publication in federal register.--Not later than 30 
     days after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs submits to Congress the certification described in 
     subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) of section 1720G of such title, as 
     amended by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary 
     shall publish the date specified in such subsection in the 
     Federal Register.
       (2) Expansion of needed services in eligibility criteria.--
     Subsection (a)(2)(C) of such section is amended--
       (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and
       (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause 
     (iii):
       ``(iii) a need for regular or extensive instruction or 
     supervision without which the ability of the veteran to 
     function in daily life would be seriously impaired; or''.
       (3) Expansion of services provided.--Subsection 
     (a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended--
       (A) in subclause (IV), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
     a semicolon;
       (B) in subclause (V), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
       ``(VI) through the use of contracts with, or the provision 
     of grants to, public or private entities--
       ``(aa) financial planning services relating to the needs of 
     injured veterans and their caregivers; and
       ``(bb) legal services, including legal advice and 
     consultation, relating to the needs of injured veterans and 
     their caregivers.''.
       (4) Modification of stipend calculation.--Subsection 
     (a)(3)(C) of such section is amended--
       (A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and
       (B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause 
     (iii):
       ``(iii) In determining the amount and degree of personal 
     care services provided under clause (i) with respect to an 
     eligible veteran whose need for personal care services is 
     based in whole or in part on a need for supervision or 
     protection under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or regular or extensive 
     instruction or supervision under paragraph (2)(C)(iii), the 
     Secretary shall take into account the following:
       ``(I) The assessment by the family caregiver of the needs 
     and limitations of the veteran.
       ``(II) The extent to which the veteran can function safely 
     and independently in the absence of such supervision, 
     protection, or instruction.
       ``(III) The amount of time required for the family 
     caregiver to provide such supervision, protection, or 
     instruction to the veteran.''.
       (5) Periodic evaluation of need for certain services.--
     Subsection (a)(3) of such section is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) In providing instruction, preparation, and training 
     under subparagraph (A)(i)(I) and technical support under 
     subparagraph (A)(i)(II) to each family caregiver who is 
     approved as a provider of personal care services for an 
     eligible veteran under paragraph (6), the Secretary shall 
     periodically evaluate the needs of the eligible veteran and 
     the skills of the family caregiver of such veteran to 
     determine if additional instruction, preparation, training, 
     or technical support under those subparagraphs is 
     necessary.''.
       (6) Use of primary care teams.--Subsection (a)(5) of such 
     section is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
     by inserting ``(in collaboration with the primary care team 
     for the eligible veteran to the maximum extent practicable)'' 
     after ``evaluate''.
       (7) Assistance for family caregivers.--Subsection (a) of 
     such section is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(11)(A) In providing assistance under this subsection to 
     family caregivers of eligible veterans, the Secretary may 
     enter into contracts, provider agreements, and memoranda of 
     understanding with Federal agencies, States, and private, 
     nonprofit, and other entities to provide such assistance to 
     such family caregivers.
       ``(B) The Secretary may provide assistance under this 
     paragraph only if such assistance is reasonably accessible to 
     the family caregiver and is substantially equivalent or 
     better in quality to similar services provided by the 
     Department.
       ``(C) The Secretary may provide fair compensation to 
     Federal agencies, States, and other entities that provide 
     assistance under this paragraph.''.
       (b) Modification of Definition of Personal Care Services.--
     Subsection (d)(4) of such section is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``independent'';
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(B) Supervision or protection based on symptoms or 
     residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury.
       ``(C) Regular or extensive instruction or supervision 
     without which the ability of the veteran to function in daily 
     life would be seriously impaired.''.

     SEC. 1097N. IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM 
                   OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSESS AND 
                   IMPROVE THE FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM.

       (a) Implementation of New System.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2016, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement an information 
     technology system that fully supports the Program and allows 
     for data assessment and comprehensive monitoring of the 
     Program.
       (2) Elements of system.--The information technology system 
     required to be implemented under paragraph (1) shall include 
     the following:
       (A) The ability to easily retrieve data that will allow all 
     aspects of the Program (at the medical center and aggregate 
     levels) and the workload trends for the Program to be 
     assessed and comprehensively monitored.
       (B) The ability to manage data with respect to a number of 
     caregivers that is more than the number of caregivers that 
     the Secretary expects to apply for the Program.
       (C) The ability to integrate the system with other relevant 
     information technology systems of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.
       (b) Assessment of Program.--Not later than 180 days after 
     implementing the system described in subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall, through the Under Secretary for Health, use 
     data from the system and other

[[Page 8352]]

     relevant data to conduct an assessment of how key aspects of 
     the Program are structured and carried out.
       (c) Ongoing Monitoring of and Modifications to Program.--
       (1) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall use the system 
     implemented under subsection (a) to monitor and assess the 
     workload of the Program, including monitoring and assessment 
     of data on--
       (A) the status of applications, appeals, and home visits in 
     connection with the Program; and
       (B) the use by caregivers participating in the Program of 
     other support services under the Program such as respite 
     care.
       (2) Modifications.--Based on the monitoring and assessment 
     conducted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall identify 
     and implement such modifications to the Program as the 
     Secretary considers necessary to ensure the Program is 
     functioning as intended and providing veterans and caregivers 
     participating in the Program with services in a timely 
     manner.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Initial report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the 
     Comptroller General of the United States a report that 
     includes--
       (i) the status of the planning, development, and deployment 
     of the system required to be implemented under subsection 
     (a), including any changes in the timeline for the 
     implementation of the system; and
       (ii) an assessment of the needs of family caregivers of 
     veterans described in subparagraph (B), the resources needed 
     for the inclusion of such family caregivers in the Program, 
     and such changes to the Program as the Secretary considers 
     necessary to ensure the successful expansion of the Program 
     to include such family caregivers.
       (B) Veterans described.--Veterans described in this 
     subparagraph are veterans who are eligible for the Program 
     under clause (ii) or (iii) of section 1720G(a)(2)(B) of title 
     38, United States Code, as amended by section 1097M(a)(1) of 
     this Act, solely due to a serious injury (including traumatic 
     brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) 
     incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active 
     military, naval, or air service before September 11, 2001.
       (2) Notification by comptroller general.--The Comptroller 
     General shall review the report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     and notify the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives with respect to the progress of the Secretary 
     in--
       (A) fully implementing the system required under subsection 
     (a); and
       (B) implementing a process for using such system to monitor 
     and assess the Program under subsection (c)(1) and modify the 
     Program as considered necessary under subsection (c)(2).
       (3) Final report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General a 
     report on the implementation of subsections (a) through (c).
       (B) Elements.--The report required by subparagraph (A) 
     shall include the following:
       (i) A certification by the Secretary with respect to 
     whether the information technology system described in 
     subsection (a) has been implemented.
       (ii) A description of how the Secretary has implemented 
     such system.
       (iii) A description of the modifications to the Program, if 
     any, that were identified and implemented under subsection 
     (c)(2).
       (iv) A description of how the Secretary is using such 
     system to monitor the workload of the Program.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Active military, naval, or air service.--The term 
     ``active military, naval, or air service'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program of 
     comprehensive assistance for family caregivers under section 
     1720G(a) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by 
     section 1097M of this Act.

     SEC. 1097O. MODIFICATIONS TO ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT ON 
                   CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) Barriers to Care and Services.--Subparagraph (A)(iv) of 
     section 101(c)(2) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
     Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 
     1720G note) is amended by inserting ``, including a 
     description of any barriers to accessing and receiving care 
     and services under such programs'' before the semicolon.
       (b) Sufficiency of Training for Family Caregiver Program.--
     Subparagraph (B) of such section is amended--
       (1) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iii) an evaluation of the sufficiency and consistency of 
     the training provided to family caregivers under such program 
     in preparing family caregivers to provide care to veterans 
     under such program.''.

     SEC. 1097P. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CAREGIVER POLICY.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs an advisory committee on policies 
     relating to caregivers of veterans (in this section referred 
     to as the ``Committee'').
       (b) Composition.--The Committee shall be composed of the 
     following:
       (1) A Chair selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       (2) A representative from each of the following agencies or 
     organizations selected by the head of such agency or 
     organization:
       (A) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (B) The Department of Defense.
       (C) The Department of Health and Human Services.
       (D) The Department of Labor.
       (E) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
       (3) Not fewer than seven individuals who are not employees 
     of the Federal Government selected by the Secretary from 
     among the following individuals:
       (A) Academic experts in fields relating to caregivers.
       (B) Clinicians.
       (C) Caregivers.
       (D) Individuals in receipt of caregiver services.
       (E) Such other individuals with expertise that is relevant 
     to the duties of the Committee as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (c) Duties.--The duties of the Committee are as follows:
       (1) To regularly review and recommend policies of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs relating to caregivers of 
     veterans.
       (2) To examine and advise the implementation of such 
     policies.
       (3) To evaluate the effectiveness of such policies.
       (4) To recommend standards of care for caregiver services 
     and respite care services provided to a caregiver or veteran 
     by a nonprofit or private sector entity.
       (5) To develop recommendations for legislative or 
     administrative action to enhance the provision of services to 
     caregivers and veterans, including eliminating gaps in such 
     services and eliminating disparities in eligibility for such 
     services.
       (6) To make recommendations on coordination with State and 
     local agencies and relevant nonprofit organizations on 
     maximizing the use and effectiveness of resources for 
     caregivers of veterans.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Annual report to secretary.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than September 1, 2017, and not 
     less frequently than annually thereafter until the 
     termination date specified in subsection (e), the Chair of 
     the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on 
     policies and services of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     relating to caregivers of veterans.
       (B) Elements.--Each report required by subparagraph (A) 
     shall include the following:
       (i) An assessment of the policies of the Department 
     relating to caregivers of veterans and services provided 
     pursuant to such policies as of the date of the submittal of 
     the report.
       (ii) A description of any recommendations made by the 
     Committee to improve the coordination of services for 
     caregivers of veterans between the Department and the 
     entities specified in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of 
     subsection (b)(2) and to eliminate barriers to the effective 
     use of such services, including with respect to eligibility 
     criteria.
       (iii) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Department 
     in providing services for caregivers of veterans.
       (iv) An evaluation of the quality and sufficiency of 
     services for caregivers of veterans available from 
     nongovernmental organizations.
       (v) A description of any gaps identified by the Committee 
     in care or services provided by caregivers to veterans and 
     recommendations for legislative or administrative action to 
     address such gaps.
       (vi) Such other matters or recommendations as the Chair 
     considers appropriate.
       (2) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall transmit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a copy of such report, together with such 
     comments and recommendations concerning such report as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate.
       (e) Termination.--The Committee shall terminate on December 
     31, 2022.

     SEC. 1097Q. COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON SERIOUSLY INJURED VETERANS 
                   AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.

       (a) Study Required.--During the period specified in 
     subsection (d), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     provide for the conduct by an independent entity of a 
     comprehensive study on the following:
       (1) Veterans who have incurred a serious injury or illness, 
     including a mental health injury or illness.

[[Page 8353]]

       (2) Individuals who are acting as caregivers for veterans.
       (b) Elements.--The comprehensive study required by 
     subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to 
     each veteran included in such study:
       (1) The health of the veteran and, if applicable, the 
     impact of the caregiver of such veteran on the health of such 
     veteran.
       (2) The employment status of the veteran and, if 
     applicable, the impact of the caregiver of such veteran on 
     the employment status of such veteran.
       (3) The financial status and needs of the veteran.
       (4) The use by the veteran of benefits available to such 
     veteran from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (5) Such other information as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (c) Contract.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract 
     with an appropriate independent entity to conduct the study 
     required by subsection (a).
       (d) Period Specified.--The period specified in this 
     subsection is the one-year period beginning on the date that 
     is four years after the date specified in section 
     1720G(a)(2)(B)(i) of title 38, United States Code, as amended 
     by section 1097M(a)(1) of this Act.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the end of the 
     period specified in subsection (d), the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the results of the study required 
     by subsection (a).

               PART IV--FACILITY CONSTRUCTION AND LEASES

          Subpart A--Medical Facility Construction and Leases

     SEC. 1097R. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
                   PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       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) Seismic corrections to buildings, including 
     retrofitting and replacement of high-risk buildings, in San 
     Francisco, California, in an amount not to exceed 
     $317,300,000.
       (2) Seismic corrections to facilities, including facilities 
     to support homeless veterans, at the medical center in West 
     Los Angeles, California, in an amount not to exceed 
     $370,800,000.
       (3) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community 
     living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not to 
     exceed $317,300,000.
       (4) Construction of an outpatient clinic, administrative 
     space, cemetery, and columbarium in Alameda, California, in 
     an amount not to exceed $240,200,000.
       (5) Realignment of medical facilities in Livermore, 
     California, in an amount not to exceed $415,600,000.
       (6) Construction of a replacement community living center 
     in Perry Point, Maryland, in an amount not to exceed 
     $92,700,000.
       (7) Seismic corrections and other renovations to several 
     buildings and construction of a specialty care building in 
     American Lake, Washington, in an amount not to exceed 
     $161,700,000.

     SEC. 1097S. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
                   LEASES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the 
     following major medical facility leases at the locations 
     specified and in an amount for each lease not to exceed the 
     amount specified for such location (not including any 
     estimated cancellation costs):
       (1) For an outpatient clinic, Ann Arbor, Michigan, an 
     amount not to exceed $17,093,000.
       (2) For an outpatient mental health clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $6,971,000.
       (3) For an outpatient specialty clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $10,479,000.
       (4) For research space, Boston, Massachusetts, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,497,000.
       (5) For research space, Charleston, South Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,581,000.
       (6) For an outpatient clinic, Daytona Beach, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $12,664,000.
       (7) For Chief Business Office Purchased Care office space, 
     Denver, Colorado, an amount not to exceed $17,215,000.
       (8) For an outpatient clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $4,686,000.
       (9) For an outpatient clinic, Hampton Roads, Virginia, an 
     amount not to exceed $18,124,000.
       (10) For research space, Mission Bay, California, an amount 
     not to exceed $23,454,000.
       (11) For an outpatient clinic, Missoula, Montana, an amount 
     not to exceed $7,130,000.
       (12) For an outpatient clinic, Northern Colorado, Colorado, 
     an amount not to exceed $8,776,000.
       (13) For an outpatient clinic, Ocala, Florida, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,279,000.
       (14) For an outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,297,000.
       (15) For an outpatient clinic, Pike County, Georgia, an 
     amount not to exceed $5,757,000.
       (16) For an outpatient clinic, Portland, Maine, an amount 
     not to exceed $6,846,000.
       (17) For an outpatient clinic, Raleigh, North Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $21,607,000.
       (18) For an outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,498,000.
       (19) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Corpus Christi, 
     Texas, an amount not to exceed $7,452,000.
       (20) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Jacksonville, 
     Florida, an amount not to exceed $18,136,000.
       (21) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Pontiac, 
     Michigan, an amount not to exceed $4,532,000.
       (22) For a replacement outpatient clinic, phase II, 
     Rochester, New York, an amount not to exceed $6,901,000.
       (23) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Tampa, Florida, 
     an amount not to exceed $10,568,000.
       (24) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Terre Haute, 
     Indiana, an amount not to exceed $4,475,000.

     SEC. 1097T. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Construction.--
     There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016 or the year in which 
     funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects, 
     account $1,915,600,000 for the projects authorized in section 
     1097R.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations for Medical Facility 
     Leases.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016 or the 
     year in which funds are appropriated for the Medical 
     Facilities account $190,954,000 for the leases authorized in 
     section 1097S.
       (c) Limitation.--The projects authorized in section 1097R 
     may only be carried out using--
       (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2016 pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations in subsection (b);
       (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year before fiscal year 2016 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for fiscal year 2016 for a category of activity not specific 
     to a project;
       (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2016 for a category of 
     activity not specific to a project; and
       (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 for a category of 
     activity not specific to a project.

 Subpart B--Leases at Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles 
                                 Campus

     SEC. 1097U. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN LEASES AT THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WEST LOS ANGELES 
                   CAMPUS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     carry out leases described in subsection (b) at the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los 
     Angeles, California (hereinafter in this section referred to 
     as the ``Campus'').
       (b) Leases Described.--Leases described in this subsection 
     are the following:
       (1) Any enhanced-use lease of real property under 
     subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, 
     for purposes of providing supportive housing, as that term is 
     defined in section 8161(3) of such title, that principally 
     benefit veterans and their families.
       (2) Any lease of real property for a term not to exceed 50 
     years to a third party to provide services that principally 
     benefit veterans and their families and that are limited to 
     one or more of the following purposes:
       (A) The promotion of health and wellness, including 
     nutrition and spiritual wellness.
       (B) Education.
       (C) Vocational training, skills building, or other training 
     related to employment.
       (D) Peer activities, socialization, or physical recreation.
       (E) Assistance with legal issues and Federal benefits.
       (F) Volunteerism.
       (G) Family support services, including child care.
       (H) Transportation.
       (I) Services in support of one or more of the purposes 
     specified in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
       (3) A lease of real property for a term not to exceed 10 
     years to The Regents of the University of California, a 
     corporation organized under the laws of the State of 
     California, on behalf of its University of California, Los 
     Angeles (UCLA) campus (hereinafter in this section referred 
     to as ``The Regents''), if--
       (A) the lease is consistent with the master plan described 
     in subsection (g);
       (B) the provision of services to veterans is the 
     predominant focus of the activities of The Regents at the 
     Campus during the term of the lease;
       (C) The Regents expressly agrees to provide, during the 
     term of the lease and to an extent and in a manner that the 
     Secretary considers appropriate, additional services and 
     support (for which The Regents is not compensated by the 
     Secretary or through an existing medical affiliation 
     agreement) that--

[[Page 8354]]

       (i) principally benefit veterans and their families, 
     including veterans who are severely disabled, women, aging, 
     or homeless; and
       (ii) may consist of activities relating to the medical, 
     clinical, therapeutic, dietary, rehabilitative, legal, 
     mental, spiritual, physical, recreational, research, and 
     counseling needs of veterans and their families or any of the 
     purposes specified in any of subparagraphs (A) through (I) of 
     paragraph (2); and
       (D) The Regents maintains records documenting the value of 
     the additional services and support that The Regents provides 
     pursuant to subparagraph (C) for the duration of the lease 
     and makes such records available to the Secretary.
       (c) Limitation on Land-Sharing Agreements.--The Secretary 
     may not carry out any land-sharing agreement pursuant to 
     section 8153 of title 38, United States Code, at the Campus 
     unless such agreement--
       (1) provides additional health-care resources to the 
     Campus; and
       (2) benefits veterans and their families other than from 
     the generation of revenue for the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs.
       (d) Revenues From Leases at the Campus.--Any funds received 
     by the Secretary under a lease described in subsection (b) 
     shall be credited to the applicable Department medical 
     facilities account and shall be available, without fiscal 
     year limitation and without further appropriation, 
     exclusively for the renovation and maintenance of the land 
     and facilities at the Campus.
       (e) Easements.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     (other than Federal laws relating to environmental and 
     historic preservation), pursuant to section 8124 of title 38, 
     United States Code, the Secretary may grant easements or 
     rights-of-way on, above, or under lands at the Campus to--
       (A) any local or regional public transportation authority 
     to access, construct, use, operate, maintain, repair, or 
     reconstruct public mass transit facilities, including, fixed 
     guideway facilities and transportation centers; and
       (B) the State of California, County of Los Angeles, City of 
     Los Angeles, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, 
     or any public utility company (including any company 
     providing electricity, gas, water, sewage, or 
     telecommunication services to the public) for the purpose of 
     providing such public utilities.
       (2) Improvements.--Any improvements proposed pursuant to an 
     easement or right-of-way authorized under paragraph (1) shall 
     be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       (3) Termination.--Any easement or right-of-way authorized 
     under paragraph (1) shall be terminated upon the abandonment 
     or nonuse of the easement or right-of-way and all right, 
     title, and interest in the land covered by the easement or 
     right-of-way shall revert to the United States.
       (f) Prohibition on Sale of Property.--Notwithstanding 
     section 8164 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary 
     may not sell or otherwise convey to a third party fee simple 
     title to any real property or improvements to real property 
     made at the Campus.
       (g) Consistency With Master Plan.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that each lease carried out under this section is 
     consistent with the draft master plan approved by the 
     Secretary on January 28, 2016, or successor master plans.
       (h) Compliance With Certain Laws.--
       (1) Laws relating to leases and land use.--If the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Veterans Affairs determines, as 
     part of an audit report or evaluation conducted by the 
     Inspector General, that the Department is not in compliance 
     with all Federal laws relating to leases and land use at the 
     Campus, or that significant mismanagement has occurred with 
     respect to leases or land use at the Campus, the Secretary 
     may not enter into any lease or land-sharing agreement at the 
     Campus, or renew any such lease or land-sharing agreement 
     that is not in compliance with such laws, until the Secretary 
     certifies to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives, and each Member of the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives who represents the area in which the 
     Campus is located that all recommendations included in the 
     audit report or evaluation have been implemented.
       (2) Compliance of particular leases.--Except as otherwise 
     expressly provided by this section, no lease may be entered 
     into or renewed under this section unless the lease complies 
     with chapter 33 of title 41, United States Code, and all 
     Federal laws relating to environmental and historic 
     preservation.
       (i) Community Veterans Engagement Board.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
     Community Veterans Engagement Board (in this subsection 
     referred to as the ``Board'') for the Campus to coordinate 
     locally with the Department of Veterans Affairs to--
       (A) identify the goals of the community; and
       (B) provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary to 
     improve services and outcomes for veterans, members of the 
     Armed Forces, and the families of such veterans and members.
       (2) Members.--The Board shall be comprised of a number of 
     members that the Secretary determines appropriate, of which 
     not less than 50 percent shall be veterans. The nonveteran 
     members shall be family members of veterans, veteran 
     advocates, service providers, or stakeholders.
       (3) Community input.--In carrying out subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) of paragraph (1), the Board shall--
       (A) provide the community opportunities to collaborate and 
     communicate with the Board, including by conducting public 
     forums on the Campus; and
       (B) focus on local issues regarding the Department that are 
     identified by the community, including with respect to health 
     care, benefits, and memorial services at the Campus.
       (j) Notification and Reports.--
       (1) Congressional notification.--With respect to each lease 
     or land-sharing agreement intended to be entered into or 
     renewed at the Campus, the Secretary shall notify the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and 
     each Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     who represents the area in which the Campus is located of the 
     intent of the Secretary to enter into or renew the lease or 
     land-sharing agreement not later than 45 days before entering 
     into or renewing the lease or land-sharing agreement.
       (2) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than 
     annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and 
     each Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     who represents the area in which the Campus is located an 
     annual report evaluating all leases and land-sharing 
     agreements carried out at the Campus, including--
       (A) an evaluation of the management of the revenue 
     generated by the leases; and
       (B) the records described in subsection (b)(3)(D).
       (3) Inspector general report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than each of two years and five 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and as 
     determined necessary by the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs thereafter, the Inspector 
     General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
     the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
     of Representatives, and each Member of the Senate and the 
     House of Representatives who represents the area in which the 
     Campus is located a report on all leases carried out at the 
     Campus and the management by the Department of the use of 
     land at the Campus, including an assessment of the efforts of 
     the Department to implement the master plan described in 
     subsection (g) with respect to the Campus.
       (B) Consideration of annual report.--In preparing each 
     report required by subparagraph (A), the Inspector General 
     shall take into account the most recent report submitted to 
     Congress by the Secretary under paragraph (2).
       (k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed as a limitation on the authority of the Secretary 
     to enter into other agreements regarding the Campus that are 
     authorized by law and not inconsistent with this section.
       (l) Principally Benefit Veterans and Their Families 
     Defined.--In this section the term ``principally benefit 
     veterans and their families'', with respect to services 
     provided by a person or entity under a lease of property or 
     land-sharing agreement--
       (1) means services--
       (A) provided exclusively to veterans and their families; or
       (B) that are designed for the particular needs of veterans 
     and their families, as opposed to the general public, and any 
     benefit of those services to the general public is distinct 
     from the intended benefit to veterans and their families; and
       (2) excludes services in which the only benefit to veterans 
     and their families is the generation of revenue for the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (m) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Prohibition on disposal of property.--Section 224(a) of 
     the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161; 121 
     Stat. 2272) is amended by striking ``The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs'' and inserting ``Except as authorized under 
     section 1097U of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2017, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs''.
       (2) Enhanced-use leases.--Section 8162(c) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, other than an 
     enhanced-use lease under section 1097U of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017,'' before 
     ``shall be considered''.

                     PART V--OTHER VETERANS MATTERS

     SEC. 1097V. CLARIFICATION OF PRESUMPTIONS OF EXPOSURE FOR 
                   VETERANS WHO SERVED IN VICINITY OF REPUBLIC OF 
                   VIETNAM.

       (a) Compensation.--Subsections (a)(1) and (f) of section 
     1116 of title 38, United States

[[Page 8355]]

     Code, are amended by inserting ``(including its territorial 
     seas)'' after ``served in the Republic of Vietnam'' each 
     place it appears.
       (b) Health Care.--Section 1710(e)(4) of such title is 
     amended by inserting ``(including its territorial seas)'' 
     after ``served on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall take effect as if enacted on September 25, 
     1985.

                         PART VI--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 1097W. TEMPORARY VISA FEE FOR EMPLOYERS WITH MORE THAN 
                   50 PERCENT FOREIGN WORKFORCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 411 of the Air Transportation 
     Safety and System Stabilization Act (49 U.S.C. 40101 note), 
     as added by section 402(g) of the James Zadroga 9/11 Victim 
     Compensation Fund Reauthorization Act (title IV of division O 
     of Public Law 114-113), is amended--
       (1) by amending to section heading to read as follows: 
     ``temporary visa fee for employers with more than 50 percent 
     foreign workforce''; and
       (2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) Temporary L Visa Fee Increase.--Notwithstanding 
     section 281 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1351) or any other provision of law, the filing fee required 
     to be submitted with a petition filed under section 
     101(a)(15)(L) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(L)), except for an amended petition 
     without an extension of stay request, shall be increased by 
     $4,500 for petitioners that employ 50 or more employees in 
     the United States if more than 50 percent of the petitioner's 
     employees are nonimmigrants described in subparagraph 
     (H)(1)(b) or (L) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act. This fee 
     shall also apply to petitioners described in this subsection 
     who file an individual petition on the basis of an approved 
     blanket petition.
       ``(b) Temporary H-1b Visa Fee Increase.--Notwithstanding 
     section 281 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1351) or any other provision of law, the filing fee required 
     to be submitted with a petition under section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)), except for an amended petition 
     without an extension of stay request, shall be increased by 
     $4,000 for petitioners that employ 50 or more employees in 
     the United States if more than 50 percent of the petitioner's 
     employees are nonimmigrants described in subparagraph 
     (H)(1)(b) or (L) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act.''.
       (b) Effective Dates.--The amendments made by subsection 
     (a)--
       (1) shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act; and
       (2) shall apply to any petition filed during the period 
     beginning on such effective date and ending on September 30, 
     2025.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4664. Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mrs. Ernst) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. PILOT PROGRAM ESTABLISHING A PATIENT SELF-
                   SCHEDULING APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Pilot Program.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall commence a pilot program under which veterans 
     use an Internet website to schedule and confirm appointments 
     for health care at medical facilities of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Selection of Locations.--The Secretary shall select not 
     fewer than three Veterans Integrated Services Networks in 
     which to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a).
       (c) Contracts.--
       (1) Authority.--The Secretary shall seek to enter into a 
     contract with one or more contractors that are able to meet 
     the criteria under paragraph (3) to provide the scheduling 
     and confirmation capability described in subsection (a).
       (2) Notice of competition.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a 
     request for proposals for the contract described in paragraph 
     (1).
       (B) Open request.--The request for proposals issued under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be full and open to any contractor 
     that is able to meet the criteria under paragraph (3).
       (3) Selection of vendors.--Not later than 120 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     enter into a contract with one or more contractors that have 
     an existing commercially available online patient self-
     scheduling capability that--
       (A) allows patients to self-schedule, confirm, and modify 
     outpatient and specialty care appointments in real time 
     through an Internet website;
       (B) makes available, in real time, any appointments that 
     were previously filled but later canceled by other patients; 
     and
       (C) allows patients to use the online scheduling capability 
     24 hours per day, seven days per week.
       (4) Integration with existing infrastructure.--The 
     Secretary shall ensure that a contractor awarded a contract 
     under this section is able to integrate the online scheduling 
     capability of the contractor with the Veterans Health 
     Information Systems and Technology Architecture of the 
     Department.
       (d) Duration of Pilot Program.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided by paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection 
     (a) during the 18-month period beginning on the commencement 
     of the pilot program.
       (2) Extension.--The Secretary may extend the duration of 
     the pilot program under subsection (a), and may expand the 
     selection of Veterans Integrated Services Networks under 
     subsection (b), if the Secretary determines that the pilot 
     program is reducing the wait times of veterans seeking health 
     care from the Department and ensuring that more available 
     appointment times are filled.
       (e) Report.--Not later than one year after commencing the 
     pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the outcomes of the pilot 
     program, including--
       (1) whether the pilot program demonstrated--
       (A) improvements to the ability of veterans to schedule 
     appointments for the receipt of health care from the 
     Department; and
       (B) a reduction in wait times for such appointments; and
       (2) such recommendations for expanding the pilot program to 
     additional Veterans Integrated Services Networks as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate.
       (f) Use of Amounts Otherwise Appropriated.--No additional 
     amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
     pilot program under subsection (a) and such pilot program 
     shall be carried out using amounts otherwise made available 
     to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the medical support 
     and compliance account of the Veterans Health Administration.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4665. Mr. HELLER (for himself and Mr. Cornyn) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. CONSTITUTIONAL CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY ACT.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2016''.
       (b) Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed 
     Firearms.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 926C the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 926D. Reciprocity for the carrying of certain 
       concealed firearms

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any provision of the law 
     of any State or political subdivision thereof to the 
     contrary--
       ``(1) an individual who is not prohibited by Federal law 
     from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a 
     firearm, and who is carrying a government-issued photographic 
     identification document and a valid license or permit which 
     is issued pursuant to the law of a State and which permits 
     the individual to carry a concealed firearm, may possess or 
     carry a concealed handgun (other than a machinegun or 
     destructive device) that has been shipped or transported in 
     interstate or foreign commerce in any State other than the 
     State of residence of the individual that--
       ``(A) has a statute that allows residents of the State to 
     obtain licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms; or
       ``(B) does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms 
     by residents of the State for lawful purposes; and
       ``(2) an individual who is not prohibited by Federal law 
     from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a 
     firearm, and who is carrying a government-issued photographic 
     identification document and is entitled and not prohibited 
     from carrying a concealed firearm in the State in which the 
     individual resides otherwise than as described in paragraph 
     (1), may possess or carry a concealed handgun (other than a 
     machinegun or destructive device) that has been shipped or 
     transported in interstate or foreign commerce in any State 
     other than the State of residence of the individual that--
       ``(A) has a statute that allows residents of the State to 
     obtain licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms; or

[[Page 8356]]

       ``(B) does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms 
     by residents of the State for lawful purposes.
       ``(b) Conditions and Limitations.--The possession or 
     carrying of a concealed handgun in a State under this section 
     shall be subject to the same conditions and limitations, 
     except as to eligibility to possess or carry, imposed by or 
     under Federal or State law or the law of a political 
     subdivision of a State, that apply to the possession or 
     carrying of a concealed handgun by residents of the State or 
     political subdivision who are licensed by the State or 
     political subdivision to do so, or not prohibited by the 
     State from doing so.
       ``(c) Unrestricted License or Permit.--In a State that 
     allows the issuing authority for licenses or permits to carry 
     concealed firearms to impose restrictions on the carrying of 
     firearms by individual holders of such licenses or permits, 
     an individual carrying a concealed handgun under this section 
     shall be permitted to carry a concealed handgun according to 
     the same terms authorized by an unrestricted license of or 
     permit issued to a resident of the State.
       ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to preempt any provision of State law with 
     respect to the issuance of licenses or permits to carry 
     concealed firearms.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 926C the following:

``926D. Reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.''.

       (3) Severability.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this Act, if any provision of this section, or any amendment 
     made by this section, or the application of such provision or 
     amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be 
     unconstitutional, this section and amendments made by this 
     section and the application of such provision or amendment to 
     other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
       (4) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4666. Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Sullivan, 
Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Franken, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Boxer, and Mr. Reed) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 
2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle I of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1097. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS FOR INTERMENT 
                   IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 2402(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(10) Any individual--
       ``(A) who--
       ``(i) was naturalized pursuant to section 2(1) of the Hmong 
     Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-207; 8 
     U.S.C. 1423 note); and
       ``(ii) at the time of the individual's death resided in the 
     United States; or
       ``(B) who--
       ``(i) the Secretary determines served honorably with a 
     special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a 
     base in Laos in support of the Armed Forces of the United 
     States at any time during the period beginning February 28, 
     1961, and ending May 7, 1975; and
       ``(ii) at the time of the individual's death--

       ``(I) was a citizen of the United States or an alien 
     lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United 
     States; and
       ``(II) resided in the United States.''.

       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to an individual dying on or after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4667. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 4509 submitted by Mr. Nelson (for himself, Mr. Gardner, 
Mr. Bennet, Mr. Shelby, and Mr. Durbin) and intended to be proposed to 
the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for 
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

     SEC. 1037. RESTRICTIONS ON THE PROCUREMENT OF SERVICES OR 
                   PROPERTY IN CONNECTION WITH MILITARY SPACE 
                   LAUNCH FROM ENTITIES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY 
                   PERSONS SANCTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH RUSSIA'S 
                   INVASION OF CRIMEA.

       (a) In General.--On and after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense may not enter into or 
     renew a contract for the procurement of services or property 
     in connection with space launch activities associated with 
     the evolved expendable launch vehicle program unless the 
     Secretary, as a result of affirmative due diligence and in 
     consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, conclusively 
     certifies in accordance with subsection (b), that--
       (1) no funding provided under the contract will be used for 
     a purchase from, or a payment to, any entity owned or 
     controlled by a person included on the list of specially 
     designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the 
     Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the 
     Treasury pursuant to Executive Order 13661 (79 Fed. Reg. 
     15535; relating to blocking property of additional persons 
     contributing to the situation in Ukraine) or any other 
     executive order or other provision of law imposing sanctions 
     with respect to the Russian Federation in connection with the 
     invasion of Crimea by the Russian Federation; and
       (2) no individual who in any way supports the delivery of 
     services or property for such space launch activities poses a 
     counterintelligence risk to the United States or is subject 
     to the influence of any foreign military or intelligence 
     service.
       (b) Submission of Certification.--Not later than 120 days 
     before entering into or renewing a contract described in 
     subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
     congressional defense committees in writing the certification 
     described in that subsection and the reasons of the Secretary 
     for making the certification.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to affect the application of sanctions that are not 
     related to national security space launch activities.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4668. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 4647 submitted by Mr. Shelby and intended to be proposed 
to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 
for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

     SEC. 1037. RESTRICTIONS ON THE PROCUREMENT OF SERVICES OR 
                   PROPERTY IN CONNECTION WITH MILITARY SPACE 
                   LAUNCH FROM ENTITIES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY 
                   PERSONS SANCTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH RUSSIA'S 
                   INVASION OF CRIMEA.

       (a) In General.--On and after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense may not enter into or 
     renew a contract for the procurement of services or property 
     in connection with space launch activities associated with 
     the evolved expendable launch vehicle program unless the 
     Secretary, as a result of affirmative due diligence and in 
     consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, conclusively 
     certifies in accordance with subsection (b), that--
       (1) no funding provided under the contract will be used for 
     a purchase from, or a payment to, any entity owned or 
     controlled by a person included on the list of specially 
     designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the 
     Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the 
     Treasury pursuant to Executive Order 13661 (79 Fed. Reg. 
     15535; relating to blocking property of additional persons 
     contributing to the situation in Ukraine) or any other 
     executive order or other provision of law imposing sanctions 
     with respect to the Russian Federation in connection with the 
     invasion of Crimea by the Russian Federation; and
       (2) no individual who in any way supports the delivery of 
     services or property for such space launch activities poses a 
     counterintelligence risk to the United States or is subject 
     to the influence of any foreign military or intelligence 
     service.
       (b) Submission of Certification.--Not later than 120 days 
     before entering into or renewing a contract described in 
     subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
     congressional defense committees in writing the certification 
     described in that subsection and the reasons of the Secretary 
     for making the certification.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to affect the application of sanctions that are not 
     related to national security space launch activities.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4669. Mr. SASSE (for himself and Mr. Lee) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for

[[Page 8357]]

other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike section 591 and insert the following:

     SEC. 591. MODIFICATION OF THE MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     there are important legal, political, and social questions 
     about who should be required to register for military 
     selective service and how the Military Selective Service Act 
     benefits the national security of the United States of 
     America.
       (b) Sunset of Military Selective Service Act.--The Military 
     Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:
       ``Sec. 23. This Act and the requirements of this Act shall 
     cease to be in effect on the date that is three years after 
     the date of the enactment of this National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.''.
       (c) Transfers in Connection With Sunset.--
       (1) Prohibition on reestablishment of ossr.--
     Notwithstanding the proviso in section 10(a)(4) of the 
     Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3809(a)(4)), the 
     Office of Selective Service Records shall not be 
     reestablished after the sunset of the Military Selective 
     Service Act pursuant to section 23 of that Act (as added by 
     subsection (b)).
       (2) Transfer of assets and resources.--Not later than 180 
     days after the sunset of Military Selective Service Act as 
     described in paragraph (1), the assets, contracts, property, 
     and records held by the Selective Service System, and the 
     expended balances of any appropriations available to the 
     Selective Service System, shall be transferred to the 
     Administration of General Services.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
     to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
     House of Representatives, and make available to the public on 
     an Internet website of the Department of Defense available to 
     the public, a report on the current and future need for 
     compulsory military selective service. The report shall 
     recommend and justify one of the courses of action as 
     follows:
       (1) Maintain the current selective service system.
       (2) Expand the pool of individuals subject to selective 
     service.
       (3) Repeal the Military Selective Service Act and move to 
     an all volunteer force.

                          ____________________