[House Report 109-263]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



109th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    109-263

======================================================================



 
        VETERANS HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2005

                                _______
                                

November 1, 2005.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Buyer, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 3665]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred the 
bill (H.R. 3665) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide adaptive 
housing assistance to disabled veterans residing temporarily in 
housing owned by a family member and to make direct housing 
loans to Native American veterans, and for other purposes, 
having considered the same, report favorably thereon with 
amendments and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
  The amendments are as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Housing and 
Employment Improvement Act of 2005''.
  (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

                      TITLE I--HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Sec. 101. Adaptive housing assistance for disabled veterans residing 
temporarily in housing owned by family member.
Sec. 102. Permanent authority to make direct housing loans to Native 
American veterans.
Sec. 103. Extension of eligibility for direct loans for Native American 
veterans to a veteran who is the spouse of a Native American.
Sec. 104. Terminology amendments to revise references to certain 
veterans in provisions relating to eligibility for compensation or 
dependency and indemnity compensation.

                TITLE II--EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Extension of operation of the President's National Hire 
Veterans Committee.
Sec. 202. Additional duty for the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
Veterans' Employment and Training to raise awareness of skills of 
veterans and of the benefits of hiring veterans.
Sec. 203. Modifications to the Advisory Committee on Veterans 
Employment and Training.

           TITLE III--HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM

Sec. 301. Reauthorization of appropriations for Homeless Veterans 
Reintegration Program.

        TITLE IV--TECHNICAL, CLARIFYING, AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS

Sec. 401. Technical and clarifying amendments to new traumatic injury 
protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Sec. 402. Technical and clerical amendments.

                      TITLE I--HOUSING ASSISTANCE

SEC. 101. ADAPTIVE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS RESIDING 
                    TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY FAMILY MEMBER.

  (a) Assistance Authorized.--Chapter 21 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 2102 the following new 
section:

``Sec. 2102A. Assistance for veterans residing temporarily in housing 
                    owned by family member

  ``(a) In the case of a disabled veteran who is described in 
subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of section 2101 of this title and who is 
residing, but does not intend to permanently reside, in a residence 
owned by a member of such veteran's family, the Secretary may assist 
the veteran in acquiring such adaptations to such residence as are 
determined by the Secretary to be reasonably necessary because of the 
veteran's disability.
  ``(b) The assistance authorized under subsection (a) may not exceed--
          ``(1) $10,000, in the case of a veteran described in section 
        2101(a)(2) of this title; or
          ``(2) $2,000, in the case of a veteran described in section 
        2101(b)(2) of this title.
  ``(c) The assistance authorized by subsection (a) shall be limited in 
the case of any veteran to one residence.
  ``(d) Assistance under this section shall be provided in accordance 
with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.
  ``(e) No assistance may be provided under this section after the end 
of the five-year period that begins on the date of the enactment of the 
Veterans Housing and Employment Improvement Act of 2005.''.
  (b) Limitations on Adaptive Housing Assistance.--Section 2102 of such 
title is amended--
          (1) in the matter in subsection (a) preceding paragraph (1)--
                  (A) by striking ``shall be limited in the case of any 
                veteran to one housing unit, and necessary land 
                therefor, and''; and
                  (B) by striking ``veteran but shall not exceed 
                $50,000 in any one case--'' and inserting ``veteran--
                ''; and
          (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
  ``(d)(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available to a veteran 
under sections 2101(a) and 2102A of this title shall be limited to 
$50,000.
  ``(2) The aggregate amount of assistance available to a veteran under 
sections 2101(b) and 2102A of this title shall be limited to $10,000.
  ``(3) No veteran may receive more than three grants of assistance 
under this chapter.''.
  (c) Coordination of Administration of Benefits.--Chapter 21 of such 
title is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:

``Sec. 2107. Coordination of administration of benefits

  ``The Secretary shall provide for the coordination of the 
administration of programs to provide specially adapted housing that 
are administered by the Under Secretary for Health and such programs 
that are administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits under this 
chapter, chapter 17, and chapter 31 of this title.''.
  (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter of such title is amended--
          (1) by inserting after the item relating to section 2102 the 
        following new item:

``2102A. Assistance for veterans residing temporarily in housing owned 
by family member.''; and

          (2) by adding at the end the following new item:

``2107. Coordination of administration of benefits.''.

  (e) GAO Reports.--(1) Not later than three years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to 
Congress an interim report on the implementation by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs of section 2102A of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a).
  (2) Not later than five years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report on 
the implementation of such section.

SEC. 102. PERMANENT AUTHORITY TO MAKE DIRECT HOUSING LOANS TO NATIVE 
                    AMERICAN VETERANS.

  (a) Permanent Authority.--Section 3761 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
          (1) in subsection (a)--
                  (A) by striking ``establish and implement a pilot 
                program under which the Secretary may'' in the first 
                sentence; and
                  (B) by striking ``shall establish and implement the 
                pilot program'' in the third sentence and inserting 
                ``shall make such loans'';
          (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``In carrying out the 
        pilot program under this subchapter, the'' and inserting 
        ``The''; and
          (3) by striking subsection (c).
  (b) Reports.--Section 3762(j) of such title is amended to read as 
follows:
  ``(j) The Secretary shall include as part of the annual report 
required by section 529 of this title and as part of any annual 
benefits report of the Veterans Benefits Administration information 
concerning the cost and number of loans provided under this subchapter 
for each fiscal year.''.
  (c) Conforming Amendments.--
          (1) Section 3762 of such title is amended--
                  (A) in subsection (a), by inserting ``under this 
                subchapter'' after ``to a Native American veteran'';
                  (B) in subsection (b)(1)(E), by striking ``the pilot 
                program established under this subchapter is 
                implemented'' and inserting ``loans under this 
                subchapter are made'';
                  (C) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``carry out 
                the pilot program under this subchapter in a manner 
                that demonstrates the advisability of making direct 
                housing loans'' in the second sentence and inserting 
                ``make direct housing loans under this subchapter'';
                  (D) in subsection (i)--
                          (i) by striking ``the pilot program provided 
                        for under this subchapter and'' in paragraph 
                        (1);
                          (ii) by striking ``under the pilot program 
                        and in assisting such organizations and 
                        veterans in participating in the pilot 
                        program'' in paragraph (2)(A) and inserting 
                        ``under this subchapter and in assisting such 
                        organizations and veterans with respect to such 
                        housing benefits''; and
                          (iii) by striking ``in participating in the 
                        pilot program'' in paragraph (2)(E) and 
                        inserting ``with respect to such benefits''.
          (2) Section 8(b) of the Veterans Home Loan Program Amendments 
        of 1992 (Public Law 102-547; 38 U.S.C. 3761 note) is repealed.
  (d) Establishment of Maximum Amount of Loans.--Section 3762(c)(1)(B) 
of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
          (1) by striking ``(B) The'' and inserting ``(B)(i) Subject to 
        clause (ii), the''; and
          (2) by adding at the end the following new clause:
  ``(ii) The amount of a loan made by the Secretary under this 
subchapter may not exceed the maximum loan amount authorized for loans 
guaranteed under section 3703(a)(1)(C) of this title.''.
  (e) Technical Amendment.--Subsection (c)(1)(A) of section 3762 of 
such title is amended by inserting ``veteran'' after ``Native 
American''.
  (f) Clerical Amendments.--
          (1) Subchapter heading.--The heading for subchapter V of 
        chapter 37 of such title is amended to read as follows:

  ``SUBCHAPTER V--DIRECT HOUSING LOANS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS''.

          (2) Section heading.--The heading for section 3761 of such 
        title is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 3761. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program 
                    authority''.

          (3) Section heading.--The heading for section 3762 of such 
        title is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 3762. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program 
                    administration''.

          (4) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 37 of such title is amended by striking 
        the items relating to subchapter V and sections 3761 and 3762 
        and inserting the following new items:

     ``Subchapter V--Direct Housing Loans for Native American Veterans

``3761. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program 
authority.
``3762. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program 
administration.''.

SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR DIRECT LOANS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN 
                    VETERANS TO A VETERAN WHO IS THE SPOUSE OF A NATIVE 
                    AMERICAN.

  (a) Extension.--Subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
          (1) by redesignating section 3764 as section 3765; and
          (2) by inserting after section 3763 the following new 
        section:

``Sec. 3764. Qualified non-Native American veterans

  ``(a) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for 
purposes of this subchapter--
          ``(1) a qualified non-Native American veteran is deemed to be 
        a Native American veteran; and
          ``(2) for purposes of applicability to a non-Native American 
        veteran, any reference in this subchapter to the jurisdiction 
        of a tribal organization over a Native American veteran is 
        deemed to be a reference to jurisdiction of a tribal 
        organization over the Native American spouse of the qualified 
        non-Native American veteran.
  ``(b) In making direct loans under this subchapter to a qualified 
non-Native American veteran by reason of eligibility under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall ensure that the tribal organization permits, 
and the qualified non-Native American veteran actually holds, 
possesses, or purchases, using the proceeds of the loan, jointly with 
the Native American spouse of the qualified non-Native American 
veteran, a meaningful interest in the lot, dwelling, or both, that is 
located on trust land.
  ``(c) Nothing in subsection (b) shall be construed as precluding a 
tribal organization from imposing reasonable restrictions on the right 
of the qualified non-Native American veteran to convey, assign, or 
otherwise dispose of such interest in the lot or dwelling, or both, if 
such restrictions are designed to ensure the continuation in trust 
status of the lot or dwelling, or both. Such requirements may include 
the termination of the interest of the qualified non-Native American 
veteran in the lot or dwelling, or both, upon the dissolution of the 
marriage of the qualified non-Native American veteran to the Native 
American spouse.''.
  (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3765 of such title, as 
redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph:
          ``(5) The term `qualified non-Native American veteran' means 
        a veteran who--
                  ``(A) is the spouse of a Native American, but
                  ``(B) is not a Native American.''.
  (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 37 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 3764 and inserting the following new items:

``3764. Qualified non-Native American veterans.
``3765. Definitions.''.

SEC. 104. TERMINOLOGY AMENDMENTS TO REVISE REFERENCES TO CERTAIN 
                    VETERANS IN PROVISIONS RELATING TO ELIGIBILITY FOR 
                    COMPENSATION OR DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY 
                    COMPENSATION.

  Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
          (1) Section 1114(l) is amended by striking ``so helpless'' 
        and inserting ``with such significant disabilities''.
          (2) Section 1114(m) is amended by striking ``so helpless'' 
        and inserting ``so significantly disabled''.
          (3) Sections 1115(1)(E)(ii), 1122(b)(2), 1311(c)(2), 
        1315(g)(2), and 1502(b)(2) are amended by striking ``helpless 
        or blind, or so nearly helpless or blind as to'' and inserting 
        ``blind, or so nearly blind or significantly disabled as to''.

                TITLE II--EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF OPERATION OF THE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL HIRE 
                    VETERANS COMMITTEE.

  (a) One-Year Extension.--Subsection (f) of section 6 of the Jobs for 
Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288; 116 Stat. 2048) is amended--
          (1) by striking ``60 days'' and inserting ``not later than 60 
        days''; and
          (2) by striking ``on December 31, 2005'' and inserting ``not 
        later than December 31, 2006''.
  (b) Additional Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (g) of 
such section is amended by striking ``2005'' and inserting ``2006''.
  (c) Additional Report.--Subsection (e) of such section is amended by 
striking ``and 2005,'' and inserting ``2005, and 2006,''.

SEC. 202. ADDITIONAL DUTY FOR THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR FOR 
                    VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING TO RAISE 
                    AWARENESS OF SKILLS OF VETERANS AND OF THE BENEFITS 
                    OF HIRING VETERANS.

  (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 4102A of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
          ``(8) With advice and assistance from the Advisory Committee 
        on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach 
        established under section 4110 of this title, furnish 
        information to employers (through meetings in person with 
        hiring executives of corporations and otherwise) with respect 
        to the training and skills of veterans and disabled veterans, 
        and the advantages afforded employers by hiring veterans with 
        such training and skills, and to facilitate employment of 
        veterans and disabled veterans through participation in labor 
        exchanges (Internet-based and otherwise), and other means.''.
  (b) Transition Plan.--(1) The Secretary of Labor, acting through the 
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, 
shall develop a plan for the transition of the assumption of certain 
duties and functions of the President's National Hire Veterans 
Committee by the Assistant Secretary in carrying out section 
4102A(b)(8) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a). Such plan shall include the identification of the activities and 
operations of the Committee that the Assistant Secretary determines 
should be continued or expanded.
  (2) Not later than July 1, 2006, the Secretary shall transmit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives the transition plan developed under paragraph (1).

SEC. 203. MODIFICATIONS TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS 
                    EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING.

  (a) Committee Name.--(1) Subsection (a)(1) of section 4110 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``Advisory Committee on 
Veterans Employment and Training'' and inserting ``Advisory Committee 
on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach''.
  (2) The heading of such section is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 4110. Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and 
                    Employer Outreach''.

  (3) The item relating to section 4110 in the table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 41 of such title is amended to read as follows:

``4110. Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and 
Employer Outreach.''.

  (4) Any reference to the Advisory Committee established under section 
4110 of such title in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or 
other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference 
to the Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and 
Employer Outreach.
  (b) Expansion of Duties of the Committee.--Subsection (a)(2) of such 
section is amended--
          (1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and their integration 
        into the workforce'' after ``veterans'';
          (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
          (3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (E); 
        and
          (4) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new 
        subparagraphs:
          ``(C) assist the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans 
        Employment and Training in carrying out outreach activities to 
        employers with respect to the training and skills of veterans 
        and the advantages afforded employers by hiring veterans;
          ``(D) make recommendations to the Secretary, through the 
        Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and 
        Training, with respect to outreach activities and the 
        employment and training of veterans; and''.
  (c) Modification of Committee Membership.--(1) Subsection (c)(1) of 
such section is amended to read as follows:
  ``(c)(1) The Secretary of Labor shall appoint at least 12, but no 
more than 15, individuals to serve as members of the advisory committee 
as follows:
          ``(A) Six individuals, one each from among representatives 
        nominated by each of the following organizations:
                  ``(i) The National Society of Human Resource 
                Managers.
                  ``(ii) The Business Roundtable.
                  ``(iii) The National Association of State Workforce 
                Agencies.
                  ``(iv) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
                  ``(v) The National Federation of Independent 
                Business.
                  ``(vi) A nationally recognized labor union or 
                organization.
          ``(B) Not more than five individuals from among 
        representatives nominated by veterans service organizations 
        that have a national employment program.
          ``(C) Not more than five individuals who are recognized 
        authorities in the fields of business, employment, training, 
        rehabilitation, or labor and who are not employees of the 
        Department of Labor.''.
  (2) Subsection (d) of such section is amended--
          (A) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), (8), (10), (11), and 
        (12); and
          (B) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (9) as 
        paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6), respectively.
  (d) Reinstatement and Modification of Reporting Requirement.--
Subsection (f)(1) of such section is amended--
          (1) by striking the first sentence and inserting the 
        following: ``Notwithstanding section 3003 of Public Law 104-66, 
        not later than December 31 of each year, the advisory committee 
        shall submit to the Secretary and to the Committees on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
        report on the employment and training needs of veterans, with 
        special emphasis on disabled veterans, for the previous fiscal 
        year.'';
          (2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and their integration 
        into the workforce'' after ``veterans'';
          (3) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
          (4) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
        subparagraphs (C) and (F), respectively;
          (5) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
        subparagraph:
          ``(B) an assessment of the outreach activities carried out by 
        the Secretary of Labor to employers with respect to the 
        training and skills of veterans and the advantages afforded 
        employers by hiring veterans; ''; and
          (6) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, 
        the following new subparagraphs:
          ``(D) a description of the activities of the advisory 
        committee during that fiscal year;
          ``(E) a description of activities that the advisory committee 
        proposes to undertake in the succeeding fiscal year; and''.

           TITLE III--HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM

SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 
                    REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

  Subsection (e)(1) of section 2021 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
          ``(F) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 
        2009.''.

        TITLE IV--TECHNICAL, CLARIFYING, AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS

SEC. 401. TECHNICAL AND CLARIFYING AMENDMENTS TO NEW TRAUMATIC INJURY 
                    PROTECTION COVERAGE UNDER SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP 
                    LIFE INSURANCE.

  (a) Section 1980A.--Section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, as 
enacted by section 1032(a)(2) of Public Law 109-13 (119 Stat. 257), is 
amended as follows:
          (1) Subsection (a) is amended to read as follows:
  ``(a)(1) A member of the uniformed services who is insured under 
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance shall automatically be insured for 
traumatic injury in accordance with this section. Insurance benefits 
under this section shall be payable if the member, while so insured, 
sustains a traumatic injury that results in a qualifying loss specified 
pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
  ``(2) If a member suffers more than one such qualifying loss as a 
result of traumatic injury from the same traumatic event, payment shall 
be made under this section in accordance with the schedule prescribed 
pursuant to subsection (d) for the single loss providing the highest 
payment.''.
          (2) Subsection (b) is amended--
                  (A) in paragraph (1)--
                          (i) by striking ``issued a'' and all that 
                        follows through ``limited to--'' and inserting 
                        ``insured against traumatic injury under this 
                        section is insured against such losses due to 
                        traumatic injury (in this section referred to 
                        as `qualifying losses') as are prescribed by 
                        the Secretary by regulation. Qualifying losses 
                        so prescribed shall include the following:'';
                          (ii) by capitalizing the first letter of the 
                        first word of each of subparagraphs (A) through 
                        (H);
                          (iii) by striking the semicolon at the end of 
                        each of subparagraphs (A) through (F) and 
                        inserting a period; and
                          (iv) by striking ``; and'' at the end of 
                        subparagraph (G) and inserting a period;
                  (B) in paragraph (2)--
                          (i) by striking ``subsection--'' and 
                        inserting ``subsection:'';
                          (ii) by striking ``the'' at the beginning of 
                        subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) and inserting 
                        ``The'';
                          (iii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``4 
                        limbs;'' and inserting ``four limbs.'';
                          (iv) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; 
                        and'' at the end and inserting a period;
                          (v) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``1 
                        side'' and inserting ``one side''; and
                          (vi) by adding at the end the following new 
                        subparagraph:
          ``(D) The term `inability to carry out the activities of 
        daily living' means the inability to independently perform two 
        or more of the following six functions:
                  ``(i) Bathing.
                  ``(ii) Continence.
                  ``(iii) Dressing.
                  ``(iv) Eating.
                  ``(v) Toileting.
                  ``(vi) Transferring.'';
                  (C) in paragraph (3)--
                          (i) by striking ``, in collaboration with the 
                        Secretary of Defense,'';
                          (ii) by striking ``shall prescribe'' and 
                        inserting ``may prescribe''; and
                          (iii) by striking ``the conditions under 
                        which coverage against loss will not be 
                        provided''; and inserting ``conditions under 
                        which coverage otherwise provided under this 
                        section is excluded''; and
                  (D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
  ``(4) A member shall not be considered for the purposes of this 
section to be a member insured under Servicemembers' Group Life 
Insurance if the member is insured under Servicemembers' Group Life 
Insurance only as an insurable dependent of another member pursuant to 
subparagraph (A)(ii) or (C)(ii) of section 1967(a)(1) of this title.''.
          (3) Subsection (c) is amended to read as follows:
  ``(c)(1) A payment may be made to a member under this section only 
for a qualifying loss that results directly from a traumatic injury 
sustained while the member is covered against loss under this section 
and from no other cause.
  ``(2)(A) A payment may be made to a member under this section for a 
qualifying loss resulting from a traumatic injury only for a loss that 
is incurred during the applicable period of time specified pursuant to 
subparagraph (B).
  ``(B) For each qualifying loss, the Secretary shall prescribe, by 
regulation, a period of time to be the period of time within which a 
loss of that type must be incurred, determined from the date on which 
the member sustains the traumatic injury resulting in that loss, in 
order for that loss to be covered under this section. For quadriplegia, 
paraplegia, and hemiplegia, the period of time so prescribed shall be 
365 days.''.
          (4) Subsection (d) is amended by striking ``losses described 
        in subsection (b)(1) shall be--'' and all that follows and 
        inserting ``qualifying losses shall be made in accordance with 
        a schedule prescribed by the Secretary, by regulation, 
        specifying the amount of payment to be made for each type of 
        qualifying loss, to be based on the severity of the qualifying 
        loss. The minimum payment that may be prescribed for a 
        qualifying loss is $25,000, and the maximum payment that may be 
        prescribed for a qualifying loss is $100,000.''.
          (5) Subsection (e) is amended--
                  (A) by striking ``of Veterans Affairs'' each place it 
                appears;
                  (B) in paragraph (1), by striking `as the premium 
                allocable'' and all that follows through ``protection 
                under this section'';
                  (C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Secretary of the 
                concerned service'' and inserting ``Secretary 
                concerned''; and
                  (D) by striking paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) and 
                inserting the following:
  ``(6) The cost attributable to insuring members under this section 
for any month or other period specified by the Secretary, less the 
premiums paid by the members, shall be paid by the Secretary concerned 
to the Secretary. The Secretary shall allocate the amount payable among 
the uniformed services using such methods and data as the Secretary 
determines to be reasonable and practicable. Payments under this 
paragraph shall be made on a monthly basis or at such other intervals 
as may be specified by the Secretary and shall be made within 10 days 
of the date on which the Secretary provides notice to the Secretary 
concerned of the amount required.
  ``(7) For each period for which a payment by a Secretary concerned is 
required under paragraph (6), the Secretary concerned shall contribute 
such amount from appropriations available for active duty pay of the 
uniformed service concerned.
  ``(8) The sums withheld from the basic or other pay of members, or 
collected from them by the Secretary concerned, under this subsection, 
and the sums contributed from appropriations under this subsection, 
together with the income derived from any dividends or premium rate 
adjustments received from insurers shall be deposited to the credit of 
the revolving fund established in the Treasury of the United States 
under section 1869(d)(1) of this title.''.
          (6) Subsection (f) is amended to read as follows:
  ``(f) When a claim for benefits is submitted under this section, the 
Secretary of Defense or, in the case of a member not under the 
jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary concerned shall 
certify to the Secretary whether the member with respect to whom the 
claim is submitted--
          ``(1) was at the time of the injury giving rise to the claim 
        insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance for the 
        purposes of this section; and
          ``(2) has sustained a qualifying loss.''.
          (7) Subsection (g) of such section is amended--
                  (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(g)'';
                  (B) by striking ``will not be made'' and inserting 
                ``may not be made under the insurance coverage under 
                this section'';
                  (C) by striking ``the period'' and all that follows 
                through ``the date'' and inserting ``a period 
                prescribed by the Secretary, by regulation, for such 
                purpose that begins on the date'';
                  (D) by designating the second sentence as paragraph 
                (2);
                  (E) by striking ``If the member'' and inserting ``If 
                a member eligible for a payment under this section'' ;
                  (F) by striking ``will be'' and inserting ``shall 
                be''; and
                  (G) by striking ``according to'' and all that follows 
                and inserting ``to the beneficiary or beneficiaries to 
                whom the payment would be made if the payment were life 
                insurance under section 1967(a) of this title.''.
          (8) Subsection (h) of such section is amended--
                  (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``member's 
                separation from the uniformed services'' and inserting 
                ``termination of the member's duty status in the 
                uniformed services that established eligibility for 
                Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance'';
                  (B) by striking the second sentence; and
                  (C) by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
                ``The termination of coverage under this section is 
                effective in accordance with the preceding sentence, 
                notwithstanding any continuation after the date 
                specified in that sentence of Servicemembers' Group 
                Life Insurance coverage pursuant to 1968(a) of this 
                title for a period specified in that section.''.
          (9) Such section is further amended by adding at the end the 
        following new subsection:
  ``(j) Regulations under this section shall be prescribed in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense.''.
  (b) Effective Date.--Section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, 
as amended by subsection (a), shall take effect on December 1, 2005, 
and (except as provided in subsection (d)) shall apply with respect to 
losses resulting from traumatic injuries incurred on or after that 
date.
  (c) Deadline for Implementing Regulations.--Regulations to carry out 
section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection 
(a), shall be prescribed not later than December 1, 2005.
  (d) Applicability to Prior Qualifying Losses Incurred in Operation 
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.--
          (1) Eligibility.--A member of the uniformed services who 
        during the period beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending at 
        the close of November 30, 2005, sustains a traumatic injury 
        resulting in a qualifying loss is eligible for coverage for 
        that loss under section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, 
        as amended by subsection (a), if, as determined by the 
        Secretary concerned, that loss was a direct result of a 
        traumatic injury incurred in the theater of operations for 
        Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
          (2) Certification of persons entitled to payment.--The 
        Secretary concerned shall certify to the life insurance company 
        issuing the policy of life insurance for Servicemembers' Group 
        Life Insurance under chapter 19 of title 38, United States 
        Code, the name and address of each person who the Secretary 
        concerned determines to be entitled by reason of paragraph (1) 
        to a payment under section 1980A of title 38, United States 
        Code, as amended by subsection (a), plus such additional 
        information as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may require.
          (3) Funding.--At the time a certification is made under 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary concerned, from funds then 
        available to that Secretary for the pay of members of the 
        uniformed services under the jurisdiction of that Secretary, 
        shall pay to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the amount of 
        funds the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to be 
        necessary to pay all costs related to payments to be made under 
        that certification. Amounts received by the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs under this paragraph shall be deposited to the 
        credit of the revolving fund in the Treasury of the United 
        States established under section 1969(d) of title 38, United 
        States Code.
          (4) Qualifying loss.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term ``qualifying loss'' means--
                  (A) a loss specified in the second sentence of 
                subsection (b)(1) of section 1980A of title 38, United 
                States Code, as amended by subsection (a); and
                  (B) any other loss specified by the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs pursuant to the first sentence of that 
                subsection.
  (e) Funding for First Year of Benefits.--Upon the date specified in 
subsection (b), the Secretary concerned shall pay to the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs an amount that is equivalent to one-half the amount 
anticipated to be necessary to pay all costs related to payments to be 
made under section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, for fiscal 
year 2006, effective December 1, 2005. The amount received by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs under this subsection shall be deposited 
to the credit of the revolving fund in the Treasury of the United 
States established under section 1969(d) of title 38, United States 
Code.
  (f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the term ``Secretary 
concerned'' has the meaning given that term in paragraph (25) of 
section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
  (g) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1032 of Public Law 109-13 (119 
Stat. 257) is amended--
          (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1), including 
        the amendment that would be made by that paragraph effective 
        December 1, 2005; and
          (2) by striking subsections (c) and (d).

SEC. 402. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.

  Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
          (1) Typographical error.--Section 1117(h)(1) is amended by 
        striking ``nothwithstanding'' and inserting 
        ``notwithstanding''.
          (2) Insertion of missing word.--Section 1513(a) is amended by 
        inserting ``section'' after ``prescribed by''.
          (3) Deletion of extra words.--Section 3012(a)(1)(C)(ii) is 
        amended by striking ``on or''.
          (4) Cross reference correction.--Section 3017(b)(1)(D) is 
        amended by striking ``3011(c)'' and inserting ``3011(e)''.
          (5) Stylistic amendments.--Section 3018A is amended--
                  (A) by striking ``of this section'' in subsections 
                (b) and (c);
                  (B) by striking ``of this subsection'' in subsections 
                (a)(4), (a)(5), (d)(1) (both places it appears), and 
                (d)(3); and
                  (C) by striking ``of this chapter'' in subsection 
                (d)(3) and inserting ``of this title''.
          (6) Cross reference correction.--Section 3117(b)(1) is 
        amended--
                  (A) by striking ``section 8'' and inserting ``section 
                4(b)(1)''; and
                  (B) by striking ``633(b)'' and inserting 
                ``633(b)(1)''.
          (7) Insertion of missing word.--Section 3511(a)(1) is amended 
        by inserting ``sections'' after ``under both''.
          (8) Subsection headings.--
                  (A) Sections 3461, 3462, 3481, 3565, 3680, and 3690 
                are each amended by revising each subsection heading 
                for a subsection therein (appearing as a centered 
                heading immediately before the text of the subsection) 
                so that such heading appears immediately after the 
                subsection designation and is set forth in capitals-
                and-small-capitals typeface, followed by a period and a 
                one-em dash.
                  (B) Section 3461(c) is amended by inserting after the 
                subsection designation the following: ``Duration of 
                Entitlement.--''.
                  (C) Section 3462 is amended--
                          (i) in subsection (d), by inserting after the 
                        subsection designation the following: 
                        ``Prisoners of War.--''; and
                          (ii) in subsection (e), by inserting after 
                        the subsection designation the following: 
                        ``Termination of Assistance.--''.
          (9) Cross reference correction.--Section 3732(c)(10)(D) is 
        amended by striking ``clause (B) of paragraphs (5), (6), (7), 
        and (8) of this subsection'' and inserting ``paragraphs (5)(B), 
        (6), (7)(B), and (8)(B)''.
          (10) Date of enactment reference.--Section 3733(a)(7) is 
        amended by striking ``the date of the enactment of the 
        Veterans' Benefits Act of 2003'' and inserting ``December 16, 
        2003''.
          (11) Repeal of obsolete provisions.--Section 4102A is amended
                  (A) in subsection (c)(7)--
                          (i) by striking ``With respect to program 
                        years beginning during or after fiscal year 
                        2004, one percent of'' and inserting ``Of''; 
                        and
                          (ii) by striking ``for the program year'' and 
                        inserting ``for any program year, one 
                        percent''; and
                  (B) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``By not later 
                than May 7, 2003, the'' and inserting ``The''.
          (12) Repeal of obsolete provisions.--Section 4105(b) is 
        amended--
                  (A) by striking ``shall provide,'' and all that 
                follows through ``Affairs with'' and inserting ``shall, 
                on the 15th day of each month, provide the Secretary 
                and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with updated 
                information regarding''; and
                  (B) by striking ``and shall'' and all that follows 
                through ``regarding the list''.
          (13) Citation correction.--Section 4110B is amended--
                  (A) by striking ``this Act'' and inserting ``the 
                Workforce Investment Act of 1998''; and
                  (B) by inserting ``(29 U.S.C. 2822(b))'' before the 
                period at the end.
          (14) Cross-reference correction.--Section 4331(b)(2)(C) is 
        amended by striking ``section 2303(a)(2)(C)(ii)'' and inserting 
        ``section 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii)''.
          (15) Capitalization correction.--Section 7253(d)(5) is 
        amended by striking ``court'' and inserting ``Court''.

  Amend the title so as to read:

      A bill to provide adaptive housing assistance to disabled 
veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a family 
member, to make certain improvements in veterans employment 
assistance programs, and for other purposes.

                              Introduction

    The reported bill reflects the Committee's consideration of 
H.R. 3665, H.R. 1773, H.R. 419, and H.R. 3279.
    On May 4, 2005, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a hearing on four bills, including H.R. 419, the Hire 
Veterans Act of 2005, and a draft of H.R. 3279, the Homeless 
Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2005. 
H.R. 419 was introduced on January 26, 2005, by Honorable 
Michael K. Simpson. H.R. 3279 was introduced on July 14, 2005, 
by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on 
Economic Opportunity, Honorable John Boozman, and Honorable 
Stephanie Herseth, respectively, Honorable Ginny Brown-Waite, 
Honorable Lane Evans, Honorable Jeb Bradley, Honorable Luis V. 
Gutierrez, Honorable Henry E. Brown, Jr., Honorable Corrine 
Brown, Honorable Jeff Miller, Honorable Bob Filner, Honorable 
Richard H. Baker, and Honorable Shelley Berkley.
    On July 27, 2005, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a hearing on H.R. 1773, H.R. 3082 and several draft bills. 
The provisions of H.R. 1773 are included in H.R. 3665, the 
Veterans Housing Improvement Act of 2005, introduced on 
September 7, 2005, by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Honorable John Boozman, 
and Honorable Stephanie Herseth, Honorable Bob Filner, and 
Honorable Lane Evans.
    On July 27, 2005, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
met and ordered H.R. 3279 and H.R. 419, as amended, reported 
favorably to the full Committee by unanimous voice vote.
    On September 8, 2005, the Subcommittee on Economic 
Opportunity met and ordered H.R. 3665 reported favorably to the 
full Committee by unanimous voice vote.
    On October 20, 2005, the full Committee met and ordered 
H.R. 3665, as amended reported favorably to the House by 
unanimous voice vote.

                      Summary of the Reported Bill

    H.R. 3665, as amended would:

                      TITLE I--HOUSING ASSISTANCE

    1. Authorize a five year pilot program to provide for 
specially adaptive housing assistance to certain severely 
disabled veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a 
family member. The amount of such grant could not exceed 
$10,000 for veterans entitled to the maximum $50,000 grant and 
$2,000 for veterans entitled to the $10,000 grant;
    2. Authorize VA to award up to three specially adaptive 
housing grants, per eligible disabled veteran, within the 
allotted maximum amounts, currently $50,000 for veterans with 
impairments of locomotion or multiple extremities and $10,000 
for veterans with visual impairments or loss of use of both 
hands;
    3. Require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to 
provide interim and final reports to Congress on the 
implementation of the pilot program not later than three years 
and five years after the enactment of this Act;
    4. Make the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Pilot 
Program a permanent authorization (authorization expires 
December 31, 2008);
    5. Limit the maximum amount of any direct housing loan made 
to a Native American under the Native American Veteran Housing 
Loan Program to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation 
single-family conforming loan limit (currently $359,650);
    6. Extend the eligibility for the Native American Veteran 
Housing Loan Program to certain non-Native American veterans 
who have a meaningful interest in the property under tribal law 
and are the spouses of a Native American; and
    7. Eliminate separate reporting requirements for the Native 
American Home Loan Program and include information in other 
annual reports.

  TITLE II--EXTENSION OF PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL HIRE VETERANS COMMITTEE

    1. Extend the operation and authorization for use of 
appropriated funds for the President's National Hire Veterans 
Committee (PNHVC) until not later than December 31, 2006;
    2. Add certain duties to those of the Assistant Secretary 
of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training to raise 
awareness of the skills and the benefits of hiring veterans. 
Such additional duties would:
          a. Require the Assistant Secretary to furnish 
        information to employers through in person meetings 
        with hiring executives of corporations and otherwise 
        about the advantages of hiring veterans and disabled 
        veterans; and
          b. Require the Department of Labor through the 
        Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment 
        and Training to develop a plan to transition selected 
        duties and functions of the PNHVC to the Veterans 
        Employment and Training Service (VETS) and deliver the 
        plan to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        House and Senate, no later than July 1, 2006.
    3. Modify the title of the ``Advisory Committee on Veterans 
Employment and Training'' to be the ``Advisory Committee on 
Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach'';
    4. Modify the membership of the Advisory Committee to 
reflect the expanded emphasis on outreach to employers; and
    5. Expand the duties of the Advisory Committee to assist 
the Assistant Secretary in performing outreach activities to 
employers and make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary 
on outreach activities, and the employment and training of 
veterans.

   TITLE III--HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION

    1. Reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program 
for fiscal years 2007 through 2009; and
    2. Retain the maximum authorization of $50,000,000 per 
year.

              TITLE IV--TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS

    Make certain technical and clerical amendments.

                       Background and Discussion


                      TITLE I--HOUSING ASSISTANCE

    Pilot Program for Specially Adaptive Housing Assistance.--
The Committee believes that the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA) needs additional flexibility in administering the adaptive 
housing grants program to better accommodate our most severely 
injured veterans. VA is authorized to assist eligible severely 
disabled veterans to acquire suitable housing. Specially 
adapted housing grants are typically used to install wheel 
chair ramps, widen doorways, provide automatic door openers, 
modify kitchens and bathrooms and provide other adaptations to 
homes for veterans who, because of their service-connected 
disabilities, have difficulty living in standard housing.
    Currently, two grants are available to severely disabled 
veterans. Grants up to $50,000 are reserved for disabled 
veterans with severe impairments of locomotion or function of 
multiple extremities. Under current law, an ownership interest 
in the home is required in order to receive this grant.
    Also, grants of up to $10,000 are available to veterans 
with blindness, decreased visual acuity or loss or loss of use 
of both hands. Under current law, the veteran must intend to 
continue living in the property in order to receive this grant.
    The Committee understands that, due to a variety of 
factors, many veterans returning with catastrophic injuries 
from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom do 
not have a home of their own to return to upon release from a 
hospital or rehabilitation facility. Therefore, these veterans 
often return to a family member's home. Section 101 of the bill 
would authorize a five-year pilot program that would allow 
veterans to use a portion of their total adaptive housing grant 
to make minor renovations to a family member's house during a 
convalescent period.
    This more flexible approach to adaptive grants would ease 
the financial burden often placed upon family members when 
welcoming a disabled veteran into their home. The authority for 
temporary grants would not increase the total amount of grant 
resources available under the two existing adaptive housing 
grant programs. To determine the effectiveness of the new 
flexibility, the U.S. Government Accountability Office would be 
required to report to Congress on the pilot program three and 
five years after date of enactment. The Committee's intent is 
to provide the partial grants for both programs, in the case of 
homes owned by family members, regardless of whether the 
veteran has any degree of ownership in the property.
    Currently a veteran may receive a grant for specially 
adaptive housing only once. In the rare cases where a veteran 
uses less than the maximum grant amount, no additional benefits 
are payable. Many injuries are progressive and additional 
modifications to the home may be necessary after the initial 
grant is awarded. Therefore, to provide more flexibility, 
section 2 of the bill would allow veterans to receive up to 
three separate adaptive housing grant payments, including any 
grant made to veterans temporarily residing in a family 
member's home, so long as the maximum grant amounts of $50,000 
or $10,000 for the program is not exceeded.
    The Committee notes that there are two other programs 
within VA to assist severely disabled veterans to achieve an 
increased measure of safety and comfort in their daily living. 
The Veterans Health Administration manages the Home 
Improvements and Structural Alterations grant program to assist 
severely disabled veterans during medical rehabilitation. The 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service may also make 
limited housing adaptation grants under certain circumstances. 
The Committee expects the Department to coordinate these three 
programs to maximize the leveraging of funds available to 
provide all necessary adaptations to severely disabled 
veterans' homes.
    Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program.--Native 
American veterans, including Pacific Islanders and Alaskan 
natives, often reside on tribal trust property where private 
ownership of land is not permitted. Thus, they have significant 
difficulty in obtaining conventional home loans under VA and 
other home loan programs. In recognition of the military 
service provided by Native Americans, Congress established a 
pilot program in 1992 to allow VA to enter into agreements with 
local tribal authorities. These agreements permitted Native 
American veterans to purchase, construct or improve dwellings 
on tribal trust property. The pilot program is scheduled to 
expire on September 30, 2008. Native Hawaiians and Pacific 
Islanders, in particular, have made significant use of the 
program.
    Ordinarily, the direct Native American Veterans Housing 
loans are limited to $80,000. However, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs may increase this amount to meet geographic 
economic conditions with no current limit on the maximum 
allowable loan amount. This bill would limit the maximum loan 
amount under this program to the maximum amount authorized for 
loans guaranteed under VA's general home loan guaranty program.
    Although not all eligible tribes have entered into 
agreements with VA, where agreements have been entered into, 
the program has been successful. Foreclosures are extremely 
rare. The fees paid by veterans who participate in the loan 
program cover the costs of the loans. The pilotprogram has been 
extended a number of times. The Committee believes that the pilot 
program has proven its worth and should be made permanent.
    Some veterans who reside on tribal trust lands are 
currently unable to obtain a Native American Home Loan because 
they are not members of the relevant Native American tribe, but 
are married to a tribal member. These veterans are entitled to 
reside on tribal trust land by reason of their marriage to a 
tribal member. This has been a particular problem in American 
Samoa.
    According to Mr. Faleomavaega, the Delegate from American 
Samoa, ``most land in American Samoa is communal meaning that 
only Samoans of Tutuila, Manu's, Aunu'u, or Swain Islands may 
qualify for home loans offered by traditional lending 
institutions because only they can make claim to native land. 
As a result of these land laws, non-native spouses of veterans 
or persons serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who are married to 
a Samoan may not qualify for a VA home loan.''
    To address the unique ownership issues in Samoa and other 
similar tribal trust jurisdictions the bill would authorize VA 
to make a loan to a non-Native American veteran who is married 
to a Native American who is eligible to reside on tribal trust 
lands and who has been granted permission to build or purchase 
a home on such land. The bill would make it possible for a non-
tribal military member or veteran to qualify for a VA loan if 
the non-tribal military member has a ``meaningful interest'' in 
the housing a tribal member spouse has been granted permission 
to build on communal land.
    The Committee intends that the term ``meaningful interest'' 
would mean that the veteran has the right to reside in the home 
to which the loan applies under tribal laws. The Committee 
believes that a ``meaningful interest'' at a minimum includes 
the right to reside in the property while married to the Native 
American spouse, or in the event of the dissolution of the 
marriage or death of the Native American spouse, any rights 
provided under local divorce or inheritance law. While the 
problem addressed by this provision was brought to the 
Committee's attention by veterans living in American Samoa, the 
legislation would apply in other tribal trust areas where 
similar tribal legal provisions are in effect.
    The Committee has included a technical correction in 
Section 104 of the bill that would eliminate use of the word 
``helpless'' when describing disabled veterans. The Committee 
believes that the term is archaic and does not reflect well on 
veterans in general. While severely disabled veterans may need 
additional assistance in daily living, describing them as 
severely disabled is a more positive description of their 
condition. The Committee does not intend that this update in 
terminology will have any change in the long-standing criteria 
for receipt of such benefits.

  TITLE II--EXTENSION OF PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL HIRE VETERANS COMMITTEE

    The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the 
U.S. Department of Labor is in a unique position in government 
with its customer being industry and its product being veterans 
who are seeking employment. To lead that effort, the Assistant 
Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training (ASVET) 
is strategically placed to be the nationally recognized 
advocate for veterans' employment.
    Public Law 107-288 created the President's National Hire 
Veterans Committee (PNHVC) to improve industry's awareness of 
the value inherent in increasing the number of veterans hired 
by the private sector. By implication, VETS was falling short 
of Congress' expectations in that area. Veterans' employment 
needed an effective ``shot-in-the-arm'' to market veterans as a 
desirable group from which industry could recruit high quality, 
reliable employees.
    The PNHVC was given a three-year window to accomplish its 
goals. Unfortunately, the PNHVC was slow to organize and reach 
its full potential. This slow start and relatively low 
performance of the PNHVC prompted several witnesses from 
veterans' service organizations to decline to endorse extension 
of the PNHVC's mandate at the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee 
hearing on May 4, 2005. The Department of Labor's testimony 
also failed to clearly endorse an extension of the PNHVC.
    However, the Committee recognized that to terminate the 
PNHVC without a transition plan would jeopardize the taxpayers' 
investment and put at risk any positive PNHVC initiatives just 
when it was making progress in its outreach efforts. The 
Committee determined that a one-year extension for purposes of 
winding down the PNHVC, in addition to added oversight by VETS, 
would be an appropriate way to ensure that the Department of 
Labor integrates the positive aspects of the PNHVC into its 
future activities.
    The Committee notes that P.L. 107-288 authorized an 
additional senior career position, the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Operations, within the office of the ASVET. This 
position is intended to assist with the management of the daily 
operational responsibilities within VETS and its programs such 
as the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist/Local 
Veteran Employment Representative state grant programs and the 
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. This additional senior 
management position should enable the ASVET to spend a 
significant portion of time actively promoting veterans' 
employment to industry though face-to-face meetings with senior 
executives, attendance at industry trade events, public affairs 
events, and coordination with other government agencies.
    In its oversight of the PNHVC initiative and the existing 
structure at VETS, the Committee determined that the Department 
of Labor's existing Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment 
and Training lacked a focus on outreach. Its membership needs 
adjustment to increase representation of groups closely 
involved in industry hiring practices. These include the 
National Society of Human Resource Managers, the Business 
Roundtable, the National Association of State Workforce 
Agencies, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; the National Federation 
of Independent Business, and a nationally recognized labor 
union or organization.
    Finally, the Committee is very concerned that the 
Department of Labor has not complied with reporting 
requirements contained in section 4107 of title 38 since the 
year 2000. The Committee finds this lack of compliance a 
disservice to former, current, and future military personnel, 
as well as a disregard of the legislative branch's oversight. 
Further, such noncompliance indicates a lack of leadership 
within the Department of Labor and is perhapssymptomatic of the 
Department of Labor's treatment of, and interest in, the subject of 
veterans' employment and training services. This situation prompts the 
Committee to question the Department of Labor's commitment to promoting 
veterans' employment and training services.

   TITLE III--HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION

    The Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) 
administered by VETS assists homeless veterans to obtain 
meaningful employment within the labor force and seeks to 
stimulate the development of effective local service delivery 
systems to address the complex reintegration problems facing 
homeless veterans.
    Based on testimony and meetings with HVRP providers, the 
program has proven to be one of the most successful programs in 
government by rehabilitating and finding jobs for the most 
difficult to place population of veterans. As stated at the 
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity's hearing on May 4, 2005, 
by Mr. John M. McWilliam, Deputy Assistant Secretary for VETS, 
``HVRP is DOL's only program dedicated to helping homeless 
veterans secure employment, and ultimately, economic self-
sufficiency * * *''.
    Once again, it is unfortunate that the Department of Labor 
has not complied with Congressional reporting requirements for 
this program. Disregard for such reporting requirements hinders 
Congress from exercising its oversight responsibilities and 
jeopardizes programs such as HVRP. For example, performance 
statistics are incomplete on this and other VETS programs 
except for what may be provided to the Committee in written 
testimony. The Committee expects the Department to provide all 
reports which have not been submitted and to comply with future 
reporting requirements on all of the programs administered by 
VETS.

              TITLE IV--TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS

    Title IV of the bill would make various technical and 
clerical amendments to title 38, United States Code. In 
particular, the bill contains a number of technical amendments 
to section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, which is 
effective December 1, 2005. These technical amendments more 
clearly specify the responsibilities of the different uniformed 
services who participate in the Servicemembers' Groups Life 
Insurance Program: Military services under the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary of Defense, the United States Coast Guard under 
the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Public Health Service under the jurisdiction of the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services, and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration under the jurisdiction of the 
Secretary of Commerce.
    These technical amendments are intended to clarify and to 
conform section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, to 
current provisions, and are not intended to make any 
substantive change in current law.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis

    Section 1 of the bill would identify the short title of the 
bill as the ``Veterans Housing and Employment Improvement Act 
of 2005'' and list the Table of Contents.
    Section 101(a) of the bill would amend chapter 21 of title 
38, U.S.C., by inserting a new section 2102A that would create 
a five year pilot program to provide a partial grant for 
reasonably necessary service-connected disability-related home 
adaptations to veterans residing temporarily in housing owned 
by a family member. The new section would authorize the 
Secretary to provide up to a $10,000 grant for veterans with 
impairments in locomotion or use of multiple extremities and up 
to a $2,000 grant for disabled veterans with visual impairments 
or loss of function of both hands, residing temporarily in a 
home owned by a member of the veteran's family. The assistance 
authorized under this new section would be limited to one 
residence. The pilot program would terminate five years after 
date of enactment.
    Section 101(b) of the bill would allow a veteran to receive 
up to three adaptive housing grants of assistance provided 
under section (a) or (b) of section 2101 of title 38, U.S.C. 
The total value of grants would not exceed $50,000 for a 
veteran with disabilities involving locomotion or loss of 
function of both arms or $10,000 for veterans with disabilities 
involving loss of vision or loss of function of both hands as 
defined in title 38 sections 2101(a) and 2101(b) respectively.
    Section 101(c) of the bill 101 would amend chapter 21 of 
title 38, U.S.C., by adding at the end a new section 2107 to 
require the Secretary to coordinate the administration of 
programs to provide specially adapted housing that are 
administered by the Under Secretary for Health and programs 
that are administered by the Under Secretary of Benefits under 
chapters 21, 17, and 31 of title 38, U.S.C.
    Section 101(d) of the bill would make a clerical amendment 
to the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 21 of 
title 38, U.S.C.
    Section 101(e) of the bill would require the U.S. 
Government Accountability Office to submit to Congress an 
interim report on the implementation of section 2102A not later 
than three years after the date of enactment and a final report 
not later than five years after date of enactment.
    Section 102 of the bill would make the Native American Home 
Loan program permanent. It would also limit the Secretary's 
discretion to approve loans only up to the Freddie Mac 
conforming loan limit (currently $359,650).
    Section 103 of the bill would authorize VA to make direct 
loans to non-Native American veterans whose Native American 
spouses are eligible to acquire dwellings for residence on 
tribal trust lands. This section also would require that such a 
veteran acquire a meaningful interest in the home as a 
condition of making the loan.
    Section 104 of the bill would amend several sections of 
title 38 by substituting the words severely disabled for the 
word ``helpless'' when describing disabled veterans eligible 
for additional benefits.
    Section 201 of the bill would amend section 6 of the Jobs 
for Veterans Act by extending the operations of the President's 
National Hire Veterans Committee (PNHVC) until not later than 
December 31, 2006. Section 201 would also extend the 
authorization for appropriations through not later than 
December 31, 2006 and require an additional PNHVC report to the 
Committees by no later than December 31, 2006.
    Section 202(a) of the bill would add outreach to employers 
to the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' 
Employment and Training (ASVET) regarding the advantages of 
hiring veterans and disabled veterans. The ASVET would 
accomplish outreach through a variety of means including 
personal meetings with company executives.
    Section 202(b) of the bill would require the Secretary of 
Labor, acting through the ASVET, to develop a plan to 
transition selected duties and functions of the PNHVC to the 
ASVET. The transition plan would be transmitted to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives not later than July 1, 2006.
    Section 203(a) of the bill would rename the current 
``Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training'' to 
``Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and 
Employer Outreach''.
    Section 203(b) of the bill would expand the duties of the 
Advisory Committee to include assisting the ASVET with employer 
outreach and making recommendations to the Secretary of Labor 
through the ASVET with respect to outreach activities and the 
employment and training of veterans.
    Section 203(c) of the bill would reduce the total number of 
members from 18 to 15 and modify the membership of the Advisory 
Committee to include representatives from: The National Society 
of Human Resource Managers; The Business Roundtable; The 
National Association of State Workforce Agencies; The U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce; The National Federation of Independent 
Business; A nationally recognized labor union or organization; 
Veterans' service organizations that have a national employment 
program; and recognized authorities in the fields of business, 
employment, training, rehabilitation, or labor.
    Section 203(c) of H.R. 3665 would reduce the number of non-
voting ex officio members of the Advisory Committee to six but 
retain the following: Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Secretary 
of Defense; Director of the Office of Personnel Management; 
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and 
Training; Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and 
Training; and Administrator of the Small Business 
Administration.
    Section 203(d) of the bill would amend section 4110 (f)(1) 
of title 38, U.S.C., to require the Advisory Committee to 
submit a report to the Secretary of Labor on the employment and 
training needs of veterans for the previous fiscal year. This 
report would include a description of the activities of the 
Advisory Committee during that fiscal year as well as plans for 
the next fiscal year.
    Section 301 of the bill would amend subsection 2021(e)(1) 
of title 38, U.S.C. to reauthorize HVRP for fiscal years 2007 
through 2009; and retain the maximum authorized appropriation 
of $50,000,000 per year.
    Section 401 of the bill would amend section 1980A of title 
38, U.S.C. to make technical and clarifying amendments to the 
traumatic injury protection provided under the Servicemembers' 
Group Life Insurance program.
    Section 402 of the bill would amend several sections of 
title 38, U.S.C. with technical and clerical amendments.

                    Performance Goals and Objectives

    The reported bill would authorize veterans' benefits 
enhancements and program improvements under laws administered 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. All veterans programs and 
activities affected by the reported bill are currently 
authorized. The reported bill would also authorize veteran's 
employment and training enhancements and program improvements 
under laws administered by the Secretary of Labor. The 
performance goals and objectives for these programs are 
established in annual performance plans and are subject to the 
Committee's regular oversight.

             Statements of the Views of the Administration

                              ----------                              


Statement of Keith Pedigo, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Department 
                          of Veterans Affairs

    Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee:
    Thank you for the opportunity to testify today and present 
the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs on six bills of 
great interest to our Nation's veterans.


                               h.r. 1773


    The first bill I will discuss, Mr. Chairman, is H.R. 1773, 
which would make several amendments to the VA Native American 
Direct Loan program. Under this program, qualified Native 
American veterans living on trust land may receive direct 
housing loans from VA.
    First, this bill would make the Native American Direct Loan 
program permanent. Under this program, which was enacted as a 
pilot program in October 1992, VA has made over 450 loans to 
Native American veterans living on trust lands. This program is 
currently set to expire December 31, 2008.
    VA believes the Native American Direct Loan program has 
proven to be a viable benefit which provides financing to a 
unique class of veterans residing in areas where private 
funding is not generally available. VA looks forward to working 
with the Congress to extend this program. We are advised, 
however, that the Department of Justice has some constitutional 
concerns. We would be pleased to work with the Committee staff 
and the Department of Justice to address those issues and 
develop legislation that the Administration can support.
    In addition, H.R. 1773 would tie the maximum permitted 
Native American Direct Loan to the single-family conforming 
loan limit established by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
Corporation (also known as ``Freddie Mac''). The Veterans 
Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 tied the maximum VA housing 
loan guaranty to the Freddie Mac single-family conforming loan 
limit. We believe tying the maximum Native American Direct Loan 
to the same Freddie Mac limit is appropriate, and VA supports 
that proposal.
    Finally, H.R. 1773 would extend eligibility for a Native 
American Direct Loan to a veteran who is not a Native American, 
but who is married to a Native American non-veteran. To be 
eligible for such a loan, the qualified non-Native American 
veteran and the spouse must reside on trust land, and both the 
veteran and spouse must have a meaningful interest in the 
dwelling or lot.
    Due to the scarcity of private financing on tribal trust 
land, non-Native American veterans who choose to live with a 
Native American spouse on tribal trust land are effectively 
precluded from obtaining VA guaranteed loans. VA is not certain 
how many tribes allow non-Native American spouses who reside on 
trust land to obtain a meaningful interest in the dwelling. In 
cases where tribal law allows such an interest, VA has no 
objection to extending this benefit as proposed by H.R. 1773.
    VA estimates enactment of H.R. 1773 would produce a 
discretionary first-year savings of $708 thousand, and a 
discretionary 10-year savings of approximately $23 million.


           draft bill--grants for temporary adaptive housing


    The next draft bill, Mr. Chairman, would authorize the 
Secretary to provide additional assistance to a veteran who is 
eligible for Specially Adapted Housing under chapter 21 of 
title 38, United States Code, and who is temporarily residing 
in a home owned by the veteran's parent or sibling. This 
assistance would be in the form of a grant to assist the 
veteran in adapting the temporary residence to meet the 
veteran's special needs.
    The temporary residence grant for a veteran who is eligible 
for the grant authorized by section 2101(a) of title 38 could 
not exceed $10,000, and in the case of a veteran eligible for 
the grant authorized by section 2101(b), the temporary 
residence grant could not exceed $2,000. Only one such grant 
for a temporary residence would be permitted for any one 
veteran. If the veteran subsequently receives a grant under 
section 2101 for a permanent residence, the amount of the 
assistance received under this proposed authority would be 
deducted from the maximum grant otherwise authorized by section 
2102.
    VA believes the intent of this draft bill is laudable, and 
has no objection to the concept of this legislation. Before VA 
can endorse this or any similar legislation, however, we 
believe more study of this new proposal is required and a 
number of practical issues need to be resolved.
    For example, Mr. Chairman, the veteran would have no 
ownership interest in the temporary residence, and would be at 
the mercy of the parent or sibling for being permitted to 
continue to occupy the adapted temporary residence. Should the 
owner need or desire to sell the residence, or if the veteran 
and relative have a falling out, the veteran could be forced to 
vacate the residence prematurely and would lose the benefit of 
this one-time assistance. In addition, a number of veterans 
needing a temporary residence may not be able to obtain 
accommodations with a parent or sibling. We question whether 
qualified temporary residences should be so limited.
    Due to the high costs of construction, many homes cannot be 
adequately adapted, even as a temporary residence, for the 
amount proposed for the new grant. Likewise, when a veteran who 
has received such temporary assistance acquires a permanent 
residence, the grant for that home would be reduced by the 
amount of such initial grant. Because the veteran did not own 
the temporary residence, the veteran will have no equity to 
apply to the new residence. The reduction in the final grant 
might adversely affect the affordability of a permanent adapted 
home for some veterans. Thus, we need further study to ensure 
we are not converting this important program into one that 
supplies two inadequate grants.
    We would be pleased to meet with Committee staff to discuss 
our concerns in greater detail, Mr. Chairman.
    VA estimates enactment of this draft legislation would 
produce no increase in benefits costs and insignificant 
administrative expenses.
                                ------                                

                                       Department of Labor,
                                 Washington, DC, September 9, 2005.
Hon. Steve Buyer,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Chairman Buyer: This is in response to your request 
for our views on H.R. 419, the Hire Veterans Act of 2005.
    H.R. 419 would extend the President's National Hire 
Veterans Committee (PNHVC) through December 31, 2006, expand 
the duties of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment 
and Training, and amend section 4110 of Title 38 through the 
establishment of the Advisory Committee on Veterans, 
Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach.
    As you know, the PNHVC, originally authorized by the Jobs 
for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288), was established to:
    1. furnish information to employers with respect to the 
training and skills of veterans and disabled veterans, and the 
advantages afforded employers by hiring such veterans; and
    2. facilitate employment of veterans and disabled veterans 
through participation in the national labor exchange and other 
means.
    To support the current activities of the PNHVC, the 
Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) uses funds from 
the Employment Security Administration Account in the 
Unemployment Trust Fund. In Fiscal Year 2005, VETS projects the 
cost of the PNHVC to be $1,238,963.
    With respect to Section 2 of the bill, if the Committee 
decides to reauthorize the PNHVC, we will continue to take the 
PNHVC in the direction intended by Congress. Regarding Section 
3 of the bill, we believe this section is unnecessary. The 
Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training 
(ASVET) is currently required to implement all efforts to 
ensure the most effective and efficient employment, training, 
and placement services to veterans and other eligible persons. 
The ASVET already has the flexibility to take those steps 
necessary to achieve the results expected by Congress. Further, 
the Department currently reaches employers effectively through 
a number of means, not just those described in Section 3.
    With respect to Section 4 of the bill, we support the 
concept of expanding the duties of the Advisory Committee for 
Veterans Employment and Training to include employer outreach. 
If this bill is enacted, we will work with you to ensure that 
it is implemented in the direction intended by Congress.
    The Office of Management and Budget has advised us that 
from the perspective of the Administration's program, there is 
no objection to the submission of this letter.
    Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this bill.
            Sincerely,
                                     Charles S. Ciccolella,
         Assistant Secretary for Veteran's Employment and Training.
                                ------                                

                                       Department of Labor,
                                 Washington, DC, September 9, 2005.
Hon. Steve Buyer,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Chairman Buyer: This is in response to your request 
for our views on H.R. 3279, which would reauthorize the 
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) for fiscal years 
2007 through 2009. As reflected in our testimony before the 
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Committee on May 4, 2005, 
we support the extension of this program.
    HVRP is administered on a Fiscal Year (FY) basis using 
appropriated funds. The funds appropriated for HVRP are awarded 
through a competitive grants process.
    The Congress authorized appropriations for HVRP at $50 
million for FY 2002 through FY 2006. We fully support an 
extension of the existing authorization of HVRP for an 
additional three years.
    The Office of Management and Budget has advised us that 
from the perspective of the Administration's program, there is 
no objection to the submission of this letter.
    Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this bill
            Sincerely,
                                     Charles S. Ciccolella,
         Assistant Secretary for Veteran's Employment and Training.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    The following letter was received from the Congressional 
Budget Office concerning the cost of the reported bill:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                  Washington, DC, October 27, 2005.
Hon. Steve Buyer,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 3665, the Veterans 
Housing and Employment Improvement Act of 2005.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Sarah T. 
Jennings.
            Sincerely,
                                           Donald B. Marron
                               (For Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director).
    Enclosure.

H.R. 3665--Veterans Housing and Employment Improvement Act of 2005

    Summary: H.R. 3665 would affect several veterans programs, 
including readjustment benefits, housing, and employment 
programs. CBO estimates that implementing this bill would cost 
$1 million in 2006 and about $140 million over the 2006-2010 
period, subject to appropriation of the necessary amounts. In 
addition, CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3665 would increase 
direct spending for veterans programs by less than $500,000 in 
2006, by $2 million over the 2006-2010 period, and by less than 
$500,000 over the 2006-2015 period.
    H.R. 3665 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of H.R. 3665 is shown in Table 1. The costs of 
this legislation fall within budget functions 700 (veterans 
benefits and services) and 500 (education, training, 
employment, and social services).

                                TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY IMPACT OF H.R. 3665
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                                       2006     2007     2008     2009     2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Estimated Authorization Level......................................        3       50       50       51        1
Estimated Outlays..................................................        1        6       34       50       48

                                           CHANGES IN DIRECT SPENDING

Estimated Budget Authority.........................................    (\1\)        1        1    (\1\)    (\1\)
Estimated Outlays..................................................    (\1\)        1        1    (\1\)    (\1\)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Between -$500,000 and $500,000.

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes the bill 
will be enacted by the end of calendar year 2005 and that the 
necessary amounts will be appropriated for each year.
    CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 3665 would cost about 
$140 million over the 2006-2010 period, assuming appropriation 
of the necessary amounts. In addition, the bill contains 
provisions that would both increase and decrease direct 
spending. We estimate that these provisions combined would 
increase direct spending by less than $500,000 in 2006, by $2 
million over the 2006-2010 period, and (because of small annual 
savings in the later years) by less than $500,000 over the 
2006-2015 period.

Spending subject to appropriation

    H.R. 3665 contains provisions that would increase 
discretionary spending for veterans readjustment, housing, and 
employment programs (see Table 2).

                TABLE 2.--ESTIMATED CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 3665
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                             Provision                              --------------------------------------------
                                                                       2006     2007     2008     2009     2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (section 301):
    Authorization Level............................................        0       50       50       50        0
    Estimated Outlays..............................................        0        4       34       49       47
Extension of Committee (section 201):
    Authorization Level............................................        3        0        0        0        0
    Estimated Outlays..............................................        1        2        0        0        0
Native American Veteran Housing Loan Pilot Program (section 102):
    Estimated Authorization Level..................................        0        0        0        1        1
    Estimated Outlays..............................................        0        0        0        1        1
Total Proposed Changes:
        Estimated Authorization Level..............................        3       50       50       51        1
    Estimated Outlays..............................................        1        6       34       50       48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. Section 301 would 
extend the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program through 
fiscal year 2009 and would authorize the appropriation of $50 
million a year (the same level authorized in previous years) 
over the 2007-2009 period for the program. (Approximately $21 
million was appropriated in 2005 for this program.) The program 
provides grants to organizations that offer job counseling and 
training to homeless veterans. Under current law, the 
authorization for this program will expire at the end of fiscal 
year 2006. CBO estimates that implementing this provision would 
cost $4 million in 2007 and $134 million over the 2007-2010 
period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.
    Extension of Committee. Section 201 would extend the 
President's National Hire Veterans Committee, including its 
reporting requirements, through 2006 and authorize the 
appropriation of $3 million in 2006--the same level authorized 
in prior years--for committee operations. Under current law, 
that committee would cease to operate after December 31, 2005. 
CBO estimates that implementing the provision would cost $1 
million in 2006 and $3 million over the 2006-2007 period, 
assuming appropriation of the authorized amount.
    Native American Veteran Housing Loan Pilot Program. Section 
102 of the bill would permanently extend the Native American 
Veteran Housing Loan Pilot Program. Under the program, which is 
scheduled to expire at the end of calendar year 2008, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) makes direct loans to 
veterans living on trust lands for the purchase, construction, 
or improvement of a home. VA's administrative expenses for the 
program, a discretionary cost, would continue after 2008 under 
the bill. We estimate that those costs would average $650,000 a 
year over the 2009-2015 period, assuming the availability of 
appropriated funds. (In 2005, about $600,000 was provided for 
this program.) This section also would have direct spending 
effects, which are discussed below.

Direct spending

    H.R. 3665 contains provisions that would increase direct 
spending for veterans' readjustment benefits and reduce direct 
spending for veterans' housing programs (see Table 3). In 
total, CBO estimates enacting this legislation would increase 
direct spending for these programs by less than $500,000 in 
2006, $2 million over the 2006-2010 period, and by less than 
$500,000 over the 2006-2015 period.

                         TABLE 3.--ESTIMATED CHANGES IN DIRECT SPENDING UNDER H.R. 3665
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   2006    2007    2008    2009    2010    2011    2012    2013    2014    2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specially Adapted Housing Grants
 (section 101):
    Estimated Budget Authority..   (\1\)       1       1       1   (\1\)       0       0       0       0       0
    Estimated Outlays...........   (\1\)       1       1       1   (\1\)       0       0       0       0       0
Native American Veterans Housing
 Loan Pilot Programs (sections
 102 and 103):
    Estimated Budget Authority..       0       0       0   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)
    Estimated Outlays...........       0       0       0   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)
Total Proposed Changes:
    Estimated Budget Authority..   (\1\)       1       1   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)
    Estimated Outlays...........   (\1\)       1       1   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)   (\1\)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Between -$500,000 and $500,000.

    Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grants. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs currently provides two grants to assist 
certain severely disabled veterans to acquire housing that is 
adapted to their disabilities or to modify their existing 
housing. Under current law, veterans who are classified by VA 
as totally disabled and who have certain mobility limitations 
are entitled to receive housing grants of up to $50,000. 
Totally disabled veterans who are blind or have lost the use of 
their hands are entitled to receive grants of up to $10,000. 
Each grant may be used to adapt only one house, and, in the 
case of the larger grant, the veteran must at least be a 
partial owner of the house. Section 101 would allow recipients 
to use up to $10,000 from the larger grant or $2,000 from the 
smaller grant to adapt the home of a family member when the 
veteran resides with that family member temporarily. CBO 
estimates that enacting this provision would increase direct 
spending for veterans readjustment benefits by less than 
$500,000 in 2006, $3 million over the 2006-2010 period, and $3 
million over the 2006-2015 period.
    Because current law allows a qualified veteran to use the 
$10,000 grant to adapt a residence that is not owned by the 
grant recipient, CBO does not expect the proposed change to 
have a significant impact on how those loans would be used.
    However, CBO estimates that the proposed change would 
affect both participation and usage patterns for the larger 
grant. Under the provision, CBO anticipates that some veterans 
who would not otherwise use that grant would choose to modify a 
relative's home. Such veterans may be currently living with a 
relative but are not a partial owner of the relative's home or 
they may reside in an assisted care facility. Based on 
information from the Department of Defense and VA, CBO expects 
that enacting this provision would cause about 100 veterans who 
are currently entitled to the $50,000 grant to spend about 
$10,000 each over the next several years to modify a relative's 
home. Similarly, CBO estimates that each year about 15 veterans 
who would become newly eligible for this grant but not use it 
for the reasons stated above would spend about $10,000 to 
modify a relative's home.
    Some veterans who become eligible for the larger grant 
postpone using that grant for several years until they can live 
independently or complete vocational rehabilitation. CBO 
estimates that, of these eligible veterans, about 20 veterans 
each year would use $10,000 of the $50,000 grant to modify a 
relative's home and reside there temporarily. Since CBO expects 
that under current law these veterans will use the full $50,000 
grant to modify their own homes, enacting this provision would 
likely speed up usage of a portion of the $50,000 grant. Thus, 
CBO estimates that outlays for adaptive housing grants for this 
group of veterans would increase by about $200,000 a year over 
the 2006-2009 period, and after that period the spending to 
modify the homes of relatives would be offset by reduced 
spending for the adaptation of the veterans' homes.
    Native American Veteran Housing Loan Pilot Program. Section 
102 of the bill would permanently extend the Native American 
Veteran Housing Loan Pilot Program and increase the maximum 
loan amount by indexing this amount to the Freddie Mac 
conforming loan limit for single-family homes, which is 
adjusted annually to reflect home prices. Section 103 would 
expand eligibility for the program to include certain non-
Native American veterans who are spouses of Native Americans 
and have joint ownership of property on trust lands.
    In 1993, Public Law 102-389 provided appropriations of $4.5 
million for the subsidy cost of these loans. Since the 
program's inception, VA has made almost 500 loans at an 
estimated subsidy cost of $2.2 million. Although the program 
initially incurred subsidy costs, itcurrently has a negative 
subsidy rate of 13.8 percent and an estimated annual loan level of 
about $2.5 million. Based on information from VA, CBO estimates that 
the increase in the maximum loan amount and the expanded eligibility 
would not affect the program significantly, and would thus not have any 
significant effect on the current subsidy rate or loan levels. CBO 
estimates that enacting the bill would reduce direct spending by less 
than $500,000 a year over the 2009-2015 period.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 3665 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state, 
local, or tribal governments.
    Previous CBO estimates: On May 5, 2005, CBO transmitted a 
cost estimate for H.R. 1773, the Native American Veteran Home 
Loan Act, as introduced on April 21, 2005. Sections 102 and 103 
of H.R. 3665 are similar to H.R. 1773 and would have identical 
estimated costs and savings.
    On August 4, 2005, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 
1235, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2005, as ordered 
reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on July 
28, 2005. Section 102 of H.R. 3665 is similar to section 203 of 
S. 1235, and would have identical estimated costs and savings.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Housing Grants: Sarah 
T. Jennings. Housing Loans: Sunita D'Monte. Veterans' 
Employment: Christina Hawley Sadoti.
    Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Melissa 
Merrell.
    Impact on the Private Sector: Joshua Lee.
    Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                     Statement of Federal Mandates

    The preceding Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost 
estimate states that H.R. 3665, as amended, does not contain 
any intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in 
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA), Public Law 104-4.

                 Statement of Constitutional Authority

    Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States 
Constitution, the reported bill is authorized by Congress' 
power to ``provide for the common Defense and general Welfare 
of the United States.''

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



PART II--GENERAL BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



CHAPTER 11--COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEATH

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



Sec. 1114. Rates of wartime disability compensation

  For the purposes of section 1110 of this title--
          (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (l) if the veteran, as the result of service-
        connected disability, has suffered the anatomical loss 
        or loss of use of both feet, or of one hand and one 
        foot, or is blind in both eyes, with 5/200 visual 
        acuity or less, or is permanently bedridden or [so 
        helpless] with such significant disabilities as to be 
        in need of regular aid and attendance, the monthly 
        compensation shall be $2,785;
          (m) if the veteran, as the result of service-
        connected disability, has suffered the anatomical loss 
        or loss of use of both hands, or of both legs at a 
        level, or with complications, preventing natural knee 
        action with prostheses in place, or of one arm and one 
        leg at levels, or with complications, preventing 
        natural elbow and knee action with prostheses in place, 
        or has suffered blindness in both eyes having only 
        light perception, or has suffered blindness in both 
        eyes, rendering such veteran [so helpless] so 
        significantly disabled as to be in need of regular aid 
        and attendance, the monthly compensation shall be 
        $3,073;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 1115. Additional compensation for dependents

  Any veteran entitled to compensation at the rates provided in 
section 1114 of this title, and whose disability is rated not 
less than 30 percent, shall be entitled to additional 
compensation for dependents in the following monthly amounts:
          (1) If and while rated totally disabled and--
                  (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                  (E) notwithstanding the other provisions of 
                this paragraph, the monthly payable amount on 
                account of a spouse who is (i) a patient in a 
                nursing home or (ii) [helpless or blind, or so 
                nearly helpless or blind as to] blind, or so 
                nearly blind or significantly disabled as to 
                need or require the regular aid and attendance 
                of another person, shall be $241 for a totally 
                disabled veteran and proportionate amounts for 
                partially disabled veterans in accordance with 
                paragraph (2) of this section; and

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 1117. Compensation for disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf War 
                    veterans

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (h)(1) If the Secretary determines with respect to a medical 
research project sponsored by the Department that it is 
necessary for the conduct of the project that Persian Gulf 
veterans in receipt of compensation under this section or 
section 1118 of this title participate in the project without 
the possibility of loss of service connection under either such 
section, the Secretary shall provide that service connection 
granted under either such section for disability of a veteran 
who participated in the research project may not be terminated. 
Except as provided in paragraph (2), [nothwithstanding] 
notwithstanding any other provision of law any grant of 
service-connection protected under this subsection shall remain 
service-connected for purposes of all provisions of law under 
this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER III--WARTIME DEATH COMPENSATION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



Sec. 1122. Rates of wartime death compensation

  (a) * * *
  (b) The monthly rate of death compensation payable to a 
surviving spouse or dependent parent under subsection (a) of 
this section shall be increased by $79 if the payee is (1) a 
patient in a nursing home or (2) [helpless or blind, or so 
nearly helpless or blind as to] blind, or so nearly blind or 
significantly disabled as to need or require the regular aid 
and attendance of another person.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 13--DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED 
DEATHS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SUBCHAPTER II--DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



Sec. 1311. Dependency and indemnity compensation to a surviving spouse

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c) The monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation 
payable to a surviving spouse shall be increased by $241 if the 
spouse is (1) a patient in a nursing home or (2) [helpless or 
blind, or so nearly helpless or blind as to] blind, or so 
nearly blind or significantly disabled as to need or require 
the regular aid and attendance of another person.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 1315. Dependency and indemnity compensation to parents

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (g) The monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation 
payable to a parent shall be increased by $85, as increased 
from time to time under section 5312 of this title, if such 
parent is (1) a patient in a nursing home or (2) [helpless or 
blind, or so nearly helpless or blind as to] blind, or so 
nearly blind or significantly disabled as to need or require 
the regular aid and attendance of another person.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


 CHAPTER 15--PENSION FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEATH OR 
FOR SERVICE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



Sec. 1502. Determinations with respect to disability

  (a) * * *
  (b) For the purposes of this chapter, a person shall be 
considered to be in need of regular aid and attendance if such 
person is (1) a patient in a nursing home or (2) [helpless or 
blind, or so nearly helpless or blind as to] blind, or so 
nearly blind or significantly disabled as to need or require 
the regular aid and attendance of another person.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER II--VETERANS' PENSIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



Sec. 1513. Veterans 65 years of age and older

  (a) The Secretary shall pay to each veteran of a period of 
war who is 65 years of age or older and who meets the service 
requirements of section 1521 of this title (as prescribed in 
subsection (j) of that section) pension at the rates prescribed 
by section 1521 of this title and under the conditions (other 
than the permanent and total disability requirement) applicable 
to pension paid under that section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 19--INSURANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SUBCHAPTER III--SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



Sec. 1980A. Traumatic injury protection

  [(a) A member who is insured under subparagraph (A)(i), (B), 
or (C)(i) of section 1967(a)(1) shall automatically be issued a 
traumatic injury protection rider that will provide for a 
payment not to exceed $100,000 if the member, while so insured, 
sustains a traumatic injury that results in a loss described in 
subsection (b)(1). The maximum amount payable for all injuries 
resulting from the same traumatic event shall be limited to 
$100,000. If a member suffers more than 1 such loss as a result 
of traumatic injury, payment will be made in accordance with 
the schedule in subsection (d) for the single loss providing 
the highest payment.]
  (a)(1) A member of the uniformed services who is insured 
under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance shall automatically 
be insured for traumatic injury in accordance with this 
section. Insurance benefits under this section shall be payable 
if the member, while so insured, sustains a traumatic injury 
that results in a qualifying loss specified pursuant to 
subsection (b)(1).
  (2) If a member suffers more than one such qualifying loss as 
a result of traumatic injury from the same traumatic event, 
payment shall be made under this section in accordance with the 
schedule prescribed pursuant to subsection (d) for the single 
loss providing the highest payment.
  (b)(1) A member who is [issued a traumatic injury protection 
rider under subsection (a) is insured against such traumatic 
injuries, as prescribed by the Secretary, in collaboration with 
the Secretary of Defense, including, but not limited to--] 
insured against traumatic injury under this section is insured 
against such losses due to traumatic injury (in this section 
referred to as ``qualifying losses'') as are prescribed by the 
Secretary by regulation. Qualifying losses so prescribed shall 
include the following:
          (A) [total] Total and permanent loss of sight[;].
          (B) [loss] Loss of a hand or foot by severance at or 
        above the wrist or ankle[;].
          (C) [total] Total and permanent loss of speech[;].
          (D) [total] Total and permanent loss of hearing in 
        both ears[;].
          (E) [loss] Loss of thumb and index finger of the same 
        hand by severance at or above the metacarpophalangeal 
        joints[;].
          (F) [quadriplegia] Quadriplegia, paraplegia, or 
        hemiplegia[;].
          (G) [burns] Burns greater than second degree, 
        covering 30 percent of the body or 30 percent of the 
        face[; and].
          (H) [coma] Coma or the inability to carry out the 
        activities of daily living resulting from traumatic 
        injury to the brain.
  (2) For purposes of this [subsection--] subsection:
          (A) [the] The term ``quadriplegia'' means the 
        complete and irreversible paralysis of all [4 limbs;] 
        four limbs.
          (B) [the] The term ``paraplegia'' means the complete 
        and irreversible paralysis of both lower limbs[; and].
          (C) [the] The term ``hemiplegia'' means the complete 
        and irreversible paralysis of the upper and lower limbs 
        on [1 side] one side of the body.
          (D) The term ``inability to carry out the activities 
        of daily living'' means the inability to independently 
        perform two or more of the following six functions:
                  (i) Bathing.
                  (ii) Continence.
                  (iii) Dressing.
                  (iv) Eating.
                  (v) Toileting.
                  (vi) Transferring.
  (3) The Secretary[, in collaboration with the Secretary of 
Defense, shall prescribe] may prescribe, by regulation, [the 
conditions under which coverage against loss will not be 
provided] conditions under which coverage otherwise provided 
under this section is excluded.
  (4) A member shall not be considered for the purposes of this 
section to be a member insured under Servicemembers' Group Life 
Insurance if the member is insured under Servicemembers' Group 
Life Insurance only as an insurable dependent of another member 
pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) or (C)(ii) of section 
1967(a)(1) of this title.
  [(c) A payment under this section may be made only if--
          [(1) the member is insured under Servicemembers' 
        Group Life Insurance when the traumatic injury is 
        sustained;
          [(2) the loss results directly from that traumatic 
        injury and from no other cause; and
          [(3) the member suffers the loss before the end of 
        the period prescribed by the Secretary, in 
        collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, which 
        begins on the date on which the member sustains the 
        traumatic injury, except, if the loss is quadriplegia, 
        paraplegia, or hemiplegia, the member suffers the loss 
        not later than 365 days after sustaining the traumatic 
        injury.]
  (c)(1) A payment may be made to a member under this section 
only for a qualifying loss that results directly from a 
traumatic injury sustained while the member is covered against 
loss under this section and from no other cause.
  (2)(A) A payment may be made to a member under this section 
for a qualifying loss resulting from a traumatic injury only 
for a loss that is incurred during the applicable period of 
time specified pursuant to subparagraph (B).
  (B) For each qualifying loss, the Secretary shall prescribe, 
by regulation, a period of time to be the period of time within 
which a loss of that type must be incurred, determined from the 
date on which the member sustains the traumatic injury 
resulting in that loss, in order for that loss to be covered 
under this section. For quadriplegia, paraplegia, and 
hemiplegia, the period of time so prescribed shall be 365 days.
  (d) Payments under this section for [losses described in 
subsection (b)(1) shall be--
          [(1) made in accordance with a schedule prescribed by 
        the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of 
        Defense;
          [(2) based on the severity of the covered condition; 
        and
          [(3) in an amount that is equal to not less than 
        $25,000 and not more than $100,000.] qualifying losses 
        shall be made in accordance with a schedule prescribed 
        by the Secretary, by regulation, specifying the amount 
        of payment to be made for each type of qualifying loss, 
        to be based on the severity of the qualifying loss. The 
        minimum payment that may be prescribed for a qualifying 
        loss is $25,000, and the maximum payment that may be 
        prescribed for a qualifying loss is $100,000.
  (e)(1) During any period in which a member is insured under 
this section and the member is on active duty, there shall be 
deducted each month from the member's basic or other pay until 
separation or release from active duty an amount determined by 
the Secretary [of Veterans Affairs as the premium allocable to 
the pay period for providing traumatic injury protection under 
this section] (which shall be the same for all such members) as 
the share of the cost attributable to provided coverage under 
this section, less any costs traceable to the extra hazards of 
such duty in the uniformed services.
  (2) During any month in which a member is assigned to the 
Ready Reserve of a uniformed service under conditions which 
meet the qualifications set forth in section 1965(5)(B) of this 
title and is insured under a policy of insurance purchased by 
the Secretary [of Veterans Affairs] under section 1966 of this 
title, there shall be contributed from the appropriation made 
for active duty pay of the uniformed service concerned an 
amount determined by the Secretary [of Veterans Affairs] (which 
shall be the same for all such members) as the share of the 
cost attributable to provided coverage under this section, less 
any costs traceable to the extra hazards of such duty in the 
uniformed services. Any amounts so contributed on behalf of any 
member shall be collected by the [Secretary of the concerned 
service] Secretary concerned from such member (by deduction 
from pay or otherwise) and shall be credited to the 
appropriation from which such contribution was made in advance 
on a monthly basis.
  (3) The Secretary [of Veterans Affairs] shall determine the 
premium amounts to be charged for traumatic injury protection 
coverage provided under this section.
  (4) The premium amounts shall be determined on the basis of 
sound actuarial principles and shall include an amount 
necessary to cover the administrative costs to the insurer or 
insurers providing such insurance.
  (5) Each premium rate for the first policy year shall be 
continued for subsequent policy years, except that the rate may 
be adjusted for any such subsequent policy year on the basis of 
the experience under the policy, as determined by the Secretary 
[of Veterans Affairs] in advance of that policy year.
  [(6) The cost attributable to insuring such member under this 
section, less the premiums deducted from the pay of the 
member's uniformed service, shall be paid by the Secretary of 
Defense to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This amount shall 
be paid on a monthly basis, and shall be due within 10 days of 
the notice provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the 
Secretary of the concerned uniformed service.
  [(7) The Secretary of Defense shall provide the amount of 
appropriations required to pay expected claims in a policy 
year, as determined according to sound actuarial principles by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
  [(8) The Secretary of Defense shall forward an amount to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs that is equivalent to half the 
anticipated cost of claims for the current fiscal year, upon 
the effective date of this legislation.
  [(f) The Secretary of Defense shall certify whether any 
member claiming the benefit under this section is eligible.]
  (6) The cost attributable to insuring members under this 
section for any month or other period specified by the 
Secretary, less the premiums paid by the members, shall be paid 
by the Secretary concerned to the Secretary. The Secretary 
shall allocate the amount payable among the uniformed services 
using such methods and data as the Secretary determines to be 
reasonable and practicable. Payments under this paragraph shall 
be made on a monthly basis or at such other intervals as may be 
specified by the Secretary and shall be made within 10 days of 
the date on which the Secretary provides notice to the 
Secretary concerned of the amount required.
  (7) For each period for which a payment by a Secretary 
concerned is required under paragraph (6), the Secretary 
concerned shall contribute such amount from appropriations 
available for active duty pay of the uniformed service 
concerned.
  (8) The sums withheld from the basic or other pay of members, 
or collected from them by the Secretary concerned, under this 
subsection, and the sums contributed from appropriations under 
this subsection, together with the income derived from any 
dividends or premium rate adjustments received from insurers 
shall be deposited to the credit of the revolving fund 
established in the Treasury of the United States under section 
1869(d)(1) of this title.
  (f) When a claim for benefits is submitted under this 
section, the Secretary of Defense or, in the case of a member 
not under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense, the 
Secretary concerned shall certify to the Secretary whether the 
member with respect to whom the claim is submitted--
          (1) was at the time of the injury giving rise to the 
        claim insured under Servicemembers' Group Life 
        Insurance for the purposes of this section; and
          (2) has sustained a qualifying loss.
  (g)(1) Payment for a loss resulting from traumatic injury 
[will not be made] may not be made under the insurance coverage 
under this section if the member dies before the end of [the 
period prescribed by the Secretary, in collaboration with the 
Secretary of Defense, which begins on the date] a period 
prescribed by the Secretary, by regulation, for such purpose 
that begins on the date on which the member sustains the 
injury.
  (2) [If the member] If a member eligible for a payment under 
this section dies before payment to the member can be made, the 
payment [will be] shall be made [according to the member's most 
current beneficiary designation under Servicemembers' Group 
Life Insurance, or a by law designation, if applicable.] to the 
beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom the payment would be made 
if the payment were life insurance under section 1967(a) of 
this title.
  (h) Coverage for loss resulting from traumatic injury 
provided under this section shall cease at midnight on the date 
of the [member's separation from the uniformed service] 
termination of the member's duty status in the uniformed 
services that established eligibility for Servicemembers' Group 
Life Insurance. [Payment will not be made for any loss 
resulting from injury incurred after the date a member is 
separated from the uniformed services.] The termination of 
coverage under this section is effective in accordance with the 
preceding sentence, notwithstanding any continuation after the 
date specified in that sentence of Servicemembers' Group Life 
Insurance coverage pursuant to 1968(a) of this title for a 
period specified in that section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (j) Regulations under this section shall be prescribed in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 20--BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                 SUBCHAPTER III--TRAINING AND OUTREACH

Sec. 2021. Homeless veterans reintegration programs

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section amounts 
as follows:
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (F) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 
        2009.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


      CHAPTER 21--SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS

Sec.
2101.  Veterans eligible for assistance.
     * * * * * * *
2102A.  Assistance for veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by 
          family member.
     * * * * * * *
2107.  Coordination of administration of benefits.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 2102. Limitations on assistance furnished

  (a) The assistance authorized by section 2101(a) of this 
title [shall be limited in the case of any veteran to one 
housing unit, and necessary land therefor, and] shall be 
afforded under one of the following plans, at the option of the 
[veteran but shall not exceed $50,000 in any one case--] 
veteran--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (d)(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available to a 
veteran under sections 2101(a) and 2102A of this title shall be 
limited to $50,000.
  (2) The aggregate amount of assistance available to a veteran 
under sections 2101(b) and 2102A of this title shall be limited 
to $10,000.
  (3) No veteran may receive more than three grants of 
assistance under this chapter.

Sec. 2102A. Assistance for veterans residing temporarily in housing 
                    owned by family member

  (a) In the case of a disabled veteran who is described in 
subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of section 2101 of this title and 
who is residing, but does not intend to permanently reside, in 
a residence owned by a member of such veteran's family, the 
Secretary may assist the veteran in acquiring such adaptations 
to such residence as are determined by the Secretary to be 
reasonably necessary because of the veteran's disability.
  (b) The assistance authorized under subsection (a) may not 
exceed--
          (1) $10,000, in the case of a veteran described in 
        section 2101(a)(2) of this title; or
          (2) $2,000, in the case of a veteran described in 
        section 2101(b)(2) of this title.
  (c) The assistance authorized by subsection (a) shall be 
limited in the case of any veteran to one residence.
  (d) Assistance under this section shall be provided in 
accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may 
prescribe.
  (e) No assistance may be provided under this section after 
the end of the five-year period that begins on the date of the 
enactment of the Veterans Housing and Employment Improvement 
Act of 2005.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 2107. Coordination of administration of benefits

  The Secretary shall provide for the coordination of the 
administration of programs to provide specially adapted housing 
that are administered by the Under Secretary for Health and 
such programs that are administered by the Under Secretary for 
Benefits under this chapter, chapter 17, and chapter 31 of this 
title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER II--BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3012. Basic educational assistance entitlement for service in the 
                    Selected Reserve

  (a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, 
each individual--
          (1) who--
                  (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                  (C) as of December 31, 1989, was eligible for 
                educational assistance under chapter 34 of this 
                title and--
                          (i) * * *
                          (ii) reenlists or reenters on a 
                        period of active duty [on or] after 
                        October 19, 1984; and

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3017. Death benefit

  (a) * * *
  (b) The amount of any payment made under this section shall 
be equal to--
          (1) the total of--
                  (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                  (D) the amount of any contributions made by 
                the individual under section [3011(c)] 3011(e) 
                or 3012(f) of this title, less

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3018A. Opportunity for certain active-duty personnel to enroll 
                    before being involuntarily separated from service

  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual 
who--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (4) in the case of any person enrolled in the 
        educational benefits program provided by chapter 32 of 
        this title makes an irrevocable election, pursuant to 
        procedures referred to in paragraph (3) [of this 
        subsection], before such separation to receive benefits 
        under this section in lieu of benefits under such 
        chapter 32; and
          (5) before such separation elects to receive 
        assistance under this section pursuant to procedures 
        referred to in paragraph (3) [of this subsection],

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (b) The basic pay of an individual described in subsection 
(a) [of this section] shall be reduced by $1,200.
  (c) A withdrawal referred to in subsection (a)(3) [of this 
section] is irrevocable.
  (d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) [of this 
subsection], an individual who is enrolled in the educational 
benefits program provided by chapter 32 of this title and who 
makes the election described in subsection (a)(4) [of this 
subsection] shall be disenrolled from such chapter 32 program 
as of the date of such election.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (3) Any contribution made by the Secretary of Defense to the 
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Education Account pursuant to 
subsection (c) of section 3222 of this title on behalf of any 
individual referred to in paragraph (1) [of this subsection] 
shall remain in such Account to make payments of benefits to 
such individual under section 3015(f) [of this chapter] of this 
title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


   CHAPTER 31--TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-
CONNECTED DISABILITIES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3117. Employment assistance

  (a) * * *
  (b)(1) In any case in which a veteran has completed a 
vocational rehabilitation program for self-employment in a 
small business enterprise under this chapter, the Secretary 
shall assist such veteran in securing, as appropriate, a loan 
under subchapter IV of chapter 37 of this title and shall 
cooperate with the Small Business Administration to assist such 
veteran to secure a loan for the purchase of equipment needed 
to establish such veteran's own business and to insure that 
such veteran receives the special consideration provided for in 
[section 8] section 4(b)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. [633(b)] 633(b)(1)).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 34--VETERANS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


               SUBCHAPTER II--ELIGIBILITY AND ENTITLEMENT

Sec. 3461. Eligibility; entitlement; duration

                             [ENTITLEMENT]

  (a) Entitlement.--Except as provided in subsection (c) and in 
the second sentence of this subsection, each eligible veteran 
shall be entitled to educational assistance under this chapter 
or chapter 36 for a period of one and one-half months (or the 
equivalent thereof in part-time educational assistance) for 
each month or fraction thereof of the veteran's service on 
active duty after January 31, 1955. If an eligible veteran has 
served a period of 18 months or more on active duty after 
January 31, 1955, and has been released from such service under 
conditions that would satisfy the veteran's active duty 
obligation, the veteran shall be entitled to educational 
assistance under this chapter for a period of 45 months (or the 
equivalent thereof in part-time educational assistance). In the 
case of any person serving on active duty on December 31, 1976, 
or a person whose eligibility is based on section 3452(a)(1)(B) 
of this chapter, the ending date for computing such person's 
entitlement shall be the date of such person's first discharge 
or release from active duty after December 31, 1976.

                       [ENTITLEMENT LIMITATIONS]

  (b) Entitlement Limitations.--Whenever the period of 
entitlement under this section of an eligible veteran who is 
enrolled in an educational institution regularly operated on 
the quarter or semester system ends during a quarter or 
semester, such period shall be extended to the termination of 
such unexpired quarter or semester. In educational institutions 
not operated on the quarter or semester system, whenever the 
period of eligibility ends after a major portion of the course 
is completed such period shall be extended to the end of the 
course or for twelve weeks, whichever is the lesser period.
  (c) Duration of Entitlement.--Except as provided in 
subsection (b) and in subchapter V of this chapter, no eligible 
veteran shall receive educational assistance under this chapter 
in excess of 45 months.

Sec. 3462. Time limitations for completing a program of education

                   [DELIMITING PERIOD FOR COMPLETION]

  (a) Delimiting Period for Completion.--(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                       [CORRECTION OF DISCHARGE]

  (b) Correction of Discharge.--In the case of any eligible 
veteran who has been prevented, as determined by the Secretary, 
from completing a program of education under this chapter 
within the period prescribed by subsection (a), because the 
veteran had not met the nature of discharge requirements of 
this chapter before a change, correction, or modification of a 
discharge or dismissal made pursuant to section 1553 of title 
10, the correction of the military records of the proper 
service department under section 1552 of title 10, or other 
corrective action by competent authority, then the 10-year 
delimiting period shall run from the date the veteran's 
discharge or dismissal was changed, corrected, or modified.

                            [SAVINGS CLAUSE]

  (c) Savings Clause.--In the case of any eligible veteran who 
was discharged or released from active duty before June 1, 
1966, the 10-year delimiting period shall run from such date, 
if it is later than the date which otherwise would be 
applicable. In the case of any eligible veteran who was 
discharged or released from active duty before August 31, 1967, 
and who pursues a course of farm cooperative training, 
apprenticeship or other training on the job, the 10-year 
delimiting period shall run from August 31, 1967, if it is 
later than the date which would otherwise be applicable.
  (d) Prisoners of War.--In the case of any veteran (1) who 
served on or after January 31, 1955, (2) who became eligible 
for educational assistance under the provisions of this chapter 
or chapter 36 of this title, and (3) who, subsequent to the 
veteran's last discharge or release from active duty, was 
captured and held as a prisoner of war by a foreign government 
or power, there shall be excluded, in computing the veteran's 
10-year period of eligibility for educational assistance, any 
period during which the veteran was so detained and any period 
immediately following the veteran's release from such detention 
during which the veteran was hospitalized at a military, 
civilian, or Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility.
  (e) Termination of Assistance.--No educational assistance 
shall be afforded any eligible veteran under this chapter or 
chapter 36 of this title after December 31, 1989.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


 SUBCHAPTER IV--PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE VETERANS; VETERAN-STUDENT SERVICES

Sec. 3481. Educational assistance allowance

                               [GENERAL]

  (a) General.--The Secretary shall, in accordance with the 
applicable provisions of this section and chapter 36 of this 
title, pay to each eligible veteran who is pursuing a program 
of education under this chapter an educational assistance 
allowance to meet, in part, the expenses of the veteran's 
subsistence, tuition, fees, supplies, books, equipment, and 
other educational costs.

                        [INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING]

  (b) Institutional Training.--The educational assistance 
allowance of an eligible veteran pursuing a program of 
education, other than a program exclusively by correspondence, 
at an educational institution shall be paid as provided in 
chapter 36 of this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 35--SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER II--ELIGIBILITY AND ENTITLEMENT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3511. Duration of educational assistance

  (a)(1) Each eligible person shall be entitled to educational 
assistance under this chapter for a period not in excess of 45 
months (or to the equivalent thereof in part-time training). In 
no event may the aggregate educational assistance afforded to a 
spouse made eligible under both sections 3501(a)(1)(D)(i) and 
3501(a)(1)(D)(ii) of this title exceed 45 months.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


   SUBCHAPTER VII--PHILIPPINE COMMONWEALTH ARMY AND PHILIPPINE SCOUTS

Sec. 3565. Children of certain Philippine veterans

                          [BASIC ELIGIBILITY]

  (a) Basic Eligibility.--The term ``eligible person'' as used 
in section 3501(a)(1) of this title includes the children of 
those Commonwealth Army veterans and ``New'' Philippine Scouts 
who meet the requirements of service-connected disability or 
death, based on service as defined in section 3566 of this 
title.

                      [ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS]

  (b) Administrative Provisions.--The provisions of this 
chapter and chapter 36 shall apply to the educational 
assistance for children of Commonwealth Army veterans and 
``New'' Philippine Scouts, except that--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                           [DELIMITING DATES]

  (c) Delimiting Dates.--In the case of any individual who is 
an eligible person solely by virtue of subsection (a) of this 
section, and who is above the age of seventeen years and below 
the age of twenty-three years on September 30, 1966, the period 
referred to in section 3512 of this title shall not end until 
the expiration of the five-year period which begins on 
September 30, 1966.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 36--ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                SUBCHAPTER II--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 3680. Payment of educational assistance or subsistence allowances

                 [PERIOD FOR WHICH PAYMENT MAY BE MADE]

  (a) Period for Which Payment May Be Made.--Payment of 
educational assistance or subsistence allowances to eligible 
veterans or eligible persons pursuing a program of education or 
training, other than a program by correspondence, in an 
educational institution under chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this 
title shall be paid as provided in this section and, as 
applicable, in section 3108, 3482, 3491, or 3532 of this title. 
Such payments shall be paid only for the period of such 
veterans' or persons' enrollment in, and pursuit of, such 
program, but no amount shall be paid--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                [CORRESPONDENCE TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS]

  (b) Correspondence Training Certifications.--No educational 
assistance allowance shall be paid to an eligible veteran or 
spouse or surviving spouse enrolled in and pursuing a program 
of education exclusively by correspondence until the Secretary 
shall have received--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


               [APPRENTICESHIP AND OTHER ON-JOB TRAINING]

  (c) Apprenticeship and Other On-Job Training.--No training 
assistance allowance shall be paid to an eligible veteran or 
eligible person enrolled in and pursuing a program of 
apprenticeship or other on-job training until the Secretary 
shall have received--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


   [ADVANCE PAYMENT OF INITIAL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE OR SUBSISTENCE 
                               ALLOWANCE]

  (d) Advance Payment of Initial Educational Assistance or 
Subsistence Allowance.--(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                    [RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUS PAYMENTS]

  (e) Recovery of Erroneous Payments.--(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


              [PAYMENTS FOR LESS THAN HALF-TIME TRAINING]

  (f) Payments for Less Than Half-Time Training.--Payment of 
educational assistance allowance in the case of any eligible 
veteran or eligible person pursuing a program of education on 
less than a half-time basis shall be made in an amount computed 
for the entire quarter, semester, or term not later than the 
last day of the month immediately following the month in which 
certification is received from the educational institution that 
such veteran or person has enrolled in and is pursuing a 
program at such institution. Such lump sum payment shall be 
computed at the rate provided in section 3482(b) or 3532(a)(2) 
of this title, as applicable.

         [DETERMINATION OF ENROLLMENT, PURSUIT, AND ATTENDANCE]

  (g) Determination of Enrollment, Pursuit, and Attendance.--
(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3690. Overcharges by educational institutions; discontinuance of 
                    allowances; examination of records; false or 
                    misleading statements

               [OVERCHARGES BY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS]

  (a) Overcharges by Educational Institutions.--If the 
Secretary finds that an educational institution has--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                     [DISCONTINUANCE OF ALLOWANCES]

  (b) Discontinuance of Allowances.--(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                        [EXAMINATION OF RECORDS]

  (c) Examination of Records.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the records and accounts of educational 
institutions pertaining to eligible veterans or eligible 
persons who received educational assistance under this chapter 
or chapter 31, 32, 34, or 35 of this title, as well as the 
records of other students which the Secretary determines 
necessary to ascertain institutional compliance with the 
requirements of such chapters, shall be available for 
examination by duly authorized representatives of the 
Government.

                    [FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS]

  (d) False or Misleading Statements.--Whenever the Secretary 
finds that an educational institution has willfully submitted a 
false or misleading claim, or that a veteran or person, with 
the complicity of an educational institution, has submitted 
such a claim, the Secretary shall make a complete report of the 
facts of the case to the appropriate State approving agency 
and, where deemed advisable, to the Attorney General of the 
United States for appropriate action.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


              CHAPTER 37--HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

                           SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL

Sec.
3701.  Definitions.
     * * * * * * *

     [SUBCHAPTER V--NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PILOT PROGRAM

[3761.  Pilot program.
[3762.  Direct housing loans to Native American veterans.]

      Subchapter V--Direct Housing Loans for Native American Veterans

3761.  Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program 
          authority.
3762.  Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program 
          administration.
     * * * * * * *
[3764.  Definitions.]
3764.  Qualified non-Native American veterans.
3765.  Definitions.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3732. Procedure on default

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c)(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (10)(A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (D) For the purpose of determining the liability of the 
United States under a loan guaranty under [clause (B) of 
paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (8) of this subsection] 
paragraphs (5)(B), (6), (7)(B), and (8)(B), the amount of the 
total indebtedness with respect to such loan guaranty shall 
include, in any case in which there was an excessive delay 
caused by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the liquidation 
sale of the property securing such loan, any interest which had 
accrued as of the date of such sale and which would not be 
included, except for this subparagraph, in the calculation of 
such total indebtedness as a result of the specification of an 
earlier date under subparagraph (C)(i) of this paragraph.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3733. Property management

  (a)(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (7) During the period that begins on [the date of the 
enactment of the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2003] December 16, 
2003 and ends on September 30, 2013, the Secretary shall carry 
out the provisions of this subsection as if--
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


   [SUBCHAPTER V--NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PILOT PROGRAM

[Sec. 3761. Pilot program]

    SUBCHAPTER V--DIRECT HOUSING LOANS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS

Sec. 3761. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program 
                    authority

  (a) The Secretary shall [establish and implement a pilot 
program under which the Secretary may] make direct housing 
loans to Native American veterans. The purpose of such loans is 
to permit such veterans to purchase, construct, or improve 
dwellings on trust land. The Secretary [shall establish and 
implement the pilot program] shall make such loans in 
accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
  (b) [In carrying out the pilot program under this subchapter, 
the] The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, make 
direct housing loans to Native American veterans who are 
located in a variety of geographic areas and in areas 
experiencing a variety of economic circumstances.
  [(c) No loans may be made under this subchapter after 
December 31, 2008.]

[Sec. 3762. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans]

Sec. 3762. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program 
                    administration

  (a) The Secretary may make a direct housing loan to a Native 
American veteran under this subchapter if--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall ensure 
that each memorandum of understanding that the Secretary enters 
into with a tribal organization shall provide for the 
following:
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (E) That the tribal organization agrees to such other 
        terms and conditions with respect to the making of 
        direct loans to Native American veterans under the 
        jurisdiction of the tribal organization as the 
        Secretary may require in order to ensure that [the 
        pilot program established under this subchapter is 
        implemented] loans under this subchapter are made in a 
        responsible and prudent manner.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c)(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the 
principal amount of any direct housing loan made to a Native 
American veteran under this section may not exceed $80,000.
  [(B) The] (B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may 
make loans exceeding the amount specified in subparagraph (A) 
in a geographic area if the Secretary determines that housing 
costs in the area are significantly higher than average housing 
costs nationwide. The amount of such increase shall be the 
amount that the Secretary determines is necessary in order to 
[carry out the pilot program under this subchapter in a manner 
that demonstrates the advisability of making direct housing 
loans] make direct housing loans under this subchapter to 
Native American veterans who are located in a variety of 
geographic areas and in geographic areas experiencing a variety 
of economic conditions.
  (ii) The amount of a loan made by the Secretary under this 
subchapter may not exceed the maximum loan amount authorized 
for loans guaranteed under section 3703(a)(1)(C) of this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (i)(1) The Secretary shall, in consultation with tribal 
organizations (including the National Congress of American 
Indians and the National American Indian Housing Council), 
carry out an outreach program to inform and educate Native 
American veterans of [the pilot program provided for under this 
subchapter and] the availability of direct housing loans for 
Native American veterans who live on trust lands.
  (2) Activities under the outreach program shall include the 
following:
          (A) Attending conferences and conventions conducted 
        by the National Congress of American Indians in order 
        to work with the National Congress in providing 
        information and training to tribal organizations and 
        Native American veterans regarding the availability of 
        housing benefits [under the pilot program and in 
        assisting such organizations and veterans in 
        participating in the pilot program] under this 
        subchapter and in assisting such organizations and 
        veterans with respect to such housing benefits.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (E) Assisting tribal organizations and Native 
        American veterans [in participating in the pilot 
        program] with respect to such benefits.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [(j) Not later than February 1 of each year through 2006, the 
Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report relating to 
the implementation of the pilot program under this subchapter 
during the fiscal year preceding the date of the report. Each 
such report shall include the following:
          [(1) The Secretary's exercise during such fiscal year 
        of the authority provided under subsection (c)(1)(B) to 
        make loans exceeding the maximum loan amount.
          [(2) The appraisals performed for the Secretary 
        during such fiscal year under the authority of 
        subsection (d)(2), including a description of--
                  [(A) the manner in which such appraisals were 
                performed;
                  [(B) the qualifications of the appraisers who 
                performed such appraisals; and
                  [(C) the actions taken by the Secretary with 
                respect to such appraisals to protect the 
                interests of veterans and the United States.
          [(3) The outreach activities undertaken under 
        subsection (i) during such fiscal year, including--
                  [(A) a description of such activities on a 
                region-by-region basis; and
                  [(B) an assessment of the effectiveness of 
                such activities in encouraging the 
                participation of Native American veterans in 
                the pilot program.
          [(4) The pool of Native American veterans who are 
        eligible for participation in the pilot program, 
        including--
                  [(A) a description and analysis of the pool, 
                including income demographics;
                  [(B) a description and assessment of the 
                impediments, if any, to full participation in 
                the pilot program of the Native American 
                veterans in the pool; and
                  [(C) the impact of low-cost housing programs 
                operated by the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development and other Federal or State agencies 
                on the demand for direct loans under this 
                section.
          [(5) The Secretary's recommendations, if any, for 
        additional legislation regarding the pilot program.]
  (j) The Secretary shall include as part of the annual report 
required by section 529 of this title and as part of any annual 
benefits report of the Veterans Benefits Administration 
information concerning the cost and number of loans provided 
under this subchapter for each fiscal year.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3764. Qualified non-Native American veterans

  (a) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for 
purposes of this subchapter--
          (1) a qualified non-Native American veteran is deemed 
        to be a Native American veteran; and
          (2) for purposes of applicability to a non-Native 
        American veteran, any reference in this subchapter to 
        the jurisdiction of a tribal organization over a Native 
        American veteran is deemed to be a reference to 
        jurisdiction of a tribal organization over the Native 
        American spouse of the qualified non-Native American 
        veteran.
  (b) In making direct loans under this subchapter to a 
qualified non-Native American veteran by reason of eligibility 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the 
tribal organization permits, and the qualified non-Native 
American veteran actually holds, possesses, or purchases, using 
the proceeds of the loan, jointly with the Native American 
spouse of the qualified non-Native American veteran, a 
meaningful interest in the lot, dwelling, or both, that is 
located on trust land.
  (c) Nothing in subsection (b) shall be construed as 
precluding a tribal organization from imposing reasonable 
restrictions on the right of the qualified non-Native American 
veteran to convey, assign, or otherwise dispose of such 
interest in the lot or dwelling, or both, if such restrictions 
are designed to ensure the continuation in trust status of the 
lot or dwelling, or both. Such requirements may include the 
termination of the interest of the qualified non-Native 
American veteran in the lot or dwelling, or both, upon the 
dissolution of the marriage of the qualified non-Native 
American veteran to the Native American spouse.

Sec. [3764] 3765. Definitions

  For the purposes of this subchapter--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (5) The term ``qualified non-Native American 
        veteran'' means a veteran who--
                  (A) is the spouse of a Native American, but
                  (B) is not a Native American.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


    CHAPTER 41--JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR 
                                VETERANS

Sec.
4100.  Findings.
4101.  Definitions.
     * * * * * * *
[4110.  Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training.]
4110.  Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer 
          Outreach.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 4102A. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and 
                    Training; program functions; Regional 
                    Administrators

  (a) * * *
  (b) Program Functions.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
following functions:
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (8) With advice and assistance from the Advisory 
        Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and 
        Employer Outreach established under section 4110 of 
        this title, furnish information to employers (through 
        meetings in person with hiring executives of 
        corporations and otherwise) with respect to the 
        training and skills of veterans and disabled veterans, 
        and the advantages afforded employers by hiring 
        veterans with such training and skills, and to 
        facilitate employment of veterans and disabled veterans 
        through participation in labor exchanges (Internet-
        based and otherwise), and other means.
  (c) Conditions for Receipt of Funds.--(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (7) [With respect to program years beginning during or after 
fiscal year 2004, one percent of] Of the amount of a grant or 
contract under which funds are made available to a State in 
order to carry out section 4103A or 4104 of this title [for the 
program year] for any program year, one percent shall be for 
the purposes of making cash awards under the program of 
performance incentive awards described in section 4112 of this 
title in the State.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (f) Establishment of Performance Standards and Outcomes 
Measures.--(1) [By not later than May 7, 2003, the] The 
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and 
Training shall establish and implement a comprehensive 
performance accountability system to measure the performance of 
employment service delivery systems, including disabled 
veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' 
employment representatives providing employment, training, and 
placement services under this chapter in a State to provide 
accountability of that State to the Secretary for purposes of 
subsection (c).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 4105. Cooperation of Federal agencies

  (a) * * *
  (b) For the purpose of assisting the Secretary and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs in identifying employers with 
potential job training opportunities under the Veterans' Job 
Training Act (Public Law 98-77; 29 U.S.C. 1721 note) and 
otherwise in order to carry out this chapter, the Secretary of 
Defense [shall provide, not more than 30 days after the date of 
the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs with] shall, on the 15th day of 
each month, provide the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs with updated information regarding any list maintained 
by the Secretary of Defense of employers participating in the 
National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and 
Reserve [and shall provide, on the 15th day of each month 
thereafter, updated information regarding the list].

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


[Sec. 4110. Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training]

Sec. 4110. Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and 
                    Employer Outreach

  (a)(1) There is hereby established within the Department of 
Labor an advisory committee to be known as the [Advisory 
Committee on Veterans Employment and Training] Advisory 
Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer 
Outreach.
  (2) The advisory committee shall--
          (A) assess the employment and training needs of 
        veterans and their integration into the workforce;
          (B) determine the extent to which the programs and 
        activities of the Department of Labor are meeting such 
        needs; [and]
          (C) assist the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
        Veterans Employment and Training in carrying out 
        outreach activities to employers with respect to the 
        training and skills of veterans and the advantages 
        afforded employers by hiring veterans;
          (D) make recommendations to the Secretary, through 
        the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans 
        Employment and Training, with respect to outreach 
        activities and the employment and training of veterans; 
        and
          [(C)] (E) carry out such other activities that are 
        necessary to make the reports and recommendations 
        referred to in subsection (f) of this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [(c)(1) The Secretary of Labor shall appoint at least 12, but 
no more than 18, individuals to serve as members of the 
advisory committee consisting of--
          [(A) representatives nominated by veterans' 
        organizations that have a national employment program; 
        and
          [(B) not more than 6 individuals who are recognized 
        authorities in the fields of business, employment, 
        training, rehabilitation, or labor and who are not 
        employees of the Department of Labor.]
  (c)(1) The Secretary of Labor shall appoint at least 12, but 
no more than 15, individuals to serve as members of the 
advisory committee as follows:
          (A) Six individuals, one each from among 
        representatives nominated by each of the following 
        organizations:
                  (i) The National Society of Human Resource 
                Managers.
                  (ii) The Business Roundtable.
                  (iii) The National Association of State 
                Workforce Agencies.
                  (iv) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
                  (v) The National Federation of Independent 
                Business.
                  (vi) A nationally recognized labor union or 
                organization.
          (B) Not more than five individuals from among 
        representatives nominated by veterans service 
        organizations that have a national employment program.
          (C) Not more than five individuals who are recognized 
        authorities in the fields of business, employment, 
        training, rehabilitation, or labor and who are not 
        employees of the Department of Labor.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (d) The following, or their representatives, shall be ex 
officio, nonvoting members of the advisory committee:
          (1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
          (2) The Secretary of Defense.
          [(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
          [(4) The Secretary of Education.]
          [(5)] (3) The Director of the Office of Personnel 
        Management.
          [(6)] (4) The Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
        Veterans Employment and Training.
          (7)] (5) The Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
        Employment and Training.
          [(8) The Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity 
        Commission.]
          [(9)] (6) The Administrator of the Small Business 
        Administration.
          [(10) The Postmaster General.
          [(11) The Director of the United States Employment 
        Service.
          [(12) Representatives of--
                  [(A) other Federal departments and agencies 
                requesting a representative on the advisory 
                committee; and
                  [(B) nationally based organizations with a 
                significant involvement in veterans employment 
                and training programs, as determined necessary 
                and appropriate by the Secretary of Labor.]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (f)(1) [Not later than July 1 of each year, the advisory 
committee shall submit to the Secretary of Labor a report on 
the employment and training needs of veterans.] Notwithstanding 
section 3003 of Public Law 104-66, not later than December 31 
of each year, the advisory committee shall submit to the 
Secretary and to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the employment 
and training needs of veterans, with special emphasis on 
disabled veterans, for the previous fiscal year. Each such 
report shall contain--
          (A) an assessment of the employment and training 
        needs of veterans and their integration into the 
        workforce;
          (B) an assessment of the outreach activities carried 
        out by the Secretary of Labor to employers with respect 
        to the training and skills of veterans and the 
        advantages afforded employers by hiring veterans;
          [(B)] (C) an evaluation of the extent to which the 
        programs and activities of the Department of Labor are 
        meeting such needs; [and]
          (D) a description of the activities of the advisory 
        committee during that fiscal year;
          (E) a description of activities that the advisory 
        committee proposes to undertake in the succeeding 
        fiscal year; and
          [(C)] (F) any recommendations for legislation, 
        administrative action, and other action that the 
        advisory committee considers appropriate.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 4110B. Coordination and nonduplication

  In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall require 
that an appropriate administrative entity in each State enter 
into an agreement with the Secretary regarding the 
implementation of [this Act] the Workforce Investment Act of 
1998 that includes the description and information described in 
paragraphs (8) and (14) of section 112(b) of the Workforce 
Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2822(b)).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


   CHAPTER 43--EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE 
UNIFORMED SERVICES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                SUBCHAPTER IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 4331. Regulations

  (a) * * *
  (b)(1) * * *
  (2) The following entities may prescribe regulations to carry 
out the activities of such entities under this chapter:
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (C) The agencies referred to in [section 
        2303(a)(2)(C)(ii)] section 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii) of title 
        5.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART V--BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 72--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER I--ORGANIZATION AND JURISDICTION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 7253. Composition

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (d) Chief Judge.--(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (5) If a chief judge is temporarily unable to perform the 
duties of chief judge, those duties shall be performed by the 
judge of the [court] Court in active service who is present, 
able and qualified to act, and is next in precedence.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


     SECTION 8 OF THE VETERANS HOME LOAN PROGRAM AMENDMENTS OF 1992

SEC. 8. NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS DIRECT HOUSING LOAN PILOT PROGRAM.

  (a) * * *
  [(b) Consultation.--In carrying out the direct housing loan 
pilot program authorized under subchapter V of chapter 37 of 
title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consider the views and 
recommendations, if any, of the Advisory Committee on Native-
American Veterans established under section 19032 of the 
Veterans' Health-Care Amendments of 1986 (title XIX of Public 
Law 99-272; 100 Stat. 388).]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                 SECTION 6 OF THE JOBS FOR VETERANS ACT

SEC. 6. COMMITTEE TO RAISE EMPLOYER AWARENESS OF SKILLS OF VETERANS AND 
                    BENEFITS OF HIRING VETERANS.

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (e) Report.--Not later than December 31, 2003, 2004, [and 
2005,] 2005, and 2006, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to 
Congress a report on the activities of the Committee under this 
section during the previous fiscal year, and shall include in 
such report data with respect to placement and retention of 
veterans in jobs attributable to the activities of the 
Committee.
  (f) Termination.--The Committee shall terminate [60 days] not 
later than 60 days after submitting the report that is due [on 
December 31, 2005] not later than December 31, 2006.
  (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor from the employment 
security administration account (established in section 901 of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1101)) in the Unemployment 
Trust Fund $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 
[2005] 2006 to carry out this section.
                              ----------                              


   SECTION 1032 OF THE EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR 
      DEFENSE, THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, AND TSUNAMI RELIEF, 2005

                          (Public Law 109-13)

                      TRAUMATIC INJURY PROTECTION

  Sec. 1032. Traumatic Injury Protection. (a) In General.--
Subchapter III of chapter 19, Title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
          [(1) in section 1965, by adding at the end the 
        following:
          [``(11) The term `activities of daily living' means 
        the inability to independently perform 2 of the 6 
        following functions:
                  [``(A) Bathing.
                  [``(B) Continence.
                  [``(C) Dressing.
                  [``(D) Eating.
                  [``(E) Toileting.
                  [``(F) Transferring.''; and]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [(c) Retroactive Provision.--
          [(1) In general.--Any member who experienced a 
        traumatic injury (as described in section 1980A(b)(1) 
        of title 38, United States Code) between October 7, 
        2001, and the effective date under subsection (d), is 
        eligible for coverage provided in such section 1980A if 
        the qualifying loss was a direct result of injuries 
        incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation 
        Iraqi Freedom.
          [(2) Certification; payment.--The Secretary of 
        Defense shall--
                  [(A) certify to the Office of Servicemembers' 
                Group Life Insurance the names and addresses of 
                those members the Secretary of Defense 
                determines to be eligible for retroactive 
                traumatic injury benefits under such section 
                1980A; and
                  [(B) forward to the Secretary of Veterans 
                Affairs, at the time the certification is made 
                under subparagraph (A), an amount of money 
                equal to the amount the Secretary of Defense 
                determines to be necessary to pay all cost 
                related to claims for retroactive benefits 
                under such section 1980A.
  [(d) Effective Date.--
          [(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section 
        shall take effect on the first day of the first month 
        beginning more than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
          [(2) Rulemaking.--Before the effective date described 
        in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
        collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, shall 
        issue regulations to carry out the amendments made by 
        this section.]

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