[House Report 110-641]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-641
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VETERANS HANDBOOK OF DESIGNS FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
_______
May 15, 2008.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Filner, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 5664]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 5664) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update at least
once every six years the plans and specifications for specially
adapted housing furnished to veterans by the Secretary, having
considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment
and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Amendment........................................................ 2
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Discussion........................................ 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 4
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 4
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 4
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 4
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 4
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 5
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 5
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 5
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 6
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported............. 6
Amendment
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. REQUIREMENT FOR REGULAR UPDATES TO HANDBOOK FOR DESIGN
FURNISHED TO VETERANS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIALLY
ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
Section 2103 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(a) Plans
and Specifications.--The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Handbook for Design.--The Secretary shall make available to
veterans eligible for assistance under this chapter, without cost to
the veterans, a handbook containing appropriate designs for specially
adapted housing. The Secretary shall update such handbook at least
every six years to take into account any new or unique disabilities,
including vision impairments, impairments specific to the of upper
limbs, and burn injuries.''.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 5664, introduced by Representative Ciro D. Rodriguez
of Texas on March 31, 2008, would require the Secretary of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make available, without
cost, to veterans eligible for specially adapted housing
assistance a handbook containing appropriate designs for
specially adapted housing. This legislation would also require
the Secretary to update such handbook at least once every six
years to take into account any new or unique disabilities,
including vision impairments specific to the upper limbs, burn
injuries, and incorporate new technologies and advancements.
Background and Discussion
Section 2103 of title 38, United States Code, authorizes
the VA to provide, without cost, ``model plans and
specifications of suitable housing units'' to disabled veterans
eligible for specially adapted housing under chapter 21 of such
title. Pursuant to this authority, the VA published, in April
1978, Pamphlet 26-13, ``Handbook for Design: Specially Adapted
Housing.'' This pamphlet has not been updated since its
publication.
At a hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on
June 7, 2007, Mr. John S. Gonsalves, President and Founder of
Homes for Our Troops, stated that ``servicemen and women with
injuries that would have killed them in previous wars are now
living to see another day, and are in need of truly special
home adaptations.'' The primary guidance that VA provides
contractors who draw up plans and specifications to modify
houses under this grant program is VA Pamphlet 26-13.
Although much of the guidance found in Pamphlet 26-13 is
still applicable today, the Committee believes that an updated
pamphlet is in order to more adequately respond to the unique
needs of today's disabled veterans. Since responding to the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, our country has
experienced an increasing number of servicemembers surviving
injuries due to medical improvements that would otherwise have
been fatal. These veterans are returning home with severely
limited physical and sometimes cognitive abilities, making it
difficult for them to make an easy physical transition back to
the home they left behind or need. In comparison to the VA
pamphlet, the current Army Corps of Engineers housing design
guide is dated 1994, and that of the Air Force, dated 2004.
The Committee further believes that VA should not wait
another 30 years to update its specially adapted housing
pamphlet. H.R. 5664 requires the VA to update this pamphlet at
least once every six years to ensure the pamphlet contains up-
to-date direction and guidance, including new and unique
disabilities, to those involved in designing, constructing, and
modifying residences.
Hearings
On April 16, 2008, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on a number of bills, including H.R.
5664. The following witnesses testified: The Honorable Bob
Filner of California; The Honorable Steve Buyer of Indiana; The
Honorable Ciro D. Rodriguez of Texas; The Honorable Cliff
Stearns of Florida; The Honorable John A. Yarmuth of Kentucky;
The Honorable Robin Hayes of North Carolina; The Honorable
Artur Davis of Alabama; The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy of
Pennsylvania; Mr. Ronald F. Chamrin, Assistant Director,
Economic Commission, The American Legion; Mr. Justin Brown,
Legislative Associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans
of Foreign Wars; Mr. Richard Daley, Associate Legislative
Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Patrick M.
Campbell, Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
of America; Col. Robert F. Norton, USA (Ret.), Deputy Director,
Government Relations, Military Officers Association of America;
The Honorable Charles S. Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary,
Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of
Labor; Mr. Thomas L. Bush, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Reserve Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense; Mr.
Curtis L. Gilroy, Director for Accession Policy, Office of the
Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, U.S.
Department of Defense; and Mr. Keith Pedigo, Associate Deputy
Under Secretary, Policy and Program Management, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Mr. John Brizzi, Staff
Attorney, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. Those submitting statements for the record
included: Mr. Jot D. Carpenter Jr., Vice President, Government
Affairs, CTIA--The Wireless Association; Mr. Kerry Baker,
Associate National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; and Mr. Kyle McSlarrow, President and Chief Executive
Officer, National Cable and Telecommunications Association.
Committee Consideration
On April 23, 2008, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open markup session and ordered favorably forwarded to
the full Committee H.R. 5664, as amended, by voice vote. During
consideration of the bill the following amendment was
considered:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute by Mr. Hall of
New York, was agreed to by voice vote.
On April 30, 2008, the full Committee met in open markup
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 5664, as
amended, favorably reported to the House of Representatives, by
voice vote.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes
on the motion to report the legislation and amendments thereto.
There were no record votes taken on amendments or in connection
with ordering H.R. 5664 reported to the House. A motion by Mr.
Buyer of Indiana to order H.R. 5664, as amended, reported
favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed to by
voice vote.
Committee Oversight Findings
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance
goals and objectives are reflected in the descriptive portions
of this report.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits
H.R. 5664 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R.
5664 prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
for H.R. 5664 provided by the Congressional Budget Office
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington DC, May 12, 2008.
Hon. Bob Filner,
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. 5664, a bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to update at least once every six years the
plans and specifications for specially adapted housing
furnished to veterans by the Secretary.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Camille
Woodland.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Sunshine
(For Peter R. Orszag, Director).
Enclosure.
H.R. 5664--A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update at least once every six
years the plans and specifications for specially adapted
housing furnished to veterans by the Secretary
H.R. 5664 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to provide eligible veterans with a handbook containing
appropriate designs for specially adapted housing and to update
the handbook at least every six years. Because VA currently
provides veterans with such designs, CBO estimates that
implementing the bill would have an insignificant effect on the
budget.
H.R. 5664 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Camille
Woodland. This estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates regarding H.R. 5664 prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R.
5664.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the
Constitutional authority for H.R. 5664 is provided by Article
I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Requirement for regular updates to handbook for designs
furnished to veterans eligible for specially adapted housing
assistance by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
This section would amend section 2103 of title 38, United
States Code, to require the Secretary of the Department of
Veterans Affairs to make available, without cost, to veterans
eligible for assistance under chapter 21 of such title, a
handbook containing appropriate designs for specially adapted
housing. The Secretary would be required to update such
handbook at least every six years to take into account any new
or unique disabilities, including vision impairments,
impairments specific to the upper limbs, and burn injuries.
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 21--SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 2103. Furnishing of plans and specifications
[The Secretary] (a) Plans and Specifications._The Secretary
is authorized to furnish to veterans eligible for assistance
under this chapter, without cost to the veterans, model plans
and specifications of suitable housing units.
(b) Handbook for Design.--The Secretary shall make available
to veterans eligible for assistance under this chapter, without
cost to the veterans, a handbook containing appropriate designs
for specially adapted housing. The Secretary shall update such
handbook at least every six years to take into account any new
or unique disabilities, including vision impairments,
impairments specific to the of upper limbs, and burn injuries.
* * * * * * *