[House Report 115-262]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
115th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 115-262
======================================================================
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL (S. 114) TO AMEND TITLE 38,
UNITED STATES CODE, TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO
SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING PERFORMANCE AWARDS AND BONUSES
AWARDED TO CERTAIN HIGH-LEVEL EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
_______
July 27, 2017.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
_______
Mr. Collins of Georgia, from the Committee on Rules,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 480]
The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration
House Resolution 480, by a nonrecord vote, report the same to
the House with the recommendation that the resolution be
adopted.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION
The resolution provides for consideration of S. 114, the
Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act, under a
closed rule. The resolution provides one hour of debate equally
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member
of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The resolution waives
all points of order against consideration of the bill. The
resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a
substitute printed in this report shall be considered as
adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in
the bill, as amended. The resolution provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions.
EXPLANATION OF WAIVERS
The waiver of all points of order against consideration of
the bill includes a waiver of the following:
Section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, which prohibits consideration of
legislation providing new budget authority in excess of
a 302(a) allocation of such authority;
Section 311 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, which prohibits consideration of legislation
that would cause the level of total new budget
authority for the first fiscal year to be exceeded; and
Rule XXI, clause 10, which prohibits the
consideration of a bill if it has the net effect of
increasing mandatory spending over the five or ten year
period.
Although the resolution waives all points of order against
provisions in the bill, as amended, the Committee is not aware
of any points of order. The waiver is prophylactic in nature.
SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE CONSIDERED AS
ADOPTED
House amendment to S. 114
TEXT OF AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED
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 ``VA Choice
and Quality Employment Act of 2017''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is
as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM
Sec. 101. Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice Program.
TITLE II--PERSONNEL MATTERS
Sec. 201. Modification to annual determination of staffing shortages in
Veterans Health Administration.
Sec. 202. Establishment of Department of Veterans Affairs Executive
Management Fellowship Program.
Sec. 203. Accountability of leaders for managing the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 204. Reemployment of former employees at Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 205. Promotional opportunities for technical experts at Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 206. Employment of students and recent graduates by Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 207. Encouragement of transition of military medical professionals
into employment with Veterans Health Administration.
Sec. 208. Recruiting database at Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 209. Training for human resources professionals of Veterans Health
Administration on recruitment and retention.
Sec. 210. Plan to hire directors of medical centers of Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 211. Exit surveys at Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 212. Requirement that physician assistants employed by the
Department of Veterans Affairs receive competitive pay.
Sec. 213. Expansion of direct-hiring authority for Department of
Veterans Affairs in case of shortage of highly qualified
candidates.
Sec. 214. Comptroller General of the United States assessment of
succession planning at Department of Veterans Affairs.
TITLE III--MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES
Sec. 301. Authorization of certain major medical facility leases of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 302. Authorization of appropriations for medical facility leases.
TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS
Sec. 401. Extension of reduction in amount of pension furnished by
Department of Veterans Affairs for certain veterans covered by
medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of requirement for collection of fees for housing
loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority to use income information.
TITLE I--APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM
SEC. 101. APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated, and
is appropriated, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, out of
any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
$2,100,000,000 to be deposited in the Veterans Choice Fund
under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701
note).
(b) Availability.--The amount appropriated under subsection
(a) shall remain available until expended.
TITLE II--PERSONNEL MATTERS
SEC. 201. MODIFICATION TO ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF STAFFING SHORTAGES IN
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.
Section 7412(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``the five occupations'' and
inserting ``at a minimum, the five clinical occupations
and the five nonclinical occupations''; and
(2) by striking ``throughout the Department'' and
inserting ``with respect to each medical center of the
Department,''.
SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXECUTIVE
MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Fellowship Program.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subchapter:
``SUBCHAPTER III--EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
``Sec. 741. Executive Management Fellowship Program
``(a) Fellowship Program.--There is in the Department an
Executive Management Fellowship Program. The purpose of the
program shall be to provide--
``(1) eligible employees of the Veterans Benefits
Administration and the Veterans Health Administration
with training and experience in the private sector; and
``(2) eligible employees of a private-sector entity
with training and experience in the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
``(b) Fellowship.--(1) A fellowship provided under this
section is a 1-year fellowship during which--
``(A) with respect to a Department participant, the
participant receives training and experience at a
private-sector entity that is engaged in the
administration and delivery of health care or other
services similar to the benefits administered by the
Secretary; and
``(B) with respect to a private-sector participant,
the participant receives training and experience at the
Veterans Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health
Administration.
``(2) The Secretary shall enter into such agreements with
private-sector entities as are necessary to carry out this
section.
``(c) Selection of Recipients.--(1) In August of each year,
the Secretary shall select--
``(A) not fewer than 18 and not more than 30 eligible
employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration and
the Veterans Health Administration to receive a
fellowship under this section; and
``(B) not fewer than 18 and not more than 30 eligible
employees of private-sector entities to receive a
fellowship under this section.
``(2) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall select
eligible employees under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph
(1) from among eligible employees who are veterans in a manner
that is reflective of the demographics of the veteran
population of the United States and that whenever practicable
provides a preference to such employees who represent or
service rural areas.
``(d) Eligible Employees.--For the purposes of this section,
an eligible employee is--
``(1) with respect to an employee of the Veterans
Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health
Administration, an employee who--
``(A) is compensated at a rate of basic pay
not less than the minimum rate of basic pay
payable for grade GS-14 of the General Schedule
and not more than either the minimum rate of
basic pay payable to a member of the Senior
Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5
or the minimum rate of basic pay payable
pursuant to chapter 74 of this title, as the
case may be;
``(B) enters into an agreement with the
Secretary under subsection (e); and
``(C) submits to the Secretary an application
containing such information and assurances as
the Secretary may require; and
``(2) with respect to an employee of a private-sector
entity, an employee who--
``(A) is employed in a position whose duties
and responsibilities are commensurate with an
employee of the Department described in
paragraph (1);
``(B) enters into an agreement with the
Secretary under subsection (e); and
``(C) submits to the Secretary an application
containing such information and assurances as
the Secretary may require.
``(e) Agreements.--(1) An agreement between the Secretary and
a Department participant shall be in writing, shall be signed
by the participant, and shall include the following provisions:
``(A) The Secretary's agreement to provide the
participant with a fellowship under this section;
``(B) The participant's agreement--
``(i) to accept the fellowship;
``(ii) after completion of the fellowship, to
serve as a full-time employee in the Veterans
Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health
Administration for at least 2 years as
specified in the agreement; and
``(iii) that, during the 2-year period
beginning on the last day of the fellowship,
the participant will not accept employment in
the same industry as the industry of the
private-sector entity at which the participant
accepts the fellowship.
``(C) A provision that any financial obligation of
the United States arising out of an agreement entered
into under this subchapter, and any obligation of the
participant which is conditioned on such agreement, is
contingent upon funds being appropriated.
``(D) A statement of the damages to which the United
States is entitled under this subchapter for the
participant's breach of the agreement.
``(E) Such other terms as the Secretary determines
are required to be included in the agreement.
``(2) An agreement between the Secretary and a private-sector
participant shall be in writing, shall be signed by the
participant, and shall include the following provisions:
``(A) The Secretary's agreement to provide the
participant with a fellowship under this section.
``(B) The participant's agreement to accept the
fellowship.
``(C) Such other terms as the Secretary determines
are required to be included in the agreement.
``(f) Treatment of Recipients.--(1) A Department participant
shall be considered an employee of the Department for all
purposes, including for purposes of receiving a salary and
benefits, and shall remain eligible for all promotion and
incentive programs otherwise available to such an employee.
``(2) A private-sector participant shall be considered an
employee of the private-sector entity that employs the
participant for all purposes, including for purposes of
receiving a salary and benefits, and during the fellowship
shall be treated as a contractor of the Department.
``(g) Reports.--(1) Not later than 60 days after completing a
fellowship under this section, a recipient of the fellowship
shall submit to the Secretary a report on the fellowship.
``(2) Each such report shall describe the duties of the
recipient during the fellowship and any recommendations of the
recipient for the application by the Secretary of industry
processes, technologies, and best practices.
``(3) Not later than 7 days after receiving each such report,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives such report
without change.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `Department participant' means an
employee of the Veterans Benefits Administration or the
Veterans Health Administration who is participating in
the fellowship under this section.
``(2) The term `private-sector entity' includes an
entity operating under a public-private partnership.
``(3) The term `private-sector participant' means an
employee of a private-sector entity who is
participating in the fellowship under this section.''.
(b) Deadline for Implementation.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall implement the Executive Management
Fellowship Program required under section 741 of title 38,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a).
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new items:
``subchapter iii--executive management fellowship program
``741. Executive Management Fellowship Program.''.
SEC. 203. ACCOUNTABILITY OF LEADERS FOR MANAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 725. Annual performance plan for political appointees
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct an annual
performance plan for each political appointee of the Department
that is similar to the annual performance plan conducted for an
employee of the Department who is appointed as a career
appointee (as that term is defined in section 3132(a) of title
5) within the Senior Executive Service at the Department.
``(b) Elements of Plan.--Each annual performance plan
conducted under subsection (a) with respect to a political
appointee of the Department shall include an assessment of
whether the appointee is meeting the following goals:
``(1) Recruiting, selecting, and retaining well-
qualified individuals for employment at the Department.
``(2) Engaging and motivating employees.
``(3) Training and developing employees and preparing
those employees for future leadership roles within the
Department.
``(4) Holding each employee of the Department that is
a manager accountable for addressing issues relating to
performance, in particular issues relating to the
performance of employees that report to the manager.
``(c) Definition of Political Appointee.--In this section,
the term `political appointee' means an employee of the
Department who holds--
``(1) a position which has been excepted from the
competitive service by reason of its confidential,
policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating
character; or
``(2) a position in the Senior Executive Service as a
noncareer appointee (as such term is defined in section
3132(a) of title 5).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 723 the following new item:
``725. Annual performance plan for political appointees.''.
SEC. 204. REEMPLOYMENT OF FORMER EMPLOYEES AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding sections 3309 through 3318
of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs may noncompetitively appoint a qualified former career
or career conditional employee to any position within the
competitive service at the Department of Veterans Affairs that
is one grade or equivalent higher than the grade or equivalent
of the position at the Department most recently occupied by the
employee.
(b) Limitation.--The Secretary may not appoint a qualified
former employee to a position that is more than one grade (or
equivalent) higher than the position at the Department most
recently occupied by the employee.
(c) Definition of Qualified Former Employee.--For purposes of
this section, the term ``qualified former employee'' means any
individual who--
(1) formerly occupied any career or career
conditional position at the Department of Veterans
Affairs within 2 years before applying for reemployment
at the Department;
(2) voluntarily left such position, or was subject to
a reduction in force, and had a satisfactory
performance record while occupying such position; and
(3) since leaving such position has maintained
licensing requirements, related to the position, if
any, and gained skill, knowledge, or other factors
related to the position.
SEC. 205. PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNICAL EXPERTS AT DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a
promotional track system for employees of the Department of
Veterans Affairs that the Secretary determines are technical
experts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary for
purposes of carrying out this section. Such system shall--
(1) provide any such employee the opportunity to
advance within the Department without being required to
transition to a management position; and
(2) for purposes of achieving career advancement--
(A) provide for the establishment of new
positions within the Department; and
(B) notwithstanding any other provision of
law, provide for increases in pay for any such
employee.
SEC. 206. EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES BY DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service
appointments of students and recent graduates leading to
conversion to career or career conditional employment of a
student or recent graduate of a qualifying educational
institution, as defined by the Department.
(b) Applicability.--The conversion authority described in
subsection (a) shall be applicable to individuals in good
standing who--
(1) are employed in a qualifying internship or
fellowship program at the Department;
(2) are employed in the Department in a volunteer
capacity and performing substantive duties comparable
to those of individuals in internship or fellowship
programs and meet the required number of hours for
conversion;
(3) are employed in the Department under a contract
or agreement with an external nonprofit organization
and performing substantive duties comparable to those
of individuals in internship or fellowship programs;
(4) have received educational assistance under
chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code; or
(5) graduated from a qualifying educational
institution, as defined by the Department, and have not
reached 30 years of age.
(c) Uniformity.--For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3)
of subsection (b), hours of work performed by an individual
employed shall be considered equal to those performed by an
individual employed in a qualifying internship or fellowship
program by the Department.
SEC. 207. ENCOURAGEMENT OF TRANSITION OF MILITARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
INTO EMPLOYMENT WITH VETERANS HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a program
to encourage an individual who serves in the Armed Forces with
a military occupational specialty relating to the provision of
health care to seek employment with the Veterans Health
Administration when the individual has been discharged or
released from service in the Armed Forces or is contemplating
separating from such service.
SEC. 208. RECRUITING DATABASE AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish a single database that lists--
(1) each vacant position in the Department of
Veterans Affairs that the Secretary determines is
critical to the mission of the Department, difficult to
fill, or both; and
(2) each vacant position in the Department of
Veterans Affairs for a mental health professional.
(b) Qualified Applicant.--If the Secretary determines that an
applicant for a vacant position listed in the database
established under subsection (a) is qualified for such position
but does not select the applicant for such position, the
Secretary, at the election of the applicant, may consider the
applicant for other similar vacant positions listed in the
database for which the applicant is qualified.
(c) Prolonged Vacancies.--If the Secretary does not fill a
vacant position listed in the database established under
subsection (a) after a period determined appropriate by the
Secretary, the Secretary--
(1) may ensure that applicants described in
subsection (b) are considered for such position; and
(2) may use the database established under subsection
(a) to assist in filling such position.
(d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report on the use and efficacy of the database established
under subsection (a).
SEC. 209. TRAINING FOR HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONALS OF VETERANS HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
provide to human resources professionals of the Veterans Health
Administration training on how to best recruit and retain
employees of the Veterans Health Administration, including with
respect to any recruitment and retention matters that are
unique to the Veterans Health Administration pursuant to
chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, or other provisions
of law.
(b) Virtual Training.--Training provided under this section
shall be provided virtually.
(c) Amount of Training.--The Secretary shall ensure that each
human resources professional of the Veterans Health
Administration receives the training described in subsection
(a)--
(1) as soon as practicable after being hired by the
Secretary as a human resources professional; and
(2) annually thereafter.
(d) Certification.--The Secretary shall require that each
human resources professional of the Veterans Health
Administration, upon the completion of the training described
in subsection (a), certifies that the professional received the
training and understands the information provided by the
training.
(e) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than annually, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House
of Representatives a report on the training described in
subsection (a), including the cost of providing such training
and the number of human resources professionals who received
such training during the year covered by the report.
SEC. 210. PLAN TO HIRE DIRECTORS OF MEDICAL CENTERS OF DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Plan.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
develop and implement a plan to hire highly qualified directors
for each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs
that lacks a permanent director as of the date of the plan.
(b) Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize under the plan
developed under subsection (a) the hiring of directors for
medical centers that have not had a permanent director for the
longest periods.
(c) Matters Included.--The plan developed under subsection
(a) shall include the following:
(1) A deadline to hire directors of medical centers
of the Department as described in such subsection.
(2) Identification of the possible impediments to
such hiring.
(3) Identification of opportunities to promote and
train candidates from within the Department to senior
executive positions in the Department, including as
directors of medical centers.
(d) Submittal of Plan.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
the plan developed under subsection (a).
(e) Semiannual Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than 180 days
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing a
list of each medical center of the Department that lacks a
permanent director as of the date of the report.
SEC. 211. EXIT SURVEYS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Exit Surveys Required.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall develop and carry out a standardized exit survey
to be voluntarily completed by career and noncareer
employees and executives of the Department of Veterans
Affairs who voluntarily separate from the Department.
(2) Consultation.--Such exit survey shall be
developed in consultation with an appropriate non-
Department entity with experience developing such
surveys.
(b) Survey Content.--The survey shall include, at a minimum,
the following:
(1) Reasons for leaving the Department.
(2) Efforts made by the supervisor of the employee to
retain the individual.
(3) The extent of job satisfaction and engagement
during the employment.
(4) The intent of employee to either remain employed
within the Federal Government or to leave employment
with the Federal Government.
(5) Such other matters as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(c) Anonymity of Survey Content.--The Secretary shall ensure
that data collected under subsection (a)--
(1) is anonymized, including through the use of a
location that allows for privacy;
(2) is not directly visible by another employee; and
(3) does not require the departing employee to input
any personally identifiable data.
(d) Sharing of Survey Data.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the results of the survey required by subsection (a) are--
(1) aggregated at the Veterans Integrated Service
Network level; and
(2) shared on an annual basis with directors and
managers of facilities of the Department and the
Veterans Integrated Service Networks.
(e) Annual Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act and not less
frequently than once each year thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report
containing the aggregate results of the exit survey
under subsection (a) covering the year prior to the
report.
(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include, for the period covered by the
report, the following:
(A) An analysis of the most common reasons
employees choose to leave the Department.
(B) The steps the Secretary is taking to
improve retention, particularly for mission-
critical occupations.
(C) The demographic characteristics of
employees choosing to leave the Department.
(D) Any legislative barriers to improving
employee retention.
(E) The total number of employees who
voluntarily separated from the Department and
the number and percentage of whom took the exit
survey under subsection (a).
SEC. 212. REQUIREMENT THAT PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS EMPLOYED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RECEIVE COMPETITIVE
PAY.
Section 7451(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph
(C);
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following
new subparagraph (B):
``(B) Physician assistant.''; and
(3) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by paragraph
(1), by striking ``and registered nurse'' and inserting
``registered nurse, and physician assistant''.
SEC. 213. EXPANSION OF DIRECT-HIRING AUTHORITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS IN CASE OF SHORTAGE OF HIGHLY
QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.
Section 3304(a)(3)(B) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``(or, with respect to the Department of
Veterans Affairs, that there exists a severe shortage of highly
qualified candidates)'' after ``severe shortage of
candidates''.
SEC. 214. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES ASSESSMENT OF
SUCCESSION PLANNING AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the
United States shall assess the extent to which key
succession planning policies and guidance at the
Department of Veterans Affairs, including the Veterans
Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits
Administration, and the National Cemetery
Administration, are consistent with leading practices
for succession and workforce planning identified by
Comptroller General.
(2) Additional matters.--In carrying out the
assessment required by paragraph (1), the Comptroller
General may assess such other matters as the
Comptroller General considers appropriate.
(b) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
a report on the assessment carried out under subsection (a).
(c) Sense of Congress on Study on Compliance With Policies
and Guidance.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Comptroller General should conduct a study to
examine the extent to which a sampling of installations
of the Department of Veterans Affairs are complying
with policies and guidance of the Department, as well
as applicable leading practices; and
(2) the scope and timeframe of a study conducted as
described in paragraph (1) may be dependent upon the
findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the
assessment carried out under subsection (a).
TITLE III--MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following
major medical facility leases at the locations specified and in
an amount for each lease not to exceed the amount specified for
such location (not including any estimated cancellation costs):
(1) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ann Arbor,
Michigan, an amount not to exceed $4,247,000.
(2) For a new outpatient mental health clinic,
Birmingham, Alabama, an amount not to exceed
$6,649,000.
(3) For new research space, Boston, Massachusetts, an
amount not to exceed $6,224,000.
(4) For a replacement research space, Charleston,
South Carolina, an amount not to exceed $7,274,000.
(5) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Corpus
Christi, Texas, an amount not to exceed $6,556,000.
(6) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Daytona
Beach, Florida, an amount not to exceed $12,198,000.
(7) For a replacement Chief Business Office Purchased
Care office space, Denver, Colorado, an amount not to
exceed $14,784,000.
(8) For a replacement outpatient clinic,
Fredericksburg, Virginia, an amount not to exceed
$45,015,000.
(9) For a new outpatient clinic, Gainesville,
Florida, an amount not to exceed $7,891,000.
(10) For an outpatient mental health clinic,
Gainesville, Florida, an amount not to exceed
$4,320,000.
(11) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Hampton
Roads, Virginia, an amount not to exceed $18,141,000.
(12) For a replacement outpatient clinic,
Indianapolis, Indiana, an amount not to exceed
$7,876,000.
(13) For a replacement outpatient clinic,
Jacksonville, Florida, an amount not to exceed
$18,623,000.
(14) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Missoula,
Montana, an amount not to exceed $6,942,000.
(15) For a replacement outpatient mental health
clinic, Northern Colorado, Colorado, an amount not to
exceed $8,904,000.
(16) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ocala,
Florida, an amount not to exceed $5,026,000.
(17) For a new outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California,
an amount not to exceed $5,274,000.
(18) For a new outpatient clinic, Pike County,
Georgia, an amount not to exceed $5,565,000.
(19) For a new outpatient clinic, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, an amount not to exceed $6,247,000.
(20) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Portland,
Maine, an amount not to exceed $6,808,000.
(21) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Raleigh,
North Carolina, an amount not to exceed $21,870,000.
(22) For a replacement outpatient clinic, phase II,
Rochester, New York, an amount not to exceed
$3,645,000.
(23) For a replacement research space, San Diego,
California, an amount not to exceed $4,852,000.
(24) For a new outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa,
California, an amount not to exceed $6,922,000.
(25) For a replacement mental health clinic, Tampa,
Florida, an amount not to exceed $13,387,000.
(26) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Lakeland,
Tampa, Florida, an amount not to exceed $10,760,000.
(27) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Terre
Haute, Indiana, an amount not to exceed $4,102,000.
(28) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Rapid City,
South Dakota, an amount not to exceed $4,532,000.
SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2018 or the year in which
funds are appropriated for the Medical Facilities account
$274,634,000 for the major medical facility leases authorized
in section 301.
TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF REDUCTION IN AMOUNT OF PENSION FURNISHED BY
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS
COVERED BY MEDICAID PLANS FOR SERVICES FURNISHED BY
NURSING FACILITIES.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2027''.
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR COLLECTION OF FEES FOR HOUSING
LOANS GUARANTEED BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) in clause (iii), by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2027''; and
(B) in clause (iv), by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2027'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2027''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2027'';
(3) in subparagraph (C)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2027''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2027''; and
(4) in subparagraph (D)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2027''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2027''.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO USE INCOME INFORMATION.
Section 5317(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September
30, 2027''.
Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to authorize
appropriations and to appropriate amounts for the Veterans
Choice Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to
improve hiring authorities of the Department, to authorize
major medical facility leases, and for other purposes.''.
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