[House Report 118-676]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress   }                                      {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session      }                                      {      118-676

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



 
         VETERANS ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT OF 2024

                                _______
                                

 September 16, 2024.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on 
            the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

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

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 7342]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 7342) to establish the Veterans Advisory 
Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an 
amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Amendment........................................................     4
Purpose and Summary..............................................     4
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     4
Hearings.........................................................     6
Subcommittee Consideration.......................................     6
Committee Consideration..........................................     6
Committee Votes..................................................     7
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     7
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits.............................     7
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     7
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Estimate........     7
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     9
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     9
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     9
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs.....................     9
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................    10
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............    11

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Accessibility Advisory 
Committee Act of 2024''.

SEC. 2. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EQUAL ACCESS.

  (a) Establishment.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs an 
        advisory committee on matters relating to accessibility of the 
        Department for individuals with disabilities.
          (2) Designation.--The advisory committee established by 
        paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Veterans Advisory 
        Committee on Equal Access'' (in this section the ``Advisory 
        Committee'').
  (b) Membership.--
          (1) Voting members.--The Advisory Committee shall be composed 
        of 15 voting members, appointed by the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs. In appointing such members, the Secretary shall ensure 
        the following:
                  (A) Four are veterans with disabilities, including 
                mobility impairment, hearing, visual, and mental or 
                cognitive disabilities.
                  (B) Four are experts on issues described in 
                subsection (f)(1)(A) or the provisions of law set forth 
                under subsection (f)(1)(B).
                  (C) Two are employees of the Department, one from the 
                Section 508 Office and one from the Architectural 
                Accessibility Program, who oversee the compliance of 
                the Department with Federal accessibility laws.
                  (D) Five are representatives nominated by national 
                veterans service organizations that advocate for 
                veterans with physical, sensory, mental, or cognitive 
                disabilities.
          (2) Ex officio members.--The Advisory Committee shall also 
        include four ex officio members (or their designees):
                  (A) The Under Secretary for Health.
                  (B) The Under Secretary for Benefits.
                  (C) The Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.
                  (D) The chairperson of the Architectural and 
                Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (known as the 
                ``Access Board'').
  (c) Terms; Vacancies.--
          (1) Terms.--A member of the Advisory Committee shall be 
        appointed for a term of two years. The Secretary may reappoint 
        members to the Advisory Committee for such additional two-year 
        terms as the Secretary determines appropriate.
          (2) Vacancies.--The Secretary shall fill a vacancy in the 
        Advisory Committee in the same manner as the original 
        appointment not later than 180 days after such vacancy occurs.
  (d) Meetings.--
          (1) Frequency.--The Advisory Committee shall meet not less 
        frequently than twice each year.
          (2) Subcommittees.--The Advisory Committee may form 
        subcommittees, which shall meet as often as required.
          (3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Advisory 
        Committee shall constitute a quorum.
  (e) Chairperson.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall select a 
Chairperson from among the members of the Advisory Committee. If the 
position of Chairperson becomes vacant, the members of the Advisory 
Committee shall select a new Chairperson not later than 30 days after 
the date on which the position became vacant.
  (f) Duties.--
          (1) Requirement to consult and seek advice.--On a regular 
        basis, the Secretary shall consult with and seek the advice of 
        the Advisory Committee--
                  (A) on improving the accessibility of the Department 
                for individuals with disabilities, including 
                improving--
                          (i) the accessibility of information of the 
                        Department, including electronic information;
                          (ii) the accessibility of the services and 
                        benefits furnished by the Department;
                          (iii) the accessibility of the facilities of 
                        the Department;
                          (iv) the accessibility of facilities of 
                        health care providers furnishing care or 
                        services under the Veterans Community Care 
                        Program under section 1703 of title 38, United 
                        States Code; and
                          (v) the acquisition process of the Department 
                        to ensure that products and services, including 
                        information technology and information and 
                        communication technology (as defined in the 
                        standards issued by the Architectural and 
                        Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 
                        pursuant to section 508 of the Rehabilitation 
                        Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d)), are accessible 
                        when purchased; and
                  (B) for ensuring the compliance of the Department 
                with provisions of law relating to disability and 
                accessibility, including--
                          (i) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
                        1990 (42 U.S.C. 12184 et seq.);
                          (ii) sections 504 and 508 of the 
                        Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791, 794, 
                        and 794d);
                          (iii) the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (5 U.S.C. 
                        301 note);
                          (iv) the 21st Century Integrated Digital 
                        Experience Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 note);
                          (v) the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 
                        (Public Law 90-480); and
                          (vi) such other provisions of Federal law as 
                        may be that ensure equal access to Federal 
                        facilities, benefits, or services for 
                        individuals with disabilities.
          (2) Provision of advice.--In providing advice to the 
        Secretary, the Advisory Committee shall, focusing on the areas 
        of greatest need for the Department--
                  (A) assess the disability access needs of veterans, 
                the public, and Department employees for full access to 
                the Department's information, services, and benefits by 
                reviewing relevant information, such as filed 
                complaints by people with disabilities or physical 
                assessments of the Department's facilities;
                  (B) provide assessments of accessibility at the 
                Department and the compliance of the Department with 
                applicable provisions of law relating to disability and 
                accessibility; and
                  (C) provide advice on improving accessibility at the 
                Department, including the accessibility of all--
                          (i) communications, including internal and 
                        public facing;
                          (ii) services and benefits; and
                          (iii) facilities.
          (3) Reports.--
                  (A) Reports to the secretary.--Not later than two 
                years after the date of the first meeting of the 
                Advisory Committee, and not less frequently than once 
                every two years thereafter, the Advisory Committee 
                shall submit to the Secretary a report that, focusing 
                on areas of greatest need for the Department--
                          (i) identifies and assesses access barriers 
                        affecting veterans, the public, and employees 
                        of the Department;
                          (ii) determines the extent to which the 
                        programs and activities of the Department 
                        address the barriers identified in clause (i), 
                        including compliance of the Department with 
                        provisions of law relating to accessibility law 
                        and reporting;
                          (iii) provides recommendations and access 
                        priorities to improve the accessibility of the 
                        Department's services, benefits, information, 
                        technology, and facilities;
                          (iv) provides a description of access 
                        improvements and assesses the Department's 
                        implementation of recommendations from previous 
                        reports of the Advisory Committee, including 
                        any unmet recommendations that remain necessary 
                        for improving accessibility for the Department; 
                        and
                          (v) provides any recommendations for 
                        legislation, administrative action, or other 
                        actions that the Advisory Committee determines 
                        appropriate.
                  (B) Reports to congress and federal agencies.--
                          (i) In general.--Not later than 90 days after 
                        the receipt of a report required under 
                        subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to 
                        the appropriate congressional committees a copy 
                        of such report and any comments and 
                        recommendations of the Secretary concerning 
                        such report that the Secretary determines 
                        appropriate.
                          (ii) Availability to the public.--The 
                        Secretary shall publish on a publicly 
                        accessible website of the Department such 
                        report and such comments and recommendations as 
                        may have been submitted along with such report.
                          (iii) Appropriate congressional committees.--
                        In this subparagraph, the term ``appropriate 
                        congressional committees'' means--
                                  (I) the Committees on Veterans' 
                                Affairs of the Senate and House of 
                                Representatives;
                                  (II) the Special Committee on Aging 
                                of the Senate; and
                                  (III) the Committee on Education and 
                                the Workforce of the House of 
                                Representatives.
  (g) Advisory Committee Personnel and Resource Matters.--
          (1) Compensation of members.--A member of the Commission who 
        is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall 
        not be compensated for the performance of the duties of the 
        Advisory Committee.
          (2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Advisory Committee 
        shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
        in the performance of services for the Advisory Committee.
          (3) Resources.--The Secretary shall ensure that such 
        personnel, funding, and other resources are made available to 
        the Advisory Committee as the Secretary determines appropriate 
        to carry out the duties of the Advisory Committee.
          (4) Information.--The Secretary shall furnish to the Advisory 
        Committee such information as the Advisory Committee may 
        request from the Secretary, subject to applicable provisions of 
        law.
  (h) Termination of Advisory Committee.--The Advisory Committee shall 
terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.

SEC. 3. ABOLITION OF INACTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

  Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act 
and before establishing the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access 
under section 2, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
          (1) abolish an advisory committee of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs that--
                  (A) was not established by an Act of Congress; and
                  (B) is inactive;
          (2) consolidate two advisory committees described in 
        paragraph (1); or
          (3) submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and House of Representatives a recommendation to abolish 
        an advisory committee of the Department that--
                  (A) was established by an Act of Congress; and
                  (B) is inactive.

SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.

  The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``November 15, 2031'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``November 29, 2031''.

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 7342, the ``Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee 
Act of 2024'' was introduced by Representative David Valadao of 
California on February 13, 2024. The bill, as amended, would 
require the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA) to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal 
Access, relating to matters of accessibility of VA services, 
programs, facilities, and information for individuals with 
disabilities. The bill would also provide an offset for the 
cost of this effort by extending current rates for VA home loan 
funding fees paid by non-service connected veterans.

                  Background and Need for Legislation


Section 1: Short Title

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Accessibility 
Advisory Committee Act of 2024''.

Section 2: Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access

    VA has responsibilities to veterans and other individuals 
with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
Public Law (P.L. 101-336) the Architectural Barriers Act of 
1968 (P.L. 90-480) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (P.L. 93-
112), the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (P.L. 
115-336), and other laws that require equal access to benefits, 
services, information, and facilities for individuals with 
disabilities. VA also serves or employs thousands of veterans 
with disabilities, and the Committee believes the Department 
has an obligation to support them. While VA has made some 
progress in recent years improving accessibility, in part as a 
result of the VA Website Accessibility Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-
213), the Committee believes more must be done to achieve 
universal accessibility.
    Organizations advocating for specific populations of 
veterans with disabilities, including Paralyzed Veterans of 
America and the Blinded Veterans Association, have expressed to 
the Committee their opinion that an advisory committee is 
necessary to give disabled veterans, experts, employees, and 
veterans service organizations an institutional voice to 
identify problems and offer solutions, and that the ongoing 
existence of access barriers in VA demonstrates the need for 
more focused, collaborative efforts with the Department.
    This section would direct the VA Secretary to establish the 
Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access within 180 days, 
composed of 15 members including four veterans with 
disabilities, four experts on disability issues or policy, two 
VA employees, and five representatives nominated by national 
veterans service organizations. The Advisory Committee would 
also include four ex officio members including senior VA 
leaders and the chairperson of the Access Board. The section 
would set forth procedures relating to the terms, vacancies, 
meetings, duties, reports, travel, and compensation of the 
Advisory Committee members. The composition of the Advisory 
Committee would provide appropriate representation from the 
disability community and the right mix of first-hand 
experience, academic expertise, and policy knowledge relating 
to relevant issues. Finally, such composition would include 
veterans served by VA as well as career employees and senior 
officials of the Department.

Section 3: Abolition of Inactive Advisory Committee

    The Committee is concerned by the proliferation of VA 
advisory committees and their inconsistent levels of activity 
and accomplishments. The majority of these advisory committees 
were established by law, but a minority were administratively 
established by the Department. VA's Advisory Committee 
Management Office indicates on its website that one advisory 
committee is administratively inactive. The Committee believes 
the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access should not 
increase the total number of VA advisory committees. Rather, it 
should take the place of one that is inactive.
    The section would require the VA Secretary to abolish an 
inactive advisory committee, consolidate two advisory 
committees, or recommend to Congress that an inactive advisory 
committee originally established by Congress be abolished.

Section 4: Modification of Certain Housing Loan Fees

    Veterans who utilize the VA Home Loan Program pay a small 
fee that is included in their monthly mortgage payments. This 
section would offset the costs of the legislation's other 
sections by extending the expiration of the current rates for 
VA home loan funding fees by two weeks to November 29, 2031. 
Veterans with service-connected disabilities do not pay the 
funding fee and would not be affected by this extension of the 
home loan fees. The Committee believes this short-term 
extension of current funding fee rates is a reasonable way to 
cover the costs associated with this legislation.

                                Hearings

    On March 21, 2024, the Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a legislative hearing on H.R. 7342 and 
other bills that were pending before the subcommittee.
    The following witnesses testified:
          Mr. John W. Boerstler, Chief Veterans Experience 
        Officer, Office of Human Resources and Administration/
        Operations, Security, and Preparedness, Department of 
        Veterans Affairs; Ms. Tracey Therit, Chief Human 
        Capital Officer, Office of Human Resources and 
        Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness, 
        Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. David Perry, Chief 
        Officer for Workforce Management and Consulting, 
        Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans 
        Affairs; Mr. Charles Worthington, Chief Technology 
        Officer, Office of Information and Technology, 
        Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Joycelyn 
        Westbrooks, RN, Secretary-Treasurer, American 
        Federation of Government Employees Local 1633, 
        Department of Veterans Affairs.
    The following organizations submitted statements for the 
record:
          The National Federation of Federal Employees and 
        Service Employees International Union; the American 
        Association of Nurse Anesthesiology; Paralyzed Veterans 
        of America; Representative Michael Turner; 
        Representative Brandon Williams; United Nurses 
        Associations of California/Union of Health Care 
        Professionals; the Senior Executives Association.

                       Subcommittee Consideration

    On April 17, 2024, the Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a markup on pending legislation which 
included H.R. 7342. There were no amendments to H.R. 7342 
during the Subcommittee markup. A motion by Representative 
Mrvan to report H.R. 7342 as part of an en bloc was favorably 
forwarded to the full Committee.

                        Committee Consideration

    On May 1, 2024, the full Committee met in open markup 
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 7342, as 
amended, to be reported favorably to the House of 
Representatives by voice vote. During consideration of the 
bill, the following amendment was considered:
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by 
        Chairman Bost to add section four, which extends the 
        current rates for VA home loan funding fees for non-
        service connected veterans as an offset for the other 
        sections of the bill. The amendment in the nature of a 
        substitute was approved by voice vote.
    A motion by Ranking Member Takano to report H.R. 7342, as 
amended, favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed 
to by voice vote.

                            Committee Votes

    In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, no recorded votes were taken on 
amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 7342, as 
amended, reported to the House.

                      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 of H.R. 7342, as amended, are to direct VA 
to establish an advisory committee to improve accessibility for 
veterans and other individuals with disabilities.

                  Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits

    H.R. 7342, as amended, does not contain any Congressional 
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as 
defined in clause 9 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. 
7342, as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional 
Budget Office.

     Budget Authority and 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. 7342, as amended, provided by the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974:

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


    H.R. 7342 would establish a committee to advise the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on improving the 
accessibility of VA benefits, services, and facilities for 
veterans with disabilities. The committee would be required to 
report biennially on its findings and recommendations. The bill 
also would increase the fees that VA charges borrowers for its 
home loan guarantees.
    Spending Subject to Appropriation: Using information about 
the administrative costs of similar advisory committees, CBO 
estimates that the staff salaries, travel costs, and other 
expenses associated with the committee would be less than 
$500,000 annually and would cost $4 million over the 2024 2034 
period. Such spending would be subject to the availability of 
appropriated funds.
    Direct Spending: H.R. 7342 would increase the fees that VA 
charges borrowers for its loan guarantees. VA provides loan 
guarantees to lenders that allow eligible borrowers to obtain 
better loan terms--such as lower interest rates or smaller down 
payments--to purchase, construct, improve, or refinance a home. 
VA typically pays lenders up to 25 percent of the outstanding 
mortgage balance if a borrower's home is foreclosed upon. Those 
payments, net of fees paid by borrowers and recoveries by 
lenders, constitute the subsidy cost for loan guarantees.\1\ 
That subsidy is reflected in the budget as direct spending.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, the subsidy cost of 
a loan guarantee is the net present value of estimated payments by the 
government to cover defaults and delinquencies, interest subsidies, or 
other expenses offset by any payments to the government, including 
origination or other fees, penalties, and recoveries on defaulted 
loans. Such subsidy costs are calculated by discounting those expected 
cash flows using the rate on Treasury securities of comparable 
maturity. The resulting estimated subsidy costs are recorded in the 
budget when the loans are disbursed or modified. A positive subsidy 
indicates that the loan results in net outlays from the Treasury; a 
negative subsidy indicates that the loan results in net receipts to the 
Treasury.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Under current law, the rates for most of the fees that 
borrowers pay to VA for loans guaranteed after November 15, 
2031, will drop from a weighted average of about 2.3 percent to 
about 1.2 percent of the loan amount. The bill would extend the 
higher rates through November 29, 2031, thereby reducing the 
subsidy cost of loans guaranteed during that period. Using its 
forecast of loan volume based on data provided by VA, CBO 
estimates that extending the higher rates would decrease direct 
spending by $22 million over the 2024-2034 period.
    The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall 
within budget function 700 (veterans benefits and services).

                                                    TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 7342
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             2024    2025    2026    2027    2028    2029    2030    2031    2032    2033    2034   2024-2029  2024-2034
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
 
Estimated Authorization...................       *       *       1       *       *       1       *       *       1       *       1         2          4
Estimated Outlays.........................       *       *       1       *       *       1       *       *       1       *       1         2          4
 
                                                            DECREASES (-) IN DIRECT SPENDING
 
Estimated Budget Authority................       0       0       0       0       0       0       0       0     -22       0       0         0        -22
Estimated Outlays.........................       0       0       0       0       0       0       0       0     -22       0       0         0        -22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* = between zero and $500,000.

    The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Logan Smith 
(for other VA costs) and Paul B.A. Holland (for home loans). 
The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy 
Director of Budget Analysis.
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                             Director, Congressional Budget Office.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment 
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded 
Mandate Reform Act, P.L. 104-4) is inapplicable to H.R. 7342, 
as amended.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 7342, as amended, would create an advisory committee 
within the meaning of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 7342, as amended, 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.

              Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 7342, as amended, would establish or reauthorize a 
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of 
another Federal program, a program that was included in any 
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress 
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program 
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation


Section 1. Short title

    This section would establish the short title of the bill. 
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Accessibility Advisory 
Committee Act of 2024''.

Section 2. Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access

    Subsection (a) would require the VA Secretary, not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment, to establish the 
Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, pertaining to 
matters relating to accessibility, within VA.
    Subsection (b) would compose the Advisory Committee of 15 
voting members, appointed by the Secretary. The members would 
consist of four veterans with disabilities, including those 
living with mobility impairment, hearing, visual, and mental or 
cognitive disabilities; four experts on issues or provisions 
listed in the bill relating to disability accessibility; two 
employees of the Department including from the Section 508 
Office and the Architectural Accessibility Program; and five 
representatives nominated by national veterans service 
organizations that advocate for veterans with physical, 
sensory, mental, or cognitive disabilities. The Advisory 
Committee would also include four ex officio members: the Under 
Secretaries for Health, Benefits, and Memorial Affairs of the 
Department as well as the chairperson of the Access Board.
    Subsection (c) would establish two-year terms for members 
of the Advisory Committee and allow the VA Secretary to 
reappoint members for such additional two-year terms as they 
determine appropriate. This subsection would also direct the 
Secretary to fill any vacancy on the Advisory Committee in the 
same manner as the original appointment, not later than 180 
days after the vacancy occurs.
    Subsection (d) would require the Advisory Committee to meet 
at least twice each calendar year, permit it to form 
subcommittees, and stipulate that a majority of members of the 
Advisory Committee would constitute a quorum.
    Subsection (e) would provide that the members of the 
Advisory Committee select a Chairperson from among such 
members. It would also provide that if the position of 
Chairperson becomes vacant, the members would select a new 
Chairperson no later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs.
    Subsection (f) would direct the VA Secretary to consult 
with and seek the advice of the Advisory Committee on a regular 
basis on improving the accessibility of VA for individuals with 
disabilities including with respect to the accessibility of 
information, services and benefits, facilities, community care 
providers, and the acquisition process of the Department, and 
with respect to ensuring compliance of the Department with 
certain provisions of law relating to disability and 
accessibility. The subsection would also direct the Advisory 
Committee to provide advice to VA on how to ensure that 
veterans, the public, and VA employees have full access to the 
Department's information, services, and benefits by reviewing 
relevant information such as complaints filed by people with 
disabilities; assessing VA's accessibility and compliance with 
relevant law; and improving accessibility of communications, 
services and benefits, and facilities. The subsection would 
also require the Advisory Committee to submit reports to the 
Secretary not later than two years after the date of its first 
meeting and not less frequently than once every two years 
thereafter. Such reports shall identify and assess access 
barriers, determine the extent to which VA programs and 
activities address those barriers, provide recommendations and 
priorities to improve accessibility, describe access 
improvements that have been achieved and assess the 
Department's implementation of recommendations from previous 
Advisory Committee reports, and provide recommendations for 
legislation, administrative action, or other actions that the 
Advisory Committee determines appropriate. Finally, this 
subsection would require the VA Secretary to submit copies of 
such reports to the appropriate congressional committees not 
later than 90 days after receiving them and publish such 
reports, comments, and recommendations on a publicly accessible 
website of the Department.
    Subsection (g) would prohibit Advisory Committee members, 
who are not federal employees, from being compensated for the 
performance of their duties on the committee. The subsection 
would allow members to receive reimbursements for travel 
expenses in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 
5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular 
places of business in the performance of their responsibilities 
as members of the Advisory Committee. Finally, the subsection 
would require the Secretary to ensure that such personnel, 
funding, and other resources are made available to the Advisory 
Committee as the VA Secretary determines appropriate to carry 
out the duties of the Advisory Committee and furnish to the 
Advisory Committee such information as the Advisory Committee 
may request from the VA Secretary, subject to applicable 
provisions of law.
    Subsection (h) would terminate the Advisory Committee 10 
years after enactment, if not reauthorized.

Section 3. Abolition of inactive advisory committee

    This section would direct the Secretary, not later than 180 
days after enactment and before establishing the Veterans 
Advisory Committee on Equal Access, to either: abolish an 
existing advisory committee of the Department that is inactive 
and was not established by law; consolidate two advisory 
committees that were not established by law; or submit to 
Congress a recommendation to abolish an advisory committee that 
is inactive and was established by law.

Section 4: Modification of certain housing loan fees

    This section would offset the costs of the other sections 
of the bill by extending current VA home loan funding fee rates 
as established in 38 U.S.C. Sec.  3729, from November 14, 2031, 
to November 29, 2031.

         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 italics, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

         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 italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

                      TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE



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PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS

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CHAPTER 37--HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

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SUBCHAPTER III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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Sec. 3729. Loan fee

  (a) Requirement of Fee.--(1) Except as provided in subsection 
(c), a fee shall be collected from each person obtaining a 
housing loan guaranteed, insured, or made under this chapter, 
and each person assuming a loan to which section 3714 of this 
title applies. No such loan may be guaranteed, insured, made, 
or assumed until the fee payable under this section has been 
remitted to the Secretary.
  (2) The fee may be included in the loan and paid from the 
proceeds thereof.
  (b) Determination of Fee.--(1) The amount of the fee shall be 
determined from the loan fee table in paragraph (2). The fee is 
expressed as a percentage of the total amount of the loan 
guaranteed, insured, or made, or, in the case of a loan 
assumption, the unpaid principal balance of the loan on the 
date of the transfer of the property.
  (2) The loan fee table referred to in paragraph (1) is as 
follows:


 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of loan                Active duty  veteran          Reservist              Other obligor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(i) Initial loan described in       2.15                     2.40                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 October 1, 2004, and before January
 1, 2020).
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in      2.30                     2.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 January 1, 2020, and before April 7,
 2023).
(A)(iii) Initial loan described in     2.15                     2.15                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 April 7, 2023, and before [November
 15, 2031] November 29, 2031 ).
(A)(iv) Initial loan described in      1.40                     1.40                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 [November 15, 2031] November 29,
 2031 ).
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in    3.30                     3.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after October 1, 2004, and before
 January 1, 2020).
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in   3.60                     3.60                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in  3.30                     3.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 15, 2031] November 29,
 2031 ).
(B)(iv) Subsequent loan described in   1.25                     1.25                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after [November 15, 2031] November
 29, 2031 ).
(C)(i) Loan described in section       1.50                     1.75                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed before
 January 1, 2020).
(C)(ii) Loan described in section      1.65                     1.65                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(C)(iii) Loan described in section     1.50                     1.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 15, 2031] November 29,
 2031 ).
(C)(iv) Loan described in section      0.75                     0.75                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after [November 15, 2031] November
 29, 2031 ).
(D)(i) Loan described in section       1.25                     1.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed before
 January 1, 2020).
(D)(ii) Loan described in section      1.40                     1.40                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(D)(iii) Loan described in section     1.25                     1.25                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 15, 2031] November 29,
 2031 ).
(D)(iv) Loan described in section      0.50                     0.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after [November 15, 2031] November
 29, 2031 ).
(E) Interest rate reduction            0.50                     0.50                     NA
 refinancing loan.
(F) Direct loan under section 3711...  1.00                     1.00                     NA
(G) Manufactured home loan under       1.00                     1.00                     NA
 section 3712 (other than an interest
 rate reduction refinancing loan).
(H) Loan to Native American veteran    1.25                     1.25                     NA
 under section 3762 (other than an
 interest rate reduction refinancing
 loan).
(I) Loan assumption under section      0.50                     0.50                     0.50
 3714.
(J) Loan under section 3733(a).......  2.25                     2.25                     2.25.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  (3) Any reference to a section in the ``Type of loan'' column 
in the loan fee table in paragraph (2) refers to a section of 
this title.
  (4) For the purposes of paragraph (2):
          (A) The term ``active duty veteran'' means any 
        veteran eligible for the benefits of this chapter other 
        than a Reservist.
          (B) The term ``Reservist'' means a veteran described 
        in section 3701(b)(5)(A) of this title who is eligible 
        under section 3702(a)(2)(E) of this title.
          (C) The term ``other obligor'' means a person who is 
        not a veteran, as defined in section 101 of this title 
        or other provision of this chapter.
          (D)(i) The term ``initial loan'' means a loan to a 
        veteran guaranteed under section 3710 or made under 
        section 3711 of this title if the veteran has never 
        obtained a loan guaranteed under section 3710 or made 
        under section 3711 of this title.
          (ii) If a veteran has obtained a loan guaranteed 
        under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this 
        title and the dwelling securing such loan was 
        substantially damaged or destroyed by a major disaster 
        declared by the President under section 401 of the 
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
        Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Secretary shall 
        treat as an initial loan, as defined in clause (i), the 
        next loan the Secretary guarantees or makes to such 
        veteran under section 3710 or 3711, respectively, if--
                  (I) such loan is guaranteed or made before 
                the date that is three years after the date on 
                which the dwelling was substantially damaged or 
                destroyed; and
                  (II) such loan is only for repairs or 
                construction of the dwelling, as determined by 
                the Secretary.
          (E) The term ``subsequent loan'' means a loan to a 
        veteran, other than an interest rate reduction 
        refinancing loan, guaranteed under section 3710 or made 
        under section 3711 of this title that is not an initial 
        loan.
          (F) The term ``interest rate reduction refinancing 
        loan'' means a loan described in section 3710(a)(8), 
        3710(a)(9)(B)(i), 3710(a)(11), 3712(a)(1)(F), or 
        3762(h) of this title.
          (G) The term ``0-down'' means a downpayment, if any, 
        of less than 5 percent of the total purchase price or 
        construction cost of the dwelling.
          (H) The term ``5-down'' means a downpayment of at 
        least 5 percent or more, but less than 10 percent, of 
        the total purchase price or construction cost of the 
        dwelling.
          (I) The term ``10-down'' means a downpayment of 10 
        percent or more of the total purchase price or 
        construction cost of the dwelling.
  (c) Waiver of Fee.--(1) A fee may not be collected under this 
section from a veteran who is receiving compensation (or who, 
but for the receipt of retirement pay or active service pay, 
would be entitled to receive compensation), from a surviving 
spouse of any veteran (including a person who died in the 
active military, naval, air, or space service) who died from a 
service-connected disability, or from a member of the Armed 
Forces who is serving on active duty and who provides, on or 
before the date of loan closing, evidence of having been 
awarded the Purple Heart.
  (2)(A) A veteran described in subparagraph (B) shall be 
treated as receiving compensation for purposes of this 
subsection as of the date of the rating described in such 
subparagraph without regard to whether an effective date of the 
award of compensation is established as of that date.
  (B) A veteran described in this subparagraph is a veteran who 
is rated eligible to receive compensation--
          (i) as the result of a pre-discharge disability 
        examination and rating; or
          (ii) based on a pre-discharge review of existing 
        medical evidence (including service medical and 
        treatment records) that results in the issuance of a 
        memorandum rating.

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