[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
* * * * * * *
PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 37--HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS LOANS
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
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.
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(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.
* * * * * * *
[all]