[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

120 STAT. 3304

Public Law 109-444
109th Congress

An Act


 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring
provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to
expand eligibility for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational
Assistance program, and for other purposes.  NOTE: Dec. 21,
2006 -  [H.R. 6342]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,  NOTE: Veterans
Programs Extension Act of 2006.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This  NOTE: 38 USC 101 note.  Act may be cited
as the ``Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006''.

(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Extension of certain expiring provisions of law administered by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 3. Expansion of eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents'
Educational Assistance program.
Sec. 4. Deadline and permanent requirement for report on educational
assistance program.
Sec. 5. Reauthorization of biennial report of Advisory Committee on
Women Veterans.
Sec. 6. Parkinson's Disease research, education, and clinical centers
and multiple sclerosis centers of excellence.
Sec. 7. Authorization of major medical facility leases.
Sec. 8. Technical and clerical amendments.
Sec. 9. Codification of cost-of-living adjustment provided in Public Law
109-361.

SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF LAW
ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.

(a) Authority for Health Care for Participation in DOD Chemical and
Biological Warfare Testing.--Section 1710(e)(3)(D) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``December 31, 2005'' and inserting
``December 31, 2007''.
(b) Grant and Per Diem Grant Assistance for Homeless Veterans.--
Section 2011(a)(2) of such title is amended by striking ``September 30,
2005'' and inserting ``September 30, 2007''.
(c) Treatment and Rehabilitation for Seriously Mentally Ill and
Homeless Veterans.--Section 2031(b) of such title is amended by striking
``December 31, 2006'' and inserting ``December 31, 2007''.
(d) Additional Services for Homeless and Seriously Mentally Ill
Veterans.--Section 2033(d) of such title is amended by striking
``December 31, 2006'' and inserting ``December 31, 2007''.
(e) Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.--Section 2066(d) of
such title is amended by striking ``December 31, 2006'' and inserting
``December 31, 2007''.

[[Page 3305]]
120 STAT. 3305

(f) Government Markers in Private Cemeteries.--Section 2306(d)(3) of
such title is amended by striking ``December 31, 2006'' and inserting
``December 31, 2007''.
(g) Additional Educational Assistance Allowance for Work-Study.--
Section 3485(a)(4) of such title is amended in subparagraphs (A), (C),
and (F) by striking ``December 27, 2006'' and inserting ``June 30,
2007''.
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS'
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(a) Expansion of Eligibility.--Section 3501(a)(1) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``means--'' and inserting ``means any of the following:'';
(2) in each of subparagraphs (A) through (D), by
capitalizing the first letter of the first word;
(3) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by inserting after ``a person who'' the
following: ``, as a result of qualifying service'';
(B) by striking the comma at the end of clause (i)
and inserting ``; or'';
(C) by striking ``, or'' at the end of clause (ii)
and inserting a period; and
(D) by striking clause (iii);
(4) in subparagraph (B) by striking the comma at the end and
inserting the following: ``sustained during a period of
qualifying service.'';
(5) in subparagraph (C)--
(A) by inserting ``or child'' after ``the spouse'';
and
(B) by striking ``, or'' at the end and inserting a
period;
(6) in subparagraph (D)--
(A) in clause (i), by inserting before the comma the
following: ``sustained during a period of qualifying
service''; and
(B) by striking the comma at the end and inserting a
period;
(7) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new
subparagraph:
``(E) The spouse or child of a person who--
``(i) at the time of the Secretary's
determination under clause (ii), is a member of
the Armed Forces who is hospitalized or receiving
outpatient medical care, services, or treatment;
``(ii) the Secretary determines has a total
disability permanent in nature incurred or
aggravated in the line of duty in the active
military, naval, or air service; and
``(iii) is likely to be discharged or released
from such service for such disability.''; and
(8) by striking ``arising out of'' and all that follows
through the end.

(b) Conforming Amendments to Chapter 35.--Chapter 35 of such title
is further amended as follows:
(1) Section 3501(a) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(12) The term `qualifying service' means service in the
active military, naval, or air service after the beginning of

[[Page 3306]]
120 STAT. 3306

the Spanish-American War that did not terminate under
dishonorable conditions.''.
(2) Section  NOTE: 38 USC 3511.  3511 is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1)--
(i) by striking ``Each eligible person'' and
inserting the following: ``Each eligible person,
whether made eligible by one or more of the
provisions of section 3501(a)(1) of this title,'';
(ii) by striking ``a period'' and inserting
``an aggregate period''; and
(iii) by striking the second sentence;
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking ``the provisions of
section 3501(a)(1)(A)(iii) or'' and
inserting ``section''; and
(II) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking ``section
3501(a)(1)(D)'' and inserting
``subparagraph (D) or (E) of section
3501(a)(1)''; and
(II) by inserting ``or'' after the
comma at the end; and
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (3) the
following new paragraph:
``(4) the parent or spouse from whom such eligibility is
derived based upon subparagraph (E) of section 3501(a)(1) of
this title no longer meets a requirement under clause (i), (ii),
or (iii) of that subparagraph,''; and
(C) by striking subsection (c).
(3) Section 3512 is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``an eligible person (within
the meaning of section 3501(a)(1)(A) of this
title)'' and inserting ``an eligible person whose
eligibility is based on the death or disability of
a parent or on a parent being listed in one of the
categories referred to in section 3501(a)(1)(C) of
this title''; and
(ii) in paragraph (6), by striking ``the
provisions of section 3501(a)(1)(A)(iii)'' and
inserting ``a parent being listed in one of the
categories referred to in section 3501(a)(1)(C)'';
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(I) by inserting after ``section
3501(a)(1) of this title'' the
following: ``or a person made eligible
by the disability of a spouse under
section 3501(a)(1)(E) of this title'';
and
(II) by striking ``or
3501(a)(1)(D)(ii) of this title'' and
inserting ``3501(a)(1)(D)(ii), or
3501(a)(1)(E) of this title'';
(ii) in paragraph (1)(B), by adding at the end
the following new clause:
``(iii) The date on which the Secretary notifies the member
of the Armed Forces from whom eligibility is derived that the
member has a total disability permanent in nature incurred or
aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or
air service.''; and

[[Page 3307]]
120 STAT. 3307

(iii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking ``or (D) of this
title'' and inserting ``(D), or (E) of
this title''; and
(II) by inserting ``whose
eligibility is based on the death or
disability of a spouse or on a spouse
being listed in one of the categories
referred to in section 3501(a)(1)(C) of
this title'' after ``of this title)'';
(C) in subsection (d), by striking ``veteran'' and
inserting ``person''; and
(D) in subsection (e)--
(i) by inserting ``based on a spouse being
listed in one of the categories referred to in
section 3501(a)(1)(C) of this title'' after ``of
this title'';
(ii) by inserting ``so'' after ``the spouse
was''; and
(iii) by striking ``by the Secretary'' and all
that follows through ``occurs''.
(4) Section  NOTE: 38 USC 3540.  3540 is amended by
striking ``(as defined in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D) of
section 3501(a)(1) of this title)'' and inserting ``(other than
a person made eligible under subparagraph (C) of such section by
reason of a spouse being listed in one of the categories
referred to in that subparagraph)''.
(5) Section 3563 is amended by striking ``each eligible
person defined in section 3501(a)(1)(A) of this title'' and
inserting ``each eligible person whose eligibility is based on
the death or disability of a parent or on a parent being listed
in one of the categories referred to in section 3501(a)(1)(C) of
this title''.

(c) Other Conforming Amendments.--Such title is further amended as
follows:
(1) Sections 3686(a)(1) is amended by striking ``or (D)''
and inserting ``(D), or (E)''.
(2) Section 5113(b)(3) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``section
3501(a)(1)'' and all that follows through the end and
inserting the following: ``subparagraphs (A), (B), (D),
and (E) of section 3501(a)(1) of this title.''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking ``such veteran's death'' and
inserting ``the death of the person from whom such
eligibility is derived''; and
(ii) by striking ``such veteran's service-
connected total disability permanent in nature''
and inserting ``the service-connected total
disability permanent in nature (or, in the case of
a person made eligible under section
3501(a)(1)(E), the total disability permanent in
nature incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
in the active military, naval, or air service) of
the person from whom such eligibility is
derived''.

(d) Effective Date.--The  NOTE: 38 USC 3501 note.  amendments made
by this section shall apply with respect to a payment of educational
assistance for a course of education pursued after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

[[Page 3308]]
120 STAT. 3308

SEC. 4. DEADLINE AND PERMANENT REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT ON
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(a) Deadline for Report.--Not later than six months after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall each submit to Congress a report containing
the information specified in subsections (b) and (c) of section 3036 of
title 38, United States Code.
(b) Repeal of Termination.--Section 3036 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking subsection (d).
SEC. 5. REAUTHORIZATION OF BIENNIAL REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON WOMEN VETERANS.

Section 542(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2004'' and inserting ``2008''.
SEC. 6. PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND CLINICAL
CENTERS AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CENTERS OF
EXCELLENCE.

(a) Requirement for Establishment of Centers.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new sections:

``Sec. 7329. Parkinson's Disease research, education, and clinical
centers

``(a) Establishment of Centers.--(1) The Secretary, upon the
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, shall designate not
less than six Department health-care facilities as the locations for
centers of Parkinson's Disease research, education, and clinical
activities.
``(2) Subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds for such
purpose, the Secretary shall establish and operate centers of
Parkinson's Disease research, education, and clinical activities at the
locations designated pursuant to paragraph (1) for such centers.
``(b) Criteria for Designation of Facilities.--(1) In designating
Department health-care facilities for centers under subsection (a), the
Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health,
shall assure appropriate geographic distribution of such facilities.
``(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall
designate as the location for a center of Parkinson's Disease research,
education, and clinical activities pursuant to subsection (a)(1) each
Department health-care facility that as of January 1, 2005, was
operating a Parkinson's Disease research, education, and clinical
center.
``(3) The Secretary may not under subsection (a) designate a
facility described in paragraph (2) if (on the recommendation of the
Under Secretary for Health) the Secretary determines that such
facility--
``(A) does not meet the requirements of subsection (c); or
``(B) has not demonstrated--
``(i) effectiveness in carrying out the established
purposes of such center; or
``(ii) the potential to carry out such purposes
effectively in the reasonably foreseeable future.

``(c) Requirements for Designation.--(1) The Secretary may not
designate a Department health-care facility as a location for

[[Page 3309]]
120 STAT. 3309

a center under subsection (a) unless the peer review panel established
under subsection (d) has determined under that subsection that the
proposal submitted by such facility as a location for a new center under
subsection (a) is among those proposals that meet the highest
competitive standards of scientific and clinical merit.
``(2) The Secretary may not designate a Department health-care
facility as a location for a center under subsection (a) unless the
Secretary (upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health)
determines that the facility has (or may reasonably be anticipated to
develop) each of the following:
``(A) An arrangement with an accredited medical school that
provides education and training in neurology and with which the
Department health-care facility is affiliated under which
residents receive education and training in innovative diagnosis
and treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases and movement
disorders, including Parkinson's Disease.
``(B) The ability to attract the participation of scientists
who are capable of ingenuity and creativity in health-care
research efforts.
``(C) An advisory committee composed of veterans and
appropriate health-care and research representatives of the
Department health-care facility and of the affiliated school or
schools to advise the directors of such facility and such center
on policy matters pertaining to the activities of the center
during the period of the operation of such center.
``(D) The capability to conduct effectively evaluations of
the activities of such center.
``(E) The capability to coordinate (as part of an integrated
national system) education, clinical, and research activities
within all facilities with such centers.
``(F) The capability to jointly develop a consortium of
providers with interest in treating neurodegenerative diseases,
including Parkinson's Disease and other movement disorders, at
facilities without such centers in order to ensure better access
to state-of-the-art diagnosis, care, and education for
neurodegenerative disorders throughout the health care system of
the Department.
``(G) The capability to develop a national repository in the
health care system of the Department for the collection of data
on health services delivered to veterans seeking care for
neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's Disease, and
other movement disorders.

``(d) Peer Review Panel.--(1) The  NOTE: Establishment.  Under
Secretary for Health shall establish a panel to assess the scientific
and clinical merit of proposals that are submitted to the Secretary for
the establishment of centers under this section.

``(2)(A) The membership of the panel shall consist of experts in
neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's Disease, and other
movement disorders.
``(B) Members of the panel shall serve for a period of no longer
than two years, except as specified in subparagraph (C).
``(C) Of the members first appointed to the panel, one half shall be
appointed for a period of three years and one half shall be appointed
for a period of two years, as designated by the Under Secretary at the
time of appointment.

[[Page 3310]]
120 STAT. 3310

``(3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the panel by
the Under Secretary and shall submit its views on the relative
scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal to the Under
Secretary.
``(4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
``(e) Priority of Funding.--Before providing funds for the operation
of a center designated under subsection (a) at a Department health-care
facility other than at a facility designated pursuant to subsection
(b)(2), the Secretary shall ensure that each Parkinson's Disease center
at a facility designated pursuant to subsection (b)(2) is receiving
adequate funding to enable that center to function effectively in the
areas of Parkinson's Disease research, education, and clinical
activities.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the support of the
research and education activities of the centers established pursuant to
subsection (a). The Under Secretary for Health shall allocate to such
centers from other funds appropriated generally for the Department
medical services account and medical and prosthetics research account,
as appropriate, such amounts as the Under Secretary for Health
determines appropriate.
``(g) Award Competitions.--Activities of clinical and scientific
investigation at each center established under subsection (a) shall be
eligible to compete for the award of funding from funds appropriated for
the Department medical and prosthetics research account. Such activities
shall receive priority in the award of funding from such account insofar
as funds are awarded to projects for research in Parkinson's Disease and
other movement disorders.

``Sec. 7330. Multiple sclerosis centers of excellence

``(a) Establishment of Centers.--(1) The Secretary, upon the
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, shall designate not
less than two Department health-care facilities as the locations for
multiple sclerosis centers of excellence.
``(2) Subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds for such
purpose, the Secretary shall establish and operate multiple sclerosis
centers of excellence at the locations designated pursuant to paragraph
(1) for such centers.
``(b) Criteria for Designation of Facilities.--(1) In designating
Department health-care facilities for centers under subsection (a), the
Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health,
shall assure appropriate geographic distribution of such facilities.
``(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall
designate as the location for a multiple sclerosis center of excellence
pursuant to subsection (a)(1) each Department health-care facility that
as of January 1, 2005, was operating a multiple sclerosis center of
excellence.
``(3) The Secretary may not under subsection (a) designate a
facility described in paragraph (2) if (on the recommendation of the
Under Secretary for Health) the Secretary determines that such
facility--
``(A) does not meet the requirements of subsection (c); or
``(B) has not demonstrated--
``(i) effectiveness in carrying out the established
purposes of such center; or

[[Page 3311]]
120 STAT. 3311

``(ii) the potential to carry out such purposes
effectively in the reasonably foreseeable future.

``(c) Requirements for Designation.--(1) The Secretary may not
designate a Department health-care facility as a location for a center
under subsection (a) unless the peer review panel established under
subsection (d) has determined under that subsection that the proposal
submitted by such facility as a location for a new center under
subsection (a) is among those proposals that meet the highest
competitive standards of scientific and clinical merit.
``(2) The Secretary may not designate a Department health-care
facility as a location for a center under subsection (a) unless the
Secretary (upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health)
determines that the facility has (or may reasonably be anticipated to
develop) each of the following:
``(A) An arrangement with an accredited medical school that
provides education and training in neurology and with which the
Department health-care facility is affiliated under which
residents receive education and training in innovative diagnosis
and treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases, including
multiple sclerosis.
``(B) The ability to attract the participation of scientists
who are capable of ingenuity and creativity in health-care
research efforts.
``(C) An advisory committee composed of veterans and
appropriate health-care and research representatives of the
Department health-care facility and of the affiliated school or
schools to advise the directors of such facility and such center
on policy matters pertaining to the activities of the center
during the period of the operation of such center.
``(D) The capability to conduct effectively evaluations of
the activities of such center.
``(E) The capability to coordinate (as part of an integrated
national system) education, clinical, and research activities
within all facilities with such centers.
``(F) The capability to jointly develop a consortium of
providers with interest in treating multiple sclerosis at
facilities without such centers in order to ensure better access
to state-of-the-art diagnosis, care, and education for
autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system
throughout the health care system of the Department.
``(G) The capability to develop a national repository in the
health care system of the Department for the collection of data
on health services delivered to veterans seeking care for
autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.

``(d) Peer Review Panel.--(1) The  NOTE: Establishment.  Under
Secretary for Health shall establish a panel to assess the scientific
and clinical merit of proposals that are submitted to the Secretary for
the establishment of centers under this section.

``(2)(A) The membership of the panel shall consist of experts in
autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
``(B) Members of the panel shall serve for a period of no longer
than two years, except as specified in subparagraph (C).
``(C) Of the members first appointed to the panel, one half shall be
appointed for a period of three years and one half shall be appointed
for a period of two years, as designated by the Under Secretary at the
time of appointment.

[[Page 3312]]
120 STAT. 3312

``(3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the panel by
the Under Secretary and shall submit its views on the relative
scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal to the Under
Secretary.
``(4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
``(e) Priority of Funding.--Before providing funds for the operation
of a center designated under subsection (a) at a Department health-care
facility other than at a facility designated pursuant to subsection
(b)(2), the Secretary shall ensure that each multiple sclerosis center
at a facility designated pursuant to subsection (b)(2) is receiving
adequate funding to enable that center to function effectively in the
areas of multiple sclerosis research, education, and clinical
activities.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the support of the
research and education activities of the centers established pursuant to
subsection (a). The Under Secretary for Health shall allocate to such
centers from other funds appropriated generally for the Department
medical services account and medical and prosthetics research account,
as appropriate, such amounts as the Under Secretary for Health
determines appropriate.
``(g) Award Competitions.--Activities of clinical and scientific
investigation at each center established under subsection (a) shall be
eligible to compete for the award of funding from funds appropriated for
the Department medical and prosthetics research account. Such activities
shall receive priority in the award of funding from such account insofar
as funds are awarded to projects for research in multiple sclerosis and
other neurodegenerative disorders.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 7328 the following new items:

``7329. Parkinson's Disease research, education, and clinical centers.
``7330. Multiple sclerosis centers of excellence.''.

(b) Effective Date.--Sections  NOTE: 38 USC 7329 note.  7329 and
7330 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall
take effect at the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES.

(a) Fiscal Year 2006 Leases.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
carry out the following major medical facility leases in fiscal year
2006 at the locations specified, in an amount for each lease not to
exceed the amount specified for that location:
(1) For an outpatient clinic, Baltimore, Maryland,
$10,908,000.
(2) For an outpatient clinic, Evansville, Indiana,
$8,989,000.
(3) For an outpatient clinic, Smith County, Texas,
$5,093,000.

(b) Fiscal Year 2007 Leases.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
carry out the following major medical facility leases in fiscal year
2007 at the locations specified, in an amount for each lease not to
exceed the amount specified for that location:
(1) For an outpatient and specialty care clinic, Austin,
Texas, $6,163,000.

[[Page 3313]]
120 STAT. 3313

(2) For an outpatient clinic, Lowell, Massachusetts,
$2,520,000.
(3) For an outpatient clinic, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
$4,409,000.
(4) For up to four outpatient clinics, Las Vegas, Nevada,
$8,518,000.
(5) For an outpatient clinic, Parma, Ohio, $5,032,000.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations for Major Medical Facility
Leases.--
(1) Fiscal year 2006 leases.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal
year 2006 for the Medical Care account, $24,990,000 for the
leases authorized in subsection (a).
(2) Fiscal year 2007 leases.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal
year 2007 for the Medical Care account, $26,642,000 for the
leases authorized in subsection (b).
SEC. 8. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.

(a) Title 38, United States Code.--Title 38, United States Code, is
amended as follows:
(1) Citation correction.--Section 1718(c)(2) is amended by
inserting ``of 1938'' after ``Act''.
(2) Citation correction.--Section 1785(b)(1) is amended by
striking ``Robert B.'' and inserting ``Robert T.''.
(3) Punctuation correction.--Section 2002(1) is amended by
inserting a closing parenthesis before the period at the end.
(4) Punctuation correction.--Section 2011(a)(1)(C) is
amended by inserting a period at the end.
(5) Cross reference correction.--Section 2041(a)(3)(A)(i) is
amended by striking ``under this chapter'' and inserting
``established under section 3722 of this title''.
(6) Citation correction.--Section 8111(b)(1) is amended by
striking ``into the strategic'' and all that follows through
``and Results Act of 1993'' and inserting ``into the strategic
plan of each Department under section 306 of title 5 and the
performance plan of each Department under section 1115 of title
31''.
(7) Repeal of obsolete text.--Section 8111 is further
amended--
(A) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ``effective
October 1, 2003,''; and
(B) in subsection (e)(2)--
(i) in the second sentence, by striking
``shall be implemented no later than October 1,
2003, and''; and
(ii) in the third sentence, by striking ``,
following implementation of the schedule,''.
(8) Citation correction.--Section 8111A(a)(2)(B)(i) is
amended by striking ``Robert B.'' and inserting ``Robert T.''.

(b) Public Law 107-296.--Effective  NOTE: Effective date.  as of
November 25, 2002, section 1704(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Public Law 107-296; 116 Stat. 2315)  NOTE: 38 USC 101 note.  is
amended--
(1)  NOTE: 38 USC 101.  by striking ``101(25)(d)'' and
inserting ``101(25)(D)''; and
(2)  NOTE: 38 USC 3011.  by striking
``3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(II)'' and inserting
``3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(III)''.

[[Page 3314]]
120 STAT. 3314

SEC. 9. CODIFICATION OF COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT PROVIDED IN
PUBLIC LAW 109-361.

(a) Veterans' Disability Compensation.--Section 1114 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``$112'' and inserting
``$115'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$218'' and inserting
``$225'';
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``$337'' and inserting
``$348'';
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``$485'' and inserting
``$501'';
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``$690'' and inserting
``$712'';
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ``$873'' and inserting
``$901'';
(7) in subsection (g), by striking ``$1,099'' and inserting
``$1,135'';
(8) in subsection (h), by striking ``$1,277'' and inserting
``$1,319'';
(9) in subsection (i), by striking ``$1,436'' and inserting
``$1,483'';
(10) in subsection (j), by striking ``$2,393'' and inserting
``$2,471'';
(11) in subsection (k)--
(A) by striking ``$87'' both places it appears and
inserting ``$89''; and
(B) by striking ``$2,977'' and ``$4,176'' and
inserting ``$3,075'' and ``$4,313'', respectively;
(12) in subsection (l), by striking ``$2,977'' and inserting
``$3,075'';
(13) in subsection (m), by striking ``$3,284'' and inserting
``$3,392'';
(14) in subsection (n), by striking ``$3,737'' and inserting
``$3,860'';
(15) in subsections (o) and (p), by striking ``$4,176'' each
place it appears and inserting ``$4,313'';
(16) in subsection (r)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$1,792'' and
inserting ``$1,851''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2,669'' and
inserting ``$2,757''; and
(17) in subsection (s), by striking ``$2,678'' and inserting
``$2,766''.

(b) Additional Compensation for Dependents.--Section 1115(1) of such
title is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$135'' and inserting
``$139'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``$233'' and ``$68''
and inserting ``$240'' and ``$70'', respectively;
(3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``$91'' and ``$68'' and
inserting ``$94'' and ``$70'', respectively;
(4) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``$109'' and inserting
``$112'';
(5) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``$257'' and inserting
``$265''; and
(6) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``$215'' and inserting
``$222''.

[[Page 3315]]
120 STAT. 3315

(c) Clothing Allowance for Certain Disabled Veterans.--Section 1162
of such title is amended by striking ``$641'' and inserting ``$662''.
(d) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Surviving Spouses.--
(1) New law dic.--Subsection (a) of section 1311 of such
title is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$1,033'' and
inserting ``$1,067''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$221'' and
inserting ``$228''.
(2) Old law dic.--The table in paragraph (3) of such
subsection is amended to read as follows:



Pay grade                          Monthly rate                   Pay grade          Monthly rate

E-1..................................  $1,067                            W-4....................        $1,276
E-2..................................  $1,067                            O-1....................        $1,128
E-3..................................  $1,067                            O-2....................        $1,165
E-4..................................  $1,067                            O-3....................        $1,246
E-5..................................  $1,067                            O-4....................        $1,319
E-6..................................  $1,067                            O-5....................        $1,452
E-7..................................  $1,104                            O-6....................        $1,637
E-8..................................  $1,165                            O-7....................        $1,768
E-9..................................  $1,2151                           O-8....................        $1,941
W-1..................................  $1,128                            O-9....................        $2,076
W-2..................................  $1,172                            O-10...................         $2,2762
W-3..................................  $1,207

1 If the veteran served as Sergeant Major of the Army, Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Navy, Chief Master
Sergeant of the Air Force, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, or Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast
Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate shall be
$1,312.
2 If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army,
Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or Commandant of
the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate
shall be $2,443.


(3) Additional dic for children or disability.--Such section
is further amended--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``$257'' and
inserting ``$265'';
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``$257'' and
inserting ``$265''; and
(C) in subsection (d), by striking ``$122'' and
inserting ``$126''.

(e) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Children.--
(1) DIC when no surviving spouse.--Section 1313(a) of such
title is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$438'' and
inserting ``$452'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$629'' and
inserting ``$649'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$819'' and
inserting ``$846''; and
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``$819'' and
``$157'' and inserting ``$846'' and ``$162'',
respectively.
(2) Supplemental dic for certain children.--Section 1314 of
such title is amended--

[[Page 3316]]
120 STAT. 3316

(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``$257'' and
inserting ``$265'';
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``$438'' and
inserting ``$452''; and
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ``$218'' and
inserting ``$225''.

Approved December 21, 2006.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 6342:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Dec. 6, considered and passed House.
Dec. 7, considered and passed Senate.