[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 112-37
112th Congress

An Act

 
To authorize certain Department of Veterans Affairs major medical
facility projects and leases, to extend certain expiring provisions of
law, and to modify certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes. <>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Health
Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act of 2011''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Authorization of fiscal year 2012 major medical facility
projects.
Sec. 3. Modification of authorization for certain major medical facility
construction projects previously authorized.
Sec. 4. Authorization of fiscal year 2012 major medical facility leases.
Sec. 5. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 6. Modification of requirements relating to congressional approval
of certain medical facility acquisitions.
Sec. 7. Limitation on authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use
bid savings on major construction projects to expand purpose
of major medical facility projects.
Sec. 8. Name of Department of Veterans Affairs telehealth clinic, Craig,
Colorado.
Sec. 9. George H. O'Brien, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center.
Sec. 10. Extension of certain expiring authorities.
Sec. 11. Authorization of appropriations for comprehensive service
programs for homeless veterans.
Sec. 12. Reauthorization of appropriations for financial assistance for
supportive services for very low-income veteran families in
permanent housing.
Sec. 13. Extension of grant program for homeless veterans with special
needs.
Sec. 14. Extension of specially adapted housing assistance for
individuals residing temporarily in housing owned by a family
member.
Sec. 15. Extension of funding fees.
Sec. 16. Notice and verification of the use of income information from
other agencies.
Sec. 17. Termination or reduction of certain benefits and services based
on income information obtained from other agencies.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2012 MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY
PROJECTS.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following major
medical facility projects in fiscal year 2012, with each project to be
carried out in the amount specified for each project:
(1) Construction of seismic corrections for Building 100 at
the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle,
Washington, in an amount not to exceed $51,800,000.
(2) Construction of seismic corrections and renovation of
various buildings to include Building 209 for housing facilities
for homeless veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs

[[Page 393]]

Medical Center in West Los Angeles, California, in an amount not
to exceed $35,500,000.
SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL
FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PREVIOUSLY
AUTHORIZED.

(a) Modification of Authorization of Fiscal Year 2007 Major Medical
Facility Project at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in
Fayetteville, Arkansas.--Section 803(3) of the Veterans Benefits, Health
Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-
461) <> is amended--
(1) by inserting ``and a parking garage'' after ``clinical
addition''; and
(2) by striking ``$56,163,000'' and inserting
``$90,600,000''.

(b) Modification of Extension of Authorization for Major Medical
Facility Construction Project in Orlando, Florida, Previously Authorized
in Connection With Capital Asset Realignment Initiative.--Section
802(11) of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information
Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-461), <> as amended by section 702(b)(4) of the Veterans' Mental Health
and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 122 Stat.
4137), is amended by inserting ``, including a Simulation, Learning,
Education, and Research Network Center,'' after ``Florida, area''.

(c) Increase in Amount of Authorization of Fiscal Year 2008 Major
Medical Facility Project at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center in Palo Alto, California.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
carry out the major medical facility project at the Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Palo Alto, California, for which
amounts were appropriated under chapter 3 of title I of the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 122 Stat. 2326) under the
heading ``construction, major projects'' under the heading ``DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS'' in an amount not to exceed $716,600,000.
(d) Increase in Amount of Authorization of Fiscal Year 2009 Major
Medical Facility Project at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.--Section 701(3) of the Veterans' Mental
Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 122
Stat. 4137) is amended by striking ``$225,900,000'' and inserting
``$277,000,000''.
(e) Increase in Amount of Authorization of Fiscal Year 2007 Major
Medical Facility Project at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center, St. Louis, Missouri.--Section 803(5) of the Veterans Benefits,
Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-
461) <> is amended by striking ``$69,053,000''
and inserting ``$346,300,000''.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2012 MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY
LEASES.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following fiscal
year 2012 major medical facility leases at the locations specified, in
an amount not to exceed the amount shown for that location:
(1) Columbus, Georgia, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, in
an amount not to exceed $5,335,000.
(2) Fort Wayne, Indiana, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount not
to exceed $2,845,000.

[[Page 394]]

(3) Mobile, Alabama, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount not to
exceed $6,565,000.
(4) Rochester, New York, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount not
to exceed $9,232,000.
(5) Salem, Oregon, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, in an
amount not to exceed $2,549,000.
(6) San Jose, California, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount
not to exceed $9,546,000.
(7) South Bend, Indiana, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount not
to exceed $6,731,000.
(8) Springfield, Missouri, Community-Based Outpatient
Clinic, in an amount not to exceed $6,489,000.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations for Construction.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
fiscal year 2012 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the
Construction, Major Projects, account $87,300,000 for the projects
authorized in section 2.
(b) Modification of Authorization for Certain Major Medical Facility
Construction Projects Previously Authorized.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2012
or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major
Projects, account $850,070,000 for the projects authorized in section 3.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations for Medical Facility Leases.--
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2012 or the year in which funds are appropriated
for the Medical Facilities account $49,292,000 for the leases authorized
in section 4.
(d) Limitation.--The projects authorized in sections 2, 3, and 4 may
only be carried out using--
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2012 pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations in subsection (a) of this
section;
(2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a
fiscal year before fiscal year 2012 that remain available for
obligation;
(3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a
fiscal year after fiscal year 2012 that remain available for
obligation;
(4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for
fiscal year 2012 for a category of activity not specific to a
project;
(5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for
a fiscal year before 2012 for a category of activity not
specific to a project; and
(6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for
a fiscal year after 2012 for a category of activity not specific
to a project.
SEC. 6. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CONGRESSIONAL
APPROVAL OF CERTAIN MEDICAL FACILITY
ACQUISITIONS.

Section 8104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--

[[Page 395]]

(i) by striking ``detailed description'' and
inserting ``detailed estimate of the total
costs'';
(ii) by striking ``a description of the
consideration'' and inserting ``a detailed report
of the consideration''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``Such detailed estimate shall include an
identification of each of the following:
``(A) Total construction costs.
``(B) Activation costs.
``(C) Special purpose alterations (lump-sum payment)
costs.
``(D) Number of personnel.
``(E) Total costs of ancillary services, equipment,
and all other items.'';
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and
redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as paragraphs
(2) through (6), respectively;
(C) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by
striking ``a five-year period and a ten-year period''
and inserting ``a five-year period, a ten-year period,
and a twenty-year period'';
(D) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by
inserting before the period at the end the following:
``, including information on projected changes in
workload and utilization over a five-year period, a ten-
year period, and a twenty-year period'';
(E) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``Current and projected'' and
inserting ``Projected''; and
(ii) by inserting before the period at the end
the following: ``(including and identifying both
recurring and non-recurring costs (including
activation costs and total costs of ancillary
services, equipment and all other items)) over a
five-year period, a ten-year period, and a twenty-
year period''; and
(F) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``a description of each
alternative to construction of the facility that
was considered.'' and inserting ``each of the
following:''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(A) A detailed estimate of the total costs
(including total construction costs, activation costs,
special purpose alterations (lump-sum payment) costs,
number of personnel and total costs of ancillary
services, equipment and all other items) for each
alternative to construction of the facility that was
considered.
``(B) A comparison of total costs to total benefits
for each such alternative.
``(C) An explanation of why the preferred
alternative is the most effective means to achieve the
stated project goals and the most cost-effective
alternative.''; and
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``major medical facility project''
each place it appears and inserting ``major construction
project''; and

[[Page 396]]

(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``major
medical facility projects'' and inserting ``major
construction projects''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``major
medical facility'' and inserting ``major
construction project''.
SEC. 7. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
TO USE BID SAVINGS ON MAJOR CONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS TO EXPAND PURPOSE OF MAJOR MEDICAL
FACILITY PROJECTS.

Section 8104(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by
section 6, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(C) <> The Secretary may not obligate an amount
under subparagraph (A) to expand the purpose of a major construction
project except pursuant to a provision of law enacted after the date on
which the Secretary submits to the committees described in subparagraph
(B) notice of the following:
``(i) The major construction project that is the source of
the bid savings.
``(ii) The major construction project for which the
Secretary intends to expand the purpose.
``(iii) A description of such expansion of purpose.
``(iv) The amounts the Secretary intends to obligate to
expand the purpose.''.
SEC. 8. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TELEHEALTH CLINIC,
CRAIG, COLORADO.

(a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs telehealth
clinic in Craig, Colorado, shall after the date of the enactment of this
Act be known and designated as the ``Major William Edward Adams
Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''.
(b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map,
document, record, or other paper of the United States to the clinic
referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to be a reference to
the ``Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs
Clinic''.
SEC. 9. GEORGE H. O'BRIEN, JR., DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CENTER.

(a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs medical center
located in Big Spring, Texas, shall after the date of the enactment of
this Act be known and designated as the ``George H. O'Brien, Jr.,
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.
(b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map,
document, record, or other paper of the United States to the Department
of Veterans Affairs medical center referred to in subsection (a) shall
be considered to be a reference to the ``George H. O'Brien, Jr.,
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.
SEC. 10. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.

(a) Recovery Audits for Certain Contracts.--Section 1703(d)(4) of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``September 30,
2013'' and inserting ``September 30, 2020''.
(b) Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs.--Section 2021(e)(1)(F)
of such title is amended by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2012''.

[[Page 397]]

(c) Treatment and Rehabilitation for Seriously Mentally Ill and
Homeless Veterans.--Section 2031(b) of such title is amended by striking
``December 31, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2012''.
(d) Additional Services for Seriously Mentally Ill and Homeless
Veterans.--Section 2033(d) of such title is amended by striking
``December 31, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2012''.
(e) Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans.--Section 2041(c) of
such title is amended by striking ``December 31, 2011'' and inserting
``December 31, 2012''.
(f) <>  Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.--
Section 2066(d) of such title is amended by striking ``December 30,
2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2012''.

(g) Authority To Transfer Real Property.--Section 8118(a)(5) of such
title is amended by striking ``the date that is seven years after the
date of the enactment of this section'' and inserting ``December 31,
2018''.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE
PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

Section 2013 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``subchapter'' and all that follows through
the period at the end and inserting the following: ``subchapter
amounts as follows:''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(1) $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through
2009.
``(2) $175,100,000 for fiscal year 2010.
``(3) $217,700,000 for fiscal year 2011.
``(4) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
``(5) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2013 and each subsequent
fiscal year.''.
SEC. 12. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY
LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT
HOUSING.

(a) In General.--Subsection (e) of section 2044 is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(D) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2011'' and inserting
``2012''.

(b) Technical Amendment.--Paragraph (1) of such subsection is
further amended by striking ``carry out subsection (a), (b), and (c)''
and inserting ``carry out subsections (a), (b), and (c)''.
SEC. 13. EXTENSION OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS.

Section 2061(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2012''.
SEC. 14. EXTENSION OF SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR
INDIVIDUALS RESIDING TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING
OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER.

Section 2102A(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2012''.

[[Page 398]]

SEC. 15. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FEES.

Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``October 1, 2011'' each place it occurs and inserting
``November 18, 2011''.
SEC. 16. NOTICE AND VERIFICATION OF THE USE OF INCOME INFORMATION
FROM OTHER AGENCIES.

Section 5317(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2011'' and inserting ``November 18, 2011''.
SEC. 17. TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF CERTAIN BENEFITS AND SERVICES
BASED ON INCOME INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM
OTHER AGENCIES.

(a) Title 38.--Section 5317A(d) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2011'' and inserting ``November 18,
2011''.
(b) Social Security Act.--Section 453(j)(11)(G) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)(11)(G)) is amended by striking
``September 30, 2011'' and inserting ``November 18, 2011''.

Approved October 5, 2011.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 2646:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 112-209 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 157 (2011):
Sept. 20, considered and passed House.
Sept. 23, considered and passed Senate.