    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 116-23
    116th Congress

    An Act

    To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating
    to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the
    Republic of Vietnam, 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act
    of 2019''.
    SEC. 2. CLARIFICATION OF PRESUMPTIONS OF EXPOSURE FOR VETERANS WHO
    SERVED IN VICINITY OF REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, is
    amended by inserting after section 1116 the following new section:
    ``Sec. 1116A. <>  Presumptions of service
    connection for veterans who served offshore of
    the Republic of Vietnam

    ``(a) <>  Service Connection.--For the purposes
    of section 1110 of this title, and subject to section 1113 of this
    title, a disease covered by section 1116 of this title becoming manifest
    as specified in that section in a veteran who, during active military,
    naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam during
    the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975,
    shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by such
    service, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such
    disease during the period of such service.

    ``(b) <>  Exposure.--A veteran who, during
    active military, naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic
    of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on
    May 7, 1975, shall be presumed to have been exposed during such service
    to an herbicide agent unless there is affirmative evidence to establish
    that the veteran was not exposed to any such agent during that service.

    ``(c) <>  Effective Date of Award.--(1) Except
    as provided by paragraph (2), the effective date of an award under this
    section shall be determined in accordance with section 5110 of this
    title.

    ``(2)(A) <>  Notwithstanding subsection (g) of
    section 5110 of this title, the Secretary shall determine the effective
    date of an award based on a claim under this section for an individual
    described in subparagraph (B) by treating the date on which the
    individual filed the prior claim specified in clause (i) of such
    subparagraph as the date on which the individual filed the claim so
    awarded under this section.

    [[Page 967]]

    ``(B) <>  An individual described in this
    subparagraph is a veteran, or a survivor of a veteran, who meets the
    following criteria:
    ``(i) <>  The veteran or survivor
    submitted a claim for disability compensation on or after
    September 25, 1985, and before January 1, 2020, for a disease
    covered by this section, and the claim was denied by reason of
    the claim not establishing that the disease was incurred or
    aggravated by the service of the veteran.
    ``(ii) <>  The veteran or survivor
    submits a claim for disability compensation on or after January
    1, 2020, for the same condition covered by the prior claim under
    clause (i), and the claim is approved pursuant to this section.

    ``(d) Determination of Offshore.--Notwithstanding any other
    provision of law, for purposes of this section, the Secretary shall
    treat a location as being offshore of Vietnam if the location is not
    more than 12 nautical miles seaward of a line commencing on the
    southwestern demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia and
    intersecting the following points:

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Latitude
    ``Points Geographic Names                                  North     Longitude  East
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Hon Nhan Island, Tho Chu Archipelago Kien Giang Province                             915.0'         10327.0'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Hon Da Island southeast of Hon Khoai Island Minh Hai Province                        822.8'         10452.4'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Tai Lon Islet, Con Dao Islet in Con Dao-Vung Toa Special Sector                      837.8'         10637.5'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Bong Lai Islet, Con Dao Islet                                                        838.9'         10640.3'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Bay Canh Islet, Con Dao Islet                                                        839.7'         10642.1'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Hon Hai Islet (Phu Qui group of islands) Thuan Hai Province                          958.0'          1095.0'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Hon Doi Islet, Thuan Hai Province                                                   1239.0'         10928.0'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Dai Lanh point, Phu Khanh Province                                                  1253.8'         10927.2'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Ong Can Islet, Phu Khanh Province                                                   1354.0'         10921.0'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Ly Son Islet, Nghia Binh Province                                                   1523.1'         109 9.0'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At Con Co Island, Binh Tri Thien Province                                              1710.0'         10720.6'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ``(e) Herbicide Agent.--In this section, the term `herbicide agent'
    has the meaning given that term in section 1116(a)(3) of this title.''.

    [[Page 968]]

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
    such chapter <>  is amended by inserting after
    the item relating to section 1116 the following new item:

    ``1116A. Presumptions of service connection for veterans who served
    offshore of the Republic of Vietnam.''.

    (c) <>  Implementation.--
    (1) Guidance.--Notwithstanding section 501 of such title,
    the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may issue guidance to
    implement section 1116A of title 38, United States Code, as
    added by subsection (a), before prescribing new regulations
    under such section.
    (2) <>  Updates.--(A) Not later than 120
    days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
    shall submit a report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
    the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding the plans
    of the Secretary--
    (i) to conduct outreach under subsection (d); and
    (ii) to respond to inquiries from veterans regarding
    claims for disability compensation under section 1116A
    of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
    (a) of this section.
    (B) <>  On a quarterly basis during the
    period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and
    ending on the date on which regulations are prescribed to carry
    out such section 1116A, the Secretary shall submit to the
    Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
    and the Senate updates on the status of such regulations.
    (3) Pending cases.--
    (A) Authority to stay.--The Secretary may stay a
    claim described in subparagraph (B) until the date on
    which the Secretary commences the implementation of such
    section 1116A.
    (B) Claims described.--A claim described in this
    subparagraph is a claim for disability compensation--
    (i) relating to the service and diseases
    covered by such section 1116A; and
    (ii) <>  that is pending
    at the Veterans Benefits Administration or the
    Board of Veterans' Appeals on or after the date of
    the enactment of this Act and before the date on
    which the Secretary commences the implementation
    of such section 1116A.

    (d) <>  Outreach.--
    (1) Requirement.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
    conduct outreach to inform veterans described in paragraph (2)
    of the ability to submit a claim for disability compensation
    under section 1116A of title 38, United States Code, as added by
    subsection (a). Such outreach shall include the following:
    (A) <>  The Secretary
    shall publish on the website of the Department a notice
    that a veterans described in paragraph (2) may submit or
    resubmit a claim for disability compensation under such
    section 1116A.
    (B) <>  The Secretary shall
    notify in writing the veteran service organization
    community of the ability of veterans described in
    paragraph (2) to submit or resubmit claims for
    disability compensation under such section 1116A.

    [[Page 969]]

    (2) <>  Veteran described.--A veteran
    described in this paragraph is a veteran who, during active
    military, naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic
    of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and
    ending on May 7, 1975.

    (e) Reports.--Not later than January 1, 2021, and annually
    thereafter for 2 years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
    to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
    and the Senate a report regarding claims for disability compensation
    under section 1116A of title 38, United States Code, as added by
    subsection (a). Each report shall include, with respect to the calendar
    year preceding the report, disaggregated by the regional offices of the
    Department of Veterans Affairs, the following:
    (1) The number of claims filed under such section.
    (2) The number of such claims granted.
    (3) The number of such claims denied.

    (f) Health Care.--Section 1710(e)(4) of title 38, United States
    Code, is amended by inserting ``(including offshore of such Republic as
    described in section 1116A(d) of this title)'' after ``served on active
    duty in the Republic of Vietnam''.
    (g) <>  Effective Date.--The amendments
    made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2020.
    SEC. 3. PRESUMPTION OF HERBICIDE EXPOSURE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WHO
    SERVED IN KOREA.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, is
    amended by inserting after section 1116A, as added by section 2, the
    following new section:
    ``Sec. 1116B. <>  Presumption of herbicide
    exposure for certain veterans who served in
    Korea

    ``(a) Presumption of Service-Connection.--(1) For the purposes of
    section 1110 of this title, and subject to section 1113 of this title, a
    disease specified in subsection (b) that becomes manifest as specified
    in that subsection in a veteran described in paragraph (2) shall be
    considered to have been incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in
    the active military, naval, or air service, notwithstanding that there
    is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such
    service.
    ``(2) <>  A veteran described in this paragraph
    is a veteran who, during active military, naval, or air service, served
    in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), during the period
    beginning on September 1, 1967, and ending on August 31, 1971.

    ``(b) Diseases.--A disease specified in this subsection is--
    ``(1) a disease specified in paragraph (2) of subsection (a)
    of section 1116 of this title that becomes manifest as specified
    in that paragraph; or
    ``(2) any additional disease that--
    ``(A) <>  the
    Secretary determines in regulations warrants a
    presumption of service-connection by reason of having
    positive association with exposure to an herbicide
    agent; and
    ``(B) becomes manifest within any period prescribed
    in such regulations.

    ``(c) Herbicide Agent.--For purposes of this section, the term
    `herbicide agent' has the meaning given such term in section 1821(d) of
    this title.''.

    [[Page 970]]

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
    such chapter <>  is amended by inserting after
    the item relating to section 1116A, as added by section 2, the following
    new item:

    ``1116B. Presumption of herbicide exposure for certain veterans who
    served in Korea.''.

    (c) <>  Implementation.--
    (1) Guidance.--Notwithstanding section 501 of such title,
    the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may issue guidance to
    implement section 1116B of title 38, United States Code, as
    added by subsection (a), before prescribing new regulations
    under such section.
    (2) <>  Updates.--(A) Not later than 120
    days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
    shall submit a report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
    the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding the plans
    of the Secretary to respond to inquiries from veterans regarding
    claims for disability compensation under section 1116B of title
    38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this
    section.
    (B) <>  On a quarterly basis during the
    period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and
    ending on the date on which regulations are prescribed to carry
    out such section 1116B, the Secretary shall submit to the
    Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
    and the Senate updates on the status of such regulations.
    (3) Pending cases.--
    (A) Authority to stay.--The Secretary may stay a
    claim described in subparagraph (B) until the date on
    which the Secretary commences the implementation of
    section 1116B of title 38, United States Code, as added
    by subsection (a).
    (B) Claims described.--A claim described in this
    subparagraph is a claim for disability compensation--
    (i) relating to the service and diseases
    covered by such section 1116B; and
    (ii) <>  that is pending
    at the Veterans Benefits Administration or the
    Board of Veterans' Appeals on or after the date of
    the enactment of this Act and before the date on
    which the Secretary commences the implementation
    of such section 1116B.

    (d) <>  Effective Date.--The amendments
    made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2020.
    SEC. 4. BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF CERTAIN THAILAND SERVICE VETERANS
    BORN WITH SPINA BIFIDA.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 18 of title 38, United
    States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
    ``Sec. 1822. <>  Benefits for children of
    certain Thailand service veterans born with
    spina bifida

    ``(a) Benefits Authorized.--The Secretary may provide to any child
    of a veteran of covered service in Thailand who is suffering from spina
    bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and
    monetary allowance required to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran
    who is suffering from spina bifida under subchapter I of this chapter as
    if such child of a veteran of covered

    [[Page 971]]

    service in Thailand were a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering
    from spina bifida under such subchapter.
    ``(b) Spina Bifida Conditions Covered.--This section applies with
    respect to all forms and manifestations of spina bifida, except spina
    bifida occulta.
    ``(c) <>  Veteran of Covered
    Service in Thailand.--For purposes of this section, a veteran of covered
    service in Thailand is any individual, without regard to the
    characterization of that individual's service, who--
    ``(1) <>  served in the active military,
    naval, or air service in Thailand, as determined by the
    Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, during
    the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7,
    1975; and
    ``(2) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with
    the Secretary of Defense, to have been exposed to a herbicide
    agent during such service in Thailand.

    ``(d) <>  Herbicide Agent.--For purposes of this section, the term
    `herbicide agent' means a chemical in a herbicide used in support of
    United States and allied military operations in Thailand, as determined
    by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, during
    the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975.''.

    (b) Conforming Amendment to Definition of ``Child''.--Section
    1831(1) of such title is amended--
    (1) in subparagraph (B)--
    (A) by striking ``subchapter III of this chapter''
    and inserting ``section 1821 of this title''; and
    (B) in clause (i), by striking ``section 1821 of
    this title'' and inserting ``that section''; and
    (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(C) For purposes of section 1822 of this title, an
    individual, regardless of age or marital status, who--
    ``(i) is the natural child of a veteran of
    covered service in Thailand (as determined for
    purposes of that section); and
    ``(ii) was conceived after the date on which
    that veteran first entered service described in
    subsection (c) of that section.''.

    (c) Clerical Amendments.--
    (1) Subchapter heading.--The heading for subchapter III of
    chapter 18 of such title <>  is
    amended by inserting ``AND THAILAND'' after ``KOREA''.
    (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the
    beginning of chapter 18 of such title <>  is amended--
    (A) by striking the item relating to subchapter III
    and inserting the following new item:

    ``subchapter iii--children of certain korea and thailand service
    veterans born with spina bifida'';

    and
    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section
    1821 the following new item:

    ``1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans born
    with spina bifida.''.

    (d) <>  Implementation.--

    [[Page 972]]

    (1) Guidance.--Notwithstanding section 501 of such title,
    the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may issue guidance to
    implement section 1822 of title 38, United States Code, as added
    by subsection (a), before prescribing new regulations under such
    section.
    (2) <>  Updates.--(A) Not later than 120
    days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
    shall submit a report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
    the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding the plans
    of the Secretary to respond to inquiries from veterans regarding
    claims for disability compensation under section 1822 of title
    38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this
    section.
    (B) <>  On a quarterly basis during the
    period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and
    ending on the date on which regulations are prescribed to carry
    out such section 1822, the Secretary shall submit to the
    Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
    and the Senate updates on the status of such regulations.
    (3) Pending cases.--
    (A) Authority to stay.--The Secretary may stay a
    claim described in subparagraph (B) until the date on
    which the Secretary commences the implementation of
    section 1822 of title 38, United States Code, as added
    by subsection (a).
    (B) Claims described.--A claim described in this
    subparagraph is a claim for benefits--
    (i) relating to the spina bifida and service
    covered by such section 1822; and
    (ii) <>  that is pending
    at the Veterans Benefits Administration or the
    Board of Veterans' Appeals on or after the date of
    the enactment of this Act and before the date on
    which the Secretary commences the implementation
    of such section 1822.

    (e) <>  Report.--Not later than 180 days after
    the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
    Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to
    the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and
    the Senate a report identifying--
    (1) <>  the military installations of
    the United States located in Thailand during the period
    beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, at
    which an herbicide agent (as defined in section 1822 of title
    38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)) was actively
    used; and
    (2) the period of such use.

    (f) <>  Effective Date.--The amendments
    made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2020.
    SEC. 5. UPDATED REPORT ON CERTAIN GULF WAR ILLNESS STUDY.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
    the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on
    Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
    updated report on the findings, as of the date of the updated report, of
    the Follow-up Study of a National Cohort of Gulf War and Gulf Era
    Veterans under the epidemiology program of the Department of Veterans
    Affairs.

    [[Page 973]]

    SEC. 6. LOANS GUARANTEED UNDER HOME LOAN PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF
    VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Adjustment of Loan Limit.--
    (1) In general.--Section 3703(a)(1) of title 38, United
    States Code, is amended--
    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
    (i) in clause (i)(IV), by striking ``the
    lesser of the maximum guaranty amount (as defined
    in subparagraph (C)) or''; and
    (ii) in clause (ii), by striking
    ``subparagraph (B) of this paragraph'' and
    inserting ``subparagraph (B) or (C)'';
    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
    (i) by striking ``The maximum'' and inserting
    ``With respect to loans described in subclauses
    (I), (II), or (III) of subparagraph (A)(i), the
    maximum''; and
    (ii) by striking ``or in the case'' and all
    that follows through ``subparagraph (C)),''; and
    (C) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
    following new subparagraph (C):

    ``(C)(i) With respect to loans described in subclause (IV) of
    subparagraph (A)(i) made to a veteran not covered by clause (ii), the
    maximum amount of guaranty entitlement available to the veteran shall be
    25 percent of the loan.
    ``(ii) With respect to loans described in subclause (IV) of
    subparagraph (A)(i) made to a covered veteran, the maximum amount of
    guaranty entitlement available to the veteran shall be 25 percent of the
    Freddie Mac conforming loan limit, reduced by the amount of entitlement
    previously used by the veteran under this chapter and not restored as a
    result of the exclusion in section 3702(b) of this title.
    ``(iii) <>  In this subparagraph:
    ``(I) The term `covered veteran' means a veteran who has
    previously used entitlement under this chapter and for whom the
    full amount of entitlement so used has not been restored as a
    result of the exclusion in section 3702(b) of this title.
    ``(II) The term `Freddie Mac conforming loan limit' means
    the limit determined under section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home
    Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)) for a
    single-family residence, as adjusted for the year involved.''.
    (2) Loans to native american veterans.--Section 3762(c) of
    such title is amended--
    (A) by striking paragraph (1); and
    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as
    paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
    (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 3710(d)(4) of such title
    is amended by striking ``section 3703(a)(1)(B) of this title''
    and inserting ``subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 3703(a)(1) of
    this title''.

    (b) Adjustment of Loan Fees.--Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United
    States Code, is amended by striking the loan fee table and inserting the
    following:

    [[Page 974]]

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Active duty
    ``Type of loan                         veteran             Reservist          Other  obligor
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (A)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a)   2.15                 2.40                 NA
    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 section 3710(a)  2.30                 2.30                 NA
    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
    January 1, 2022)
    (A)(iii) Initial loan described in section         2.15                 2.15                 NA
    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, 2022, and
    before October 1, 2029)
    (A)(iv) Initial loan described in section 3710(a)  1.40                 1.40                 NA
    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, 2029)
    (B)(i) Subsequent loan described in section        3.30                 3.30                 NA
    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 section       3.60                 3.60                 NA
    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 January 1, 2022)
    (B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in section      3.30                 3.30                 NA
    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, 2022, and before October 1, 2029)
    (B)(iv) Subsequent loan described in section       1.25                 1.25                 NA
    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, 2029)

    [[Page 975]]

    (C)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to        1.50                 1.75                 NA
    purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down
    (closed before January 1, 2020)
    (C)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to       1.65                 1.65                 NA
    purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down
    (closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before
    January 1, 2022)
    (C)(iii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to      1.50                 1.50                 NA
    purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down
    (closed on or after January 1, 2022, and before
    October 1, 2029)
    (C)(iv) Loan described in section 3710(a) to       0.75                 0.75                 NA
    purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down
    (closed on or after October 1, 2029)
    (D)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to        1.25                 1.50                 NA
    purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
    (closed before January 1, 2020)
    (D)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to       1.40                 1.40                 NA
    purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
    (closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before
    January 1, 2022)
    (D)(iii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to      1.25                 1.25                 NA
    purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
    (closed on or after January 1, 2022, and before
    October 1, 2029)
    (D)(iv) Loan described in section 3710(a) to       0.50                 0.50                 NA
    purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
    (closed on or after October 1, 2029)
    (E) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan       0.50                 0.50                 NA
    (F) Direct loan under section 3711                 1.00                 1.00                 NA
    (G) Manufactured home loan under section 3712      1.00                 1.00                 NA
    (other than an interest rate reduction
    refinancing loan)
    (H) Loan to Native American veteran under section  1.25                 1.25                 NA
    3762 (other than an interest rate reduction
    refinancing loan)
    (I) Loan assumption under section 3714             0.50                 0.50                 0.50
    (J) Loan under section 3733(a)                     2.25                 2.25                 2.25''.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Waiver of Fees for Purple Heart Recipients.--Section 3729(c)(1)
    of such title is amended--
    (1) by striking ``or from a surviving spouse'' and inserting
    ``, from a surviving spouse''; and

    [[Page 976]]

    (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following:
    ``, 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''.

    (d) <>  Effective Date.--The amendments
    made by this section shall apply with respect to a loan guaranteed under
    section 3710 of title 38, United States Code, on or after January 1,
    2020.

    (e) <>  Guidance.--Notwithstanding section
    501 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    may issue guidance to implement this section before prescribing new
    regulations under sections 3703, 3729, and 3762 of such title, as
    amended by this section.
    SEC. 7. INFORMATION GATHERING FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    HOME LOAN APPRAISALS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3731(b) of title 38, United States Code, is
    amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3) The Secretary shall permit an appraiser on a list developed
    and maintained under subsection (a)(3) to make an appraisal for the
    purposes of this chapter based solely on information gathered by a
    person with whom the appraiser has entered into an agreement for such
    services.''.
    (b) <>  Effective Date.--The amendments
    made by this section shall apply with respect to an appraisal under
    section 3731 of such title, on or after January 1, 2020.

    (c) <>  Guidance.--Notwithstanding section
    501 of such title, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may issue guidance
    to implement this section before prescribing new regulations under
    sections 3731 of such title, as amended by subsection (a).
    SEC. 8. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with
    the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by
    reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO
    Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional
    Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such
    statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

    Approved June 25, 2019.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 299:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HOUSE REPORTS: No. 116-58 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs).
    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):
    May 14, considered and passed House.
    June 12, considered and passed Senate.