[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.