[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9712 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9712
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring
provisions of law, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 19, 2024
Mr. Valadao (for himself and Mr. Bost) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in
addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring
provisions of law, 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 ``VA Extenders Act
of 2024''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--HEALTH CARE
Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for
hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement To provide nursing home care to
certain veterans with service-connected
disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of expansion of rural access network for growth
enhancement program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 104. Extension of pilot program To provide veterans access to
complementary and integrative health
programs through animal therapy,
agritherapy, sports and recreation therapy,
art therapy, and posttraumatic growth
programs.
Sec. 105. Extension of authority for joint Department of Defense-
Department of Veterans Affairs medical
facility demonstration fund.
TITLE II--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS
Sec. 201. Extension of entitlement to memorial headstones and markers
for commemoration of veterans and certain
individuals.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority To bury remains of certain spouses and
children in national cemeteries.
Sec. 203. Authority for use of flat grave markers at Santa Fe National
Cemetery, New Mexico.
TITLE III--HOMELESSNESS
Sec. 301. Extension of authority To provide assistance for specially
adapted housing for disabled veterans
residing temporarily in housing owned by a
family member.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing
assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 303. Extension of authorization of appropriations for homeless
women veterans and homeless veterans with
children reintegration grant program.
Sec. 304. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation for
seriously mentally ill and homeless
veterans.
Sec. 305. Extension of funding for financial assistance for supportive
services for very low-income veteran
families in permanent housing.
Sec. 306. Extension of funding for grant program for homeless veterans
with special needs.
TITLE IV--OTHER AUTHORITIES
Sec. 401. Extension of authority To transport individuals to and from
Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of testimonial subpoena authority of Inspector
General of the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority To maintain regional office in the
Republic of the Philippines.
Sec. 404. Extension and modification of authority for monthly
assistance allowance for disabled veterans
training in Paralympic and Olympic sports
program.
Sec. 405. Expansion of cost estimates for congressional consideration
under Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund;
reporting requirements.
Sec. 406. Extension of authority for report on equitable relief
provided due to administrative error.
Sec. 407. Modification of certain housing loan fees.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for transfer of real property.
Sec. 409. Extension of requirements relating to Chief Financial Officer
of the Department.
TITLE I--HEALTH CARE
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR
HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.
Section 1710(f)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30,
2025''.
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO
CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.
Section 1710A(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF EXPANSION OF RURAL ACCESS NETWORK FOR GROWTH
ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
Section 2(d) of the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act
of 2021 (Public Law 117-21; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by
striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2025''.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VETERANS ACCESS TO
COMPLEMENTARY AND INTEGRATIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS THROUGH
ANIMAL THERAPY, AGRITHERAPY, SPORTS AND RECREATION
THERAPY, ART THERAPY, AND POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH PROGRAMS.
Section 203(d)(1) of the Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care
Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-171; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is
amended by striking ``for a three-year period beginning on the
commencement of the pilot program'' and inserting ``until September 30,
2025''.
SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR JOINT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITY
DEMONSTRATION FUND.
Section 1704(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 2573), as most recently
amended by section 104 of division E of the Continuing Appropriations
and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-180;
136 Stat. 2137), is amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
TITLE II--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF ENTITLEMENT TO MEMORIAL HEADSTONES AND MARKERS
FOR COMMEMORATION OF VETERANS AND CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.
Section 2306(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``October 1, 2024'' both places it appears and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO BURY REMAINS OF CERTAIN SPOUSES AND
CHILDREN IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.
Section 2402(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``October 1, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 203. AUTHORITY FOR USE OF FLAT GRAVE MARKERS AT SANTA FE NATIONAL
CEMETERY, NEW MEXICO.
Section 2404(c)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) in the case of Santa Fe National Cemetery, New
Mexico, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide flat
grave markers in any section of such cemetery in which flat
markers were in use on December 22, 2023.''.
TITLE III--HOMELESSNESS
SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALLY
ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS RESIDING
TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER.
Section 2102A(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2108(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOMELESS
WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN
REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2021A(f)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2025''.
SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FOR
SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
(b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) of
such title is amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN
PERMANENT HOUSING.
(a) In General.--Section 2044(e)(H) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2025''.
(b) Technical Amendment.--Section 2044(e) of such title is amended
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (H) as paragraphs (1)
through (8), respectively.
SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Section 2061(d)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2025''.
TITLE IV--OTHER AUTHORITIES
SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FACILITIES.
Section 111A(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF TESTIMONIAL SUBPOENA AUTHORITY OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 312(d)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``May 31, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE IN THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Section 315(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 404. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY
ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS TRAINING IN
PARALYMPIC AND OLYMPIC SPORTS PROGRAM.
Section 322 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``the United States Olympic Committee''
each place it appears and inserting ``the United States Olympic
& Paralympic Committee'';
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``Veterans Benefits
Administration'' and inserting ``Veterans Health
Administration''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by amending paragraph (4) to read as
follows:
``(4) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subsection the following:
``(A) For each of fiscal years 2010 through 2023,
$2,000,000.
``(B) For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027,
$2,500,000.''.
SEC. 405. EXPANSION OF COST ESTIMATES FOR CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION
UNDER COST OF WAR TOXIC EXPOSURES FUND; REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS.
Subsection (e) of section 324 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking ``title 31'' and all that follows through
the end of the subsection and inserting: ``title 31, for the
applicable fiscal year--
``(1) detailed estimates of the sums proposed to be
provided pursuant to subsection (c);
``(2) the proposed allocations of such sums, disaggregated
by account and program within the Department;
``(3) justifications for the sums described in paragraphs
(1) and (2); and
``(4) for each account described in paragraph (2), a
calculation of the amount of funding requested for such account
over the fiscal year 2021 level;''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(g) Report.--(1) For each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030, the
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
report that includes, with respect to the fiscal year covered by the
report--
``(A) an identification, for each account within the Fund,
of the total amount obligated or expended by the Secretary;
``(B) a description of any activity, program, or project
carried out exclusively using sums provided pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations under subsection (c); and
``(C) a description of how any activity, program, or
project carried out using sums provided pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations under subsection (c) benefits
veterans who were exposed to environmental hazards while
performing active military, naval, air, or space service.
``(2) The Secretary shall submit each report required under
paragraph (1) by not later than January 1 of the fiscal year beginning
after the fiscal year covered by the report.
``(h) Information Provided Upon Congressional Request.--The
Secretary shall, upon the request of the Chair, Vice Chair, or Ranking
Member, of an appropriate congressional committee, provide to such
appropriate congressional committee documents, records, or other
information in the format specified by such committee, including
testimony, with respect to any allocation, purpose, use, or activities
of the Fund.
``(i) Appropriate Congressional Committee Defined.--In this
section, the term `appropriate congressional committee' means any of
the following:
``(1) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
``(2) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
``(3) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
``(4) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.''.
SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REPORT ON EQUITABLE RELIEF
PROVIDED DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.
Section 503(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in the
second sentence, by striking ``December 31, 2024'' and inserting
``December 31, 2025''.
SEC. 407. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.
The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``November 15, 2031'' each place it
appears and inserting ``November 29, 2031''.
SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY.
Section 8118(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Section 7103 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315)
is amended by striking ``for fiscal year 2022 and each of the next
three subsequent fiscal years'' and inserting ``for each of fiscal
years 2026 through 2029''.
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