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104th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 104-572
_______________________________________________________________________
VETERANS' BENEFITS AMENDMENTS OF 1996
_______________________________________________________________________
May 10, 1996.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Stump, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 3373]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 3373) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
update and make changes to the Servicemen's Group Life
Insurance program and the Veterans' Group Life Insurance
program, and make other improvements to life insurance programs
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to clarify
the eligibility of certain minors for burial in national
cemeteries, and to require that the offices for management,
policy, and other functions associated with the educational
assistance programs of the Education Service of the Department
of Veterans Affairs be in the District of Columbia, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon, without
amendment, and recommends that the bill do pass.
Introduction
On January 4, 1996, the Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs
Committee, the Honorable Bob Stump, along with the Ranking
Member, the Honorable G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery, and the Chairman
and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Compensation,
Pension, Insurance and Memorial Affairs, the Honorable Terry
Everett and the Honorable Lane Evans, introduced H.R. 2843,
which would change the name of the Servicemen's Group Life
Insurance program to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance,
authorize the termination of life insurance under that program
when premiums are not paid, increase the maximum
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage to $200,000 and
provide for coverage under that program to be provided
automatically at the maximum level unless the servicemember
elects a lower level, and to make other improvements to life
insurance programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
On April 17, 1996, the Subcommittee on Compensation,
Pension, Insurance and Memorial Affairs met, and by unanimous
voice vote ordered H.R. 2843, as amended, reported to the full
Committee.
On January 4, 1996, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Honorable Bob Stump and the
Honorable G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery, introduced H.R. 2850, which
would define the term ``minor child'' to clarify the
eligibility of veterans' children for burial in national
cemeteries.
On April 17, 1996, the Subcommittee on Compensation,
Pension, Insurance and Memorial Affairs met and recommended
H.R. 2850 to the full Committee.
On March 6, 1996, the Veterans' Affairs Committee's Ranking
Member, the Honorable G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery, and the Chairman
of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, the Honorable Bob Stump,
along with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee
on Education, Training, Employment and Housing, the Honorable
Steve Buyer and the Honorable Maxine Waters, introduced H.R.
3036, to require that the offices for management, policy, and
other functions associated with the educational assistance
programs of the Education Service of the Department of Veterans
Affairs be in the District of Columbia.
On April 18, 1996, the Subcommittee on Education, Training,
Employment and Housing met to receive testimony on the bill.
On May 8, 1996, the Committee met and ordered H.R. 3373
reported favorably to the House by unanimous voice vote. This
bill combined provisions from H.R. 2843, H.R. 2850, and H.R.
3036.
Summary of the Reported Bill
H.R. 3373 contains two titles. Title I would:
1) Merge the Retired Reserve Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance programs; extend
Veterans' Group Life Insurance coverage to members of the Ready
Reserve of a uniformed service.
2) Provide for an individual, upon separation from the
military, to choose to roll over to the Veterans' Group Life
Insurance program or choose a commercial policy, upon written
application; eliminate the five-year renewal period for
Veterans' Group Life Insurance; provide that if a Veterans'
Group Life Insurance-insured individual becomes insured by
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance but dies before the
Veterans' Group Life Insurance has been terminated or
converted, Veterans' Group Life Insurance will be payable only
if the individual is insured for less than $200,000 under
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, and then only in an
amount which, when added to the amount of Servicemembers' Group
Life Insurance, does not exceed $200,000.
3) Require information to be provided members concerning
automatic maximum coverage of $200,000 under Servicemen's Group
Life Insurance.
4) Rename the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance program to
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
5) Specify that the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance of
any member of the Retired Reserve of a uniformed service in
force on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be
converted, effective 90 days after that date, to Veterans'
Group Life Insurance.
Title II would:
1) Clarify the eligibility of certain minors for burial in
national cemeteries, by defining the term ``minor child''.
2) Require that the offices for management, policy, and
other functions associated with the educational assistance
programs of the Education Service of the Department of Veterans
Affairs be in the District of Columbia.
Background and Discussion
TITLE I--VETERANS' INSURANCE PROGRAMS
The Department of Veterans Affairs administers six life
insurance programs and supervises the administration of two
others for the benefit of service members, veterans, and their
beneficiaries. At the end of 1995, the total amount of
insurance under these programs was over $491 billion. The two
programs supervised by the Department of Veterans Affairs but
administered under a contractual agreement by the Prudential
Insurance Company include the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance
and the Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
The Servicemen's Group Life Insurance program provides low
cost group life insurance protection to persons on active duty
in the military service, ready reservists, retired reservists,
members of the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health Service,
cadets and midshipmen of the four service academies, and
members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps. At the end of
1995, 2.7 million individuals were covered under this program.
Veterans' Group Life Insurance is a post-separation
insurance program which provides for the conversion of
Servicemen's Group Life Insurance to a five-year renewable term
policy. At the end of 1995, 349,256 enrollees had insurance
coverage under the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program.
Section 101. Merger of Retired Reserve Servicemembers'
Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance and
extension of Veterans' Group Life Insurance to members of the
Ready Reserve. This provision would benefit Retired Reservists
by making available the lifetime coverage provided under the
Veterans' Group Life Insurance program. Veterans' Group Life
Insurance coverage would also be extended to members of the
Ready Reserve of a uniformed service. Currently, when members
of the Ready Reserve retire with 20 years of service or are
transferred to the Retired Reserve under temporary special
retirement authority, they may continue their Servicemen's
Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage as Retired Reservists'
SGLI until they receive their retired pay or reach age 61,
whichever comes first. By discontinuing the Retired Reservists'
SGLI program, the Retired Reservist would have lifetime
coverage available under the Veterans' Group Life Insurance
(VGLI) program.
Section 102. Conversion to commercial life insurance policy
and elimination of the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program
five-year renewal period; provides that if a Veteran's Group
Life Insurance program-insured individual becomes insured by
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, but dies before the
Veterans' Group Life Insurance has been terminated or
converted, Veterans' Group Life Insurance will be payable only
if the individual is insured for less than $200,000 under the
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, and then only in an
amount which, when added to the amount of Servicemembers' Group
Life Insurance, does not exceed $200,000. Currently,
servicemembers may not convert their SGLI insurance to a
commercial policy when they separate from service.
Servicemembers who choose to enroll in VGLI upon separation
must maintain their VGLI policy for a minimum of five years
before converting to a commercial life insurance policy.
Although term policies provide low-cost coverage for younger
insureds, term insurance becomes very expensive for older
insureds. A permanent life insurance policy is an alternative
to the ever-increasing cost of term coverage. Since the cost of
such a policy increases as the insured's age increases,
requiring insureds to delay conversion until five years after
leaving active duty increases the cost for those who would like
to convert sooner. This provision would give insureds an option
to convert their SGLI or VGLI policies at any time, lowering
their cost of conversion.
Section 103. Information to be provided members concerning
automatic maximum coverage of $200,000 under Servicemen's Group
Life Insurance. The following general information would be
provided to individuals by the appropriate Secretary:
(a) Lthe purpose and role of life insurance in
financial planning;
(b) Lthe difference between term life insurance and
whole life insurance;
(c) Lthe availability of commercial life insurance;
(d) Lthe relationship between Servicemen's Group Life
Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
This provision would help educate the servicemember about
financial planning and ensure that informed decisions are being
made by the servicemember.
Section 104. Renaming of Servicemen's Group Life Insurance
program. The program's name would be changed to Servicemembers'
Group Life Insurance to make it gender neutral.
Section 105. Effective date. The Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance of any member of the Retired Reserve of a uniformed
service in force on the date of the enactment of this Act shall
be converted, effective 90 days after that date, to Veterans'
Group Life Insurance.
TITLE II--OTHER MATTERS
Section 201. Eligibility of certain minors for burial in
national cemeteries. In 1973, Congress enacted the National
Cemeteries Act, which transferred the responsibility for
operating national cemeteries from the Department of the Army
to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility for burial
continued to be defined under title 24 provisions, as Congress
indicated an intent that similar eligibility rules should apply
under VA's management of the cemetery system. The Department of
Army defines ``minor child'' as children under age 21, as does
the Department of Veterans Affairs regulation at 38 C.F.R.,
section 1.620(g). However, under title 38, United States Code,
``child'' includes children up to age 23, providing they are
pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational
institution. The National Cemetery System encounters situations
which result in confusion as a result of the differences in the
title 38 definition of a ``child'' and the regulatory
definition of ``minor child'' for purposes of burial
eligibility. Therefore, this bill would amend the statute
governing burial eligibility to incorporate the regulatory
definition of ``minor child''.
Section 202. Programs, projects, and activities of the
Education Service, Department of Veterans Affairs. The
Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed to move the VA's
Education Service to St. Louis, Missouri, as part of the
Veterans Benefits Administration's efforts to restructure.
The VA asserts that the move of the Education Service from
Washington, DC, would not hinder the quality of the program,
just as the location of the Department's Insurance Program in
Philadelphia has not had an adverse effect on that program. VA
believes that the collocation of the policy activity of the
program at its main production site saves time, promotes
efficiency and fosters a constructive partnership between line
and staff elements. It is VA's belief that education services
will benefit from this new structure, but VA has not elaborated
as to how either the Education Service or veteran beneficiaries
will receive improved service.
The Committee feels that moving VA's Education Service to
St. Louis, MO, would adversely affect the administration of the
Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and other VA education programs.
There is a unique process for the successful administration of
the MGIB. VA, DoD, and the military service staffs, veteran
service organizations and education industry professional
associations must work closely with the Congressional
authorizing committees. A move to St. Louis would make
communication and cooperation far more difficult.
The Education Service staff frequently interacts with VA's
Central Office staff. Without direct contact, it would be much
harder for that staff to work with VA General Counsel, computer
support services, budget staff, contractors, and others.
Additionally, by allowing the Education Service to be moved to
St. Louis, the Committee believes that the service would be
underrepresented when policy decisions are made and priorities
established.
The Montgomery GI Bill and other education and training
programs administered by the Education Service are as important
to our Nation's veterans as the other benefits provided by VA--
moving the Education Service would send the message that
education programs are not valued.
H.R. 3373 does not affect full time employee equivalency
and would ensure that educational assistance programs continue
to be high priority programs in the VA. It enjoys strong
bipartisan support.
The Committee believes that it is vital to veterans, and to
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to keep the policy and
management team for a dynamic program such as the education
service as close as possible to the Secretary and the
Congressional Committee charged with oversight. The comparison
of Education Services to the VA insurance program is not an apt
one. The Committee views the Education Service as having an
ever-changing program, certainly in need of more policy-making
discussions and oversight than the VA Insurance Program.
Section-By-Section Analysis
Section 1 would be cited as the ``Veterans' Benefits
Amendments of 1996''.
Section 101(a) would amend section 1965(5) by redefining
``member'' for purposes of veterans' insurance programs.
Section 101(b) would amend section 1967 by redefining
``persons insured'' for purposes of veterans' insurance
programs.
Section 101(c) would amend section 1968 by redefining
``duration and termination of coverage'' for purposes of
veterans' insurance programs.
Section 101(d) would amend section 1969 by redefining
``premiums'' requirements for purposes of veterans' insurance
programs.
Section 102(a) would amend section 1968(b), as amended by
section 101(c)(2),by providing that an individual insured under
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance may be automatically
converted to Veterans' Group Life Insurance, and by providing
for an individual to convert from Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance to an individual policy of insurance as described in
section 1977(e).
Section 102(b) would amend section 1977(a) by providing for
any person insured under Veterans' Group Life Insurance who
becomes insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance but
dies before terminating or converting such person's Veterans'
Group Insurance, that Veterans' Group Life Insurance shall be
payable only if such person is insured for less than $200,000
under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, and then only in an
amount which, when added to the amount of Servicemembers' Group
Life Insurance payable, does not exceed $200,000. It would also
provide for an insured under Veterans' Group Life Insurance the
right to convert to an individual policy at any time, and it
would provide for the termination of Veterans' Group Life
Insurance on the day before the date on which the individual
policy becomes effective.
Section 103 would amend section 1967, as amended by section
101(b) of this title, providing that members with the maximum
insurance amount of $200,000 be furnished with general
information concerning life insurance, such as (1) the purpose
and role of life insurance in financial planning; (2) the
difference between term life insurance and whole life
insurance; (3) the availability of commercial life insurance;
(4) the relationship between Servicemember's Group Life
Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
Section 104(a) would redesignate the insurance program
under subchapter III of chapter 19 of title 38, United States
Code, as the Servicemember's Group Life Insurance program.
Section 104(b) would amend chapter 19 to make conforming
changes regarding the redesignation of the program's name.
Section 105 would provide that the Servicemembers' Group
Life Insurance of any member of the Retired Reserve of a
uniformed service in force on the date of the enactment of this
Act shall be converted, effective 90 days after that date, to
Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
Section 201(a) would amend section 2402(5) of title 38,
United States Code, to define the term ``minor child'' and
clarify the eligibility of veterans' children for burial in
national cemeteries.
Section 201(b) would amend section 101(4)(A) of this title
to make conforming changes.
Section 202(a) would amend chapter 77 by inserting section
7705 to require that the management, policy, and the operations
functions associated with the educational assistance programs
of the VA's Education Service be located in the District of
Columbia.
Section 202(b) would amend the table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 77 referencing section 7705.
Oversight Findings
No oversight findings have been submitted to the Committee
by the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
The following letter was received from the Congressional
Budget Office concerning the cost of the reported bill:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 9, 1996.
Hon. Bob Stump,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
has reviewed H.R. 3373, the Veterans' Benefits Amendments of
1996, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs on May 8, 1996. H.R. 3373 would not significantly
affect the federal budget. The provisions on insurance programs
and burial benefits would, however, affect direct spending and
would be subject to pay-as-you-go procedures under section 252
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985. This estimate supersedes CBO's estimate dated May 8,
1996, and reflects changes made by the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs to H.R. 3373.
The bill would affect veterans' insurance programs by:
--offering coverage to retired reservists through the
Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) program rather
than through SGLI,
--making VGLI available to members of the Ready
Reserve, and
--allowing individuals insured under either SGLI or
VGLI to convert their policies to individual life
insurance policies with a commercial company.
Although SGLI and VGLI are programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA), they are administered by the Prudential
Insurance Company, which pays administrative costs and would
automatically adjust insurance premiums to cover any change in
benefit payments.
The bill also would clarify which children of veterans are
eligible for burial in national cemeteries by defining minor as
someone under 21 years old or under 23 years old for someone in
school. Because this provision would codify current policies of
the VA, it would have no budgetary impact.
Finally, the bill would require VA to keep the office that
administers its educational assistance programs in the District
of Columbia rather than relocate it to St. Louis as currently
planned. This change would not significantly affect
discretionary spending of the VA.
H.R. 3373 contains no intergovernmental or private sector
mandates as defined in Public Law 104-4 and would impose no
direct costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mary Helen
Petrus, who can be reached at 226-2840.
Sincerely,
June E. O'Neill,
Director.
Inflationary Impact Statement
The enactment of the reported bill would have no
inflationary impact.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the
bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed
to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is
printed in italics, existing law in which no change is proposed
is shown in roman):
TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 1--GENERAL
* * * * * * *
Sec. 101. Definitions
For the purposes of this title--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(4)(A) The term ``child'' means (except for purposes of
[chapter 19] chapters 19 and 24 of this title and section
8502(b) of this title) a person who is unmarried and--
(i) * * *
* * * * * * *
PART II--GENERAL BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 13--DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED
DEATHS
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1315. Dependency and indemnity compensation to parents
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(f)(1) In determining income under this section, all payments
of any kind or from any source shall be included, except--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(F) payments under policies of [servicemen's]
servicemembers group life insurance, United States
Government life insurance or national service life
insurance, and payments of servicemen's indemnity;
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 19--INSURANCE
* * * * * * *
subchapter i--national service life insurance
Sec.
1901. Definitions.
1902. Premium rates and policy values.
1903. Amount of insurance.
* * * * * * *
[subchapter iii--servicemen's group life insurance]
subchapter iii--servicemembers' group life insurance (formerly
servicemen's group life insurance)
1965. Definitions.
1966. Eligible insurance companies.
1967. Persons insured; amount.
* * * * * * *
[1974. Advisory Council on Servicemen's Group Life Insurance.]
1974. Advisory Council on Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
(formerly Servicemen's Group Life Insurance)
* * * * * * *
[SUBCHAPTER III--SERVICEMEN'S GROUP LIFE INSURANCE]
SUBCHAPTER III--SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE (FORMERLY
SERVICEMEN'S GROUP LIFE INSURANCE)
Sec. 1965. Definitions
For the purpose of this subchapter--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(5) The term ``member'' means--
(A) * * *
(B) a person who volunteers for assignment to
the Ready Reserve of a uniformed service and is
assigned to a unit or position in which such
person may be required to perform active duty,
or active duty for training, and each year will
be scheduled to perform at least twelve periods
of inactive duty training that is creditable
for retirement purposes under chapter 1223 of
title 10 (or under chapter 67 of that title as
in effect before the effective date of the
Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act); and
[(C) a person assigned to, or who upon
application would be eligible for assignment
to, the Retired Reserve of a uniformed service
who has not received the first increment of
retirement pay or has not yet reached sixty-one
years of age and has completed at least twenty
years of satisfactory service creditable for
retirement purposes under chapter 1223 of title
10 (or under chapter 67 of that title as in
effect before the effective date of the Reserve
Officer Personnel Management Act);
[(D) a person transferred to the Retired
Reserve of a uniformed service under the
temporary special retirement authority provided
in section 1331a of title 10 who has not
received the first increment of retirement pay
or has not reached sixty-one years of age; and
[(E)] (C) a member, cadet, or midshipman of
the Reserve Officers Training Corps while
attending field training or practice cruises.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1967. Persons insured; amount
(a) Any policy of insurance purchased by the Secretary under
section 1966 of this title shall automatically insure against
death--
(1) any member of a uniformed service on active duty,
active duty for training, or inactive duty training
scheduled in advance by competent authority; and
(2) any member of the Ready Reserve of a uniformed
service who meets the qualifications set forth in
section 1965(5)(B) of this title;
[(3) any member assigned to, or who upon application
would be eligible for assignment to, the Retired
Reserve of a uniformed service who meets the
qualifications set forth in section 1965(5)(C) of this
title; and
[(4) any member assigned to the Retired Reserve of a
uniform service who meets the qualifications set forth
in section 1965(5)(D) of this title;]
in the amount of $200,000, unless such member elects in writing
(A) not to be insured under this subchapter, or (B) to be
insured in an amount less than $200,000 that is evenly
divisible by $10,000. The insurance shall be effective the
first day of active duty or active duty for training, or the
beginning of a period of inactive duty training scheduled in
advance by competent authority, or the first day a member of
the Ready Reserve meets the qualifications set forth in section
1965(5)(B) of this title, [or the first day a member of the
Reserves, whether or not assigned to the Retired Reserve of a
uniformed service, meets the qualifications of section
1965(5)(C) of this title, or the first day a member of the
Reserves meets the qualifications of section 1965(5)(D) of this
title,] or the date certified by the Secretary to the Secretary
concerned as the date [Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers'
Group Life Insurance under this subchapter for the class or
group concerned takes effect, whichever is the later date.
* * * * * * *
(c) If any member elects not to be insured under this
subchapter or to be insured in any amount less than $200,000,
such member may thereafter be insured under this subchapter in
the amount of $200,000 or any lesser amount evenly divisible by
$10,000 upon written application, proof of good health, and
compliance with such other terms and conditions as may be
prescribed by the Secretary. Any former member insured under
Veterans' Group Life Insurance who again becomes eligible for
[Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and
declines such coverage solely for the purpose of maintaining
such member's Veterans' Group Life Insurance in effect shall
upon termination of coverage under Veterans' Group Life
Insurance be automatically insured under [Servicemen's Group]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, if otherwise eligible
therefor.
[(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any
member who on May 1, 1991 is a member of the Retired Reserve of
a uniformed service (or who upon application would be eligible
for assignment to the Retired Reserve of a uniformed service)
may obtain increased insurance coverage in the amount of
$100,000 or any lesser amount evenly divisible by $10,000 if--
[(1) the member--
[(A) is insured under this subchapter on May
1, 1991; or
[(B) within one year after May 1, 1991,
reinstates insurance under this subchapter that
had lapsed for nonpayment of premiums; and
[(2) the member submits a written application for the
increased coverage to the office established pursuant
to section 1966(b) of this title within one year after
May 1, 1991.]
(d) Whenever a member has the opportunity to make an election
under subsection (a) not to be insured under this subchapter,
or to be insured under this subchapter in an amount less than
the maximum amount of $200,000, and at such other times
periodically thereafter as the Secretary concerned considers
appropriate, the Secretary concerned shall furnish to the
member general information concerning life insurance. Such
information shall include--
(1) the purpose and role of life insurance in
financial planning;
(2) the difference between term life insurance and
whole life insurance;
(3) the availability of commercial life insurance;
and
(4) the relationship between Servicemembers' Group
Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
(e) The effective date and time for any change in benefits
under the [Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance Program shall be based on the date and time according
to the time zone immediately west of the International Date
Line.
Sec. 1968. Duration and termination of coverage; conversion
(a) Each policy purchased under this subchapter shall contain
a provision, in terms approved by the Secretary, to the effect
that any insurance thereunder on any member of the uniformed
services, unless discontinued or reduced upon the written
request of the insured (or discontinued pursuant to section
1969(a)(2)(B) of this title), shall continue in effect while
the member is on active duty, active duty for training, or
inactive duty training scheduled in advance by competent
authority during the period thereof, or while the member meets
the qualifications set forth in [subparagraph (B), (C), or (D)
of section 1965(5)] section 1965(5)(B) of this title, and such
insurance shall cease--
(1) with respect to a member on active duty or active
duty for training under a call or order to duty that
does not specify a period of less than thirty-one
days--
(A) one hundred and twenty days after the
separation or release from active duty or
active duty for training, unless on the date of
such separation or release the member is
totally disabled, under criteria established by
the Secretary, in which event the insurance
shall cease one year after the date of
separation or release from such active duty or
active duty for training, or on the date the
insured ceases to be totally disabled,
whichever is the earlier date, but in no event
prior to the expiration of one hundred and
twenty days after such separation or release;
or
(B) at the end of the thirty-first day of a
continuous period of (i) absence without leave,
(ii) confinement by civil authorities under a
sentence adjudged by a civilian court, or (iii)
confinement by military authorities under a
courtmartial sentence involving total
forfeiture of pay and allowances. Any insurance
so terminated as the result of such an absence
or confinement, together with any beneficiary
designation in effect for such insurance at
such termination thereof, shall be
automatically revived as of the date the member
is restored to active duty with pay or to
active duty for training with pay[.];
(2) with respect to a member on active duty or active
duty for training under a call or order to duty that
specifies a period of less than thirty-one days
insurance under this subchapter shall cease at
midnight, local time, on the last day of such duty,
unless on such date the insured is suffering from a
disability incurred or aggravated during such period
which, within one hundred and twenty days after such
date, (i) results in death, or (ii) renders the member
uninsurable at standard premium rates according to the
good health standards approved by the Secretary, in
which event the insurance shall continue in force to
death, or for one hundred and twenty days after such
date, whichever is the earlier date[.];
(3) with respect to a member on inactive duty
training scheduled in advance by competent authority
insurance under this subchapter shall cease at the end
of such scheduled training period, unless at such time
the insured is suffering from a disability incurred, or
aggravated during such period which, within one hundred
and twenty days after the date of such training, (i)
results in death, or (ii) renders the member
uninsurable at standard premium rates according to the
good health standards approved by the Secretary in
which event the insurance shall continue in force to
death, or for one hundred and twenty days after the
date such training terminated, whichever is the earlier
date[.]; and
(4) with respect to a member of the Ready Reserve of
a uniformed service who meets the qualifications set
forth in section 1965(5)(B) of this title, one hundred
and twenty days after separation or release [from such
assignment--
[(A) unless on] from such assignment, unless
on the date of such separation or release the
member is totally disabled, under criteria
established by the Secretary, in which event
the insurance shall cease one year after the
date of separation or release from such
assignment, or on the date the insured ceases
to be totally disabled, whichever is the
earlier date, but in no event prior to the
expiration of one hundred and twenty days after
separation or release from such assignment[;].
[(B) unless on the date of such separation or
release the member has completed at least
twenty years of satisfactory service creditable
for retirement purposes under chapter 1223 of
title 10 (or under chapter 67 of that title as
in effect before the effective date of the
Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act) and
would upon application be eligible for
assignment to or is assigned to the Retired
Reserve, in which event the insurance, unless
converted to an individual policy under terms
and conditions set forth in section 1977(e) of
this title, shall, upon timely payment of
premiums under terms prescribed by the
Secretary directly to the administrative office
established under section 1966(b) of this
title, continue in force until receipt of the
first increment of retirement pay by the member
or the member's sixty-first birthday, whichever
occurs earlier; or
[(C) unless on the date of such separation or
release the member is transferred to the
Retired Reserve of a uniformed service under
the temporary special retirement authority
provided in section 1331a of title 10, in which
event the insurance, unless converted to an
individual policy under terms and conditions
set forth in section 1977(e) of this title,
shall, upon timely payment of premiums under
terms prescribed by the Secretary directly to
the administrative office established under
section 1966(b) of this title, continue in
force until receipt of the first increment of
retirement pay by the member or the member's
sixty-first birthday, whichever occurs earlier.
[(5) with respect to a member of the Retired Reserve
who meets the qualifications of section 1965(5)(C) of
this title, and who was assigned to the Retired Reserve
prior to the date insurance under the amendment made by
section 5(a) of the Veterans' Insurance Act of 1974
(Public Law 93-289, 88 Stat. 166) is placed in effect
for members of the Retired Reserve, at such time as the
member receives the first increment of retirement pay,
or the member's sixty-first birthday, whichever occurs
earlier, subject to the timely payment of the initial
and subsequent premiums, under terms prescribed by the
Secretary, directly to the administrative office
established under section 1966(b) of this title.
[(6) with respect to a member of the Retired Reserve
who meets the qualifications of section 1965(5)(D) of
this title, at such time as the member receives the
first increment of retirement pay, or the member's
sixty-first birthday, whichever occurs earlier, subject
to the timely payment of the initial and subsequent
premiums, under terms prescribed by the Secretary,
directly to the administrative office established under
section 1966(b) of this title.]
(b)(1) Each policy purchased under this subchapter shall
contain a provision, in terms approved by the Secretary, that,
except as hereinafter provided, [Servicemen's Group]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance which is continued in
force after expiration of the period of duty or travel under
section 1967(b) or 1968(a) of this title, effective the day
after the date such insurance [would cease, shall be
automatically converted to Veterans' Group Life Insurance
subject to (1) the timely payment of the initial premium under
terms prescribed by the Secretary, and (2) the terms and
conditions set forth in section 1977 of this title.] would
cease--
(A) shall be automatically converted to Veterans'
Group Life Insurance, subject to (i) the timely payment
of the initial premium under terms prescribed by the
Secretary, and (ii) the terms and conditions set forth
in section 1977 of this title; or
(B) at the election of the member, shall be converted
to an individual policy of insurance as described in
section 1977(e) of this title upon written application
for conversion made to the participating company
selected by the member and payment of the required
premiums.
(2) [Such automatic conversion] Automatic conversion to
Veterans' Group Life Insurance under paragraph (1) shall be
effective only in the case of an otherwise eligible member or
former member who is separated or released from a period of
active duty or active duty for training or inactive duty
training on or after the date on which the Veterans' Group Life
Insurance program (provided for under section 1977 of this
title) becomes effective. [Servicemen's Group Life Insurance
continued in force under section 1968(a)(4)(B) or (5) of this
title shall not be converted to Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
However, a member whose insurance could be continued in force
under section 1968(a)(4)(B) of this title, but is not so
continued, may, effective the day after the insurance otherwise
would cease, convert such insurance to an individual policy
under the terms and conditions set forth in section 1977(e) of
this title.]
Sec. 1969. Deductions; payment; investment; expenses
(a)(1) During any period in which a member, on active duty or
active duty for training under a call or order to such duty
that does not specify a period of less than thirty-one days, is
insured under [Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance, there shall be deducted each month from the member's
basic or other pay until separation or release from such duty
an amount determined by the Secretary (which shall be the same
for all such members) as the share of the cost attributable to
insuring such member under such policy, less any costs
traceable to the extra hazard of such duty in the uniformed
service.
(2)(A) During any month in which a member is assigned to the
Ready Reserve of a uniformed service under conditions which
meet the qualifications of section 1965(5)(B) of this title,
[is assigned to the Reserve (other than the Retired Reserve)
and meets the qualifications of section 1965(5)(C) of this
title, or is assigned to the Retired Reserve and meets the
qualifications of section 1965(5)(D) of this title,] and is
insured under a policy of insurance purchased by the Secretary,
under section 1966 of this title, there shall be contributed
from the appropriation made for active duty pay of the
uniformed service concerned an amount determined by the
Secretary (which shall be the same for all such members) as the
share of the cost attributable to insuring such member under
this policy, less any costs traceable to the extra hazards of
such duty in the uniformed services. Any amounts so contributed
on behalf of any individual shall be collected by the Secretary
concerned from such individual (by deduction from pay or
otherwise) and shall be credited to the appropriation from
which such contribution was made.
* * * * * * *
(3) During any fiscal year, or portion thereof, that a member
is on active duty or active duty for training under a call or
order to such duty that specifies a period of less than thirty-
one days, or is authorized or required to perform inactive duty
training scheduled in advance by competent authority, and is
insured under [Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance, the Secretary concerned shall collect from the
member (by deduction from pay or otherwise) an amount
determined by the Secretary (which shall be the same for all
such members) as the share of the cost attributable to insuring
such member under such policy, less any costs traceable to the
extra hazard of such duty in the uniformed service.
(4) Any amount not deducted from the basic or other pay of a
member insured under [Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group
Life Insurance, or collected from the member by the Secretary
concerned, if not otherwise paid, shall be deducted from the
proceeds of any insurance thereafter payable. The initial
monthly amount under paragraph (1) or (2) hereof, or fiscal
year amount under paragraph (3) hereof, determined by the
Secretary to be charged under this section for [Servicemen's
Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance may be continued
from year to year, except that the Secretary may redetermine
such monthly or fiscal year amounts from time to time in
accordance with experience. No refunds will be made to any
member of any amount properly deducted from the member's basic
or other pay, or collected from the member by the Secretary
concerned, to cover the insurance granted under [Servicemen's
Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
(b) For each month for which any member is so insured, there
shall be contributed from the appropriation made for active
duty pay of the uniformed service concerned an amount
determined by the Secretary and certified to the Secretary
concerned to be the cost of [Servicemen's Group]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance which is traceable to the
extra hazard of duty in the uniformed services. Effective
January 1, 1970, such cost shall be determined by the Secretary
on the basis of the excess mortality incurred by members and
former members of the uniformed services insured under
[Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance above
what their mortality would have been under peacetime conditions
as such mortality is determined by the Secretary using such
methods and data as the Secretary shall determine to be
reasonable and practicable. The Secretary is authorized to make
such adjustments regarding contributions from pay
appropriations as may be indicated from actual experience.
(c) An amount equal to the first amount due on [Servicemen's
Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance may be advanced
from current appropriations for active-service pay to any such
member, which amount shall constitute a lien upon any service
or other pay accruing to the person from whom such advance was
made and shall be collected therefrom if not otherwise paid. No
disbursing or certifying officer shall be responsible for any
loss incurred by reason of such advance.
(d)(1) The sums withheld from the basic or other pay of
members, or collected from them by the Secretary concerned,
under subsection (a) of this section, and the sums contributed
from appropriations under subsection (b) of this section,
together with the income derived from any dividends or premium
rate adjustments received from insurers shall be deposited to
the credit of a revolving fund established in the Treasury of
the United States. All premium payments and extra hazard costs
on [Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
and the administrative cost to the Department of insurance
issued under this subchapter shall be paid from the revolving
fund.
* * * * * * *
[(e) The premiums for Servicemen's Group Life Insurance
placed in effect or continued in force for a member assigned to
the Retired Reserve of a uniformed service who meets the
qualifications of subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 1965(5) of
this title, shall be established under the criteria set forth
in section 1971(a) and (c) of this title, except that the
Secretary may provide for average premiums for such various age
groupings as the Secretary may determine to be necessary
according to sound actuarial principles, and shall include an
amount necessary to cover the administrative cost of such
insurance to the company or companies issuing or continuing
such insurance. Such premiums shall be payable by the insureds
thereunder as provided by the Secretary directly to the
administrative office established for such insurance under
section 1966(b) of this title. The provisions of subsections
(d) and (e) of section 1971 of this title shall be applicable
to Servicemen's Group Life Insurance continued in force or
issued to a member assigned to the Retired Reserve of a
uniformed service. However, a separate accounting may be
required by the Secretary for insurance issued to or continued
in force on the lives of members assigned to the Retired
Reserve and for other insurance in force under this subchapter.
In such accounting, the Secretary is authorized to allocate
claims and other costs among such programs of insurance
according to accepted actuarial principles.
[(f)] (e) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe
regulations for the administration of the functions of the
Secretaries of the military departments under this section.
Such regulations shall prescribe such procedures as the
Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretary,
may consider necessary to ensure that such functions are
carried out in a timely and complete manner and in accordance
with the provisions of this section, including specifically the
provisions of subsection (a)(2) of this section relating to
contributions from appropriations made for active duty pay.
[(g)] (f)(1) No tax, fee, or other monetary payment may be
imposed or collected by any State, or by any political
subdivision or other governmental authority of a State, on or
with respect to any premium paid under an insurance policy
purchased under this subchapter.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1970. Beneficiaries; payment of insurance
(a) Any amount of insurance under this subchapter in force on
any member or former member on the date of the insured's death
shall be paid, upon the establishment of a valid claim
therefor, to the person or persons surviving at the date of the
insured's death, in the following order of precedence:
First, to the beneficiary or beneficiaries as the member or
former member may have designated by a writing received prior
to death (1) in the uniformed services if insured under
[Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, or
(2) in the administrative office established under section
1966(b) of this title if separated or released from service, or
if assigned to the Retired Reserve, and insured under
[Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, or
if insured under Veterans' Group Life Insurance;
Second, if there be no such beneficiary, to the widow or
widower of such member or former member;
Third, if none of the above, to the child or children of such
member or former member and descendants of deceased children by
representation;
Fourth, if none of the above, to the parents of such member
or former member or the survivor of them;
Fifth, if none of the above, to the duly appointed executor
or administrator of the estate of such member or former member;
Sixth, if none of the above, to other next of kin of such
member or former member entitled under the laws of domicile of
such member or former member at the time of the insured's
death.
* * * * * * *
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, payment
of matured [Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance or Veterans' Group Life Insurance benefits may be
made directly to a minor, widow or widower on the member's own
behalf, and payment in such case shall be a complete
acquittance to the insurer.
(g) Payments of benefits due or to become due under
[Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance or
Veterans' Group Life Insurance made to, or on account of, a
beneficiary shall be exempt from taxation, shall be exempt from
the claims of creditors, and shall not be liable to attachment,
levy, or seizure by or under any legal or equitable process
whatever, either before or after receipt by the beneficiary.
The preceding sentence shall not apply to (1) collection of
amounts not deducted from the member's pay, or collected from
the member by the Secretary concerned under section 1969(a) of
this title, (2) levy under subchapter D of chapter 64 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 6331 et seq.)
(relating to the seizure of property for collection of taxes),
and (3) the taxation of any property purchased in part or
wholly out of such payments.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1971. Basic tables of premiums; readjustment of rates
(a) * * *
(b) The total premiums for [Servicemen's Group]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance shall be the sum of the
amounts computed according to the provisions of subsection (a)
above and the estimated cost traceable to the extra hazard of
active duty in the uniformed services as determined by the
Secretary, subject to the provision that such estimated costs
traceable to the extra hazard shall be retroactively readjusted
annually in accordance with section 1969(b).
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1973. Forfeiture
Any person guilty of mutiny, treason, spying, or desertion,
or who, because of conscientious objections, refuses to perform
service in the Armed Forces of the United States or refuses to
wear the uniform of such force, shall forfeit all rights to
[Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance under
this subchapter. No such insurance shall be payable for death
inflicted as a lawful punishment for crime or for military or
naval offense, except when inflicted by an enemy of the United
States.
[Sec. 1974. Advisory Council on Servicemen's Group Life Insurance]
Sec. 1974. Advisory Council on Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
(formerly Servicemen's Group Life Insurance)
(a) There is an Advisory Council on [Servicemen's Group]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance. The council consist of--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1977. Veterans' Group Life Insurance
(a)(1) Veterans' Group Life Insurance shall be issued in the
amounts specified in section 1967(a) and (e) of this title. In
the case of any individual, the amount of Veterans' Group Life
Insurance may not exceed the amount of [Servicemen's Group]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage continued in
force after the expiration of the period of duty or travel
under section 1967(b) and (e) or 1968(a) of this title. No
person may carry a combined amount of [Servicemen's Group]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life
Insurance in excess of $200,000 at any one time. [Any person
insured under Veterans' Group Life Insurance who again becomes
insured under Servicemen's Group Life Insurance may within 60
days after becoming so insured convert any or all of such
person's Veterans' Group Life Insurance to an individual policy
of insurance under subsection (e). However, if such a person
dies within the 60-day period and before converting such
person's Veterans' Group Life Insurance, Veterans' Group Life
Insurance will be payable only if such person is insured for
less than $200,000 under Servicemen's Group Life Insurance, and
then only in an amount which when added to the amount of
Servicemen's Group Life Insurance payable shall not exceed
$200,000.]
(2) If any person insured under Veterans' Group Life
Insurance again becomes insured under Servicemembers' Group
Life Insurance but dies before terminating or converting such
person's Veterans' Group Insurance, Veterans' Group Life
Insurance shall be payable only if such person is insured for
less than $200,000 under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance,
and then only in an amount which, when added to the amount of
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance payable, does not exceed
$200,000.
* * * * * * *
(d) Any amount of Veterans' Group Life Insurance in force on
any person on the date of such person's death shall be paid,
upon the establishment of a valid claim therefor, pursuant to
the provisions of section 1970 of this title. However, any
designation of beneficiary or beneficiaries for [Servicemen's
Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance filed with a
uniformed service until changed, shall be considered a
designation of beneficiary or beneficiaries for Veterans' Group
Life Insurance, but not for more than sixty days after the
effective date of the insured's Veterans' Group Insurance,
unless at the end of such sixty-day period, the insured is
incompetent in which event such designation may continue in
force until the disability is removed but not for more than
five years after the effective date of the insured's Veterans'
Group Life Insurance. Except as indicated above in incompetent
cases, after such sixty-day period, any designation of
beneficiary or beneficiaries for Veterans' Group Life Insurance
to be effective must be by a writing signed by the insured and
received by the administrative office established under section
1966(b) of this title.
(e) An insured under Veterans' Group Life Insurance shall
have the right at any time to convert such insurance to an
individual policy of life insurance upon written application
for conversion made to the participating company the insured
selects and payment of the required premiums. The individual
policy will be issued without medical examination on a plan
then currently written by such company which does not provide
for the payment of any sum less than the face value thereof or
for the payment of an additional amount as premiums in the
event the insured performs active duty, active duty for
training, or inactive duty training. [The individual policy
will be effective the day after the insured's Veterans' Group
Life Insurance terminates by expiration of the five-year term
period, except in a case where the insured is eligible to
convert at an earlier date by reason of again having become
insured under Servicemen's Group Life Insurance, in which event
the effective date of the individual policy may not be later
than the sixty-first day after the insured again became so
insured.] The Veterans' Group Life Insurance policy will
terminate on the day before the date on which the individual
policy becomes effective. Upon request to the administrative
office established under section 1966(b) of this title, an
insured under Veterans' Group Life Insurance shall be furnished
a list of life insurance companies participating in the program
established under this subchapter. In addition to the life
insurance companies participating in the program established
under this subchapter, the list furnished to an insured under
this section shall include additional life insurance companies
(not so participating) which meet qualifying criteria, terms,
and conditions established by the Secretary and agree to sell
insurance to former members in accordance with the provisions
of this section.
* * * * * * *
(g) Any person whose [Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers'
Group Life Insurance was continued in force after termination
of duty or discharge from service under the law as in effect
prior to the date on which the Veterans' Group Life Insurance
program (provided for under section 1977 of this title) became
effective, and whose coverage under [Servicemen's Group]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance terminated less than four
years prior to such date, shall be eligible within one year
from the effective date of the Veterans' Group Life Insurance
program to apply for and be granted Veterans' Group Life
Insurance in an amount equal to the amount of the insured's
[Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance which
was not converted to an individual policy under prior law.
Veterans' Group Life Insurance issued under this subsection
shall be issued for a term period equal to five years, less the
time elapsing between the termination of the applicant's
[Servicemen's Group] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and
the effective date on which the Veterans' Group Life Insurance
program became effective. Veterans' Group Life Insurance under
this subsection shall only be issued upon application to the
administrative office established under section 1966(b) of this
title, payment of the required premium, and proof of good
health satisfactory to that office, which proof shall be
submitted at the applicant's own expense. Any person who cannot
meet the good health requirements for insurance under this
subsection solely because of a service-connected disability
shall have such disability waived. For each month for which any
eligible veteran, whose service-connected disabilities are
waived, is insured under this subsection there shall be
contributed to the insurer or insurers issuing the policy or
policies from the appropriation ``Compensation and Pensions,
Department of Veterans Affairs'' an amount necessary to cover
the cost of the insurance in excess of the premiums established
for eligible veterans, including the cost of the excess
mortality attributable to such veteran's service-connected
disabilities. The Secretary may establish, as the Secretary may
determine to be necessary according to sound actuarial
principles, a separate premium, age groupings for premium
purposes, accounting, and reserves, for persons granted
insurance under this subsection different from those
established for other persons granted insurance under this
section. Appropriations to carry out the purpose of this
section are hereby authorized.
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 24--NATIONAL CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 2402. Persons eligible for interment in national cemeteries
Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe and
subject to the provisions of section 6105 of this title, the
remains of the following persons may be buried in any open
national cemetery in the National Cemetery System:
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(5) The spouse, surviving spouse (which for purposes
of this chapter includes an unremarried surviving
spouse who had a subsequent remarriage which was
terminated by death or divorce), minor child, and, in
the discretion of the Secretary, unmarried adult child
of any of the persons listed in paragraphs (1) through
(4) and paragraph (7). For purposes of this paragraph,
a ``minor child'' is a child under 21 years of age, or
under 23 years of age if pursuing a program of
education at an educational institution, and those
terms have the meaning as defined in sections 3452 (b)
and (c) of this title.
* * * * * * *
PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 30--ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3017. Death benefit
(a)(1) * * *
(2)(A) The payment referred to in paragraph (1) of this
subsection shall be made to the person or persons first listed
below who is surviving on the date of such individual's death:
(i) The beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by
such individual under the individual's [Servicemen's]
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance policy.
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 32--POST-VIETNAM ERA EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--ELIGIBILITY; CONTRIBUTIONS; AND MATCHING FUND
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3224. Death of participant
In the event of a participant's death, the amount of such
participant's unused contributions to the fund shall be paid to
the living person or persons first listed below:
(1) The beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by
such participant under such participant's
[Servicemen's] Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
policy.
* * * * * * *
PART V--BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 77--VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
subchapter i--organization; general
Sec.
7701. Organization of the Administration.
7703. Functions of the Administration.
7705. Management, policy, and operations functions associated with the
educational assistance programs of the Education Service.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 7705. Management, policy, and operations functions associated with
the educational assistance programs of the
Education Service
The offices of Education Procedures Systems, Education
Operations, and Education Policy and Program Administration,
and any successor to any such office, of the Education Service
of the Veterans Benefit Administration of the Department shall
be in the District of Columbia.
* * * * * * *
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The reported bill would not be applicable to the
legislative branch under the Congressional Accountability Act,
Public Law 104-1, because the bill would only affect certain
Department of Veterans Affairs programs and benefits
recipients.
Statement of Federal Mandates
The reported bill would not establish a federal mandate
under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, Public Law 104-4.
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