PL-114-58 Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015 US

SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.

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.

HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.

Section 1720G(e) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and''; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) $625,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.''.

OF COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED TO VETERANS WITH HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.

Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2015'' and inserting ``October 1, 2016''.

FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

(a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (e) of section 205 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''. (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such section is amended by striking ``and 2015'' and inserting ``, 2015, and 2016''.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.

Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1154; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2016''.

INCENTIVE FUND.

Section 8111(d)(3) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

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 amended by section 722 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291;128 Stat. 3417), is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE.

(a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1143) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''. (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of such section is amended by striking ``and 2015'' and inserting ``2015, and 2016''.

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2015'' and inserting ``October 1, 2016''.

Section 3733(a)(7) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''; and (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 2015,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016,''.

VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.

Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2016''.

HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2016''.

HOMELESS VETERANS.

Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW- INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

Section 2044(e)(1)(E) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2013 through 2015'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2015 through 2016''.

VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2016''.

HOMELESS VETERANS.

Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.

(a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''. (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

COUNSELING SERVICES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2016''.

OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.

Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

Section 521A(g)(1) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2016''.

MINORITY VETERANS.

Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.

Section 2101(a)(4) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2014 through 2016''.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE TO DIOXIN AND OTHER CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN HERBICIDES.

Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.

Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

Section 406 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note) is amended by striking ``one-year'' and inserting ``two-year''.

OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS INTERAGENCY PROGRAM OFFICE.

Section 1635(h)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2016''.

MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT AT DEPARTMENT MEDICAL CENTER IN TAMPA, FLORIDA.

(a) Modification of Authorization.--In chapter 3 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 122 Stat. 2326), in the matter under the heading ``Department of Veterans Affairs-Departmental Administration-Construction, Major Projects'', after ``Five Year Capital Plan'' insert the following: ``and for constructing a new bed tower at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Tampa, Florida, in lieu of providing bed tower upgrades at such medical center''. (b) Emergency Designation.-- (1) In general.--Subsection (a) is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)). (2) Designation in senate.--In the Senate, subsection (a) is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 403(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010.

(a) Authorization.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility projects, with each project to be carried out in an amount not to exceed the amount specified for that project: (1) Construction of a community living center, outpatient clinic, renovated domiciliary, and renovation of existing buildings in Canandaigua, New York, in an amount not to exceed $158,980,000. (2) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not to exceed $126,100,000. (3) Seismic correction of 12 buildings in West Los Angeles, California, in an amount not to exceed $70,500,000. (4) Construction of a spinal cord injury building and seismic corrections in San Diego, California, in an amount not to exceed $205,840,000.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2015 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects, account, a total of $561,420,000 for the projects authorized in subsection (a). (c) Limitation.--The projects authorized under this section may only be carried out using-- (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2015 pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (b); (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2015 that remain available for obligation;

(3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2015 that remain available for obligation; (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for fiscal year 2015 for a category of activity not specific to a project; (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year before 2015 for a category of activity not specific to a project; and (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year after 2015 for a category of activity not specific to a project.

AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED.

(a) In General.--Section 2(a) of the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act (Public Law 114-19; 129 Stat. 215), as amended by section 1 of Public Law 114-25, is further amended by striking ``$1,050,000,000'' and inserting ``$1,675,000,000''. (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2016 authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer discretionary unobligated balances appropriated for fiscal year 2015 and discretionary advance appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to fund the increase under subsection (a) of the authorization to carry out the medical facility construction project in Denver, Colorado, specified in section 2 of the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act (Public Law 114- 19; 129 Stat. 215). (c) Prohibition on Transfer of Certain Amounts.--The Secretary may not transfer any amounts from the Veterans Choice Fund established under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) to fund the increase under subsection (a) of the authorization to carry out the medical facility construction project described in subsection (b).

(a) In General.--Section 8103 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(e)(1) In the case of any super construction project, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with an appropriate non-Department Federal entity to provide full project management services for the super construction project, including management over the project design, acquisition, construction, and contract changes.

``(2) An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) with a Federal entity shall provide that the Secretary shall reimburse the Federal entity for all costs associated with the provision of project management services under the agreement.

``(3) In this subsection, the term `super construction project' means a project for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of

a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $100,000,000.''.

(b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the following: (1) The medical facility construction project in Denver, Colorado, specified in section 2 of the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act (Public Law 114-19; 129 Stat. 215). (2) Any super construction project (as defined in section 8103(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)) that is authorized on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in section 111(b)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (g)(2)(A)'' and inserting ``subsection (g)(2)''; and (B) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ``(42 U.S.C. 1395(l))'' and inserting ``(42 U.S.C. 1395m(l))''; (2) in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 of such title, by striking the item relating to section 521A and inserting the following:

``521A. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces.'';

(3) in section 1503(a)(5), by striking ``subclause'' and inserting ``subparagraph'' each place it appears; (4) in section 1710(e)(1)-- (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``(as defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title)''; and (B) in subparagraph (F)(viii), by striking ``Myleodysplasic'' and inserting ``Myelodysplastic''; (5) in section 1710D(c)(1), by striking ``(as defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title)''; (6) in section 1720G(a)(7)(B)(iii), by striking ``has'' and inserting ``have''; (7) in section 1781(a)(4), by striking the semicolon and inserting a comma; (8) in section 1832(b)(2), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and inserting ``(b)(3)''; (9) in section 2044(b)(1)(D), by striking ``federal'' and inserting ``Federal''; (10) in section 2101(a), by moving the margins of paragraph (2), and of the subparagraphs, clauses, and subclauses therein, 2 ems to the left; (11) in section 2101(a)(2)(B) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following new clause (ii): ``(ii) The disability is due to-- ``(I) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus ``(II) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.''. (12) in section 2109(a) by striking ``provisions of section'' and inserting ``provisions of sections'';

(13) in section 2303(c), by striking ``internment'' and inserting ``interment''; (14) in section 2411(e)(1), by striking ``federal official'' and inserting ``Federal official''; (15) in section 3108(b)(4), by inserting ``the'' before ``rehabilitation program concerned''; (16) in section 3313, by striking ``1070a'' each place it appears and inserting ``1070a(b)''; (17) in section 3313(e)(2)(A)(iii), by striking the second period; (18) in section 3313(g)(3)(A)(iii), by inserting a comma after ``books''; (19) in section 3319, by striking ``armed forces'' each place it appears and inserting ``Armed Forces''; (20) in section 4102A(c)(9)(A)(ii)(III), by striking the quotation mark at the end; (21) in section 5302A-- (A) by amending the enumerator and section heading to read as follows: ``Sec. 5302A. Collection of indebtedness: certain debts of members of the Armed Forces and veterans who die of injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in a combat zone''; and (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``(as that term is defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title)''; (22) in section 7309(c)(1), by inserting ``the'' before ``Veterans Health Administration''; (23) in section 7401(3)(A)(ii), by striking ``that''; (24) in section 7683(d), by inserting a period at the end; and (25) in section 8162(a)(2), by inserting ``if'' after ``housing and''.

Approved September 30, 2015.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2082: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015): Sept. 25, considered and passed Senate. Sept. 30, considered and passed House.

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