Summary:
Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2015

States that, when in the opinion of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a temporary fiduciary is needed to protect the benefits of a VA beneficiary while a determination of incompetency is being made or appealed or a fiduciary is appealing a determination of misuse, the VA may appoint one or more temporary fiduciaries for up to 120 days.

Directs the VA to provide a written statement to a beneficiary determined by the VA to be mentally incompetent for purposes of appointing a fiduciary. Allows the beneficiary to appeal such determination. Allows a beneficiary for whom the VA appoints a fiduciary to, at any time, request the VA to remove such fiduciary and appoint a new one. Requires the VA to comply with any such request if made in good faith and if the fiduciary is not acting in the beneficiary's best interests. Prohibits any such removal or new appointment from delaying or interrupting the beneficiary's receipt of benefits. Requires a appointed fiduciary appointed by the VA to act independently of the VA and in the interest of the beneficiary.

Provides for the predesignation of a fiduciary. Provides that, if a beneficiary does not designate a fiduciary, the VA shall appoint, to the extent possible, a fiduciary who is: (1) a relative, (2) a guardian, or (3) authorized to act on their behalf under a durable power of attorney.

Provides for: (1) fiduciary commissions when necessary; and (2) the temporary payment of benefits to a person having custody and control of an incompetent or minor beneficiary, to be used solely for the benefit of the beneficiary.

Directs the VA to: (1) maintain a list of state and local agencies and nonprofit social service agencies that are qualified to act as a fiduciary, and (2) provide an appointed fiduciary with assistance.

Requires any certification of a fiduciary to be made on the basis of an inquiry or investigation of his or her fitness and qualifications. Requires the investigation to include a face-to-face interview and a background check. Allows a person convicted of a federal or state offense to serve as a fiduciary only when the VA finds such person to be appropriate under the circumstances. Requires each fiduciary to disclose the number of beneficiaries that the fiduciary acts on behalf of.

Directs the VA to: (1) maintain records of any person who has previously served as a fiduciary and had such status revoked, and (2) notify the beneficiary within 14 days after learning that the fiduciary has been convicted of a crime.

 Directs the VA, when determining whether a proposed fiduciary shall be required to furnish a bond, to consider: (1) the existence of any familial or other personal relationship between the proposed fiduciary and the beneficiary, and (2) the care the proposed fiduciary has taken to protect the beneficiary's interests.

Directs the VA, upon reason to believe that a fiduciary may be misusing all or part of a beneficiary benefit, to: (1) conduct a thorough investigation, and (2) report results to the Department of Justice and the head of each federal department or agency that pays a beneficiary benefit to such fiduciary. Requires each Veterans Benefits Administration regional office to maintain specified fiduciary information.

Requires a fiduciary (who currently is merely permitted) to file an annual accounting of the administration of beneficiary benefits. Directs the VA to conduct annual random audits of fiduciaries who receive a commission for such service.

Requires fiduciary repayment of misused benefits.

veterans fiduciary reform_act states opinion department_of_veterans_affairs temporary fiduciary needed protect benefits beneficiary determination appealed fiduciary appealing determination misuse appoint temporary fiduciaries days directs provide written statement beneficiary determined mentally incompetent purposes appointing fiduciary allows beneficiary appeal determination allows beneficiary appoints fiduciary time request remove fiduciary appoint new requires comply request good faith fiduciary acting beneficiary best interests prohibits removal new appointment delaying beneficiary receipt benefits requires appointed fiduciary appointed act independently interest beneficiary provides fiduciary provides beneficiary designate fiduciary shall appoint extent possible fiduciary relative guardian authorized act behalf durable power attorney provides fiduciary commissions necessary temporary payment benefits person having custody control incompetent minor beneficiary solely benefit beneficiary directs maintain list state local agencies nonprofit social service agencies qualified act fiduciary provide appointed fiduciary assistance requires certification fiduciary basis inquiry investigation fitness qualifications requires investigation include face face interview background check allows person convicted federal state offense serve fiduciary finds person appropriate circumstances requires fiduciary disclose number beneficiaries fiduciary acts behalf directs maintain records person previously served fiduciary status revoked notify beneficiary days learning fiduciary convicted crime directs determining proposed fiduciary shall required furnish bond consider existence familial personal relationship proposed fiduciary beneficiary care proposed fiduciary taken protect beneficiary interests directs reason believe fiduciary beneficiary benefit conduct thorough investigation report results department_of_justice head federal department agency pays beneficiary benefit fiduciary requires veterans_benefits_administration regional office maintain specified fiduciary information requires fiduciary currently merely permitted file annual accounting administration beneficiary benefits directs conduct annual random audits fiduciaries receive commission service requires fiduciary repayment misused benefits


Summary:
Patriot Employer Tax Credit Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a Patriot employer a business-related tax credit for up to 10% of the first $15,000 of wages paid to any employee in a taxable year. Sets forth criteria for designation as a Patriot employer, including requirements that such employer: (1) maintains its headquarters in the United States and does not expatriate to avoid payment of U.S. income taxes, (2) complies with the employer mandate to provide minimum essential health care coverage to its employees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (3) compensates at least 90% of its employees at a level that is 156% of the federal poverty level for a family of three and provides 90% of its employees with a basic level of retirement benefits, (4) provides for differential wage payments to its employees who are members of the Uniformed Services, and (5) increases the number of its employees performing substantially all of their services inside the United States to offset the number of employees who work outside the United States.

Sets forth a rule for the deferral of the tax deduction for foreign-related interest expense.

patriot employer tax credit act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow patriot employer business related tax credit wages paid employee taxable year sets forth criteria designation patriot employer including requirements employer maintains headquarters united_states avoid payment income taxes complies employer mandate provide minimum essential health_care coverage employees patient_protection affordable care act compensates employees level federal poverty level family provides employees basic level retirement benefits provides differential wage payments employees members uniformed_services increases number employees performing substantially services inside united_states offset number employees work outside united_states sets forth rule deferral tax deduction foreign related interest expense


Summary:
Fort McClellan Health Registry Act

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a special record to be known as the Fort McClellan Health Registry containing the name of each individual who, while serving in the Armed Forces, was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, during the period beginning on January 1, 1935, and ending on May 20, 1999, and who: (1) applies for care or services from the VA; (2) files a claim for compensation on the basis of any disability which may be associated with such service; (3) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation on the basis of such service; (4) requests a health examination from the VA; or (5) receives such health examination and requests inclusion in the Registry. Requires the Secretary, upon request, to provide such health examination, as well as consultation and counseling with respect to examination results.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) notify individuals in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard related to service at Fort McClellan; and (2) carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to such health examinations, consultation, and counseling.

fort health registry act directs secretary veterans_affairs establish maintain special record known fort health registry containing individual serving armed_forces stationed fort alabama period beginning january ending applies care services files claim compensation basis disability associated service dies survived spouse child parent files claim dependency indemnity compensation basis service requests health examination receives health examination requests inclusion registry requires secretary request provide health examination consultation counseling respect examination results directs secretary notify individuals registry significant developments research health consequences potential exposure toxic substance environmental hazard related service fort carry appropriate outreach activities respect health examinations consultation counseling


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 2) This bill designates the arboretum at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, as the Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house passed version repeated sec bill designates hunter medical center virginia


Summary:
Veterans National Remembrance Act

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in selecting a location for the establishment of a new national cemetery, to: (1) give priority to a state that does not have a national cemetery and that has the largest population of veterans among states without such a cemetery, and (2) ensure that such location is within 10 miles of a significant amount of the population to be served by such cemetery during the 25 years following its establishment.

Permits the Secretary, after establishing two national cemeteries, to waive the requirement of giving priority to a state that does not have a national cemetery if such waiver will allow the Secretary to establish a cemetery that will serve a larger population of veterans.

veterans national act directs secretary veterans_affairs selecting location establishment new national cemetery priority state national cemetery largest population veterans states cemetery ensure location miles significant population served cemetery years following establishment permits secretary establishing national cemeteries waive requirement giving priority state national cemetery waiver allow secretary establish cemetery serve larger population veterans


Summary:
This bill requires that a military working dog be retired in the United States, except when a U.S. citizen living abroad adopts the dog at the time of retirement.

Amounts available to the military department concerned shall be available for such dog's transport to the United States for retirement.

bill requires military working dog retired united_states citizen living abroad adopts dog time retirement amounts available military department concerned shall available dog transport united_states retirement


Summary:
Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to design and produce an Atomic Veterans Service Medal to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who are radiation-exposed veterans.

The Secretary may provide for issuance of the Medal to the next-of-kin of a deceased radiation-exposed veteran.

atomic veterans service medal act bill directs secretary defense design produce atomic veterans service medal honor retired members armed_forces radiation exposed veterans secretary provide issuance medal kin deceased radiation exposed veteran


Summary:
Veteran Employment Transition Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the definition of "qualified veteran" for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit to include recently discharged veterans, and (2) make permanent the work opportunity tax credit for qualified veterans.

Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Guard to inform military personnel who are discharged or released from active duty of the work opportunity tax credit and provide them with documentation relating to eligibility for and use of such credit.

Requires DOD and the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement to govern the coordination of veteran job training services. Requires the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs to prepare reports on the veteran job training programs of their respective departments.

Amends the DOD pilot program for assessing the feasibility and advisability of permitting enlisted personnel to obtain civilian credentialing or licensing for skills required for military occupational specialties to require the designation as military occupational specialties of the MOS 31B Military Police, MOS 15Q AC-Air Traffic Controller, and the MOS 12M Fire Protection, in addition to not fewer than three and not more than five additional military occupational specialties.

Amends the Small Business Act to direct the head of each executive department to submit an annual report to the Small Business Administration containing the percentage of the total value of all prime contracts awarded by the executive department during the preceding one-year period to small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans.

veteran employment transition act amends_the_internal_revenue_code revise definition qualified veteran purposes work opportunity tax credit include recently discharged veterans permanent work opportunity tax credit qualified veterans requires department_of_defense dod national_guard inform military personnel discharged released active duty work opportunity tax credit provide documentation relating eligibility use credit requires dod departments_of_labor veterans_affairs enter agreement govern coordination veteran job training services requires departments_of_labor veterans_affairs prepare reports veteran job training programs respective departments amends dod pilot program assessing feasibility advisability permitting enlisted personnel obtain civilian credentialing licensing skills required military occupational specialties require designation military occupational specialties military police air traffic controller fire protection addition fewer additional military occupational specialties amends small_business_act direct head executive department submit annual report small_business_administration containing percentage total value prime contracts awarded executive department preceding year period small business concerns owned controlled service disabled veterans


Summary:
Secure Legal Services for Veterans Act

This bill prohibits an individual who is not an agent or attorney from soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any fee or compensation for services rendered in the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of an appeal before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

 Violators of such prohibition shall be fined, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

 Amounts collected for such violations shall be deposited in the TBI Research and Initiatives Fund and remain available to the VA without fiscal year limitation for traumatic brain injury research and initiatives.

secure legal services veterans act bill prohibits individual agent attorney soliciting contracting charging receiving fee compensation services rendered preparation presentation prosecution appeal department_of_veterans_affairs board veterans appeals violators prohibition shall fined imprisoned year amounts collected violations shall deposited tbi research initiatives fund remain available fiscal year limitation traumatic brain injury research initiatives


Summary:
Andrew P. Carpenter Tax Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any amount attributable to the discharge of student loan indebtedness of a veteran who died as a result of a service-connected disability.

tax act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income attributable discharge student loan indebtedness veteran died result service connected disability


Summary:
Manufacturing American Defense Emblems Act or MADE Act

This bill requires the 100% U.S.-manufacture of any decorative object that depicts the seals for the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Air Force, the Armed Forces, the defense intelligence agencies, and any other defense agency.

manufacturing american defense act act bill requires decorative object depicts seals department_of_defense department_of_the_army department_of_the_navy department air_force armed_forces defense intelligence agencies defense agency


Summary:
Caregivers Access and Responsible Expansion for All Veterans Act or the CARE for All Veterans Act

Expands eligibility for the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include members of the Armed Forces or veterans who are seriously injured or who became ill (or aggravated such injury or illness) on active duty before September 11, 2001 (currently, limited to service after September 11, 2001).

 Establishes three monthly caregiver stipend starting dates for pre-September 11, 2001, members of the Armed Forces or veterans based upon the amount and degree of personal care services provided.

 Includes among program eligibility criteria a veteran's need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision in completing two or more instrumental activities of daily living.

caregivers access responsible expansion veterans act care veterans act expands eligibility family caregiver program department_of_veterans_affairs include members armed_forces veterans seriously injured ill aggravated injury illness active duty september currently limited service september establishes monthly caregiver stipend starting dates pre september members armed_forces veterans based degree personal care services provided includes program eligibility criteria veteran need regular extensive instruction supervision completing instrumental activities daily living


Summary:
Disabled Veterans Red Tape Reduction Act

Amends the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 to extend through 2018 Department of Veterans Affairs authority for the performance of medical disability evaluations by contract physicians.

disabled veterans red tape reduction act amends veterans benefits act extend department_of_veterans_affairs authority performance medical disability evaluations contract physicians


Summary:
Veterans Affairs Employee Accountability Act

 Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that no VA employee who knowingly violates any federal civil law or regulation, including one covered under the Federal Acquisition Regulation or the Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation, or any internal VA policy, receives any specified pay augmentation, incentive, or additional gift of any value (bonus).

veterans_affairs employee accountability_act requires department_of_veterans_affairs ensure employee knowingly violates federal civil law regulation including covered federal_acquisition_regulation veterans_affairs acquisition regulation internal policy receives specified pay augmentation incentive additional gift value bonus


Summary:
Protect Veterans from Financial Fraud Act

This bill states that, in any case not involving negligent failure by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to investigate or monitor a fiduciary that results in fiduciary misuse of benefits, but in which any fiduciary misuses all or part of an individual's benefit paid to the fiduciary, the VA shall pay to the beneficiary or the beneficiary's successor fiduciary an amount equal to the amount of the misused benefit.

protect veterans financial fraud act bill states case involving negligent failure department_of_veterans_affairs investigate monitor fiduciary results fiduciary misuse benefits fiduciary individual benefit paid fiduciary shall pay beneficiary beneficiary successor fiduciary equal misused benefit


Summary: This bill provides that an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs is performing official duty when testifying in an official capacity in front of either chamber of Congress, a committee of either chamber, or a joint or select committee of Congress.

bill provides employee department_of_veterans_affairs performing official duty official capacity chamber congress committee chamber joint select committee congress


Summary:
Fair VA Accountability Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) suspend a VA employee without pay if the employee's performance or misconduct is a clear and direct threat to public health or safety; and (2) remove a suspended employee when, after investigation and review, removal is determined necessary in the interests of public health or safety.

A suspended employee is entitled, after suspension and before removal, to:

 a written statement of the specific charges against him or her within 30 days after suspension; an opportunity within 30 days thereafter, plus an additional 30 days if the charges are amended, to answer the charges and submit affidavits; a hearing, at the employee's request, by a VA authority duly constituted for this purpose; a case review by the VA before a decision adverse to the employee is made final; and a written statement of the VA's decision. A VA employee who is subject to a suspension or removal that is determined under applicable law, rule, regulation, or collective bargaining agreement to be a prohibited personnel practice shall receive back pay equal to the total amount of basic pay that such employee would have received during the period that the suspension and removal was in effect, less any amounts earned by the employee through other employment during that period.

An individual who was formerly employed in a senior executive position at the VA may not accept compensation from a covered contractor as an employee, officer, director, or consultant of the contractor during the one-year period beginning on the date on which the individual was last employed at the VA in a senior executive position.

The VA: (1) may not enter into a contract with any entity that employs such an individual, and (2) shall require an entity to certify that it does not employ and will not employ any such individual during the period covered by the contract.

The VA may:

 not place any covered individual on administrative leave or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge to leave for more than 14 days during any 365-day period; and waive such limitation and extend the administrative leave or other paid non-duty status without charge to leave of a covered individual if the VA submits to the appropriate committees a detailed explanation of the reasons the individual was placed on administrative leave or other paid non-duty status without charge to leave, and the reasons for the extension of such leave or status. A "covered individual" means a VA employee: (1) who is subject to an investigation to determine whether the individual should be subject to any disciplinary action, or (2) against whom any disciplinary action is proposed or initiated.

fair accountability_act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs suspend employee pay employee performance misconduct clear direct threat public health safety remove suspended employee investigation review removal determined necessary interests public health safety suspended employee entitled suspension removal written statement specific charges days suspension opportunity days plus additional days charges amended answer charges submit affidavits hearing employee request authority duly constituted purpose case review decision adverse employee final written statement decision employee subject suspension removal determined applicable law rule regulation collective bargaining agreement prohibited personnel practice shall receive pay equal total basic pay employee received period suspension removal effect amounts earned employee employment period individual employed senior executive position accept compensation covered contractor employee officer director consultant contractor year period beginning date individual employed senior executive position enter contract entity employs individual shall require entity certify employ employ individual period covered contract place covered individual administrative leave type paid non duty status charge leave days day period waive limitation extend administrative leave paid non duty status charge leave covered individual submits appropriate committees detailed explanation reasons individual placed administrative leave paid non duty status charge leave reasons extension leave status covered individual means employee subject investigation determine individual subject disciplinary action disciplinary action proposed initiated


Summary:
Jobs for Heroes Act

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the work opportunity tax credit, to: (1) revise the definition of "qualified veteran" to expand the eligibility of veterans for such credit, (2) allow such credit for the hiring of a qualified member of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, and (3) make such credit permanent.

Revises the tax credit for differential wage payments made by employers on behalf of Members of the Uniformed Services to: (1) extend eligibility for such credit to an employer without regard to the size of such employer's workforce, and (2) make such credit permanent.

jobs heroes act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect work opportunity tax credit revise definition qualified veteran expand eligibility veterans credit allow credit hiring qualified member ready_reserve national_guard credit permanent revises tax credit differential wage payments employers behalf members uniformed_services extend eligibility credit employer regard size employer workforce credit permanent


Summary:
Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act

TITLE I--VETERANS HEALTH CARE

(Sec. 101) This bill includes podiatrists within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) definition of physician, and increases their pay grade to match other VA physician compensation.

(Sec. 102) The priority for enrollment in the VA health care system given to medal of honor recipients shall increase from third to first, regardless of the date on which the medal is awarded.

Medal of honor recipients shall be eligible for VA: (1) hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care; (2) extended care services for non-service-connected disabilities, without having to make a copayment for such services; and (3) medications, without having to make a copayment for such medications.

(Sec. 103) The VA may provide the newborn child of a woman veteran receiving VA maternity care with post-delivery care services for at most 42 days (currently 7 days) after the child's birth if the veteran delivered the child in a VA facility or another facility with which VA has a contract for such services.

(Sec. 104) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall periodically audit elements of the Veterans Health Administration budget.

(Sec. 105) The VA shall: (1) conduct outreach to inform veterans of how to resolve credit issues caused by a delayed payment of a claim for emergency hospital care, medical services, or other emergency health care furnished through a non-VA provider; and (2) establish a toll-free telephone number for veterans to report such issues to the VA's Chief Business Office.

The GAO shall evaluate the effectiveness of the Chief Business Office in providing timely payment of a proper invoice for emergency hospital care, medical services, or other emergency health care furnished through non-VA providers by the required payment date.

(Sec. 106) The VA shall carry out a five-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing veterans' post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through the therapeutic medium of educating those veterans in the training and handling of service dogs for veterans with disabilities.

The program shall be carried out through contracts with appropriate nongovernmental entities located in close proximity to between three and five VA medical centers.

Each entity shall be certified in service dog training and have a training area for educating veterans with mental health conditions in service dog training and handling.

TITLE II--VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION

(Sec. 201) The bill establishes in the VA the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration (VEOTA) to administer programs of economic opportunity assistance for veterans and their dependents and survivors.

VEOTA shall administer the following:

 vocational rehabilitation and employment programs; educational assistance programs; veterans' housing loan and related programs; veterans' small business programs, including the program to increase participation in VA contracts by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans who have service-connected disabilities and by veterans who do not have such disabilities; and the transition assistance program. The aggregate number of full-time equivalent employees authorized for VEOTA for FY2017-FY2018 shall be 22,118.

(Sec. 202) The bill creates in the VA the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition to oversee all VEOTA programs.

TITLE III--EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

(Sec. 301) The amount of the monthly stipend payable to children eligible for Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits shall be 50% of what the service member or veteran would receive.

(Sec. 302) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to deem any member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, to have died on January 1, 2006, in order to make that member's surviving spouse eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship. (Under current law, surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty after September 11, 2001, are eligible for such assistance until the earlier of the date they remarry or the date that is 15 years after the military spouse's death.)

A surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, who elected before enactment of this Act to receive educational benefits under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry program may revoke such choice. (Such an election is currently irrevocable.)

 The bill extends Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement program eligibility to Fry program recipients for eligible higher education programs commencing on or after January 1, 2015.

(Sec. 303) A veteran may pursue a course of education and training as part of a rehabilitation program only if the course is approved according to VA vocational rehabilitation requirements.

(Sec. 304) The VA may prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on need and upon consideration of disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, income, and other appropriate factors.

(Sec. 305) Individuals may elect to convert their educational assistance to the Post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program if, as of August 1, 2009, they meet specified conditions with respect to their entitlements and elections under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program or certain other educational programs for professional military, selected reserve, or reserve component members.

Post-9/11 program eligibility shall be conditioned on an individual's meeting the requirements for the Post-9/11 program as of the date of election.

The bill prescribes transitional rules with respect to the transfer or revocation of entitlements from a previous assistance program after an election to convert to the Post-9/11 program.

Certain assistance shall remain available to individuals under their previous program if it is not available under the Post-9/11 program.

After January 1, 2016, if an individual submits an election that the VA determines is against the individual's interests, the VA may make an alternative election on the individual's behalf. Such an individual may, during a specified period, modify or revoke the VA's alternative selection.

(Sec. 306) The VA shall not include flight training fees in the in-state tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education covered by post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance.

Post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance for flight training programs at public institutions shall be determined in the same manner as such assistance is determined for education programs pursued at non-public or foreign institutions of higher education.

(Sec. 307) Certain time spent receiving Department of Defense medical care shall be considered as active duty for purposes of Post-9/11 veterans educational assistance.

(Sec. 308) The period for certain qualifying work-study activities for individuals receiving VA educational assistance shall be extended through June 30, 2021.

(Sec. 309) The VA shall develop and publish an action plan for improving the training and rehabilitation services and assistance for veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Such plan shall include:

 a proposed implementation plan for remedying workload management challenges at VA regional offices; an analysis of the low percentage of veterans with service-connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, who opt to participate in a VA rehabilitation program relative to the percentage of such veterans who use their entitlement to VA educational assistance; and a national staff training program for vocational rehabilitation counselors, which shall include training on post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. (Sec. 310) The VA shall reduce redundancy and inefficiencies in the use of information technology to process rehabilitation program claims by: (1) ensuring that all payments are processed and paid out of one corporate information technology system, and (2) enhancing the information technology system to support more accurate accounting of services and outcomes.

 FY2016 funds are authorized for such purposes.

 TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

(Sec. 401) Veterans educational assistance program reporting requirements may include as an educational institution any group, district, or consortium of separately accredited educational institutions located in a state to centralize enrollment information reporting.

(Sec. 402) The VA shall make available to educational institutions, through an accessible and secure information technology system, information on the amount of educational assistance to which their students are entitled under the all-volunteer force, post-Vietnam era, Post-9/11, and survivors' and dependents' educational assistance programs.

(Sec. 403) Specified education programs are deemed to be approved for veterans' education benefit purposes if a state approving agency determines that they qualify. A state approving agency, or the VA acting in the role of a state approving agency, may approve other accredited programs for such purposes.

(Sec. 404) State approving agencies may continue to establish additional criteria for the approval of nonaccredited courses, but the VA must, in consultation with the state approving agency, determine that such criteria are necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational institutions equitably.

(Sec. 405) The VA shall conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions and training establishments offering one or more courses approved for the enrollment of eligible veterans or persons if at least 20 such veterans or persons are enrolled in any such course. (Currently, an annual compliance survey of each institution offering such courses must be conducted if at least 300 beneficiaries are enrolled or if any such course does not lead to a standard college degree.)

 Each educational institution and training establishment shall be surveyed at lease once every two years.

(Sec. 406) The VA shall contract with a non-government entity to conduct a survey of a statistically valid sample of veterans using their education benefits to pursue a program of education or training.

(Sec. 407) The VA shall alter the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration to ensure that: (1) all claims for post-9/11 educational assistance are electronically adjudicated, to the maximum extent possible; and (2) rule-based processing is used to decide such claims with little human intervention.

The bill authorizes FY2016-FY2017 appropriations for such purpose.

(Sec. 408) Active duty service members may transfer in-state tuition entitlement to their eligible dependents, effective with respect to a course, semester, or term that begins after July 1, 2016.

TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS

(Sec. 501) The maximum amount of a veteran's VA-guaranteed home loan of more than $144,000 shall be the maximum guaranty amount.

(Sec. 502) The VA shall contract with a non-government entity to conduct a five-year longitudinal study of veterans: (1) who have received certain Department of Labor job training and employment placement services, (2) who did not receive such services but who received other Labor employment services, and (3) who did not seek or receive Labor employment services.

 The study shall include information about each participant regarding:

 length of active duty, disability ratings, unemployment benefits, months employed and salaries, annual and household income, home ownership, employment status, educational assistance, whether any service provided by a disabled veterans' outreach specialist or local veterans' employment representative helped the individual to become employed, and conditions of military discharge. (Sec. 503) Subcontracting limitations that apply to certain small businesses awarded contracts under various Small Business Administration (SBA) programs shall be extended to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with or without service-connected disabilities who are awarded VA contracts.

For purposes of applying such subcontracting limitations to veterans with small businesses awarded such VA contracts:

 small businesses owned and controlled by veterans shall be treated in the same manner as small businesses owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities, and similarly situated entities shall include subcontractors for small businesses owned and controlled by a veteran with or without a service-connected disability. Before awarding such a contract, the VA shall obtain a certification from the offeror: (1) promising to comply with applicable performance requirements, and (2) acknowledging that the certification is subject to criminal laws concerning false or fraudulent statements or representations.

Small businesses shall be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both for not acting in good faith.

The VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and the VA's Chief Acquisition Officer shall: (1) establish a process to monitor the subcontracting requirement compliance of veterans' small businesses awarded VA contracts, and (2) refer violations to the VA's Inspector General.

(Sec. 504) The VA shall develop procedures to share veterans' contact information (military service and separation data, e-mail addresses telephone numbers, and mailing addresses) with state veterans agencies in electronic format to facilitate the furnishing of assistance and benefits.

 Veterans may elect to prevent their information from being shared.

veterans employment education healthcare improvement act title veterans health_care sec bill includes podiatrists department_of_veterans_affairs definition physician increases pay grade match physician compensation sec priority enrollment health_care system given medal honor recipients shall increase regardless date medal awarded medal honor recipients shall eligible hospital nursing home domiciliary care extended care services non service connected disabilities having copayment services medications having copayment medications sec provide newborn child woman veteran receiving maternity care post delivery care services days currently days child birth veteran delivered child facility facility contract services sec government_accountability_office gao shall periodically audit elements veterans_health_administration budget sec shall conduct outreach inform veterans resolve credit issues caused delayed payment claim emergency hospital care medical services emergency health_care furnished non-va provider establish toll free telephone number veterans report issues chief business office gao shall evaluate effectiveness chief business office providing timely payment proper invoice emergency hospital care medical services emergency health_care furnished non-va providers required payment date sec shall carry year pilot program assess effectiveness addressing veterans post deployment mental health post traumatic stress disorder symptoms therapeutic medium educating veterans training handling service dogs veterans disabilities program shall carried contracts appropriate nongovernmental entities located close proximity medical centers entity shall certified service dog training training area educating veterans mental health conditions service dog training handling title veterans economic opportunity transition administration sec bill establishes veterans economic opportunity transition administration administer programs economic opportunity assistance veterans dependents survivors shall administer following vocational rehabilitation employment programs educational assistance programs veterans housing loan related programs veterans small business programs including program increase participation contracts small business concerns owned controlled veterans service connected disabilities veterans disabilities transition_assistance_program aggregate number time equivalent employees authorized fy2017 fy2018 shall sec bill creates position secretary veterans economic opportunity transition oversee programs title iii education assistance vocational rehabilitation sec monthly stipend payable children eligible bill benefits shall service member veteran receive sec veterans access choice accountability_act amended deem member armed_forces died september december died january order member surviving spouse eligible marine gunnery sergeant john_david_fry scholarship current law surviving spouses service members die line duty september eligible assistance earlier date remarry date years military spouse death surviving spouse member armed_forces died september december elected enactment act receive educational benefits survivors dependents educational assistance program marine gunnery sergeant john_david_fry program revoke choice election currently irrevocable bill extends yellow ribbon education enhancement program eligibility program recipients eligible higher education programs commencing january sec veteran pursue course education training rehabilitation program course approved according vocational rehabilitation requirements sec prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based need consideration disability ratings severity employment qualification program independent living income appropriate factors sec individuals elect convert educational assistance veterans educational assistance program august meet specified conditions respect entitlements elections volunteer force educational assistance program certain educational programs professional military selected_reserve reserve component members program eligibility shall conditioned individual meeting requirements program date election bill prescribes transitional rules respect transfer revocation entitlements previous assistance program election convert program certain assistance shall remain available individuals previous program available program january individual submits election determines individual interests alternative election individual behalf individual specified period modify revoke alternative selection sec shall include flight training fees state tuition fees public institutions higher education covered veterans educational assistance veterans educational assistance flight training programs public institutions shall determined manner assistance determined education programs pursued non public foreign institutions higher education sec certain time spent receiving department_of_defense medical care shall considered active duty purposes veterans educational assistance sec period certain qualifying work study activities individuals receiving educational assistance shall extended june sec shall develop publish action plan improving training rehabilitation services assistance veterans service connected disabilities plan shall include proposed implementation plan workload management challenges regional offices analysis low percentage veterans service connected disabilities served armed_forces september opt participate rehabilitation program relative percentage veterans use entitlement educational assistance national staff training program vocational rehabilitation counselors shall include training post traumatic stress disorder mental health conditions sec shall reduce inefficiencies use information technology process rehabilitation program claims ensuring payments processed paid corporate information technology system enhancing information technology system support accurate accounting services outcomes fy2016 funds authorized purposes title administration educational assistance sec veterans educational assistance program reporting requirements include educational institution group district consortium separately accredited educational institutions located state enrollment information reporting sec shall available educational institutions accessible secure information technology system information educational assistance students entitled volunteer force post vietnam era survivors dependents educational assistance programs sec specified education programs deemed approved veterans education benefit purposes state approving agency determines qualify state approving agency acting role state approving agency approve accredited programs purposes sec state approving agencies continue establish additional criteria approval courses consultation state approving agency determine criteria necessary treat public private proprietary profit educational institutions equitably sec shall conduct annual compliance survey educational institutions training establishments offering courses approved enrollment eligible veterans persons veterans persons enrolled course currently annual compliance survey institution offering courses conducted beneficiaries enrolled course lead standard college degree educational institution training establishment shall surveyed lease years sec shall contract non government entity conduct survey statistically valid sample veterans education benefits pursue program education training sec shall alter information technology system veterans_benefits_administration ensure claims educational assistance electronically adjudicated maximum extent possible rule based processing decide claims little human intervention bill authorizes fy2016 fy2017 appropriations purpose sec active duty service members transfer state tuition entitlement eligible dependents effective respect course semester term begins july title matters sec maximum veteran guaranteed home loan shall maximum guaranty sec shall contract non government entity conduct year longitudinal study veterans received certain department_of_labor job training employment placement services receive services received labor employment services seek receive labor employment services study shall include information participant length active duty disability ratings unemployment benefits months employed salaries annual household income home ownership employment status educational assistance service provided disabled veterans outreach specialist local veterans employment representative individual employed conditions military discharge sec subcontracting limitations apply certain small businesses awarded contracts small_business_administration sba programs shall extended small business concerns owned controlled veterans service connected disabilities awarded contracts purposes applying subcontracting limitations veterans small businesses awarded contracts small businesses owned controlled veterans shall treated manner small businesses owned controlled veterans service connected disabilities similarly situated entities shall include subcontractors small businesses owned controlled veteran service connected disability awarding contract shall obtain certification offeror promising comply applicable performance requirements acknowledging certification subject criminal laws concerning false fraudulent statements representations small businesses shall subject fines imprisonment acting good faith office_of_small disadvantaged_business_utilization chief acquisition officer shall establish process monitor subcontracting requirement compliance veterans small businesses awarded contracts refer violations inspector_general sec shall develop procedures share veterans contact information military service separation data mail addresses telephone numbers mailing addresses state veterans agencies electronic format facilitate furnishing assistance benefits veterans elect prevent information shared


Summary: Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop guidelines for use, by the Secretaries of the military departments and the Department of Veterans Affairs, of unofficial sources of information, including eyewitness statements, to determine the eligibility of a member or former member of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the member's service records are incomplete because of damage to the records as a result of the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or any subsequent incident while the records were in DOD's possession.

directs department_of_defense dod develop guidelines use secretaries military departments department_of_veterans_affairs sources information including eyewitness statements determine eligibility member member armed_forces benefits decorations member service records incomplete damage records result fire national personnel records center missouri subsequent incident records dod possession


Summary:
POW Accountability Act

Requires: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to review the VA POW list and the Department of Defense POW list to identify any discrepancies in them, and (2) the VA Inspector General to review the process by which the VA determines that a veteran is a former prisoner of war.

Requires the VA to report to Congress on the VA POW list, including information on such discrepancies and the results of the Inspector General's review.

pow accountability_act requires department_of_veterans_affairs review pow list department_of_defense pow list identify discrepancies inspector_general review process determines veteran prisoner war requires report congress pow list including information discrepancies results inspector_general review


Summary:
Veterans Administration Legislative and Objective Review Act of 2015 or the VALOR Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with a non-government entity to conduct a biannual audit of VA health care functions, the results of which shall be made publicly available on a VA website.

veterans administration legislative objective review act valor act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs contract non government entity conduct biannual audit health_care functions results shall publicly available website


Summary:
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to transfer to any covered medical account any amounts made available to it before enactment of this Act that remain available for obligation.

Amounts so transferred shall be merged with and be available for the same purposes as the covered medical account to which transferred and shall be available for obligation or expenditure without fiscal year limitation.

Covered medical accounts are the following VA accounts: (1) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Services; (2) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Support and Compliance; and (3) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Facilities.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs transfer covered medical account amounts available enactment act remain available obligation amounts transferred shall merged available purposes covered medical account transferred shall available obligation expenditure fiscal year limitation covered medical accounts following accounts veterans_health_administration medical services veterans_health_administration medical support compliance veterans_health_administration medical facilities


Summary: Grants the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) temporary authority (through October 1, 2015) to use certain transfers from the Veterans Choice Fund to pay for health care for eligible veterans at non-VA facilities, including pharmaceuticals for treatment of Hepatitis C.

grants department_of_veterans_affairs temporary authority october use certain transfers veterans choice fund pay health_care eligible veterans non-va facilities including pharmaceuticals treatment hepatitis


Summary:
Veterans Dignified Burial Act

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) upon confirming the veteran status of a deceased veteran in the custody of a local medical examiner, funeral director, county service group, or other similar entity, to request from that entity the specific date of the veteran's scheduled interment; and (2) during each 30-day period following the request to repeat it until the entity confirms the scheduled internment date or that the veteran has been interred.

Requires the VA, by March 1 of each year, to report to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on unclaimed deceased veterans interred after the 30-day period following the initial VA request.

veterans dignified burial act directs department_of_veterans_affairs confirming veteran status deceased veteran custody local medical examiner funeral director county service group similar entity request entity specific date veteran scheduled interment day period following request repeat entity confirms scheduled internment date veteran interred requires march year report house senate veterans affairs committees unclaimed deceased veterans interred day period following initial request


Summary:
Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2016 or the HIRE Vets Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to solicit voluntary information from employers for purposes of recognizing, by the award of a HIRE Vets Medallion, verified efforts by these employers to: (1) recruit, employ, and retain veterans; and (2) provide community and charitable services supporting the veteran community.

Labor shall annually: (1) solicit voluntary medallion applications from employers, and (2) review applications and present the President with a list of recipients.

The President shall annually present the medallion and corresponding certificate to recipients at a time to coincide with the annual commemoration of Veterans Day.

Labor shall begin soliciting applications by January 31, stop accepting applications not earlier than April 30, and finish application review by August 31. The President shall notify chosen applicants no later than October 11. Medallions shall be awarded in November.

(Sec. 3) Labor shall establish two levels of medallions for large and small employers, to be designated the Gold HIRE Vets Medallion and the Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion. The bill prescribes awards criteria.

(Sec. 4) A recipient: (1) may publicly display the medallion and certificate through the end of the calendar year, and (2) may not publicly display the award as part of any advertisement implying receipt of the award for any calendar year other than the one in which it was awarded.

(Sec. 5) The bill establishes the HIRE Vets Medallion Award Fund.

Labor may assess a reasonable medallion application fee and shall deposit such fees into the fund.

(Sec. 6) Beginning two years after enactment of this bill, Labor shall submit annual reports on fees, program costs, the number of applications, and the medallions awarded, including the name and medallion level of each recipient.

(Sec. 7) The bill excludes from the definition of "employer" the federal government, any state, or any foreign state.

honoring investments recruiting employing american military veterans act hire vets act sec bill directs department_of_labor establish hire vets medallion program solicit voluntary information employers purposes recognizing award hire vets medallion verified efforts employers recruit employ retain veterans provide community charitable services supporting veteran community labor shall annually solicit voluntary medallion applications employers review applications present president list recipients president shall annually present medallion corresponding certificate recipients time annual commemoration veterans day labor shall begin soliciting applications january stop accepting applications earlier april finish application review august president shall notify chosen applicants later october shall awarded november sec labor shall establish levels large small employers designated gold hire vets medallion platinum hire vets medallion bill prescribes awards criteria sec recipient publicly display medallion certificate end calendar year publicly display award advertisement implying receipt award calendar year awarded sec bill establishes hire vets medallion award fund labor assess reasonable medallion application fee shall deposit fees fund sec beginning years enactment bill labor shall submit annual reports fees program costs number applications awarded including medallion level recipient sec bill excludes definition employer federal_government state foreign state


Summary:
Veterans Benefits Network Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to make a grant to an eligible entity to establish or expand a regional technology system to provide an active database and enrollment system that can be used by a network of private, public, and non-profit entities to assist veterans and their family members in applying for benefits and services offered by such entities.

veterans benefits network act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs grant eligible entity establish expand regional technology system provide active database enrollment system network private public non profit entities assist veterans family members applying benefits services offered entities


Summary:
Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide veterans' case-tracking information access to employees of a Member of Congress or of a state or local governmental agency assisting veterans with benefit claims.

Directs the VA to ensure that such access does not: (1) allow the employee to modify the data in the case-tracking system, and (2) include access to medical records. Requires such employees to complete a certification course on privacy issues before receiving such access.

access veterans benefits improvement act directs department_of_veterans_affairs provide veterans case tracking information access employees member congress state local governmental agency assisting veterans benefit claims directs ensure access allow employee modify data case tracking system include access medical records requires employees complete certification course privacy issues receiving access


Summary: This bill designates the portion of Moffett Federal Airfield, California, containing the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard, as Moffett Air National Guard Base.

bill designates portion federal airfield california containing rescue wing california air_national_guard air_national_guard base


Summary: This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to review each covered whistle blower complaint that is filed with the Office of the Special Counsel during the previous calendar quarter.

bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs review covered whistle blower complaint filed office special_counsel previous calendar quarter


Summary:
Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse up to $1,000 monthly to a veteran participating in a vocational rehabilitation program for the cost of child care provided by a licensed provider if the veteran: (1) is the child's sole caretaker, and (2) would not otherwise be able to afford such child care.

wounded warrior assistance_act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs reimburse monthly veteran participating vocational rehabilitation program cost child care provided licensed provider veteran child sole caretaker able afford child care


Summary:
Statute Of Limitations for DOD Inactive Employee Repossessions Act or the SOLDIER Act

This bill declares that, if the indebtedness of a member of the uniformed services to the United States occurs, through no fault of the member, as a result of the overpayment of pay or allowances or upon the settlement of the member's accounts, the department or agency concerned may not recover the indebtedness from the member, including a retired or former member, using deductions from pay, deductions from retired or separation pay, or any other collection method unless recovery of the indebtedness begins before the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date on which the indebtedness was incurred.

statute limitations dod inactive employee act soldier act bill declares indebtedness member uniformed_services united_states occurs fault member result overpayment pay allowances settlement member accounts department agency concerned recover indebtedness member including retired member deductions pay deductions retired separation pay collection method recovery indebtedness begins end year period beginning date indebtedness incurred


Summary:
Agent Orange Extension Act of 2015

This bill extends for two years the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicides, including Agent Orange, with respect to veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.

The Agent Orange Act of 1991 is amended to extend for two years the authority of the VA to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides, including the association between exposure to a herbicide used in U.S. and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and each disease suspected to be associated with such exposure.

agent orange extension act bill extends years department_of_veterans_affairs presumption service connection diseases associated exposure certain herbicides including agent orange respect veterans served republic_of_vietnam january agent orange act amended extend years authority enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences evaluate scientific evidence associations diseases exposure chemical compounds herbicides including association exposure herbicide allied military operations republic_of_vietnam vietnam era disease suspected associated exposure


Summary: This bill directs the Department of Defense to provide for the inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the District of Columbia of the names of those members of the Armed Forces who died in transit to or from a covered combat zone during the Vietnam conflict, including the members who died in the Loma Ridge plane crash in California on June 25, 1965.

bill directs department_of_defense provide inclusion vietnam veterans memorial district_of_columbia names members armed_forces died transit covered combat zone vietnam conflict including members died ridge plane crash california june


Summary:
Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the following leases at the VA's West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California:

 any enhanced-use lease of real property for supportive housing that principally benefits veterans and their families; any lease of real property for not to exceed 50 years to a third party for services that principally benefit veterans and their families and that are related to health and wellness, education, vocational training and employment, peer activities or recreation, legal and federal benefits assistance, volunteerism, family support services, and transportation; and a lease of real property for not to exceed 10 years to the Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the University of California, Los Angeles, if the lease is consistent with the VA master plan and the provision of veterans services is the predominant focus. The VA shall not enter into any land-sharing agreements unless the agreements provide additional health care resources and benefit veterans and their families in ways other than generating additional revenue.

Any funds received by the VA from a lease shall be credited to the applicable VA medical facilities account and shall be available, without fiscal year limitation and without further appropriation, exclusively for campus renovation and maintenance.

The VA may, notwithstanding any other provision of law other than federal laws relating to environmental and historic preservation, grant easements or rights-of-way on, above, or under campus lands to:

 any local or regional public transportation authority to construct, operate, or maintain public mass transit facilities; and California, the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any public utility company for the purpose of providing public utilities. The VA may not sell or convey to a third party fee simple title to any real property or related improvements made at the campus.

The VA shall ensure that each lease is consistent with the draft master plan approved by the VA on January 28, 2016, or successor master plans.

The VA shall establish a Community Veterans Engagement Board to coordinate locally with the VA to: (1) identify community goals; and (2) provide advice to improve services for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families.

los_angeles homeless veterans leasing act sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry following leases west los_angeles campus los_angeles california enhanced use lease real property supportive housing principally benefits veterans families lease real property exceed years party services principally benefit veterans families related health wellness education vocational training employment peer activities recreation legal federal benefits assistance volunteerism family support services transportation lease real property exceed years university california behalf university california los_angeles lease consistent master plan provision veterans services predominant focus shall enter land sharing agreements agreements provide additional health_care resources benefit veterans families ways generating additional revenue funds received lease shall credited applicable medical facilities account shall available fiscal year limitation appropriation exclusively campus renovation maintenance notwithstanding provision law federal laws relating environmental historic preservation grant easements rights way campus lands local regional public transportation authority construct operate maintain public mass transit facilities california county los_angeles city los_angeles agency political subdivision thereof public utility company purpose providing public utilities sell convey party fee simple title real property related improvements campus shall ensure lease consistent draft master plan approved january successor master plans shall establish community veterans engagement board coordinate locally identify community goals provide advice improve services veterans members armed_forces families


Summary:
This bill increases the special monthly pension for living Medal of Honor recipients.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall not make an annual pension increase for such recipients, effective December 1, 2016, if the increased monthly pension under this Act takes effect before such date. If the VA does not make the December 1, 2016 increase, however, annual increases shall resume as of December 1, 2017.

bill increases special monthly pension living medal honor recipients department_of_veterans_affairs shall annual pension increase recipients effective december increased monthly pension act takes effect date december increase annual increases shall resume december


Summary:
Veteran Disability Rating Parity Act

This bill amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to treat service-connected disability rated and certified as total by the Department of Veterans Affairs as disability for purposes of the OASDI (including child's, widow's, and widower's benefits) and SSI programs.

veteran disability rating parity act bill amends titles old age survivors disability_insurance oasdi xvi supplemental security income ssi social_security_act treat service connected disability rated certified total department_of_veterans_affairs disability purposes oasdi including child widow widower benefits ssi programs


Summary:
Lawrence J. Hackett Jr. Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Fairness Act

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a task force to assess and make recommendations about the care and compensation that should be provided to veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange, their spouses, and multiple generations of their offspring.

Requires the task force to make recommendations:

 to establish the Agent Orange Illness Compensation Program to provide an exposed veteran or eligible survivor a lump sum payment for the veteran's injury, illness, or death; for the establishment of a national outreach and education campaign to communicate information about Agent Orange exposures and health conditions to veterans who are affected by incidents of toxic exposures and their families; for compensation and health care for individuals with Spina Bifida, birth defects, or other illnesses who are the children or descendants of members of the Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or in or near the demilitarized zone in Korea during certain time periods determined by the task force; and for the establishment of a unified policy to deal with the consequences of exposure to hazardous materials in the military.

lawrence vietnam veterans agent orange fairness act directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish task_force assess recommendations care compensation provided veterans exposed agent orange spouses multiple generations offspring requires task_force recommendations establish agent orange illness compensation program provide exposed veteran eligible survivor lump sum payment veteran injury illness death establishment national outreach education campaign communicate information agent orange exposures health conditions veterans affected incidents toxic exposures families compensation health_care individuals spina bifida birth defects illnesses children descendants members armed_forces served vietnam near zone korea certain time periods determined task_force establishment unified policy deal consequences exposure hazardous materials military


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015

This bill extends specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs.

TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Extends through FY2016:

 authority for collection of copaypayments for hospital care and nursing home care, authorization of appropriations for assistance and support services for caregivers, authority for recovery from third parties of the cost of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected disability, authority for the pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care, authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans, authority for Department of Defense (DOD)-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, and authority for the pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service. Extends through December 31, 2016, the requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Extends through FY2017 authority for the Joint DOD-VA Demonstration Fund. TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Extends through FY2016:

 specified housing loan provisions and definitions, including the calculation of net value of real property at time of foreclosure; and authority relating to vendee loans. Extends through December 31, 2016, authority:

 for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education, and to provide rehabilitation and vocational benefits at VA facilities to members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses. TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

Extends through FY2016 authority:

 for homeless veterans reintegration programs; for the homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program; to provide housing assistance for homeless veterans; to provide financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing; for the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs; for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, including a program to provide homeless veterans with benefits and services at certain locations; and to provide referral and counseling services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness. Extends through December 31, 2016, authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.

TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY

Extends through FY2016 authority:

 for monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events; for operation of the VA regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines; for appropriations for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces; for temporary eligibility expansion for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating; the requirement for an annual report on the DOD-VA Interagency Program Office; and the current multipliers used in calculating the fees the VA is authorized to pay to educational institutions and apprenticeship providers for reports regarding each eligible individual's enrollment in veterans' education or training programs and the interruption or termination of their participation in such programs. Extends through December 31, 2016:

 authority for transportation of individuals to and from VA facilities for vocational rehabilitation, counseling, treatment, or care; the requirement to provide annual reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error; authority for Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; authority to enter into agreement with the National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides; and authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract physicians. Funding authority is modified to provide for constructing a new bed tower at the VA medical center in Tampa, Florida, in lieu of providing bed tower upgrades at such medical center.

The VA may carry out the following major medical facility projects (with each project not to exceed specified amounts):

 construction of a community living center, outpatient clinic, renovated domiciliary, and renovation of existing buildings in Canandaigua, New York; seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, California; seismic correction of 12 buildings in West Los Angeles, California; and construction of a spinal cord injury building and seismic corrections in San Diego, California. TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS

Various technical and clerical amendments are made.

department_of_veterans_affairs expiring authorities act bill extends specified department_of_veterans_affairs programs title extensions authority relating health_care extends fy2016 authority collection hospital care nursing home care authorization appropriations assistance support services caregivers authority recovery parties cost care services furnished veterans health plan contracts non service connected disability authority pilot program assistance child care certain veterans receiving health_care authority grants veterans service organizations transportation highly rural veterans authority department_of_defense health_care sharing incentive fund authority pilot program counseling retreat settings women veterans newly separated service extends december requirement provide nursing home care certain veterans service connected disabilities extends fy2017 authority joint dod demonstration fund title extensions authority relating benefits extends fy2016 specified housing loan provisions definitions including calculation net value real property time foreclosure authority relating loans extends december authority veterans advisory_committee_on_education provide rehabilitation vocational benefits facilities members armed_forces severe injuries illnesses title iii extensions authority relating homelessness extends fy2016 authority homeless veterans reintegration programs homeless women veterans homeless veterans children reintegration program provide housing assistance homeless veterans provide financial assistance supportive services low income veteran families permanent housing grant program homeless veterans special needs treatment rehabilitation services seriously mentally ill homeless veterans including program provide homeless veterans benefits services certain locations provide referral counseling services certain veterans risk homelessness extends december authority advisory_committee homeless veterans title extensions modifications authority extends fy2016 authority monthly assistance allowances office national veterans sports programs special events operation regional office republic_of_the_philippines appropriations adaptive sports programs disabled veterans members armed_forces temporary eligibility expansion specially adapted housing assistance certain veterans disabilities causing difficulty requirement annual report dod interagency program_office current calculating fees authorized pay educational institutions apprenticeship providers reports eligible individual enrollment veterans education training programs interruption termination participation programs extends december authority transportation individuals facilities vocational rehabilitation counseling treatment care requirement provide annual reports congress equitable relief case administrative error authority advisory_committee_on_minority_veterans authority enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences associations diseases exposure chemical compounds herbicides authority performance medical disabilities examinations contract physicians funding authority modified provide constructing new bed tower medical center florida lieu providing bed tower upgrades medical center carry following major medical facility projects project exceed specified amounts construction community living center outpatient clinic domiciliary renovation existing buildings new_york seismic corrections mental health community living center long_beach california seismic correction buildings west los_angeles california construction spinal cord injury building seismic corrections san_diego california title matters technical clerical amendments


Summary:
Veterans Care and Reporting Enforcement Act

This bill requires the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in the case of an investigation involving patient health and safety relating to VA hospital care or medical services, to:

 provide a copy of the IG's report to Congress and to the Member of Congress in whose district the VA facility is located; within three days make the report available on the IG's website for at least one year; and in the case of an investigation of a medical facility, post a notice of the investigation at an appropriate place and on the facility's website for at least 30 days.

veterans care reporting enforcement act bill requires inspector_general department_of_veterans_affairs case investigation involving patient health safety relating hospital care medical services provide copy report congress member congress district facility located days report available website year case investigation medical facility post notice investigation appropriate place facility website days


Summary:
Final Farewell Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to permit the interment or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national cemetery during weekends, other than federal holiday weekends, upon the request of the veteran's next-of-kin.

 Any grant to assist a state in establishing a veterans' cemetery shall require that the cemetery permits the interment or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran during weekends, other than federal holiday weekends, upon the request of the veteran's next-of-kin.

final act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs permit interment funeral memorial service ceremony deceased veteran national cemetery weekends federal holiday weekends request veteran kin grant assist state establishing veterans cemetery shall require cemetery permits interment funeral memorial service ceremony deceased veteran weekends federal holiday weekends request veteran kin


Summary:
Seniors Deserve A Raise Act

This bill requires cost-of-living increases in any benefit under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act as well as military retirement and survivor benefits by any increase in the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly.

In addition to any such increase, each such benefit shall be further increased by 2.9% on January 1, 2016, and shall remain in effect every year thereafter.

seniors deserve raise act bill requires cost living increases benefit title old age survivors disability_insurance oasdi social_security_act military retirement survivor benefits increase consumer price index elderly addition increase benefit shall increased january shall remain effect year


Summary:
Honor Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish a memorial headstone or marker for an eligible individual whose remains are identified and available but whose gravesite's location is unknown.

honor fallen heroes act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs furnish memorial headstone marker eligible individual remains identified available gravesite location unknown


Summary:
Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act

This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands during the period January 1, 1977-December 31, 1980, as radiation exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers.

atomic veterans healthcare parity act bill includes veterans participated cleanup enewetak atoll marshall_islands period january december radiation exposed veterans purposes department_of_veterans_affairs presumption service connection specified cancers


Summary:
Honoring the Hiring of Heroes Act

This bill directs the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish jointly a program to award special recognition to employers for veteran-friendly employment practices (Employment Salute Awards) and, in coordination with the Departments of Defense and Commerce, establish criteria for determining award recipients.

The Employment Salute Award Fund is established in the Treasury for the deposit of employer award application fees collected under this Act.

honoring hiring heroes act bill directs department_of_labor department_of_veterans_affairs establish jointly program award special recognition employers veteran friendly employment practices employment salute awards coordination departments_of_defense commerce establish criteria determining award recipients employment salute award fund established treasury deposit employer award application fees collected act


Summary:
Veteran Engagement Teams Act or the VET Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), beginning not later than October 1, 2016, to carry out a three-year pilot program under which the VA shall carry out Veteran Engagement Team events to assist veterans in completing VA disability and pension claims.

Such events shall be carried out:

 during the first year, at least once a month within the jurisdiction of each of 10 VA regional offices, including at least 2 regional offices in each of the 5 districts of the Veterans Benefits Administration; during each of the second and third years, at least once a month within the jurisdiction of each of 15 VA regional offices, including at least 3 regional offices in each district; at different locations within each regional office's jurisdiction and at least 50 miles from any regional office; during the sponsoring regional office's normal business hours; and with a sufficient number of physicians (to be available for opinions only), veteran service and rating representatives, and other appropriate claims personnel to initiate, update, and finalize the completion and adjudication of claims. Amounts shall be paid to a VA employee for event work only from amounts otherwise available for the employee's salary. No additional appropriations are authorized for such payments.

The VA shall: (1) collect and analyze event-satisfaction information from attending veterans, and (2) report annually to Congress on event implementation.

The VA may not permanently transfer any Veterans Health Administration physician to staff an event.

(Sec. 3) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to reduce the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses that may be paid by the VA in FY2017.

veteran engagement teams act vet act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs beginning later october carry year pilot program shall carry veteran engagement team events assist veterans completing disability pension claims events shall carried year month jurisdiction regional offices including regional offices districts veterans_benefits_administration second years month jurisdiction regional offices including regional offices district different locations regional office jurisdiction miles regional office sponsoring regional office normal business hours sufficient number physicians available opinions veteran service rating representatives appropriate claims personnel initiate update finalize completion adjudication claims amounts shall paid employee event work amounts available employee salary additional appropriations authorized payments shall collect analyze event satisfaction information attending veterans report annually congress event implementation permanently transfer veterans_health_administration physician staff event sec veterans access choice accountability_act amended reduce aggregate awards bonuses paid fy2017


Summary:
Purple Heart Heroes Act of 2015

This bill permits a veteran who has a compensable disability attributable to an injury for which the veteran was awarded the Purple Heart to use commissary stores and MWR retail facilities on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.

A dependent of the veteran shall be permitted to use these facilities on the same basis as a dependent of a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.

"MWR retail facility" means exchange stores and other revenue-generating facilities operated by nonappropriated fund activities of the Department of Defense for the morale, welfare, and recreation of members of the Armed Forces.

purple heart heroes act bill permits veteran compensable disability attributable injury veteran awarded purple heart use commissary stores retail facilities basis member armed_forces entitled retired retainer pay dependent veteran shall permitted use facilities basis dependent member armed_forces entitled retired retainer pay retail facility means exchange stores revenue generating facilities operated nonappropriated fund activities department_of_defense morale welfare recreation members armed_forces


Summary:
Support Earned Recognition for Veterans Act or the SERV Act

Excludes from the definitions of "active duty," "active duty for training," and "inactive duty training," for veteran benefit or employment preference purposes, any service performed at a preparatory school of a service academy by a student who is not otherwise a member of the Armed Forces.

support earned recognition veterans act act excludes definitions active duty active duty training inactive duty training veteran benefit employment preference purposes service performed preparatory school service academy student member armed_forces


Summary: This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Charles S. Kettles for acts of valor during the Vietnam War.

bill authorizes president award medal honor charles acts valor vietnam war


Summary: This bill amends the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) to require that at least 10% of the funds made available for federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs, including highway safety research and development, and for the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 be expended through small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.

bill amends moving ahead progress 21st century act require funds available federal aid highways highway safety construction programs including highway safety research development federal public transportation act expended small business concerns owned controlled veterans


Summary: This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to make grants for structural repairs and remodeling to community centers, clinics, and hospitals that serve veterans.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs grants structural repairs remodeling community centers clinics hospitals serve veterans


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 9, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to convey to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs all right, title, and interest of the United States in the property known as "The Community Living Center" at the Lake Baldwin Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Orlando, Florida.

 The deed of conveyance shall require all of the property to be used for the sole purpose of providing nursing home, domiciliary, or adult day health care to veterans.

measure amended passed house february summary version repeated sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs convey florida department_of_veterans_affairs right title interest united_states property known community living center lake veterans_affairs_outpatient_clinic florida deed conveyance shall require property sole purpose providing nursing home domiciliary adult day health_care veterans


Summary:
Fair Treatment for Families of Veterans Act

This bill revises the effective date for reductions or discontinuances of Department of Veterans Affairs compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pensions by reason of marriage, remarriage, or death.

The effective date is changed from the last day of the month before a marriage, remarriage, or death occurs to the last day of the month during which the event occurs.

fair treatment families veterans act bill revises effective date reductions department_of_veterans_affairs compensation dependency indemnity compensation pensions reason marriage remarriage death effective date changed day month marriage remarriage death occurs day month event occurs


Summary:
Support America's Armed Forces Reserve Component Retirees Act of 2015

This bill authorizes a retiring National Guard member who first enters a uniformed service on or after January 1, 2018, to receive retirement pay after 20 years of service.

Computation of the high-three year retired pay base average for such a member shall only include the 36 months for which he or she was entitled to monthly basic pay.

support america armed_forces reserve component retirees act bill authorizes retiring national_guard member enters uniformed service january receive retirement pay years service computation high year retired pay base average member shall include months entitled monthly basic pay


Summary:
Jumpstart VA Construction Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into partnership agreements with non-federal entities for the construction of major medical construction projects authorized by law.

Each selected project shall be for construction of a new facility for which: (1) Congress has appropriated funds, (2) the design and development phase is complete, and (3) construction has not begun as of the date of enactment of this Act.

jumpstart construction act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs enter partnership agreements non federal entities construction major medical construction projects authorized law selected project shall construction new facility congress appropriated funds design development phase complete construction begun date enactment act


Summary:
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to direct a VA employee to repay all or part of the transferee relocation expenses paid to the employee if: (1) the VA determines such repayment is appropriate, and (2) the employee is afforded notice and opportunity for a hearing conducted by another federal department or agency before repayment.

 A decision regarding employee repayment shall be final and may not be reviewed by any department, agency, or court.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs direct employee repay transferee relocation expenses paid employee determines repayment appropriate employee afforded notice opportunity hearing conducted federal department agency repayment decision employee repayment shall final reviewed department agency court


Summary:
Access to Military Service Records Act of 2015

This bill limits to the cost of mailing the fee that the National Archives and Records Administration may charge a veteran (or, if such individual is deceased, the individual's next of kin or immediate family) who requests his or her military service record.

access military service records act bill limits cost mailing fee national_archives_and_records_administration charge veteran individual deceased individual kin immediate family requests military service record


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Vietnam Helicopter Crew Memorial Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of the Army to place in Arlington National Cemetery a memorial honoring helicopter pilots and crew members who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era.

 The Army may place such a memorial only if it enters into an agreement under which the association agrees to: (1) pay all costs necessary to construct, install, and maintain the memorial; and (2) to such other provisions as the Army may require.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure vietnam helicopter crew memorial act sec bill directs department_of_the_army place arlington national cemetery memorial honoring helicopter pilots crew members served active duty armed_forces vietnam era army place memorial enters agreement association agrees pay costs necessary construct install maintain memorial provisions army require