Summary:
American Business for American Companies Act of 2015

Prohibits an executive agency from awarding a contract for the procurement of property or services (including a defense contract) to: (1) any foreign incorporated entity determined to be an inverted domestic corporation or any subsidiary of such entity, or (2) any joint venture more than 10% of which is held by such an entity or subsidiary.

Directs each agency to include in each such contract awarded with a value in excess of $10 million, other than a contract for exclusively commercial items, a clause that prohibits the prime contractor from: (1) awarding a first-tier subcontract with a value greater than 10% of the total prime contract to such an entity or joint venture, or (2) structuring subcontract tiers enabling such entity or joint venture to perform more than 10% of the total value of the prime contract.

Authorizes an agency to waive such requirements for a contract in the interest of national security or when necessary for the efficient or effective administration of federal or federally funded: (1) programs that provide health benefits to individuals, or (2) public health programs. Provides for termination of a contract or suspension or debarment of a contractor in violation of this Act.

Requires a foreign incorporated entity to be treated as an inverted domestic corporation if: (1) the entity acquires, on or after May 8, 2014, substantially all of the properties held by a domestic corporation or substantially all of the assets of, or substantially all of the properties constituting a trade or business of, a domestic partnership; and (2) after the acquisition, either more than 50% of the stock of the entity is held by former shareholders of the domestic corporation or former partners of the domestic partnership, or the management and control of the expanded affiliated group which includes the entity occurs primarily within the United States and such expanded affiliated group has significant domestic business activities. Sets forth an exception for an entity within an expanded affiliated group with substantial business activities in the foreign country in which the entity is created. Requires the Department of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for determining cases in which the management and control of an expanded affiliated group is to be treated as occurring primarily within the United States.

american business american companies act prohibits executive agency awarding contract procurement property services including defense contract foreign incorporated entity determined inverted domestic corporation subsidiary entity joint venture held entity subsidiary directs agency include contract awarded value excess million contract exclusively commercial items clause prohibits prime contractor awarding tier subcontract value greater total prime contract entity joint venture structuring subcontract tiers enabling entity joint venture perform total value prime contract authorizes agency waive requirements contract interest national security necessary efficient effective administration federal federally funded programs provide health benefits individuals public health programs provides termination contract suspension debarment contractor violation act requires foreign incorporated entity treated inverted domestic corporation entity acquires substantially properties held domestic corporation substantially assets substantially properties constituting trade business domestic partnership acquisition stock entity held shareholders domestic corporation partners domestic partnership management control expanded affiliated group includes entity occurs primarily united_states expanded affiliated group significant domestic business activities sets forth exception entity expanded affiliated group substantial business activities foreign country entity created requires department_of_the_treasury prescribe regulations determining cases management control expanded affiliated group treated occurring primarily united_states


Summary:
Freedom from Government Competition Act

 Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, except if: (1) such goods or services are required by law to be produced or performed by such agency; or (2) the head of the agency determines and certifies that federal production, manufacture, or provision of a good or service is necessary for the national defense or homeland security, that a good or service is so inherently governmental in nature that it is in the public interest to require production or performance by government employees, or that there is no private source capable of providing the good or service.

Requires such private sector provision of goods and services to be performed through: (1) the divestiture of federal involvement, (2) the award of a contract using competitive procedures, (3) converting an activity to performance by a qualified firm under at least 51% ownership by an Indian tribe or a Native Hawaiian Organization, or (4) conducting a public-private competitive sourcing analysis in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procedures and determining that using the private sector is in the best interest of the United States and provides the best value to the taxpayer.

Authorizes an agency head to utilize federal employees to provide goods or services previously provided by a private sector entity upon completion of a public-private competitive sourcing analysis and after determining that provision by federal employees provides the best value.

Requires OMB to carry out a study, in conjunction with the Comptroller General, to evaluate the activities carried out in each agency.

freedom government competition act requires executive military department independent establishment obtain goods services necessary beneficial accomplishment authorized functions procurement private sources goods services required law produced performed agency head agency determines certifies federal production manufacture provision good service necessary national defense homeland_security good service inherently governmental nature public interest require production performance government employees private source capable providing good service requires private sector provision goods services performed divestiture federal involvement award contract competitive procedures converting activity performance qualified firm ownership indian tribe native hawaiian organization conducting public private competitive sourcing analysis accordance office_of_management_and_budget omb procedures determining private sector best interest united_states provides best value taxpayer authorizes agency head utilize federal employees provide goods services previously provided private sector entity completion public private competitive sourcing analysis determining provision federal employees provides best value requires omb carry study conjunction comptroller_general evaluate activities carried agency


Summary:
Arbitration Fairness Act of 2015

Declares that no predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights dispute.

Declares, further, that the validity and enforceability of an agreement to arbitrate shall be determined by a court, under federal law, rather than an arbitrator, irrespective of whether the party resisting arbitration challenges the arbitration agreement specifically or in conjunction with other terms of the contract containing such agreement.

Exempts from this Act arbitration provisions in a contract between an employer and a labor organization or between labor organizations. Denies to any such arbitration provision, however, the effect of waiving the right of an employee to seek judicial enforcement of a right arising under the U.S. Constitution, a state constitution, a federal or state statute, or related public policy.

arbitration fairness act declares predispute arbitration agreement shall valid enforceable requires arbitration employment consumer antitrust civil rights dispute declares validity enforceability agreement arbitrate shall determined court federal law arbitrator irrespective party resisting arbitration challenges arbitration agreement specifically conjunction terms contract containing agreement exempts act arbitration provisions contract employer labor organization labor organizations denies arbitration provision effect waiving right employee seek judicial enforcement right arising constitution state constitution federal state statute related public policy


Summary:
Civilian Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act of 2015 or the CEJA

 Amends the federal criminal code to grant jurisdiction over and impose penalties on federal contractors and employees who commit certain crimes outside of the United States while employed by or accompanying any agency of the United States other than the Department of Defense or while so employed and stationed or deployed in a country outside of the United States pursuant to a treaty or executive agreement in furtherance of a border security initiative with that country. Sets forth the crimes under federal law that are covered by this Act.

Provides for an optional venue for offenses under this Act involving federal employees and contractors overseas in the district in which is headquartered the U.S. agency that: (1) employs the offender, or any one or two or more joint offenders; or (2) the offender is accompanying, or that any one or two or more joint offenders is accompanying.

Requires the statute of limitations for an offense under this Act to be suspended for the period during which the alleged offender is outside the United States or is a fugitive from justice.

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) assign personnel and resources through task forces to investigate allegations of criminal offenses by federal contractors and employees overseas, and (2) report to Congress annually on the number of prosecutions and actions taken. Grants the Attorney General principal authority for the enforcement of this Act.

Makes this Act inapplicable to the authorized intelligence activities of the U.S. government.

civilian extraterritorial jurisdiction act amends federal criminal code grant jurisdiction impose penalties federal contractors employees commit certain crimes outside united_states employed accompanying agency united_states department_of_defense employed stationed deployed country outside united_states pursuant treaty executive agreement furtherance border_security initiative country sets forth crimes federal law covered act provides optional venue offenses act involving federal employees contractors overseas district headquartered agency employs offender joint offenders offender accompanying joint offenders accompanying requires statute limitations offense act suspended period alleged offender outside united_states fugitive justice directs attorney general assign personnel resources task forces investigate allegations criminal offenses federal contractors employees overseas report congress annually number prosecutions actions taken grants attorney general principal authority enforcement act makes act inapplicable authorized intelligence activities government


Summary:
Construction Consensus Procurement Improvement Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill modifies the design-build selection procedures used by federal agencies soliciting offers to enter into civilian contracts for the design and construction of a public building, facility, or work. Two-phase selection procedures (i.e., submission of qualifications and then the submission of price and technical proposals in response to a request for proposal) must be used when a contracting officer determines that a project has a value of $750,000 or greater. But for contracts valued at less than $750,000, the contracting officer makes the same determination under current law as to whether the use of two-phase selection procedures is appropriate when the officer anticipates at least three offers for the contract.

Federal agencies must report, each year through FY2021, on each instance where the agency awarded a design-build contract in which: (1) more than five finalists were selected for phase-two requests for proposals, or (2) the contract or order was awarded without using two-phase selection procedures. The Government Accountability Office must report on agency compliance with design-build contract procedures.

(Sec. 4) The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council must amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to prohibit the use of reverse auctions as part of the two-phase selection procedure for awarding contracts for construction and design services. A "reverse auction," with respect to procurement by an agency, is: (1) a real-time auction conducted through an electronic medium among at least two offerors who compete by submitting bids for a supply or service contract with the ability to submit revised lower bids before the closing of the auction; and (2) the award of the contract, delivery order, task order, or purchase order to the offeror based on the price obtained through the auction process.

construction consensus procurement improvement act sec bill modifies design build selection procedures federal agencies soliciting offers enter civilian contracts design construction public building facility work phase selection procedures submission qualifications submission price technical proposals response request proposal contracting officer determines project value greater contracts valued contracting officer makes determination current law use phase selection procedures appropriate officer offers contract federal agencies report year fy2021 instance agency awarded design build contract selected phase requests proposals contract order awarded phase selection procedures government_accountability_office report agency compliance design build contract procedures sec federal_acquisition_regulatory_council amend federal_acquisition_regulation prohibit use reverse auctions phase selection procedure awarding contracts construction design services reverse auction respect procurement agency real time auction conducted electronic medium offerors compete submitting bids supply service contract ability submit revised lower bids closing auction award contract delivery order task order purchase order offeror based price obtained auction process


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 27, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Prohibits any person authorized by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to receive federal retirement payments on behalf of a minor or an individual of legal disability from embezzling or in any manner converting any amounts from such payments to a use other than for the benefit of such minor or individual.

Considers any willful neglect or refusal to make and file proper accountings or reports concerning such payments as required by law to be prima facie evidence of the embezzlement or prohibited conversion of such amounts.

Prohibits OPM from authorizing a person to receive payments on behalf of a minor or individual of legal disability if that person has been convicted of: (1) a violation of this Act, (2) fraud under the Social Security Act, or (3) misappropriation as a fiduciary under veterans' benefits provisions.

measure amended reported senate july summary version repeated representative payee fraud prevention act sec prohibits person authorized office_of_personnel_management opm receive federal retirement payments behalf minor individual legal disability manner converting amounts payments use benefit minor individual considers willful neglect refusal file proper reports concerning payments required law prima facie evidence embezzlement prohibited conversion amounts prohibits opm authorizing person receive payments behalf minor individual legal disability person convicted violation act fraud social_security_act misappropriation fiduciary veterans benefits provisions


Summary:
Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop a strategy to expand the use of data analytics in managing government purchase and travel charge card programs for the purpose of:

 identifying examples or patterns of questionable transactions and developing enhanced tools and methods for agency use in identifying questionable purchase and travel card transactions and in recovering improper payments made with purchase and travel cards; identifying potential opportunities for agencies to further leverage administrative process streamlining and cost reduction from purchase and travel card use; developing a set of purchase and travel card metrics and benchmarks for high risk activities, which shall assist agencies in identifying potential emphasis areas for their purchase and travel card management and oversight activities; and developing a plan to create a library of analytics tools and data sources for use by federal agencies. The bill defines: (1) "questionable transaction" as a charge card transaction that, from initial card data, appears to be high risk and that may be improper; and (2) "strategic sourcing" as analyzing and modifying a federal agency's spending patterns to better leverage its purchasing power, reduce costs, and improve overall performance.

(Sec. 4) The OMB must issue guidance on improving information sharing by government agencies, including by: (1) requiring relevant officials at federal agencies to identify high-risk activities and communicate that information to the appropriate management levels within the agencies; (2) requiring that appropriate officials at federal agencies review the reports issued by charge card-issuing banks on questionable transaction activity, including transactions that occur with high risk activities, and suspicious timing or amounts of cash withdrawals or advances; and (3) providing for the appropriate sharing of information related to potential questionable transactions, fraud schemes, and high risk activities with GSA's Office of Charge Card Management and the appropriate federal agency officials.

(Sec. 5) The GSA and the OMB must establish a purchase and travel charge card data management group to develop and share best practices, which shall: (1) cover rules, edits, and task order or contract modifications related to charge card-issuing banks; and (2) include the review of accounts payable information and purchase and travel card transaction data of agencies for the purpose of identifying potential strategic sourcing and other additional opportunities for which the charge cards or related payment products could be used as a payment method.

(Sec. 6) The GSA shall report to Congress on this Act's implementation, including the metrics used in determining whether the analytic and benchmarking efforts have reduced, or contributed to the reduction of, questionable or improper payments as well as improved utilization of card-based payment products.

Each executive agency that issues and uses purchase cards and convenience checks shall report to the OMB on activities to implement this Act. The OMB shall submit to Congress a consolidated report of agency activities to implement this Act.

The GSA shall report to Congress identifying and exploring further potential savings opportunities for government agencies under the federal charge card programs.

saving federal dollars better use government purchase travel cards act sec bill requires office_of_management_and_budget omb develop strategy expand use data analytics managing government purchase travel charge card programs purpose identifying examples patterns transactions developing enhanced tools methods agency use identifying purchase travel card transactions recovering improper payments purchase travel cards identifying potential opportunities agencies leverage administrative process streamlining cost reduction purchase travel card use developing set purchase travel card metrics benchmarks high risk activities shall assist agencies identifying potential emphasis areas purchase travel card management oversight activities developing plan create library analytics tools data sources use federal agencies bill defines transaction charge card transaction initial card data appears high risk improper strategic sourcing analyzing modifying federal agency spending patterns better leverage purchasing power reduce costs improve overall performance sec omb issue guidance improving information sharing government agencies including requiring relevant officials federal agencies identify high risk activities communicate information appropriate management levels agencies requiring appropriate officials federal agencies review reports issued charge card issuing banks transaction activity including transactions occur high risk activities suspicious timing amounts cash withdrawals advances providing appropriate sharing information related potential transactions fraud schemes high risk activities gsa office charge card management appropriate federal agency officials sec gsa omb establish purchase travel charge card data management group develop share best practices shall cover rules task order contract modifications related charge card issuing banks include review accounts payable information purchase travel card transaction data agencies purpose identifying potential strategic sourcing additional opportunities charge cards related payment products payment method sec gsa shall report congress act implementation including metrics determining analytic efforts reduced contributed reduction improper payments improved utilization card based payment products executive agency issues uses purchase cards convenience checks shall report omb activities implement act omb shall submit congress consolidated report agency activities implement act gsa shall report congress identifying exploring potential savings opportunities government agencies federal charge card programs


Summary:
Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2015

This bill increases from: (1) 23% to 25% the government-wide small business procurement contract goal, (2) 5% to 10% the government-wide procurement goal for small disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses, and (3) 3% to 6% the government-wide procurement goal for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and HUBZONE (historically underutilized business zone) small businesses. The number of categories is limited for which a small business may qualify under such goals.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) must include within its report to the President and to Congress on these goals, the percentage of participation by small businesses for the total value of all prime contracts and subcontracts awards for a fiscal year, including the value of each contract awarded.

The SBA must consult with the heads of other federal agencies to develop and implement standards for procurement officers to take into consideration the past compliance of potential contractors with small business subcontracting goals when making contract awards.

assuring contracting equity act bill increases government wide small business procurement contract goal government wide procurement goal small disadvantaged businesses women owned businesses government wide procurement goal service disabled veteran owned small businesses hubzone historically underutilized business zone small businesses number categories limited small business qualify goals small_business_administration sba include report president congress goals percentage participation small businesses total value prime contracts subcontracts awards fiscal year including value contract awarded sba consult heads federal agencies develop implement standards procurement officers consideration past compliance potential contractors small business subcontracting goals making contract awards


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 12, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish guidelines for federal agencies to establish financial and administrative controls to identify and assess fraud risks and design and implement control activities in order to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud, including improper payments.

The guidelines shall incorporate the leading practices identified in the report published by the Government Accountability Office on July 28, 2015, entitled "Framework for Managing Fraud Risks in Federal Programs."

The financial and administrative controls shall include:

 conducting an evaluation of fraud risks and using a risk-based approach to design and implement financial and administrative control activities to mitigate identified fraud risks; collecting and analyzing data from reporting mechanisms on detected fraud to monitor fraud trends and using that data and information to continuously improve fraud prevention controls; and using the results of monitoring, evaluation, audits, and investigations to improve fraud prevention, detection, and response. Each agency shall submit as part of its annual financial report a report on its progress in:

 implementing such financial and administrative controls, the fraud risk principle in the Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government, and OMB Circular A-123 leading practices for managing fraud risk; identifying risks and vulnerabilities to fraud; and establishing steps to curb fraud. (Sec. 4) The OMB must establish a working group to: (1) improve the sharing of financial and administrative controls and other best practices and techniques for detecting, preventing, and responding to fraud, and the sharing and development of data analytics techniques; and (2) submit a plan for a federal interagency library of data analytics and data sets for use by agencies and Offices of Inspectors General to facilitate the detection, prevention, and recovery of fraud.

measure amended passed senate april summary version repeated fraud reduction data analytics act sec bill requires office_of_management_and_budget omb establish guidelines federal agencies establish financial administrative controls identify assess fraud risks design implement control activities order prevent detect respond fraud including improper payments guidelines shall incorporate leading practices identified report published government_accountability_office july entitled framework managing fraud risks federal programs financial administrative controls shall include conducting evaluation fraud risks risk based approach design implement financial administrative control activities mitigate identified fraud risks collecting analyzing data reporting mechanisms detected fraud monitor fraud trends data information continuously improve fraud prevention controls results monitoring evaluation audits investigations improve fraud prevention detection response agency shall submit annual financial report report progress implementing financial administrative controls fraud risk principle standards internal control federal_government omb circular leading practices managing fraud risk identifying risks vulnerabilities fraud establishing steps curb fraud sec omb establish working_group improve sharing financial administrative controls best practices techniques detecting preventing responding fraud sharing development data analytics techniques submit plan federal interagency library data analytics data sets use agencies offices inspectors_general facilitate detection prevention recovery fraud


Summary:
Contractor Accountability and Transparency Act of 2016

This bill requires the head of each executive agency to post each covered contract (i.e., a contract for the procurement of property or services with a value greater than the simplified acquisition threshold) entered into by that agency on a publicly available website in a searchable format. The agency head may redact sensitive or classified information, trade secrets, or other proprietary information in such contracts.

contractor accountability transparency_act bill requires head executive agency post covered contract contract procurement property services value greater simplified acquisition threshold entered agency publicly available website searchable format agency head redact sensitive classified information trade secrets proprietary information contracts


Summary:
Buy American Act of 2016

This bill directs the the Department of Defense (DOD), in the case of athletic footwear needed by members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps upon their initial entry into the Armed Forces, to: (1) furnish such footwear directly instead of providing a cash allowance to the service members to purchase such footwear, and (2) comply with American source requirements in procuring such footwear.

A cash allowance may be provided for the purchase of footwear that is medically required to meet a service member's unique physiological needs that cannot be met with footwear furnished by DOD.

buy_american_act bill directs department_of_defense dod case athletic footwear needed members army navy air_force marine_corps initial entry armed_forces furnish footwear directly instead providing cash allowance service members purchase footwear comply american source requirements procuring footwear cash allowance provided purchase footwear medically required meet service member unique physiological needs met footwear furnished dod


Summary:
Promoting Value Based Defense Procurement Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to revise the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to require that Lowest Price Technically Acceptable source selection criteria are used for new solicitations (solicitations issued starting 120 days after enactment of this bill) only in situations in which:

 DOD is able to clearly describe the minimum requirements expressed in terms of performance objectives, measures, and standards that will be used to determine offer acceptability; DOD would realize no, or minimal, value from a contract proposal exceeding minimum technical or performance requirements; the proposed technical approaches will require no, or minimal, subjective judgment of competing proposals; a review of technical proposals other than the lowest bidder's would result in no, or minimal, benefit to DOD; and the contracting officer has included a justification for the use of LPTA evaluation methodology if the contract is predominately for the acquisition of information technology services, systems engineering and technical assistance services, or other knowledge-based professional services. LPTA source selection criteria shall be avoided when the procurement is predominately for the acquisition of information technology services, systems engineering and technical assistance services, or other knowledge-based professional services.

promoting value based defense procurement act bill directs department_of_defense dod revise defense federal_acquisition_regulation supplement require lowest price technically acceptable source selection criteria new solicitations solicitations issued starting days enactment bill situations dod able clearly describe minimum requirements expressed terms performance objectives measures standards determine offer acceptability dod realize minimal value contract proposal exceeding minimum technical performance requirements proposed technical approaches require minimal judgment competing proposals review technical proposals lowest bidder result minimal benefit dod contracting officer included justification use evaluation methodology contract predominately acquisition information technology services systems engineering technical assistance services knowledge based professional services source selection criteria shall avoided procurement predominately acquisition information technology services systems engineering technical assistance services knowledge based professional services


Summary:
Grant Reform and New Transparency Act of 2016 or the GRANT Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires an executive agency, before awarding a competitive grant and after determining eligibility and conducting a merit-based review, to conduct an evaluation of the risk posed by an applicant to successfully carry out the grant. The evaluation shall include a review of any interagency duplication of efforts for research grants.

In conducting the evaluation with respect to an applicant that is determined to pose a relatively low risk of failing to execute the grant successfully, an executive agency shall: (1) minimize the burden on the applicant, and (2) consider any existing findings with respect to such applicant under the single audit process.

The bill directs the Office of Management and Budget to consult with executive agencies to upgrade grants.gov or any successor public website for finding and applying for federal grants so that the website: (1) serves as a central point of information on, and provides full access for applicants to, competitive grants; and (2) captures in one site, or provides electronic links to, other relevant databases. Executive agencies issuing a solicitation for or announcing the availability of competitive grants shall post on such website: (1) specified information about the grant opportunity, (2) detailed grant guidance and written technical assistance for applicants, and (3) selection documentation and justification. Agencies may redact personally identifiable information from a post on the website and must exclude sensitive information that would adversely affect an applicant.

The bill requires each agency to post a forecast of all non-emergency grant solicitations that it expects to issue for the upcoming calendar year.

The grants website shall:

 make the required information available in its original format without charge or a license or registration requirement; permit the information to be searched, downloaded in bulk, disseminated via automatic electronic means, and freely shared by the public; use permanent uniform resource locators for the information; and provide an opportunity for the public to provide input about the usefulness of the site and recommendations for improvements. Upon an applicant's request, an agency must explain the basis for an award decision of a grant exceeding $100,000 pursuant to a merit-based selection procedure.

Agency inspectors general shall review the effectiveness of an agency's conflicts of interest policy with respect to the peer review process for competitive grants in order to detect favoritism.

(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office shall report on: (1) the size and training of the federal grants workforce and recommendations for improving it, (2) whether a warrant system similar to that used in the federal acquisition system should be established for federal officials authorized to award grants, and (3) agency use of suspension and debarment actions against grantees during the previous three years and the level of agency resources assigned to suspension and debarment functions.

grant reform new transparency_act grant act sec bill requires executive agency awarding competitive grant determining eligibility conducting merit based review conduct evaluation risk posed applicant successfully carry grant evaluation shall include review interagency duplication efforts research grants conducting evaluation respect applicant determined pose relatively low risk failing execute grant successfully executive agency shall minimize burden applicant consider existing findings respect applicant single audit process bill directs office_of_management_and_budget consult executive agencies upgrade successor public website finding applying federal grants website serves central point information provides access applicants competitive grants captures site provides electronic links relevant databases executive agencies issuing solicitation announcing availability competitive grants shall post website specified information grant opportunity detailed grant guidance written technical assistance applicants selection documentation justification agencies redact personally identifiable information post website exclude sensitive information adversely affect applicant bill requires agency post forecast non emergency grant solicitations expects issue upcoming calendar year grants website shall required information available original format charge license registration requirement permit information downloaded bulk disseminated automatic electronic means freely shared public use permanent uniform resource information provide opportunity public provide input usefulness site recommendations improvements applicant request agency explain basis award decision grant exceeding pursuant merit based selection procedure agency inspectors_general shall review effectiveness agency conflicts interest policy respect peer_review process competitive grants order detect sec government_accountability_office shall report size training federal grants workforce recommendations improving warrant system similar federal acquisition system established federal officials authorized award grants agency use suspension debarment actions grantees previous years level agency resources assigned suspension debarment functions


Summary:
Made in America Water Infrastructure Act

This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act by requiring all of the steel used in projects funded by the drinking water state revolving fund program to be produced in the United States, unless: (1) it would be inconsistent with the public interest, (2) iron and steel products are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality, or (3) inclusion of iron and steel products produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall product by more than 25%.

america water infrastructure act bill amends safe_drinking_water_act requiring steel projects funded drinking water state revolving fund program produced united_states inconsistent public interest iron steel products produced united_states sufficient reasonably available quantities satisfactory quality inclusion iron steel products produced united_states increase cost overall product


Summary: Disabled Veteran Housing Simplification Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to exempt from the community service requirement applicable to adult residents of a public housing project an individual who has been determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled, and who is unable to comply with such requirement, or is a primary caretaker of such individual.

disabled veteran housing simplification act amends united_states_housing_act direct secretary housing_and_urban_development exempt community service requirement applicable adult residents public housing project individual determined secretary veterans_affairs permanently totally disabled unable comply requirement primary caretaker individual


Summary: Home Ownership for America's Veterans Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the eligibility period of veterans for mortgage financing; and (2) require annual inflation adjustments after 2010 to limits on state veteran bond amounts based on the Conventional Mortgage Home Price Index (compiled by Freddie Mac).

home ownership america veterans act amends_the_internal_revenue_code extend eligibility period veterans mortgage financing require annual inflation adjustments limits state veteran bond amounts based conventional mortgage home price index compiled freddie_mac


Summary: Disabled Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act - Increases from: (1) $50,000 to $60,000 the maximum amount authorized to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to certain disabled veterans for the construction of specially adapted housing; and (2) $10,000 to $12,000 the maximum amount authorized for specially adapted features in a home. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to annually increase such amounts to reflect increases in the cost of residential home construction.

disabled veterans adaptive housing improvement act increases maximum authorized provided department_of_veterans_affairs certain disabled veterans construction specially adapted housing maximum authorized specially adapted features home requires secretary veterans_affairs annually increase amounts reflect increases cost residential home construction


Summary: Services To Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide financial assistance to eligible entities (private nonprofit organizations or consumer cooperatives) to provide and coordinate the provision of various supportive services for very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing. Requires: (1) equitable geographic distribution of such assistance; and (2) the Secretary to provide training and technical assistance to participating entities regarding the planning, development, and provision of such services.

services prevent veterans homelessness act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs provide financial assistance eligible entities private nonprofit organizations consumer cooperatives provide coordinate provision supportive services low income veteran families occupying permanent housing requires equitable geographic distribution assistance secretary provide training technical assistance participating entities planning development provision services


Summary: Veteran Home Equity Conversation [sic] Mortgage Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to guarantee any home equity conversion mortgage (mortgage) made to an elderly (62 or older) veteran homeowner, as long as the Secretary determines that the mortgage: (1) is likely to improve the financial situation or otherwise meet the special needs of the homeowner; (2) will include safeguards to offset special risks associated with such a mortgage; and (3) has appropriate terms to ensure its acceptance in the secondary mortgage market. Allows such mortgage to be guaranteed only if it is secured by a dwelling, farm residence, or manufactured home permanently affixed to a lot that is owned and occupied by the elderly veteran homeowner. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) guarantee any mortgage given to refinance an existing home equity conversion mortgage guaranteed by the Secretary; (2) establish a mortgage guarantee fee; and (3) waive the mortgage guarantee fee in certain circumstances.

veteran home equity sic mortgage act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs guarantee home equity conversion mortgage mortgage elderly older veteran homeowner long secretary determines mortgage likely improve financial situation meet special needs homeowner include safeguards offset special risks associated mortgage appropriate terms ensure acceptance secondary mortgage market allows mortgage guaranteed secured dwelling farm residence manufactured home permanently affixed lot owned occupied elderly veteran homeowner authorizes secretary guarantee mortgage given refinance existing home equity conversion mortgage guaranteed secretary establish mortgage guarantee fee waive mortgage guarantee fee certain circumstances


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer to deduct from gross income interest incurred to acquire, construct, improve, or refinance a principal residence, whether or not such taxpayer itemizes other income tax deductions.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow individual taxpayer deduct gross income interest incurred acquire construct improve refinance principal residence taxpayer itemizes income tax deductions


Summary: Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a pilot program to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for certain very low-income veteran families. Allows such assistance to be in the form of: (1) a grant for costs of planning a supportive housing project; (2) a capital advance for such project; and (3) project rental assistance. Requires the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that any housing assistance provided to veterans or veteran families includes a range of services tailored to the needs of very low-income veteran families. Requires HUD periodically to establish development cost limitations by market area for various types and sizes of such supportive housing. Establishes a special housing account. Requires the owner of such supportive housing to adopt HUD-approved tenant selection procedures. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend to all homeless veterans, regardless of medical condition, the program of rental vouchers for Department of Veterans Affairs supported housing, which is currently limited to homeless veterans who have chronic mental illnesses or chronic substance use disorders.

veterans homelessness prevention act_-_requires secretary housing_and_urban_development hud establish pilot program provide assistance private nonprofit organizations consumer cooperatives expand supply supportive housing certain low income veteran families allows assistance form grant costs planning supportive housing project capital advance project project rental assistance requires secretary coordinate secretary veterans_affairs ensure housing assistance provided veterans veteran families includes range services tailored needs low income veteran families requires hud periodically establish development cost limitations market area types sizes supportive housing establishes special housing account requires owner supportive housing adopt hud approved tenant selection procedures amends united_states_housing_act extend homeless veterans regardless medical condition program rental vouchers department_of_veterans_affairs supported housing currently limited homeless veterans chronic mental illnesses chronic substance use disorders


Summary: Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Cost Reduction Act of 2007 - Increases the maximum guarantee amount regarding home purchase or construction loans to certain veterans. Permits guaranteeing certain refinancing loans for 100% (currently, 90%) of reasonable value Modifies requirements regarding the fees veterans pay for the loan guarantees. Sets the maximum guarantee amount if the dwelling is determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be affordable housing and the veteran is the first owner-occupant. Allows amounts deposited in the existing Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund that are not used for loan guarantees to be used to reduce loan closing costs.

department_of_veterans_affairs loan guaranty cost reduction act increases maximum guarantee home purchase construction loans certain veterans permits guaranteeing certain refinancing loans currently reasonable value modifies requirements fees veterans pay loan guarantees sets maximum guarantee dwelling determined secretary veterans_affairs affordable housing veteran owner occupant allows amounts deposited existing veterans_housing_benefit_program_fund loan guarantees reduce loan closing costs


Summary: Veterans Mortgage Stimulus Clarification Act of 2008 - Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to provide a temporary increase, during the period beginning February 13, 2008, and ending on December 31, 2008, in the maximum veterans' loan guaranty amount for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

veterans mortgage stimulus clarification act amends economic stimulus act provide temporary increase period beginning february ending december maximum veterans loan guaranty housing loans guaranteed department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary: Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to provide a temporary increase, during the period beginning February 13, 2008, and ending on December 31, 2008, in the maximum veterans' loan guaranty amount for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

amends economic stimulus act provide temporary increase period beginning february ending december maximum veterans loan guaranty housing loans guaranteed department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make available to veterans eligible for specially adapted housing assistance for disabled veterans, without cost to the veterans, a handbook containing appropriate designs for specially adapted housing. Requires the Secretary, at least every six years, to update the handbook to take into account any new or unique disabilities, including vision impairments, impairments specific to the upper limbs, and burn injuries.

directs secretary veterans_affairs available veterans eligible specially adapted housing assistance disabled veterans cost veterans handbook containing appropriate designs specially adapted housing requires secretary years update handbook account new unique disabilities including vision impairments impairments specific upper burn injuries


Summary: Veterans Mortgage Education Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a program to advise members of the Armed Forces who are returning from active duty abroad on actions to prevent or forestall mortgage foreclosures, including credit counseling and home mortgage counseling.

veterans mortgage education act directs secretary defense develop implement program advise members armed_forces returning active duty abroad actions prevent mortgage foreclosures including credit counseling home_mortgage counseling


Summary: American Heroes' Homeownership Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow current or former members of the Uniformed Services who perform duty in a combat zone between 2001 and 2010, or their surviving spouses, a one-time tax credit for 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence, up to $7,500. Limits such credit to residences purchased before January 1, 2011.

american heroes homeownership assistance_act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow current members uniformed_services perform duty combat zone surviving spouses time tax credit purchase price principal residence limits credit residences purchased january


Summary: Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Extension Act of 2008 - Extends through FY2019 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) demonstration projects on the guaranteeing of veterans' adjustable rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage loans in a manner similar to which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development insures such mortgages under the National Housing Act. Increases, from 2500 to 2600, the cap on the number of veterans for which programs of independent living services and assistance may be annually initiated.

department_of_veterans_affairs loan extension act extends fy2019 department_of_veterans_affairs demonstration projects guaranteeing veterans adjustable rate hybrid adjustable rate mortgage loans manner similar secretary housing_and_urban_development insures mortgages national housing act increases cap number veterans programs independent living services assistance annually initiated


Summary: Military Access to Housing Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude military basic housing allowances from income for purposes of establishing eligibility for housing in qualified residential rental projects.

military access housing act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude military basic housing allowances income purposes establishing eligibility housing qualified residential rental projects


Summary: Makes eligible for veterans' mortgage life insurance members of the Armed Forces receiving specially adapted housing assistance through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

makes eligible veterans mortgage life insurance members armed_forces receiving specially adapted housing assistance department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary: Repeals the requirement that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs adjust the per diem payments made to veterans under the homeless veterans' comprehensive services program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to exclude sources of income from other federal, state, or local governments, departments, agencies, or entities. Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program to prevent veterans who are at risk of homelessness after discharge or release from active military duty from becoming homeless. Amends a demonstration program of referral and counseling for veterans transitioning from certain institutions who are at risk of homelessness to: (1) remove the "demonstration" designation of the program; (2) require the program to be carried out in 12 (under current law, at least six) locations; and (3) extend the program through FY2012. Allows homeless veterans' comprehensive services grant funds to be used to provide funding for service center staff. Repeals a provision limiting to FY2003 and FY2004 the funding for VA domiciliary care programs for homeless veterans. Requires the Secretary to ensure that such programs are adequate, with respect to capacity and safety, to meet the needs of women veterans.

repeals requirement secretary veterans_affairs adjust diem payments veterans homeless veterans comprehensive services program department_of_veterans_affairs exclude sources income federal state local governments departments agencies entities directs secretary carry demonstration program prevent veterans risk homelessness discharge release active military duty homeless amends demonstration program referral counseling veterans transitioning certain institutions risk homelessness remove demonstration designation program require program carried current law locations extend program fy2012 allows homeless veterans comprehensive services grant funds provide funding service center staff repeals provision limiting fy2003 fy2004 funding domiciliary care programs homeless veterans requires secretary ensure programs adequate respect capacity safety meet needs women veterans


Summary: State Veterans Home Modernization Act of 2007 - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from approving any application for financial assistance for a construction project at a state veterans' home that is submitted 730 days after the enactment of this Act if the Secretary determines that the construction would result in an increase in the total number of beds in such state for which the Secretary makes per diem payments for the care of veterans residing in such homes. Expands the state home grant program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to authorize grants for noninstitutional care programs. Requires, for fiscal years after 2007, that not less than 10% of sums appropriated for VA home construction grants be used for grants to states which have submitted applications for noninstitutional care projects.

state veterans home modernization act prohibits secretary veterans_affairs approving application financial assistance construction project state veterans home submitted days enactment act secretary determines construction result increase total number beds state secretary makes diem payments care veterans residing homes expands state home grant program department_of_veterans_affairs authorize grants care programs requires fiscal years sums appropriated home construction grants grants states submitted applications care projects


Summary: Enhanced Opportunities for Formerly Homeless Veterans Residing in Permanent Housing Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct pilot programs of grants to: (1) coordinate the provision of supportive services available in the local community to very low income, formerly homeless veterans residing in permanent housing; (2) provide outreach to inform low-income and elderly veterans and their spouses who reside in rural areas of benefits for which they may be eligible; and (3) establish new, or expand or modify existing, programs or activities to furnish transportation, childcare, and clothing assistance to certain individuals with service-related disabilities who are entitled to a rehabilitation program.

enhanced opportunities homeless veterans residing permanent housing act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs conduct pilot programs grants coordinate provision supportive services available local community low income homeless veterans residing permanent housing provide outreach inform low income elderly veterans spouses reside rural areas benefits eligible establish new expand modify existing programs activities furnish transportation childcare clothing assistance certain individuals service related disabilities entitled rehabilitation program


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to $100 million the veterans mortgage bond limitation in Alaska, Oregon, and Wisconsin; (2) eliminate the phase-in of the bond limitation; and (3) revise the definition of "qualified veteran" for mortgage bond financing eligibility purposes to make such definition applicable to veterans in all states.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code increase million veterans mortgage bond limitation alaska oregon wisconsin eliminate phase bond limitation revise definition qualified veteran mortgage bond financing eligibility purposes definition applicable veterans states


Summary: Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a pilot program to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for certain very low-income veteran families. Allows such assistance to be in the form of: (1) a grant for costs of planning a supportive housing project; (2) a capital advance for such project; and (3) project rental assistance. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure that any housing assistance provided to veterans or veteran families includes a range of specified services tailored to the needs of very low-income veteran families; and (2) provide financial assistance for such services. Requires HUD periodically to establish development cost limitations by market area for various types and sizes of such supportive housing. Establishes a special housing account. Requires the owner of such supportive housing to adopt HUD-approved tenant selection procedures.

veterans homelessness prevention act_-_requires secretary housing_and_urban_development hud establish pilot program provide assistance private nonprofit organizations consumer cooperatives expand supply supportive housing certain low income veteran families allows assistance form grant costs planning supportive housing project capital advance project project rental assistance requires secretary veterans_affairs ensure housing assistance provided veterans veteran families includes range specified services tailored needs low income veteran families provide financial assistance services requires hud periodically establish development cost limitations market area types sizes supportive housing establishes special housing account requires owner supportive housing adopt hud approved tenant selection procedures


Summary: Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 1940 to extend: (1) from the duration of military service to one year after such service the period during which a member of the Armed Forces may not be charged a mortgage interest rate in excess of 6%; and (2) from 90 days to one year after release from service the period during which a member shall be protected from mortgage foreclosure.

amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act extend duration military service year service period member armed_forces charged mortgage interest rate excess days year release service period member shall protected mortgage foreclosure


Summary: Provides a temporary increase, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2011, in the maximum veterans' loan guaranty amount for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

provides temporary increase period beginning date enactment act ending december maximum veterans loan guaranty housing loans guaranteed department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary: Disabled Veterans Home Ownership Preservation Act of 2008 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the period of protection against mortgage sales, foreclosures, or seizures of property to: (1) the period of service and one year following service in the case of servicemembers with a service-related serious injury or illness; and (2) the period of service and for 30 days after final adjudication of a disability compensation claim in the case of such servicemembers and others who file such a claim. (Current law provides protection for all servicemembers for the period of service and the following 90 days, subject to exception.) Defines "serious injury or illness" as an injury or illness incurred by the servicemember in line of duty on duty that may render the servicemember medically unfit to perform the duties of the servicemember's office, grade, rank, or rating.

disabled veterans home ownership preservation act amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act extend period protection mortgage sales foreclosures seizures property period service year following service case servicemembers service related injury illness period service days final adjudication disability compensation claim case servicemembers file claim current law provides protection servicemembers period service following days subject exception defines injury illness injury illness incurred servicemember line duty duty render servicemember medically unfit perform duties servicemember office grade rank rating


Summary: Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - Revises or adds provisions relating to the disability compensation system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) establish in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) an Office of Survivors Assistance to provide assistance to veterans' survivors and dependents regarding VA benefits and services; (2) require a study on adjusting the schedule for rating veterans' disabilities; (3) establish the Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation; (4) require a study on the employee work credit system of the VBA; (5) require a study on the VBA's work management system; (6) require the certification and training of VBA employees responsible for processing claims; (7) require an annual independent assessment of the VBA's quality assurance program; (8) provide for the expedited VBA treatment of fully developed claims and a checklist for individuals submitting incomplete claims; (9) require a study of the VBA's need to employ additional medical professionals to act as a medical reference for employees handling claims; (10) provide for the assignment of partial disability ratings to certain veterans; (11) require a review and revision of VBA use of information technology; and (12) allow a claim beneficiary to be substituted as a claimant in the case of the death of a veteran claimant while a claim is awaiting adjudication or appeal. Requires the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to report annually to the congressional veterans' committees on the Court's workload. Revises provisions concerning the jurisdiction and finality of decisions of the Court.

veterans disability benefits claims modernization act revises adds provisions relating disability compensation system department_of_veterans_affairs establish veterans_benefits_administration vba office survivors assistance provide assistance veterans survivors dependents benefits services require study adjusting schedule rating veterans disabilities establish advisory_committee disability compensation require study employee work credit system vba require study vba work management system require certification training vba employees responsible processing claims require annual independent assessment vba quality assurance program provide expedited vba treatment fully developed claims checklist individuals submitting incomplete claims require study vba need employ additional medical professionals act medical reference employees handling claims provide assignment partial disability ratings certain veterans require review revision vba use information technology allow claim beneficiary substituted claimant case death veteran claimant claim awaiting adjudication appeal requires chief judge court_of_appeals veterans claims report annually congressional veterans committees court workload revises provisions concerning jurisdiction decisions court


Summary: Food Tracking Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit failing to comply with any requirement of this Act.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a traceability system for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food; and (2) convene an advisory committee to assist in implementing the system. Requires the system to identify each article of food shipped in interstate commerce in a manner that enables the Secretary to retrieve the history, use, and location of the article through a recordkeeping and audit system, a secure, online database, or registered identification.Authorizes the Secretary to direct each person required to identify an article of food to maintain accurate records regarding the purchase, sale, and identification of the article. Requires each such person to allow authorized representatives of the Secretary to examine and copy records. Prohibits any person from: (1) falsifying or misrepresenting information as to the location at which any article of food was held; or (2) altering, detaching, or destroying any records or other means of identification for use in determining such a location.

food tracking improvement act_-_amends federal food drug cosmetic act prohibit failing comply requirement act requires secretary health_and_human_services establish traceability system stages manufacturing processing packaging distribution food convene advisory_committee assist implementing system requires system identify article food shipped interstate commerce manner enables secretary retrieve history use location article recordkeeping audit system secure online database registered identification authorizes secretary direct person required identify article food maintain accurate records purchase sale identification article requires person allow authorized representatives secretary examine copy records prohibits person falsifying misrepresenting information location article food held altering destroying records means identification use determining location


Summary: Sunscreen Labeling Protection Act of 2008 or the SUN Act - Requires the proposed rule issued by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs pertaining to over-the-counter sunscreen drug products to take effect 180 days after enactment of this Act, unless the Commissioner issues a final rule that includes formulation, labeling, and testing requirements for both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation protection before such time.

sunscreen labeling protection act sun act_-_requires proposed rule issued commissioner food_and_drugs pertaining counter sunscreen drug products effect days enactment act commissioner issues final rule includes formulation labeling testing requirements ultraviolet ultraviolet radiation protection time


Summary: Homes for Heroes Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure veteran access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs; (2) coordinate all HUD programs and activities relating to veterans; and (3) serve as a HUD liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). (Sec. 3) Directs the HUD Secretary to provide assistance in the form of planning grants, capital advances, and project rental assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families (that is, families with incomes not exceeding 50% of the area median income). Prescribes a formula for such a family's rent contribution for a dwelling unit assisted under this Act. Allows the families to occupy such units for at least 15 years. Limits a project rental assistance contract to an initial 60-month term. Authorizes the Secretary, subject only to the availability of appropriations, to renew the contract for 10 consecutive one-year terms, beginning upon the expiration of such 60-month period. Requires the Secretary to establish selection criteria for such assistance, based in part upon: (1) the extent to which the proposed housing design will meet the service-connected disability needs of such families; and (2) a preference in such selection for applications proposing housing reserved for such families who are homeless. Directs the Secretary, in issuing a capital advance for projects, to delegate review and processing of such projects to a state or local housing agency that: (1) is in geographic proximity to the property; (2) has demonstrated experience in and capacity for underwriting multifamily housing loans that provide housing and supportive services; (3) may or may not be providing low-income housing tax credits in combination with such capital advance; and (4) agrees to issue a firm commitment within 12 months of delegation. Authorizes the Secretary to retain such processing authority if no state or local housing agency has applied to provide it or entered into an agreement with the Secretary to serve as a delegated processing agency. Allows such agencies to: (1) assess a reasonable fee to be included in the capital advance amounts; and (2) recommend project rental assistance amounts in excess of those initially awarded by the Secretary. Declares that the Secretary, under the delegated system, shall retain the authority to approve rents and development costs and to execute a capital advance within 60 days of receipt of the state or local agency's commitment. Requires the Secretary to coordinate with the VA Secretary to ensure that any housing assistance provided to veterans or veteran families includes a range of specified services tailored to the occupant's needs. Requires the Secretary to coordinate with the VA Secretary also to ensure that owners of such assisted housing have the managerial capacity to: (1) assess the service needs of residents; (2) coordinate the provision of supportive services, tailoring them to a resident's individual needs; and (3) seek new sources of assistance to ensure the long-term provision of such services. Requires the Secretary periodically to establish and publish in the Federal Register reasonable development cost limitations by market area for various types and sizes of supportive housing for the families. Entitles project owners, if their actual development costs are less than the financing amount, to retain 50% of the savings in a special housing account, increased to 75% for owners which add energy efficiency features meeting specified requirements. Requires the Secretary to give owners the flexibility to design housing appropriate to their location and proposed resident population within broadly defined parameters. Permits an owner voluntarily to provide funds from sources other than this Act for amenities and other features of appropriate design and construction suitable for supportive housing if their cost is not: (1) financed with the capital advance; or (2) taken into account in determining the amount of federal assistance or tenant rent contribution. Requires an owner to: (1) adopt written tenant selection procedures that meet specified requirements; and (2) notify in writing any rejected applicant of the grounds for rejection. Requires the Secretary to make available appropriate technical assistance to ensure that prospective applicants are able to participate more fully in the program. Prescribes antidiscrimination, owner deposit, prevailing wage labor, residual receipt, project reserves, and other specified requirements and prohibitions. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 and following fiscal years. (Sec. 4) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend to all homeless veterans, regardless of medical condition, the program of rental vouchers (at least 20,000 per fiscal year) for VA-supported housing, which is currently limited to homeless veterans with chronic mental illnesses or chronic substance use disorders. Declares that if any veteran member of a household for which such rental assistance is being provided, including its sole veteran member, dies, such household may not be considered, due to such death, to lose its status as the household of a homeless veteran for continued: (1) assistance eligibility; or (2) occupancy in the dwelling unit in which such family is residing at the time of such death. Authorizes an annual increase in the budget authority for such rental assistance by sums necessary to provide the 20,000 additional vouchers for each fiscal year. (Sec. 5) Requires annual public housing agency (PHA) plans to include statements on the housing needs of low-income and very low-income veterans on the agency waiting list. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to require a state and local comprehensive housing affordability strategy to describe veterans' estimated housing needs. Requires the Secretary to revise the federal regulations relating to submission of consolidated plans to require inclusion of appropriate information relating to veterans and veterans service agencies in all such plans. (Sec. 6) Excludes veterans' benefits from income for purposes of HUD assisted housing rental eligibility determinations. (Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit entities or organizations for technical assistance in sponsoring HUD housing projects for veterans. Provides funding for such grants for FY2009 and ensuing fiscal years. (Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to: (1) report annually to specified congressional committees on HUD veterans-related activities; and (2) assess every five years the housing needs of very low-income veteran families. Prescribes funding for such assessment.

homes heroes act sec amends department_of_housing_and_urban_development_act establish department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud special assistant veterans_affairs ensure veteran access hud housing homeless assistance programs coordinate hud programs activities relating veterans serve hud liaison department_of_veterans_affairs sec directs hud secretary provide assistance form planning grants capital advances project rental assistance private nonprofit organizations consumer cooperatives expand supply supportive housing low income veteran families families incomes exceeding area median income prescribes formula family rent contribution dwelling unit assisted act allows families occupy units years limits project rental assistance contract initial month term authorizes secretary subject availability appropriations renew contract consecutive year terms beginning expiration month period requires secretary establish selection criteria assistance based extent proposed housing design meet service connected disability needs families preference selection applications proposing housing reserved families homeless directs secretary issuing capital advance projects delegate review processing projects state local housing agency geographic proximity property demonstrated experience capacity underwriting multifamily housing loans provide housing supportive services providing low income housing tax credits combination capital advance agrees issue firm commitment months delegation authorizes secretary retain processing authority state local housing agency applied provide entered agreement secretary serve delegated processing agency allows agencies assess reasonable fee included capital advance amounts recommend project rental assistance amounts excess initially awarded secretary declares secretary delegated system shall retain authority approve rents development costs execute capital advance days receipt state local agency commitment requires secretary coordinate secretary ensure housing assistance provided veterans veteran families includes range specified services tailored occupant needs requires secretary coordinate secretary ensure owners assisted housing managerial capacity assess service needs residents coordinate provision supportive services resident individual needs seek new sources assistance ensure long term provision services requires secretary periodically establish publish federal_register reasonable development cost limitations market area types sizes supportive housing families entitles project owners actual development costs financing retain savings special housing account increased owners add energy efficiency features meeting specified requirements requires secretary owners flexibility design housing appropriate location proposed resident population broadly defined parameters permits owner voluntarily provide funds sources act amenities features appropriate design construction suitable supportive housing cost financed capital advance taken account determining federal assistance tenant rent contribution requires owner adopt written tenant selection procedures meet specified requirements notify writing rejected applicant grounds rejection requires secretary available appropriate technical assistance ensure prospective applicants able participate fully program prescribes owner deposit prevailing wage labor residual receipt project reserves specified requirements prohibitions authorizes appropriations fy2009 following fiscal years sec amends united_states_housing_act extend homeless veterans regardless medical condition program rental vouchers fiscal year supported housing currently limited homeless veterans chronic mental illnesses chronic substance use disorders declares veteran member household rental assistance provided including sole veteran member dies household considered death lose status household homeless veteran continued assistance eligibility occupancy dwelling unit family residing time death authorizes annual increase budget authority rental assistance sums necessary provide additional vouchers fiscal year sec requires annual public housing agency pha plans include statements housing needs low income low income veterans agency waiting list amends cranston gonzalez national affordable housing act require state local comprehensive housing affordability strategy describe veterans estimated housing needs requires secretary revise federal regulations relating submission consolidated plans require inclusion appropriate information relating veterans veterans service agencies plans sec excludes veterans benefits income purposes hud assisted housing rental eligibility determinations sec requires secretary grants nonprofit entities organizations technical assistance sponsoring hud housing projects veterans provides funding grants fy2009 ensuing fiscal years sec requires secretary report annually specified congressional committees hud veterans related activities assess years housing needs low income veteran families prescribes funding assessment


Summary: Call to Service Homebuyer Credit Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt members of the Uniformed Services, the Foreign Service, or employees of the Intelligence Community who are required to serve on extended official duty away from their principal residences from the recapture requirements of the first time homebuyer tax credit; and (2) extend such credit until December 1, 2010, for members of the Armed Forces, the Foreign Service, or the Intelligence Community serving outside the United States for a period in 2009 before December 1, 2009, of not less than 90 days.

service homebuyer credit act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt members uniformed_services foreign_service employees intelligence_community required serve extended official duty away principal residences recapture requirements time homebuyer tax credit extend credit december members armed_forces foreign_service intelligence_community serving outside united_states period december days


Summary: Military Families Affordable Homes Act - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax-exempt facility bonds to expand the eligibility of military personnel for low-income residential rental housing financed by such bonds.

military families affordable homes act_-_amends internal_revenue_code provisions relating tax exempt facility bonds expand eligibility military personnel low income residential rental housing financed bonds


Summary: Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for FY2012 and thereafter for a program of financial assistance to provide supportive services (outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining benefits) for very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing. (Under current law, such program's authorization terminates at the end of FY2011.)

authorizes appropriations department_of_veterans_affairs fy2012 program financial assistance provide supportive services outreach case management assistance obtaining benefits low income veteran families occupying permanent housing current law program authorization terminates end fy2011


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in lieu of making payments to state homes for furnishing nursing home care to veterans, to enter into agreements with such homes to furnish such care under federal provisions which allow the Secretary to transfer to non-VA homes (at the expense of the United States) veterans who have been furnished such care in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Replaces provisions providing for payment of nursing home care at the lesser of the prevailing rate or the cost of daily care with provisions providing for payment at the rate determined for a state home that is the applicable or prevailing rate payable in the geographic area in which the state home is located.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs lieu making payments state homes furnishing nursing home care veterans enter agreements homes furnish care federal provisions allow secretary transfer non-va homes expense united_states veterans furnished care facility jurisdiction department_of_veterans_affairs replaces provisions providing payment nursing home care lesser prevailing rate cost daily care provisions providing payment rate determined state home applicable prevailing rate payable geographic area state home located


Summary: Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prohibit the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property owned by the surviving spouse of a servicemember killed on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom during the one-year period following the servicemember's death.

amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act prohibit sale foreclosure seizure property owned surviving spouse servicemember killed active duty operation iraqi_freedom enduring_freedom year period following servicemember death


Summary: Makes eligible for housing loan benefits provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the child of a member of the Armed Forces or veteran who died from a service-connected disability.

makes eligible housing loan benefits provided department_of_veterans_affairs child member armed_forces veteran died service connected disability


Summary: Disabled Veterans' Surviving Spouses Home Loans Act - Includes as a veteran, for purposes of eligibility for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the surviving spouse of a veteran whose death was not a result of willful misconduct, and at the time of death was in receipt of or entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling if: (1) the disability was so rated for ten or more years preceding death; (2) the disability was so rated for at least five years since the veteran's discharge or release from active duty; or (3) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999, and the disability was so rated for at least one year preceding death.

disabled veterans surviving spouses home loans act includes veteran purposes eligibility housing loans guaranteed department_of_veterans_affairs surviving spouse veteran death result willful misconduct time death receipt entitled compensation service connected disability rated totally disabling disability rated years preceding death disability rated years veteran discharge release active duty veteran prisoner war died september disability rated year preceding death


Summary: Wounded Warrior and Military Survivor Housing Assistance Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the housing assistance programs they administer, including mortgage insurance and home loan programs, are accessible by and available to, and address the particular needs and circumstances of, veterans and members of the Armed Forces who have service-connected injuries and survivors and dependents of such veterans and members.

wounded warrior military survivor housing assistance_act directs secretaries housing_and_urban_development hud veterans_affairs ensure housing assistance programs administer including mortgage insurance home loan programs accessible available address particular needs circumstances veterans members armed_forces service connected injuries survivors dependents veterans members


Summary: Warrior Home Loan Act - Makes permanent Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) demonstration projects involving adjustable rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgages for veterans and their families.

warrior home loan act makes permanent department_of_veterans_affairs demonstration projects involving adjustable rate hybrid adjustable rate mortgages veterans families


Summary: Servicemember Homeowner Assistance Program Extension Act - Amends the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 to provide a specific date of September 30, 2012, for the expiration of homeowners assistance provided through the Department of Defense (DOD) for members of the Armed Forces permanently reassigned to a duty station or home port outside a 50-mile radius of the member's home base or installation.

servicemember homeowner assistance program extension act_-_amends demonstration_cities_and_metropolitan_development_act provide specific date september expiration homeowners assistance provided department_of_defense dod members armed_forces permanently reassigned duty station home port outside mile radius member home base installation


Summary: Revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program which guarantees veterans' loans for the purchase of residential cooperative housing to remove a provision which limits to five years after a loan is guaranteed the use of loan proceeds to purchase stock or membership in a cooperative housing corporation. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that a loan used for such purchase in a corporation that has been reviewed and approved by a lender approved by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA, a/k/a Fannie Mae) is not denied solely because such corporation: (1) is not preapproved by FNMA; or (2) is an affordable limited equity cooperative.

revises department_of_veterans_affairs program guarantees veterans loans purchase residential cooperative housing remove provision limits years loan guaranteed use loan proceeds purchase stock membership cooperative housing corporation directs secretary veterans_affairs ensure loan purchase corporation reviewed approved lender approved federal_national_mortgage_association fannie_mae denied solely corporation affordable limited equity cooperative


Summary: Homes for Heroes Act of 2009 - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure veteran access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs; (2) coordinate all HUD programs and activities relating to veterans; and (3) serve as a HUD liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Directs the HUD Secretary to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families (that is, families with incomes not exceeding 50% of the area median income). Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) make housing rental vouchers available to all homeless veterans, regardless of medical condition; and (2) include veterans in public housing planning. Excludes veterans' benefits from income for purposes of HUD assisted housing rental determinations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) make grants to nonprofit entities for technical assistance in sponsoring HUD housing projects for veterans; and (2) report annually to specified congressional committees and the VA Secretary on HUD activities relating to veterans.

homes heroes act amends department_of_housing_and_urban_development_act establish department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud special assistant veterans_affairs ensure veteran access hud housing homeless assistance programs coordinate hud programs activities relating veterans serve hud liaison department_of_veterans_affairs directs hud secretary provide assistance private nonprofit organizations consumer cooperatives expand supply supportive housing low income veteran families families incomes exceeding area median income amends united_states_housing_act housing rental vouchers available homeless veterans regardless medical condition include veterans public housing planning excludes veterans benefits income purposes hud assisted housing rental determinations requires secretary grants nonprofit entities technical assistance sponsoring hud housing projects veterans report annually specified congressional committees secretary hud activities relating veterans


Summary: Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt members of the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and employees of the intelligence community on official extended duty service from the recapture requirements of the first-time homebuyer tax credit; (2) extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit through November 30, 2010, for individuals serving on official extended duty service outside the United States for at least 90 days in 2009; (3) exclude from gross income payments to military personnel to compensate for declines in housing values due to a base closure or realignment; and (4) increase penalties for failure to file a partnership or S corporation tax return. Amends the Corporate Estimated Tax Shift Act of 2009 to increase corporate estimated tax payments in the third quarter of 2014 by an additional 0.5%.

service members home ownership tax act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt members uniformed_services foreign_service employees intelligence_community official extended duty service recapture requirements time homebuyer tax credit extend time homebuyer tax credit november individuals serving official extended duty service outside united_states days exclude gross income payments military personnel compensate declines housing values base closure realignment increase penalties failure file partnership corporation tax return amends corporate estimated tax shift act increase corporate estimated tax payments quarter additional


Summary: Disabled Veterans' Surviving Spouses Home Loans Act - Includes as a veteran, for purposes of eligibility for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the surviving spouse of a veteran who at the time of death was in receipt of or entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling if: (1) the disability was so rated for 10 or more years preceding death; (2) the disability was so rated for at least 5 years since the veteran's discharge or release from active duty; or (3) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999, and the disability was so rated for at least 1 year preceding death. Requires any applicable VA housing loan fee to be collected from such spouse.

disabled veterans surviving spouses home loans act includes veteran purposes eligibility housing loans guaranteed department_of_veterans_affairs surviving spouse veteran time death receipt entitled compensation service connected disability rated totally disabling disability rated years preceding death disability rated years veteran discharge release active duty veteran prisoner war died september disability rated year preceding death requires applicable housing loan fee collected spouse


Summary: Amends the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 to expand access to Department of Defense (DOD) homeowners assistance for qualified members of the Armed Forces permanently reassigned during a designated mortgage crisis to allow the Secretary of Defense greater flexibility regarding the dates of the availability of such assistance. Directs the Secretary, in exercising such authority, to consult with the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Treasury regarding the condition of housing markets in the area of a base or installation.

amends demonstration_cities_and_metropolitan_development_act expand access department_of_defense dod homeowners assistance qualified members armed_forces permanently reassigned designated mortgage crisis allow secretary defense greater flexibility dates availability assistance directs secretary exercising authority consult secretaries housing_and_urban_development hud treasury condition housing markets area base installation


Summary: Homes for Heroes Act of 2011 - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure veteran access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs, (2) coordinate all HUD programs and activities relating to veterans, and (3) serve as a HUD liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Directs the HUD Secretary to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families (families with incomes not exceeding 50% of the area median income). Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) make housing rental vouchers available to all homeless veterans, regardless of medical condition; and (2) include veterans in public housing planning. Excludes veterans' benefits from income for purposes of HUD assisted housing rental determinations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) make grants to nonprofit entities for technical assistance in sponsoring HUD housing projects for veterans, and (2) report annually to specified congressional committees and the VA Secretary on HUD activities relating to veterans.


Summary: Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 90 days to 9 months after military service the period of protection against mortgage sale or foreclosure, as well as the stay of proceedings, in the case of an obligation on real property of a servicemember that originated before the period of military service. (Under current law, such period reverted from 9 months to 90 days on January 1, 2011.)

amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act extend days months military service period protection mortgage sale foreclosure stay proceedings case obligation real property servicemember originated period military service current law period reverted months days january