UPDATE: H.R.4243 – To establish a commission for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the modernization or realignment of facilities of the Veterans Health Administration, to improve construction and management leases of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to amend and appropriate funds for the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes.

LATEST ACTION: December 28, 2018 - Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 867.

BILL TITLE: To establish a commission for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the modernization or realignment of facilities of the Veterans Health Administration, to improve construction and management leases of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to amend and appropriate funds for the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes.

BILL SUMMARY:

VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017

This bill establishes the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission, which shall make recommendations to the President regarding the closure, modernization, and/or realignment of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities based upon its own and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommendations. The President shall transmit to the commission and to Congress a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of such recommendations by February 15, 2023. Within three years after transmittal of such report, the commission shall begin to implement the recommendations approved by the President and not disapproved by Congress.

The commission shall: (1) carry out appropriate environmental restoration and historic preservation in connection with facility closures or realignments, and (2) consult with state and local governments with respect to the treatment of roads or the disposal of surplus real property or infrastructure.

The VA may transfer the title of a VHA facility to the facility's redevelopment authority for lease to the VA or another federal agency.

The bill establishes in the Treasury the Department of Veterans Affairs Asset and Infrastructure Review Account.

The bill revises the definitions of: (1) "major medical facility project," and (2) "major medical facility lease."

The VA may enter into agreements with other federal agencies for the planning, designing, constructing, or leasing of shared medical facilities.

The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to exclude recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives from the limitation on awards and bonuses.

The bill provides funds for: (1) the Veterans Choice Program, and (2) medical facility minor construction and nonrecurring maintenance.

[NOTE: The contents of this legislative update are current as of 06:00 AM on December 31, 2018.]

BILL NUMBER: 115th Congress: House Bill 4243 (H.R.4243)

CHAMBER OF ORIGIN: U.S. House of Representatives

CURRENT CHAMBER: U.S. House of Representatives

For DETAILED LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION on H.R.4243, visit: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4243

BILL TEXT: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4243/text

ACTIONS-TO-DATE (ordered by most recent first):

12/28/2018 -- House -- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 867.

12/28/2018 -- House -- Committee on Appropriations discharged.

12/28/2018 -- House -- Committee on Rules discharged.

11/16/2018 -- House -- House Committee on Appropriations Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 28, 2018.

11/16/2018 -- House -- House Committee on Rules Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 28, 2018.

11/16/2018 -- House -- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-1036, Part I.

11/08/2017 -- House -- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 10.

11/08/2017 -- House -- Approved Further Amendments To Measure Previously Reported.

11/08/2017 -- House -- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

11/03/2017 -- House -- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

11/03/2017 -- House -- Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

11/03/2017 -- House -- Introduced in House.

SPONSOR(S)*:

-- Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1]

CO-SPONSOR(S)*:

[*Note: Sponsors and co-sponsors are current as of December 28, 2018. For the most up-to-date version of the sponsor and co-sponsor lists, visit: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4243/cosponsors ]

-- Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6]

-- Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]

-- Rep. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

-- Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

-- Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]

-- Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]

-- Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-4]

-- Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]

-- Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

-- Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]

-- Rep. Gonzalez-Colon, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]

-- Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]

-- Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

-- Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-32]

-- Rep. Rooney, Francis [R-FL-19]

COMMITTEES: House Appropriations Committee; House Rules Committee; House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

SUBJECTS: Advisory bodies, Appropriations, Building construction, Congressional oversight, Department of Veterans Affairs, Government buildings, facilities, and property, Government information and archives, Government studies and investigations, Hazardous wastes and toxic substances, Health care costs and insurance, Health care coverage and access, Health facilities and institutions, Historic sites and heritage areas, Legislative rules and procedure, Veterans' medical care.