To amend the title.

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

SA 2203. Mr. THOMAS (for Mr. Specter (for himself and Mr. Graham of
Florida)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1156, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to improve and enhance the provision of health care
for veterans, to authorize major construction projects and other
facilities matters for the Department of Veterans Affairs, to enhance
and improve authorities relating to the administration of personnel of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; as follows:

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans
Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of
2003''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:

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

TITLE I--HEALTH CARE AUTHORITIES AND RELATED MATTERS

Sec. 101. Improved benefits for former prisoners of war.
Sec. 102. Provision of health care to veterans who participated in
certain Department of Defense chemical and biological
warfare testing.
Sec. 103. Eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs health care
for certain Filipino World War II veterans residing in
the United States.
Sec. 104. Enhancement of rehabilitative services.
Sec. 105. Enhanced agreement authority for provision of nursing home
care and adult day health care in contract facilities.
Sec. 106. Five-year extension of period for provision of
noninstitutional extended-care services and required
nursing home care.
Sec. 107. Expansion of Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program on
assisted living for veterans.
Sec. 108. Improvement of program for provision of specialized mental
health services to veterans.

TITLE II--CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES MATTERS

Subtitle A--Program Authorities

Sec. 201. Increase in threshold for major medical facility construction
projects.
Sec. 202. Enhancements to enhanced-use lease authority.
Sec. 203. Simplification of annual report on long-range health
planning.

Subtitle B--Project Authorizations

Sec. 211. Authorization of major medical facility projects.
Sec. 212. Authorization of major medical facility leases.
Sec. 213. Advance planning authorizations.
Sec. 214. Authorization of appropriations.

Subtitle C--Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Initiative

Sec. 221. Authorization of major construction projects in connection
with Capital Asset Realignment Initiative.
Sec. 222. Advance notification of capital asset realignment actions.
Sec. 223. Sense of Congress and report on access to health care for
veterans in rural areas.

Subtitle D--Plans for New Facilities

Sec. 231. Plans for facilities in specified areas.
Sec. 232. Study and report on feasibility of coordination of veterans
health care services in South Carolina with new
university medical center.

Subtitle E--Designation of Facilities

Sec. 241. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs medical center,
Prescott, Arizona, as the Bob Stump Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Sec. 242. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs health care
facility, Chicago, Illinois, as the Jesse Brown
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Sec. 243. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs medical center,
Houston, Texas, as the Michael E. DeBakey Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Sec. 244. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs medical center,
Salt Lake City, Utah, as the George E. Wahlen Department
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

[[Page S15193]]

Sec. 245. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient
clinic, New London, Connecticut.
Sec. 246. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient
clinic, Horsham, Pennsylvania.

TITLE III--PERSONNEL MATTERS

Sec. 301. Modification of certain authorities on appointment and
promotion of personnel in the Veterans Health
Administration.
Sec. 302. Appointment of chiropractors in the Veterans Health
Administration.
Sec. 303. Additional pay for Saturday tours of duty for additional
health care workers in the Veterans Health
Administration.
Sec. 304. Coverage of employees of Veterans' Canteen Service under
additional employment laws.

TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 401. Office of Research Oversight in Veterans Health
Administration.
Sec. 402. Enhancement of authorities relating to nonprofit research
corporations.
Sec. 403. Department of Defense participation in Revolving Supply Fund
purchases.
Sec. 404. Five-year extension of housing assistance for homeless
veterans.
Sec. 405. Report date changes.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

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

TITLE I--HEALTH CARE AUTHORITIES AND RELATED MATTERS

SEC. 101. IMPROVED BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR.

(a) Outpatient Dental Care for All Former Prisoners of
War.--Section 1712(a)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``and who
was detained or interned for a period of not less than 90
days''.
(b) Exemption From Pharmacy Copayment Requirement.--Section
1722A(a)(3) is amended--
(1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraph (B):
``(B) to a veteran who is a former prisoner of war; or''.

SEC. 102. PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE TO VETERANS WHO
PARTICIPATED IN CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WARFARE TESTING.

Section 1710(e) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
``(E) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a veteran who
participated in a test conducted by the Department of Defense
Deseret Test Center as part of a program for chemical and
biological warfare testing from 1962 through 1973 (including
the program designated as `Project Shipboard Hazard and
Defense (SHAD)' and related land-based tests) is eligible for
hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care under
subsection (a)(2)(F) for any illness, notwithstanding that
there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such
illness is attributable to such testing.'';
(2) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(i) by striking out ``paragraph (1)(C) or (1)(D)'' and
inserting ``subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (1)'';
and
(ii) by striking ``service described in that paragraph''
and inserting ``service or testing described in such
subparagraph''; and
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
(B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) in the case of care for a veteran described in
paragraph (1)(E), after December 31, 2005.''.

SEC. 103. ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
HEALTH CARE FOR CERTAIN FILIPINO WORLD WAR II
VETERANS RESIDING IN THE UNITED STATES.

The text of section 1734 is amended to read as follows:
``(a) The Secretary shall furnish hospital and nursing home
care and medical services to any individual described in
subsection (b) in the same manner, and subject to the same
terms and conditions, as apply to the furnishing of such care
and services to individuals who are veterans as defined in
section 101(2) of this title. Any disability of an individual
described in subsection (b) that is a service-connected
disability for purposes of this subchapter (as provided for
under section 1735(2) of this title) shall be considered to
be a service-connected disability for purposes of furnishing
care and services under the preceding sentence.
``(b) Subsection (a) applies to any individual who is a
Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout and who--
``(1) is residing in the United States; and
``(2) is a citizen of the United States or an alien
lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent
residence.''.

SEC. 104. ENHANCEMENT OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES.

(a) Rehabilitative Services Through Medical Care
Authority.--Section 1701(8) is amended by striking ``(other
than those types of vocational rehabilitation services
provided under chapter 31 of this title)''.
(b) Expansion of Authorized Rehabilitative Services.--(1)
Section 1718 is amended--
(A) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as
subsections (e), (f), and (g), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
subsection (d):
``(d) In providing to a veteran rehabilitative services
under this chapter, the Secretary may furnish the veteran
with the following:
``(1) Work skills training and development services.
``(2) Employment support services.
``(3) Job development and placement services.''.
(2) Subsection (c) of such section is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (b) of this
section'' and inserting ``subsection (b) or (d)''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``subsection (b) of this section'' and
inserting ``subsection (b) or (d)''; and
(ii) by striking ``paragraph (2) of such subsection'' and
inserting ``subsection (b)(2)''.

SEC. 105. ENHANCED AGREEMENT AUTHORITY FOR PROVISION OF
NURSING HOME CARE AND ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE IN
CONTRACT FACILITIES.

(a) Enhanced Authority.--Subsection (c) of section 1720 is
amended--
(1) by designating the existing text as paragraph (2); and
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so designated,
the following new paragraph (1):
``(1)(A) In furnishing nursing home care, adult day health
care, or other extended care services under this section, the
Secretary may enter into agreements for furnishing such care
or services with--
``(i) in the case of the medicare program, a provider of
services that has entered into a provider agreement under
section 1866(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395cc(a)); and
``(ii) in the case of the medicaid program, a provider
participating under a State plan under title XIX of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
``(B) In entering into an agreement under subparagraph (A)
with a provider of services described in clause (i) of that
subparagraph or a provider described in clause (ii) of that
subparagraph, the Secretary may use the procedures available
for entering into provider agreements under section 1866(a)
of the Social Security Act.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (f)(1)(B) of such
section is amended by inserting ``or agreement'' after
``contract'' each place it appears.

SEC. 106. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR PROVISION OF
NONINSTITUTIONAL EXTENDED-CARE SERVICES AND
REQUIRED NURSING HOME CARE.

(a) Noninstitutional Extended Care Services.--Section
1701(10)(A) is amended by striking ``the date of the
enactment of the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits
Act and ending on December 31, 2003,'' and inserting
``November 30, 1999, and ending on December 31, 2008,''.
(b) Required Nursing Home Care.--Section 1710A(c) is
amended by striking ``December 31, 2003'' and inserting
``December 31, 2008''.

SEC. 107. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT
PROGRAM ON ASSISTED LIVING FOR VETERANS.

Section 103(b) of the Veterans Millennium Health Care and
Benefits Act (Public Law 106-117; 113 Stat. 1552; 38 U.S.C.
1710B note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Location of Pilot Program.--'' and
inserting ``Locations of Pilot Program.--(1)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2)(A) In addition to the health care region of the
Department selected for the pilot program under paragraph
(1), the Secretary may also carry out the pilot program in
not more than one additional designated health care region of
the Department selected by the Secretary for purposes of this
section.
``(B) Notwithstanding subsection (f), the authority of the
Secretary to provide services under the pilot program in a
health care region of the Department selected under
subparagraph (A) shall cease on the date that is three years
after the commencement of the provision of services under the
pilot program in the health care region.''.

SEC. 108. IMPROVEMENT OF PROGRAM FOR PROVISION OF SPECIALIZED
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO VETERANS.

(a) Increase in Funding.--Subsection (c) of section 116 of
the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act (Public
Law 106-117; 113 Stat. 1559; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$15,000,000'' and
inserting ``$25,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2004, 2005,
and 2006'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$15,000,000'' and
inserting ``$25,000,000''; and
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(3)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, in fiscal years 2004,
2005, and 2006, the fiscal year used to determine the
baseline amount shall be fiscal year 2003.''.

[[Page S15194]]

(b) Allocation of Funds.--Subsection (d) of that section is
amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(1) In
each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, the Secretary'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(2) In allocating funds to facilities in a fiscal year
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that--
``(A) not less than $10,000,000 is allocated by direct
grants to programs that are identified by the Mental Health
Strategic Health Care Group and the Committee on Care of
Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans;
``(B) not less than $5,000,000 is allocated for programs on
post-traumatic stress disorder; and
``(C) not less than $5,000,000 is allocated for programs on
substance use disorder.
``(3) The Secretary shall provide that the funds to be
allocated under this section during each of fiscal years
2004, 2005, and 2006 are funds for a special purpose program
for which funds are not allocated through the Veterans
Equitable Resource Allocation system.''.

TITLE II--CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES MATTERS

Subtitle A--Program Authorities

SEC. 201. INCREASE IN THRESHOLD FOR MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Section 8104(a)(3)(A) is amended by striking ``$4,000,000''
and inserting ``$7,000,000''.

SEC. 202. ENHANCEMENTS TO ENHANCED-USE LEASE AUTHORITY.

(a) Notification of Property To Be Leased.--Section 8163 is
amended--
(1) in the first sentence of subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``designate a property to be leased under
an enhanced-use lease'' and inserting ``enter into an
enhanced-use lease with respect to certain property''; and
(B) by striking ``before making the designation'' and
inserting ``before entering into the lease'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``of the proposed
designation'' and inserting ``to the congressional veterans'
affairs committees and to the public of the proposed lease'';
and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``designate the property involved'' and
inserting ``enter into an enhanced-use lease of the property
involved''; and
(ii) by striking ``to so designate the property'' and
inserting ``to enter into such lease'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``90-day period'' and
inserting ``45-day period'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``general description'' in subparagraph (D)
and inserting ``description of the provisions''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(G) A summary of a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed
lease.''; and
(D) by striking paragraph (4).
(b) Disposition of Leased Property.--Section 8164 is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``by requesting the Administrator of
General Services to dispose of the property pursuant to
subsection (b)'' in the first sentence; and
(B) by striking the third sentence;
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Secretary and the Administrator of
General Services jointly determine'' and inserting
``Secretary determines''; and
(B) by striking ``Secretary and the Administrator
consider'' and inserting ``Secretary considers''; and
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``90 days'' and
inserting ``45 days''.
(c) Use of Proceeds.--Section 8165 is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``and remaining after
any deduction from such funds under the laws referred to in
subsection (c)'';
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following
new sentence: ``The Secretary may use the proceeds from any
enhanced-use lease to reimburse applicable appropriations of
the Department for any expenses incurred in the development
of additional enhanced-use leases.''; and
(3) by striking subsection (c).
(d) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The heading of section 8163
is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 8163. Hearing and notice requirements regarding
proposed leases''.

(2) The item relating to section 8163 in the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 81 is amended to read as
follows:

``8163. Hearing and notice requirements regarding proposed leases.''.

SEC. 203. SIMPLIFICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT ON LONG-RANGE
HEALTH PLANNING.

Section 8107(b) is amended by striking paragraphs (3) and
(4).

Subtitle B--Project Authorizations

SEC. 211. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the
following major medical facility projects, with each project
to be carried out in an amount not to exceed the amount
specified for that project:
(1) Construction of a long-term care facility in Lebanon,
Pennsylvania, $14,500,000.
(2) Construction of a long-term care facility in Beckley,
West Virginia, $20,000,000.
(3) Construction of a new bed tower to consolidate two
inpatient sites of care in the city of Chicago at the West
Side Division of the Department of Veterans Affairs health
care system in Chicago, Illinois, in an amount not to exceed
$98,500,000.
(4) Seismic corrections to strengthen Medical Center
Building 1 of the Department of Veterans Affairs health care
system in San Diego, California, in an amount not to exceed
$48,600,000.
(5) A project for (A) renovation of all inpatient care
wards at the West Haven, Connecticut, facility of the
Department of Veterans Affairs health system in Connecticut
to improve the environment of care and enhance safety,
privacy, and accessibility, and (B) establishment of a
consolidated medical research facility at that facility, in
an amount not to exceed $50,000,000.
(6) Construction of a Department of Veterans Affairs-
Department of the Navy joint venture comprehensive outpatient
medical care facility to be built on the grounds of the
Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, in an amount
not to exceed $45,000,000.

SEC. 212. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into leases for
medical facilities as follows:
(1) For an outpatient clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina,
in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.
(2) For an outpatient clinic extension, Boston,
Massachusetts, in an amount not to exceed $2,879,000.

SEC. 213. ADVANCE PLANNING AUTHORIZATIONS.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out advance
planning for a major medical facility project at each of the
following locations, with such planning to be carried out in
an amount not to exceed the amount specified for that
location:
(1) Denver, Colorado, in an amount not to exceed
$30,000,000, of which $26,000,000 shall be provided by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and $4,000,000 shall be
provided by the Secretary of Defense.
(2) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in an amount not to exceed
$9,000,000.
(3) Las Vegas, Nevada, in an amount not to exceed
$25,000,000.
(4) Columbus, Ohio, in an amount not to exceed $9,000,000.
(5) East Central, Florida, in an amount not to exceed
$17,500,000.

SEC. 214. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2004--
(1) for the Construction, Major Projects, account, a total
of $363,100,000, of which--
(A) $276,600,000 is for the projects authorized in section
211; and
(B) $86,500,000 is for the advance planning authorized in
section 213; and
(2) for the Medical Care account, $5,879,000 for the leases
authorized in section 212.
(b) Limitation.--The projects authorized in section 211 may
only be carried out using--
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2004 pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations in subsection (a);
(2) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects,
for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2004 that remain
available for obligation; and
(3) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects,
for fiscal year 2004 for a category of activity not specific
to a project.

Subtitle C--Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Initiative

SEC. 221. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN
CONNECTION WITH CAPITAL ASSET REALIGNMENT
INITIATIVE.

(a) Authority To Carry Out Major Construction Projects.--
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
may carry out major construction projects as specified in the
final report of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced
Services Commission and approved by the Secretary.
(b) Limitation.--The Secretary may not exercise the
authority in subsection (a) until 45 days after the date of
the submittal of the report required by subsection (c).
(c) Report on Proposed Major Construction Projects.--(1)
The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate
and House of Representatives not later than February 1, 2004,
a report describing the major construction projects the
Secretary proposes to carry out in connection with the
Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative.
(2) The report shall list each proposed major construction
project in order of priority, with such priority determined
in the order as follows:
(A) The use of the facility to be constructed or altered as
a replacement or enhancement facility necessitated by the
loss, closure, or other divestment of major infrastructure or
clinical space at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical
facility currently in operation, as determined by the
Secretary.
(B) The remedy of life and safety code deficiencies,
including seismic, egress, and fire deficiencies at such
facility.
(C) The use of such facility to provide health care
services to a population that is determined under the Capital
Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative to be
underserved or not currently served by such facility.
(D) The renovation or modernization of such facility,
including the provision of barrier-free design, improvement
of building

[[Page S15195]]

systems and utilities, or enhancement of clinical support
services.
(E) The need for such facility to further an enhanced-use
lease or sharing agreement.
(F) Any other factor that the Secretary considers to be of
importance in providing care to eligible veterans.
(3) In developing the list of projects and according a
priority to each project, the Secretary should consider the
importance of allocating available resources equitably among
the geographic service areas of the Department and take into
account recent shifts in populations of veterans among those
geographic service areas.
(d) Sunset.--The Secretary may not enter into a contract to
carry out major construction projects under the authority in
subsection (a) after September 30, 2006.

SEC. 222. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF CAPITAL ASSET REALIGNMENT
ACTIONS.

(a) Requirement for Advance Notification.--If the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs approves a recommendation resulting from
the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services
initiative, then before taking any action resulting from that
recommendation that would result in--
(1) a medical facility closure;
(2) an administrative reorganization described in
subsection (c) of section 510 of title 38, United States
Code; or
(3) a medical facility consolidation,
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a written notification
of the intent to take such action.
(b) Limitation.--Upon submitting a notification under
subsection (a), the Secretary may not take any action
described in the notification until the later of--
(1) the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date on
which the notification is received by Congress; or
(2) the end of a period of 30 days of continuous session of
Congress beginning on the date on which the notification is
received by Congress or, if either House of Congress is not
in session on such date, the first day after such date on
which both Houses of Congress are in session.
(c) Continuous Session of Congress.--For the purposes of
subsection (b)--
(1) the continuity of a session of Congress is broken only
by an adjournment of Congress sine die; and
(2) any day on which either House is not in session because
of an adjournment of more than three days to a day certain is
excluded in the computation of any period of time in which
Congress is in continuous session.
(d) Medical Facility Consolidation.--For the purposes of
subsection (a), the term ``medical facility consolidation''
means an action that closes one or more medical facilities
for the purpose of relocating those activities to another
medical facility or facilities within the same geographic
service area.

SEC. 223. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND REPORT ON ACCESS TO HEALTH
CARE FOR VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS.

(a) Sense of Congress.--Recognizing the difficulties that
veterans residing in rural areas encounter in gaining access
to health care in facilities of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs should take steps to ensure that an
appropriate mix of facilities and clinical staff is available
for health care for veterans residing in rural areas.
(b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report describing the
steps the Secretary is taking, and intends to take, to
improve access to health care for veterans residing in rural
areas.

Subtitle D--Plans for New Facilities

SEC. 231. PLANS FOR FACILITIES IN SPECIFIED AREAS.

(a) Southern New Jersey.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall develop a plan for meeting the future hospital
care needs of veterans who reside in southern New Jersey.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``southern New
Jersey'' means the following counties of the State of New
Jersey: Ocean, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem,
Cumberland, Atlantic, and Cape May.
(b) Far South Texas.--(1) The Secretary shall develop a
plan for meeting the future hospital care needs of veterans
who reside in far south Texas.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``far south
Texas'' means the following counties of the State of Texas:
Bee, Calhoun, Crockett, DeWitt, Dimmit, Goliad, Jackson,
Victoria, Webb, Aransas, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces,
Refugio, San Patricio, Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg,
Kenedy, Starr, Willacy, and Zapata.
(c) North Central Washington.--(1) The Secretary shall
develop a plan for meeting the future hospital care needs of
veterans who reside in north central Washington.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``north central
Washington'' means the following counties of the State of
Washington: Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Kittitas, and
Okanogan.
(d) Pensacola Area.--(1) The Secretary shall develop a plan
for meeting the future hospital care needs of veterans who
reside in the Pensacola area.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``Pensacola
area'' means--
(A) the counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton,
Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Gulf, and
Franklin of the State of Florida; and
(B) the counties of Covington, Geneva, Houston, and
Escambia of the State of Alabama.
(e) Consideration of Use of Certain Existing Authorities.--
In developing the plans under this section, the Secretary
shall, at a minimum, consider options using the existing
authorities of sections 8111 and 8153 of title 38, United
States Code, to--
(1) establish a hospital staffed and managed by employees
of the Department, either in private or public facilities,
including Federal facilities; or
(2) enter into contracts with existing Federal facilities,
private facilities, and private providers for that care.
(f) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committees
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a report on each plan under this section not
later than April 15, 2004.

SEC. 232. STUDY AND REPORT ON FEASIBILITY OF COORDINATION OF
VETERANS HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN SOUTH CAROLINA
WITH NEW UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.

(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall conduct a study to examine the feasibility of
coordination by the Department of Veterans Affairs of its
needs for inpatient hospital, medical care, and long-term
care services for veterans with the pending construction of a
new university medical center at the Medical University of
South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
(b) Matters To Be Included in Study.--(1) As part of the
study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the
following:
(A) Integration with the Medical University of South
Carolina of some or all of the services referred to in
subsection (a) through contribution to the construction of
that university's new medical facility or by becoming a
tenant provider in that new facility.
(B) Construction by the Department of Veterans Affairs of a
new independent inpatient or outpatient facility alongside or
nearby the university's new facility.
(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
consider the degree to which the Department and the
university medical center would be able to share expensive
technologies and scarce specialty services that would affect
any such plans of the Secretary or the university.
(3) In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall
especially consider the applicability of the authorities
under section 8153 of title 38, United States Code (relating
to sharing of health care resources between the Department
and community provider organizations), to govern future
arrangements and relationships between the Department and the
Medical University of South Carolina.
(c) Consultation With Secretary of Defense.--The Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall consult with the Secretary of
Defense in carrying out the study under this section. Such
consultation shall include consideration of establishing a
Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense joint
health-care venture at the site referred to in subsection
(a).
(d) Report.--Not later than April 15, 2004, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the results
of the study. The report shall include the Secretary's
recommendations with respect to coordination described in
subsection (a), including recommendations with respect to
each of the matters referred to in subsection (b).

Subtitle E--Designation of Facilities

SEC. 241. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CENTER, PRESCOTT, ARIZONA, AS THE BOB
STUMP DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL
CENTER.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center located
in Prescott, Arizona, shall after the date of the enactment
of this Act be known and designated as the ``Bob Stump
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any
reference to such medical center in any law, regulation, map,
document, or other paper of the United States shall be
considered to be a reference to the Bob Stump Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

SEC. 242. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
HEALTH CARE FACILITY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AS THE
JESSE BROWN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CENTER.

The Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility
located at 820 South Damen Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, shall
after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and
designated as the ``Jesse Brown Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Center''. Any reference to such facility in
any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of
the United States shall be considered to be a reference to
the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center.

SEC. 243. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CENTER, HOUSTON, TEXAS, AS THE MICHAEL
E. DEBAKEY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CENTER.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in
Houston, Texas, shall after the date of the enactment of this
Act be known and designated as the ``Michael E. DeBakey
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any
reference to such facility in any

[[Page S15196]]

law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the
United States shall be considered to be a reference to the
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center.

SEC. 244. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CENTER, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, AS THE
GEORGE E. WAHLEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CENTER.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt
Lake City, Utah, shall after the date of the enactment of
this Act be known and designated as the ``George E. Wahlen
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any
references to such facility in any law, regulation, map,
document, record, or other paper of the United States shall
be considered to be a reference to the George E. Wahlen
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

SEC. 245. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
OUTPATIENT CLINIC, NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic
located in New London, Connecticut, shall after the date of
the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the
``John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient
Clinic''. Any reference to such outpatient clinic in any law,
regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the
United States shall be considered to be a reference to the
John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient
Clinic.

SEC. 246. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
OUTPATIENT CLINIC, HORSHAM, PENNSYLVANIA.

The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic
located in Horsham, Pennsylvania, shall after the date of the
enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Victor
J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient
Clinic''. Any reference to such outpatient clinic in any law,
regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the
United States shall be considered to be a reference to the
Victor J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient
Clinic.

TITLE III--PERSONNEL MATTERS

SEC. 301. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES ON APPOINTMENT AND
PROMOTION OF PERSONNEL IN THE VETERANS HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Positions Treatable as Hybrid Status Positions.--(1)
Section 7401 is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following
new paragraph (2):
``(2) Scientific and professional personnel, such as
microbiologists, chemists, and biostatisticians.''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following
new paragraph (3):
``(3) Audiologists, speech pathologists, and audiologist-
speech pathologists, biomedical engineers, certified or
registered respiratory therapists, dietitians, licensed
physical therapists, licensed practical or vocational nurses,
medical instrument technicians, medical records
administrators or specialists, medical records technicians,
medical and dental technologists, nuclear medicine
technologists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy
assistants, kinesiotherapists, orthotist-prosthetists,
pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physical therapy
assistants, prosthetic representatives, psychologists,
diagnostic radiologic technicians, therapeutic radiologic
technicians, and social workers.''.
(2) Personnel appointed to the Veterans Health
Administration before the date of the enactment of this Act
who are in an occupational category of employees specified in
paragraph (3) of section 7401 of title 38, United States
Code, by reason of the amendment made by paragraph (1)(B) of
this subsection shall, as of such date, be deemed to have
been appointed to the Administration under such paragraph
(3).
(b) Appointments and Promotions.--Section 7403 of such
title is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(3)--
(A) by inserting ``reductions-in-force, the applicability
of the principles of preference referred to in paragraph (2),
rights of part-time employees,'' after ``adverse actions,'';
(B) by inserting ``, whether appointed under this section
or section 7405(a)(1)(B) of this title'' after ``such
positions''; and
(C) by inserting a comma after ``status)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(h)(1) If the Secretary uses the authority provided in
subsection (c) for the promotion and advancement of an
occupational category of employees described in section
7401(3) of this title, as authorized by subsection (f)(1)(B),
the Secretary shall do so through one or more systems
prescribed by the Secretary. Each such system shall be
planned, developed, and implemented in collaboration with,
and with the participation of, exclusive employee
representatives of such occupational category of employees.
``(2)(A) Before prescribing a system of promotion and
advancement of an occupational category of employees under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to exclusive
employee representatives of such occupational category of
employees a written description of the proposed system.
``(B) Not later than 30 days after receipt of the
description of a proposed system under subparagraph (A),
exclusive employee representatives may submit to the
Secretary the recommendations, if any, of such exclusive
employee representatives with respect to the proposed system.
``(C) The Secretary shall give full and fair consideration
to any recommendations received under subparagraph (B) in
deciding whether and how to proceed with a proposed system.
``(3) The Secretary shall implement immediately any part of
a system of promotion and advancement under paragraph (1)
that is proposed under paragraph (2) for which the Secretary
receives no recommendations from exclusive employee
representatives under paragraph (2).
``(4) If the Secretary receives recommendations under
paragraph (2) from exclusive employee representatives on any
part of a proposed system of promotion and advancement under
that paragraph, the Secretary shall determine whether or not
to accept the recommendations, either in whole or in part. If
the Secretary determines not to accept all or part of the
recommendations, the Secretary shall--
``(A) notify the congressional veterans' affairs committees
of the recommendations and of the portion of the
recommendations that the Secretary has determined not to
accept;
``(B) meet and confer with such exclusive employee
representatives, for a period not less than 30 days, for
purposes of attempting to reach an agreement on whether and
how to proceed with the portion of the recommendations that
the Secretary has determined not to accept;
``(C) at the election of the Secretary, or of a majority of
such exclusive employee representatives who are participating
in negotiations on such matter, employ the services of the
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service during the period
referred to in subparagraph (B) for purposes of reaching such
agreement; and
``(D) if the Secretary determines that activities under
subparagraph (B), (C), or both are unsuccessful at reaching
such agreement and determines (in the sole and unreviewable
discretion of the Secretary) that further meeting and
conferral under subparagraph (B), mediation under
subparagraph (C), or both are unlikely to reach such
agreement--
``(i) notify the congressional veterans' affairs committees
of such determinations, identify for such committees the
portions of the recommendations that the Secretary has
determined not to accept, and provide such committees an
explanation and justification for determining to implement
the part of the system subject to such portions of the
recommendations without regard to such portions of the
recommendations; and
``(ii) commencing not earlier than 30 days after notice
under clause (i), implement the part of the system subject to
the recommendations that the Secretary has determined not to
accept without regard to those recommendations.
``(5) If the Secretary and exclusive employee
representatives reach an agreement under paragraph (4)
providing for the resolution of a disagreement on one or more
portions of the recommendations that the Secretary had
determined not to accept under that paragraph, the Secretary
shall immediately implement such resolution.
``(6) In implementing a system of promotion and advancement
under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) develop and implement mechanisms to permit exclusive
employee representatives to participate in the periodic
review and evaluation of the system, including peer review,
and in any further planning or development required with
respect to the system as a result of such review and
evaluation; and
``(B) provide exclusive employee representatives
appropriate access to information to ensure that the
participation of such exclusive employee representative in
activities under subparagraph (A) is productive.
``(7)(A) The Secretary may from time to time modify a
system of promotion and advancement under this subsection.
``(B) In modifying a system, the Secretary shall take into
account any recommendations made by the exclusive employee
representatives concerned.
``(C) In modifying a system, the Secretary shall comply
with paragraphs (2) through (5) and shall treat any proposal
for the modification of a system as a proposal for a system
for purposes of such paragraphs.
``(D) The Secretary shall promptly submit to the
congressional veterans' affairs committees a report on any
modification of a system. Each report shall include--
``(i) an explanation and justification of the modification;
and
``(ii) a description of any recommendations of exclusive
employee representatives with respect to the modification and
a statement whether or not the modification was revised in
light of such recommendations.
``(8) In the case of employees who are not within a unit
with respect to which a labor organization is accorded
exclusive recognition, the Secretary may develop procedures
for input from representatives under this subsection from any
appropriate organization that represents a substantial
percentage of such employees or, if none, in such other
manner as the Secretary considers appropriate, consistent
with the purposes of this subsection.
``(9) In this subsection, the term `congressional veterans'
affairs committees' means the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and the House of Representatives.''.
(c) Temporary, Part-Time, and Without Compensation
Appointments.--Section 7405 of such title is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--

[[Page S15197]]

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C)
and inserting the following new subparagraphs:
``(B) Positions listed in section 7401(3) of this title.
``(C) Librarians.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following new subparagraph (B):
``(B) Positions listed in section 7401(3) of this title.'';
and
(2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``section 7401(1)''
and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 7401''.
(d) Authority for Additional Pay for Certain Health Care
Professionals.--Section 7454(b)(1) of such title is amended
by striking ``certified or registered'' and all that follows
through ``occupational therapists,'' and inserting
``individuals in positions listed in section 7401(3) of this
title,''.

SEC. 302. APPOINTMENT OF CHIROPRACTORS IN THE VETERANS HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Appointments.--Section 7401 is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``medical'' and inserting ``health''; and
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``chiropractors,'' after
``podiatrists,''.
(b) Qualifications of Appointees.--Section 7402(b) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new
paragraph (10):
``(10) Chiropractor.--To be eligible to be appointed to a
chiropractor position, a person must--
``(A) hold the degree of doctor of chiropractic, or its
equivalent, from a college of chiropractic approved by the
Secretary; and
``(B) be licensed to practice chiropractic in a State.''.
(c) Period of Appointments and Promotions.--Section
7403(a)(2) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(H) Chiropractors.''.
(d) Grades and Pay Scales.--Section 7404(b)(1) is amended
by striking the third center heading in the table and
inserting the following:

``CLINICAL PODIATRIST, CHIROPRACTOR, AND OPTOMETRIST SCHEDULE''.

(e) Malpractice and Negligence Protection.--Section 7316(a)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``medical'' each place it
appears and inserting ``health''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``medical'' the first place it appears and
inserting ``health''; and
(B) by inserting ``chiropractor,'' after ``podiatrist,''.
(f) Treatment as Scarce Medical Specialists for Contracting
Purposes.--Section 7409(a) is amended by inserting
``chiropractors,'' in the second sentence after
``optometrists,''.
(g) Collective Bargaining Exemption.--Section 7421(b) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(8) Chiropractors.''.
(h) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect at the end of the 180-day period beginning
on the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 303. ADDITIONAL PAY FOR SATURDAY TOURS OF DUTY FOR
ADDITIONAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THE VETERANS
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

(a) In General.--Section 7454(b) is amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Employees appointed under section 7408 of this title
shall be entitled to additional pay on the same basis as
provided for nurses in section 7453(c) of this title.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall take effect with respect to the first pay period
beginning on or after January 1, 2004.

SEC. 304. COVERAGE OF EMPLOYEES OF VETERANS' CANTEEN SERVICE
UNDER ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAWS.

(a) Coverage.--Paragraph (5) of section 7802 is amended by
inserting before the semicolon a period and the following:
``An employee appointed under this section may be considered
for appointment to a Department position in the competitive
service in the same manner that a Department employee in the
competitive service is considered for transfer to such
position. An employee of the Service who is appointed to a
Department position in the competitive service under the
authority of the preceding sentence may count toward the
time-in-service requirement for a career appointment in such
position any previous period of employment in the Service''.
(b) Technical Amendments.--Such section is further
amended--
(1) by striking the semicolon at the end of each of
paragraphs (1) through (10) and inserting a period;
(2) by striking ``The Secretary '' and all that follows
through ``(1) establish,'' and inserting ``(a) Locations for
Canteens.--The Secretary shall establish,'';
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (11) as
subsections (b) through (k), respectively, and by realigning
those subsections (as so redesignated) so as to be flush to
the left margin;
(4) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Warehouses and Storage Depots.--The Secretary shall''
before ``establish'';
(5) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Space, Buildings, and Structures.--The Secretary shall''
before ``furnish'';
(6) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Equipment, Services, and Utilities.--The Secretary shall''
before ``transfer'';
(7) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated and as amended by
subsection (a)), by inserting ``Personnel.--The Secretary
shall'' before ``employ'';
(8) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Contracts and Agreements.--The Secretary shall'' before
``make all'';
(9) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Prices.--The Secretary shall'' before ``fix the'';
(10) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Gifts and Donations.--The Secretary may'' before
``accept'';
(11) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Rules and Regulations.--The Secretary shall'' before ``make
such'';
(12) in subsection (j) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Delegation.--The Secretary may'' before ``delegate such'';
and
(13) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``Authority To Cash Checks, Etc.--The Secretary may'' before
``authorize''.

TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 401. OFFICE OF RESEARCH OVERSIGHT IN VETERANS HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Statutory Charter.--(1) Chapter 73 is amended by
inserting after section 7306 the following new section:

``Sec. 7307. Office of Research Oversight

``(a) Requirement for Office.--(1) There is in the Veterans
Health Administration an Office of Research Oversight
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Office').
The Office shall advise the Under Secretary for Health on
matters of compliance and assurance in human subjects
protections, research safety, and research impropriety and
misconduct. The Office shall function independently of
entities within the Veterans Health Administration with
responsibility for the conduct of medical research programs.
``(2) The Office shall--
``(A) monitor, review, and investigate matters of medical
research compliance and assurance in the Department with
respect to human subjects protections; and
``(B) monitor, review, and investigate matters relating to
the protection and safety of human subjects and Department
employees participating in medical research in Department
programs.
``(b) Director.--(1) The head of the Office shall be a
Director, who shall report directly to the Under Secretary
for Health (without delegation).
``(2) Any person appointed as Director shall be--
``(A) an established expert in the field of medical
research, administration of medical research programs, or
similar fields; and
``(B) qualified to carry out the duties of the Office based
on demonstrated experience and expertise.
``(c) Functions.--(1) The Director shall report to the
Under Secretary for Health on matters relating to protections
of human subjects in medical research projects of the
Department under any applicable Federal law and regulation,
the safety of employees involved in Department medical
research programs, and suspected misconduct and impropriety
in such programs. In carrying out the preceding sentence, the
Director shall consult with employees of the Veterans Health
Administration who are responsible for the management and
conduct of Department medical research programs.
``(2) The matters to be reported by the Director to the
Under Secretary under paragraph (1) shall include allegations
of research impropriety and misconduct by employees engaged
in medical research programs of the Department.
``(3)(A) When the Director determines that such a
recommendation is warranted, the Director may recommend to
the Under Secretary that a Department research activity be
terminated, suspended, or restricted, in whole or in part.
``(B) In a case in which the Director reasonably believes
that activities of a medical research project of the
Department place human subjects' lives or health at imminent
risk, the Director shall direct that activities under that
project be immediately suspended or, as appropriate and
specified by the Director, be limited.
``(d) General Functions.--(1) The Director shall conduct
periodic inspections and reviews, as the Director determines
appropriate, of medical research programs of the Department.
Such inspections and reviews shall include review of required
documented assurances.
``(2) The Director shall observe external accreditation
activities conducted for accreditation of medical research
programs conducted in facilities of the Department.
``(3) The Director shall investigate allegations of
research impropriety and misconduct in medical research
projects of the Department.
``(4) The Director shall submit to the Under Secretary for
Health, the Secretary, and the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
on any suspected lapse, from whatever cause or causes, in
protecting safety of human subjects and others, including
employees, in medical research programs of the Department.

[[Page S15198]]

``(5) The Director shall carry out such other duties as the
Under Secretary for Health may require.
``(e) Source of Funds.--Amounts for the activities of the
Office, including its regional offices, shall be derived from
amounts appropriated for the Veterans Health Administration
for Medical Care.
``(f) Annual Report.--Not later than March 15 each year,
the Director shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
on the activities of the Office during the preceding calendar
year. Each such report shall include, with respect to that
year, the following:
``(1) A summary of reviews of individual medical research
programs of the Department completed by the Office.
``(2) Directives and other communications issued by the
Office to field activities of the Department.
``(3) Results of any investigations undertaken by the
Office during the reporting period consonant with the
purposes of this section.
``(4) Other information that would be of interest to those
committees in oversight of the Department medical research
program.
``(g) Medical Research.--For purposes of this section, the
term `medical research' means medical research described in
section 7303(a)(2) of this title.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
7306 the following new item:

``7307. Office of Research Oversight.''.

(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 7303 is amended by
striking subsection (e).

SEC. 402. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITIES RELATING TO NONPROFIT
RESEARCH CORPORATIONS.

(a) Coverage of Personnel Under Tort Claims Laws.--(1)
Subchapter IV of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after
section 7364 the following new section:

``Sec. 7364A. Coverage of employees under certain Federal
tort claims laws

``(a) An employee of a corporation established under this
subchapter who is described by subsection (b) shall be
considered an employee of the Government, or a medical care
employee of the Veterans Health Administration, for purposes
of the following provisions of law:
``(1) Section 1346(b) of title 28.
``(2) Chapter 171 of title 28.
``(3) Section 7316 of this title
``(b) An employee described in this subsection is an
employee who--
``(1) has an appointment with the Department, whether with
or without compensation;
``(2) is directly or indirectly involved or engaged in
research or education and training that is approved in
accordance with procedures established by the Under Secretary
for Health for research or education and training; and
``(3) performs such duties under the supervision of
Department personnel.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
7364 the following new item:

``7364A. Coverage of employees under certain Federal tort claims
laws.''.

(b) Clarification of Executive Director's Ethics
Certification Duties.--Section 7366(c) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(c)'';
(2) by striking ``any year--'' and all that follows through
``shall be subject'' and inserting ``any year shall be
subject'';
(3) by striking ``functions; and'' and inserting
``functions.''; and
(4) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Each corporation established under this subchapter
shall each year submit to the Secretary a statement signed by
the executive director of the corporation verifying that each
director and employee has certified awareness of the laws and
regulations referred to in paragraph (1) and of the
consequences of violations of those laws and regulations in
the same manner as Federal employees are required to so
certify.''.
(c) Five-Year Extension of Authority to Establish Research
Corporations.--Section 7368 is amended by striking ``December
31, 2003'' and inserting ``December 31, 2008''.

SEC. 403. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PARTICIPATION IN REVOLVING
SUPPLY FUND PURCHASES.

(a) Enhancement of Department of Defense Participation.--
Section 8121 is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections
(d) and (e), respectively;
(2) by designating the last sentence of subsection (a) as
subsection (c); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) of subsection (a) the
following new subsection (b):
``(b) The Secretary may authorize the Secretary of Defense
to make purchases through the fund in the same manner as
activities of the Department. When services, equipment, or
supplies are furnished to the Secretary of Defense through
the fund, the reimbursement required by paragraph (2) of
subsection (a) shall be made from appropriations made to the
Department of Defense, and when services or supplies are to
be furnished to the Department of Defense, the fund may be
credited, as provided in paragraph (3) of subsection (a),
with advances from appropriations available to the Department
of Defense.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply only with respect to funds appropriated for a
fiscal year after fiscal year 2003.

SEC. 404. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR
HOMELESS VETERANS.

Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2003'' and inserting ``December 31, 2008''.

SEC. 405. REPORT DATE CHANGES.

(a) Senior Managers Quarterly Report.--Section 516(e)(1)(A)
is amended by striking ``30 days'' and inserting ``45 days''.
(b) Annual Report on Assistance to Homeless Veterans.--
Section 2065(a) is amended by striking ``April 15 of each
year'' and inserting ``June 15 of each year''.
(c) Annual Report of Committee on Care of Severely
Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans.--Section 7321(d)(2) is
amended by striking ``February 1, 1998, and February 1 of
each of the six following years'' and inserting ``June 1 of
each year through 2008''.
(d) Annual Report on Sharing of Health Care Resources.--
Section 8153(g) is amended--
(1) by striking ``not more than 60 days after the end of
each fiscal year'' and inserting ``not later than February 1
of each year''; and
(2) by inserting ``during the preceding fiscal year'' after
``under this section''.
(e) Annual Report of Special Committee on PTSD.--Section
110(e)(2) of the Veterans' Health Care Act of 1984 (38 U.S.C.
1712A note) is amended by striking ``February 1 of each of
the three following years'' and inserting ``May 1 of each
year through 2008''.
______

SA 2204. Mr. THOMAS (for Mr. Specter) proposed an amendment to the
bill S. 1156, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and
enhance the provision of health care for veterans, to authorize major
construction projects and other facilities matters for the Department
of Veterans Affairs, to enhance and improve authorities relating to the
administration of personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and
for other purposes; as follows:

Amend the title to read as follows: ``A bill to amend title
38, United States Code, to improve and enhance provision of
health care for veterans, to authorize major construction
projects and other facilities matters for the Department of
Veterans Affairs, to enhance and improve authorities relating
to the administration of personnel of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.''.
______

SA 2205. Mr. THOMAS (for Mr. Specter (for himself and Mr. Graham of
Florida)) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 2297, To amend title
38, United Stated Code, to improve benefits under laws administered by
the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs, and for other purposes; as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans
Benefits Act of 2003''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:

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

TITLE I--SURVIVOR BENEFITS

Sec. 101. Retention of certain veterans survivor benefits for surviving
spouses remarrying after age 57.
Sec. 102. Benefits for children with spina bifida of veterans of
certain service in Korea.
Sec. 103. Alternative beneficiaries for National Service Life Insurance
and United States Government Life Insurance.
Sec. 104. Payment of benefits accrued and unpaid at time of death.

TITLE II--BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR AND FOR FILIPINO
VETERANS

Subtitle A--Former Prisoners of War

Sec. 201. Presumptions of service-connection relating to diseases and
disabilities of former prisoners of war.

Subtitle B--Filipino Veterans

Sec. 211. Rate of payment of benefits for certain Filipino veterans and
their survivors residing in the United States.
Sec. 212. Burial benefits for new Philippine Scouts residing in the
United States.
Sec. 213. Extension of authority to maintain regional office in the
Republic of the Philippines.

TITLE III--EDUCATION BENEFITS, EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS, AND RELATED
MATTERS

Sec. 301. Expansion of Montgomery GI Bill education benefits for
certain self-employment training.
Sec. 302. Increase in rates of survivors' and dependents' educational
assistance.
Sec. 303. Restoration of survivors' and dependents' education benefits
of individuals being ordered to full-time National Guard
duty.
Sec. 304. Rounding down of certain cost-of-living adjustments on
educational assistance.

[[Page S15199]]

Sec. 305. Authorization for State approving agencies to approve certain
entrepreneurship courses.
Sec. 306. Repeal of provisions relating to obsolete education loan
program.
Sec. 307. Six-year extension of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on
Education.
Sec. 308. Procurement program for small business concerns owned and
controlled by service-disabled veterans.
Sec. 309. Outstationing of Transition Assistance Program personnel.

TITLE IV--HOUSING BENEFITS AND RELATED MATTERS

Sec. 401. Authorization to provide adapted housing assistance to
certain disabled members of the Armed Forces who remain
on active duty.
Sec. 402. Increase in amounts for certain adaptive benefits for
disabled veterans.
Sec. 403. Permanent authority for housing loans for members of the
Selected Reserve.
Sec. 404. Reinstatement of minimum requirements for sale of vendee
loans.
Sec. 405. Adjustment to home loan fees.
Sec. 406. One-year extension of procedures on liquidation sales of
defaulted home loans guaranteed by the Department of
Veterans Affairs.

TITLE V--BURIAL BENEFITS

Sec. 501. Burial plot allowance.
Sec. 502. Eligibility of surviving spouses who remarry for burial in
national cemeteries.
Sec. 503. Permanent authority for State cemetery grants program.

TITLE VI--EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Sec. 601. Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program of Department of
Defense.
Sec. 602. Study on disposition of Air Force Health Study.
Sec. 603. Funding of Medical Follow-Up Agency of Institute of Medicine
of National Academy of Sciences for epidemiological
research on members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 701. Time limitations on receipt of claim information pursuant to
requests of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 702. Clarification of applicability of prohibition on assignment
of veterans benefits to agreements requiring payment of
future receipt of benefits.
Sec. 703. Six-year extension of Advisory Committee on Minority
Veterans.
Sec. 704. Temporary authority for performance of medical disabilities
examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 705. Forfeiture of benefits for subversive activities.
Sec. 706. Two-year extension of round-down requirement for compensation
cost-of-living adjustments.
Sec. 707. Codification of requirement for expeditious treatment of
cases on remand.
Sec. 708. Technical and clerical amendments.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

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

TITLE I--SURVIVOR BENEFITS

SEC. 101. RETENTION OF CERTAIN VETERANS SURVIVOR BENEFITS FOR
SURVIVING SPOUSES REMARRYING AFTER AGE 57.

(a) Exception to Termination of Benefits Upon Remarriage.--
Section 103(d)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``The remarriage
after age 55'' and inserting ``The remarriage after age 57 of
the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the
furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph (5) to such
person as the surviving spouse of the veteran.
Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the remarriage after
age 55''.
(b) Coordination of Benefits.--Section 1311 is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e) In the case of an individual who is eligible for
dependency and indemnity compensation under this section by
reason of section 103(d)(2)(B) of this title who is also
eligible for benefits under another provision of law by
reason of such individual's status as the surviving spouse of
a veteran, then, notwithstanding any other provision of law
(other than section 5304(b)(3) of this title), no reduction
in benefits under such other provision of law shall be made
by reason of such individual's eligibility for benefits under
this section.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a)
and (b) shall take effect on January 1, 2004.
(d) Retroactive Benefits Prohibited.--No benefit may be
paid to any person by reason of the amendments made by
subsections (a) and (b) for any period before the effective
date specified in subsection (c).
(e) Application for Benefits.--In the case of an individual
who but for having remarried would be eligible for benefits
under title 38, United States Code, by reason of the
amendment made by subsection (a) and whose remarriage was
before the date of the enactment of this Act and after the
individual had attained age 57, the individual shall be
eligible for such benefits by reason of such amendment only
if the individual submits an application for such benefits to
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs not later than the end of
the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(f) Technical Correction.--Section 101(b) of the Veterans
Benefits Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-330; 116 Stat. 2821; 38
U.S.C. 103 note) is amended by striking ``during the 1-year
period'' and all that follows through ``(c)'' and inserting
``before the end of the one-year period beginning on the date
of the enactment of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003''.

SEC. 102. BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPINA BIFIDA OF VETERANS
OF CERTAIN SERVICE IN KOREA.

(a) In General.--Chapter 18 is amended--
(1) by redesignating subchapter III, and sections 1821,
1822, 1823, and 1824, as subchapter IV, and sections 1831,
1832, 1833, and 1834, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subchapter II the following new
subchapter III:

``SUBCHAPTER III--CHILDREN OF CERTAIN KOREA SERVICE VETERANS BORN WITH
SPINA BIFIDA

``Sec. 1821. Benefits for children of certain Korea service
veterans born with spina bifida

``(a) Benefits Authorized.--The Secretary may provide to
any child of a veteran of covered service in Korea who is
suffering from spina bifida the health care, vocational
training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required
to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering
from spina bifida under subchapter I of this chapter as if
such child of a veteran of covered service in Korea were a
child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida
under such subchapter.
``(b) Spina Bifida Conditions Covered.--This section
applies with respect to all forms and manifestations of spina
bifida, except spina bifida occulta.
``(c) Veteran of Covered Service in Korea.--For purposes of
this section, a veteran of covered service in Korea is any
individual, without regard to the characterization of that
individual's service, who--
``(1) served in the active military, naval, or air service
in or near the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ), as determined
by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of
Defense, during the period beginning on September 1, 1967,
and ending on August 31, 1971; and
``(2) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with
the Secretary of Defense, to have been exposed to a herbicide
agent during such service in or near the Korean demilitarized
zone.
``(d) Herbicide Agent.--For purposes of this section, the
term `herbicide agent' means a chemical in a herbicide used
in support of United States and allied military operations in
or near the Korean demilitarized zone, as determined by the
Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense,
during the period beginning on September 1, 1967, and ending
on August 31, 1971.''.
(b) Child Defined.--Section 1831, as redesignated by
subsection (a) of this section, is amended by striking
paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph (1):
``(1) The term `child' means the following:
``(A) For purposes of subchapters I and II of this chapter,
an individual, regardless of age or marital status, who--
``(i) is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran; and
``(ii) was conceived after the date on which that veteran
first entered the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era.
``(B) For purposes of subchapter III of this chapter, an
individual, regardless of age or marital status, who--
``(i) is the natural child of a veteran of covered service
in Korea (as determined for purposes of section 1821 of this
title); and
``(ii) was conceived after the date on which that veteran
first entered service described in subsection (c) of that
section.''.
(c) Nonduplication of Benefits.--Subsection (a) of section
1834, as redesignated by subsection (a) of this section, is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``In
the case of a child eligible for benefits under subchapter I
or II of this chapter who is also eligible for benefits under
subchapter III of this chapter, a monetary allowance shall be
paid under the subchapter of this chapter elected by the
child.''.
(d) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 1811(1)(A) is
amended by striking ``section 1821(1)'' and inserting
``section 1831(1)''.
(2) The heading for chapter 18 is amended to read as
follows:

``CHAPTER 18--BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS AND CERTAIN
OTHER VETERANS''.

(e) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 18 is amended by striking the items
relating to subchapter III and sections 1821, 1822, 1823, and
1824 and inserting the following new items:

[[Page S15200]]

``SUBCHAPTER III--CHILDREN OF CERTAIN KOREA SERVICE VETERANS BORN WITH
SPINA BIFIDA

``1821. Benefits for children of certain Korea service veterans born
with spina bifida.

``SUBCHAPTER IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

``1831. Definitions.
``1832. Applicability of certain administrative provisions.
``1833. Treatment of receipt of monetary allowance and other benefits.
``1834. Nonduplication of benefits.''.

(2) The table of chapters at the beginning of title 38,
United States Code, and at the beginning of part II, are each
amended by striking the item relating to chapter 18 and
inserting the following new item:

``18. Benefits for Children of Vietnam Veterans and Certain Other
Veterans................................................1802''.....

SEC. 103. ALTERNATIVE BENEFICIARIES FOR NATIONAL SERVICE LIFE
INSURANCE AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LIFE
INSURANCE.

(a) National Service Life Insurance.--Section 1917 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f)(1) Following the death of the insured and in a case
not covered by subsection (d)--
``(A) if the first beneficiary otherwise entitled to
payment of the insurance does not make a claim for such
payment within two years after the death of the insured,
payment may be made to another beneficiary designated by the
insured, in the order of precedence as designated by the
insured, as if the first beneficiary had predeceased the
insured; and
``(B) if, within four years after the death of the insured,
no claim has been filed by a person designated by the insured
as a beneficiary and the Secretary has not received any
notice in writing that any such claim will be made, payment
may (notwithstanding any other provision of law) be made to
such person as may in the judgment of the Secretary be
equitably entitled thereto.
``(2) Payment of insurance under paragraph (1) shall be a
bar to recovery by any other person.''.
(b) United States Government Life Insurance.--Section 1952
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c)(1) Following the death of the insured and in a case
not covered by section 1950 of this title--
``(A) if the first beneficiary otherwise entitled to
payment of the insurance does not make a claim for such
payment within two years after the death of the insured,
payment may be made to another beneficiary designated by the
insured, in the order of precedence as designated by the
insured, as if the first beneficiary had predeceased the
insured; and
``(B) if, within four years after the death of the insured,
no claim has been filed by a person designated by the insured
as a beneficiary and the Secretary has not received any
notice in writing that any such claim will be made, payment
may (notwithstanding any other provision of law) be made to
such person as may in the judgment of the Secretary be
equitably entitled thereto.
``(2) Payment of insurance under paragraph (1) shall be a
bar to recovery by any other person.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a)
and (b) shall take effect on October 1, 2004.
(d) Transition Provision.--In the case of a person insured
under subchapter I or II of chapter 19 of title 38, United
States Code, who dies before the effective date of the
amendments made by subsections (a) and (b), as specified by
subsection (c), the two-year and four-year periods specified
in subsection (f)(1) of section 1917 of title 38, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a), and subsection
(c)(1) of section 1952 of such title, as added by subsection
(b), as applicable, shall for purposes of the applicable
subsection be treated as being the two-year and four-year
periods, respectively, beginning on the effective date of
such amendments, as so specified.

SEC. 104. PAYMENT OF BENEFITS ACCRUED AND UNPAID AT TIME OF
DEATH.

(a) Repeal of Two-Year Limitation on Payment.--Section
5121(a) is amended by striking ``for a period not to exceed
two years'' in the matter preceding paragraph (1).
(b) Payment Recipients for Beneficiaries Under Chapter
18.--Such section is further amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
(2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph (5):
``(5) Upon the death of a child claiming benefits under
chapter 18 of this title, to the surviving parents.''.
(c) Technical Amendments.--Such section is further
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking the
comma after ``or decisions'';
(2) by striking the semicolon at the end of paragraphs (1),
(2), (3), and (4), and at the end of subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of paragraph (2), and inserting a period.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a)
and (b) shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

TITLE II--BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR AND FOR FILIPINO
VETERANS

Subtitle A--Former Prisoners of War

SEC. 201. PRESUMPTIONS OF SERVICE-CONNECTION RELATING TO
DISEASES AND DISABILITIES OF FORMER PRISONERS
OF WAR.

Subsection (b) of section 1112 is amended to read as
follows:
``(b)(1) For the purposes of section 1110 of this title and
subject to the provisions of section 1113 of this title, in
the case of a veteran who is a former prisoner of war--
``(A) a disease specified in paragraph (2) which became
manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more after active
military, naval, or air service shall be considered to have
been incurred in or aggravated by such service,
notwithstanding that there is no record of such disease
during the period of service; and
``(B) if the veteran was detained or interned as a prisoner
of war for not less than thirty days, a disease specified in
paragraph (3) which became manifest to a degree of 10 percent
or more after active military, naval, or air service shall be
considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by such
service, notwithstanding that there is no record of such
disease during the period of service.
``(2) The diseases specified in this paragraph are the
following:
``(A) Psychosis.
``(B) Any of the anxiety states.
``(C) Dysthymic disorder (or depressive neurosis).
``(D) Organic residuals of frostbite, if the Secretary
determines that the veteran was detained or interned in
climatic conditions consistent with the occurrence of
frostbite.
``(E) Post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
``(3) The diseases specified in this paragraph are the
following:
``(A) Avitaminosis.
``(B) Beriberi (including beriberi heart disease).
``(C) Chronic dysentery.
``(D) Helminthiasis.
``(E) Malnutrition (including optic atrophy associated with
malnutrition).
``(F) Pellagra.
``(G) Any other nutritional deficiency.
``(H) Cirrhosis of the liver.
``(I) Peripheral neuropathy except where directly related
to infectious causes.
``(J) Irritable bowel syndrome.
``(K) Peptic ulcer disease.''.

Subtitle B--Filipino Veterans

SEC. 211. RATE OF PAYMENT OF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN FILIPINO
VETERANS AND THEIR SURVIVORS RESIDING IN THE
UNITED STATES.

(a) Rate of Payment.--Section 107 is amended--
(1) in the second sentence of subsection (b), by striking
``Payments'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsection
(c), payments''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by inserting ``and subchapter II of chapter 13 (except
section 1312(a)) of this title'' after ``chapter 11 of this
title'';
(B) by striking ``in subsection (a)'' and inserting ``in
subsection (a) or (b)''; and
(C) by striking ``of subsection (a)'' and inserting ``of
the applicable subsection''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply to benefits paid for months beginning after the
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 212. BURIAL BENEFITS FOR NEW PHILIPPINE SCOUTS RESIDING
IN THE UNITED STATES.

(a) Benefit Eligibility.--Section 107, as amended by
section 211 of this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking ``and'' and inserting a comma; and
(B) by inserting ``, 23, and 24 (to the extent provided for
in section 2402(8))'' after ``(except section 1312(a))'';
(2) in the second sentence of subsection (b), as so
amended, by inserting ``or (d)'' after ``subsection (c)'';
(3) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting ``or (b), as
otherwise applicable,'' after ``subsection (a)''; and
(4) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``or whose service
is described in subsection (b) and who dies after the date of
the enactment of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003,'' after
``November 1, 2000,''.
(b) National Cemetery Interment.--Section 2402(8) is
amended by striking ``section 107(a)'' and inserting
``subsection (a) or (b) of section 107''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 213. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE
IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2003''
and inserting ``December 31, 2009''.

TITLE III--EDUCATION BENEFITS, EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS, AND RELATED
MATTERS

SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS
FOR CERTAIN SELF-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING.

(a) Definition of Training Establishment.--Section 3452(e)
is amended by striking ``means any'' and all that follows and
inserting ``means any of the following:
``(1) An establishment providing apprentice or other on-job
training, including those under the supervision of a college
or university or any State department of education.
``(2) An establishment providing self-employment on-job
training consisting of full-

[[Page S15201]]

time training for a period of less than six months that is
needed or accepted for purposes of obtaining licensure to
engage in a self-employment occupation or required for
ownership and operation of a franchise that is the objective
of the training.
``(3) A State board of vocational education.
``(4) A Federal or State apprenticeship registration
agency.
``(5) A joint apprenticeship committee established pursuant
to the Act of August 16, 1937, popularly known as the
`National Apprenticeship Act' (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
``(6) An agency of the Federal Government authorized to
supervise such training.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on the date that is six months after the
date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to self-
employment on-job training approved and pursued on or after
that date.

SEC. 302. INCREASE IN RATES OF SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS'
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.--
Section 3532 is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``at the monthly rate
of'' and all that follows and inserting ``at the monthly rate
of $788 for full-time, $592 for three-quarter-time, or $394
for half-time pursuit.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``at the rate of'' and
all that follows and inserting ``at the rate of the lesser
of--
``(A) the established charges for tuition and fees that the
educational institution involved requires similarly
circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the same program to
pay; or
``(B) $788 per month for a full-time course.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$670'' and inserting
``$788''; and
(3) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``shall be'' and all
that follows and inserting ``shall be $636 for full-time,
$477 for three-quarter-time, or $319 for half-time
pursuit.''.
(b) Correspondence Courses.--Section 3534(b) is amended by
striking ``$670'' and inserting ``$788''.
(c) Special Restorative Training.--Section 3542(a) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``$670'' and inserting ``$788''; and
(2) by striking ``$210'' each place it appears and
inserting ``$247''.
(d) Apprenticeship Training.--Section 3687(b)(2) is amended
by striking ``shall be $488 for the first six months'' and
all that follows and inserting ``shall be $574 for the first
six months, $429 for the second six months, $285 for the
third six months, and $144 for the fourth and any succeeding
six-month period of training.''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on July 1, 2004, and shall apply with
respect to educational assistance allowances payable under
chapter 35 and section 3687(b)(2) of title 38, United States
Code, for months beginning on or after that date.

SEC. 303. RESTORATION OF SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATION
BENEFITS OF INDIVIDUALS BEING ORDERED TO FULL-
TIME NATIONAL GUARD DUTY.

(a) Delimiting Date.--Section 3512(h) is amended by
inserting ``or is involuntarily ordered to full-time National
Guard duty under section 502(f) of title 32,'' after ``title
10,''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall take effect as of September 11, 2001.

SEC. 304. ROUNDING DOWN OF CERTAIN COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS
ON EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) Basic Educational Assistance Under Montgomery GI
Bill.--Section 3015(h) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
(2) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(h)'';
(3) by striking ``(rounded to the nearest dollar)'';
(4) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, by striking
``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A)''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Any increase under paragraph (1) in a rate with
respect to a fiscal year after fiscal year 2004 and before
fiscal year 2014 shall be rounded down to the next lower
whole dollar amount. Any such increase with respect to a
fiscal year after fiscal year 2013 shall be rounded to the
nearest whole dollar amount.''.
(b) Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.--
Section 3564 is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``With'';
(2) by striking ``(rounded to the nearest dollar)''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Any increase under subsection (a) in a rate with
respect to a fiscal year after fiscal year 2004 and before
fiscal year 2014 shall be rounded down to the next lower
whole dollar amount. Any such increase with respect to a
fiscal year after fiscal year 2013 shall be rounded to the
nearest whole dollar amount.''.

SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION FOR STATE APPROVING AGENCIES TO
APPROVE CERTAIN ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSES.

(a) Approval of Entrepreneurship Courses.--Section 3675 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c)(1) A State approving agency may approve the
entrepreneurship courses offered by a qualified provider of
entrepreneurship courses.
``(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term
`entrepreneurship course' means a non-degree, non-credit
course of business education that enables or assists a person
to start or enhance a small business concern (as defined
pursuant to section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632(a))).
``(3) Subsection (a) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (b) shall not apply to--
``(A) an entrepreneurship course offered by a qualified
provider of entrepreneurship courses; and
``(B) a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses by
reason of such provider offering one or more entrepreneurship
courses.''.
(b) Business Owners Not Treated as Already Qualified.--
Section 3471 is amended by inserting before the last sentence
the following: ``The Secretary shall not treat a person as
already qualified for the objective of a program of education
offered by a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses
solely because such person is the owner or operator of a
business.''.
(c) Inclusion of Entrepreneurship Courses in Definition of
Program of Education.--Subsection (b) of section 3452 is
amended by adding at the end the following: ``Such term also
includes any course, or combination of courses, offered by a
qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses.''.
(d) Inclusion of Qualified Provider of Entrepreneurship
Courses in Definition of Educational Institution.--Subsection
(c) of section 3452 is amended by adding at the end the
following: ``Such term also includes any qualified provider
of entrepreneurship courses.''.
(e) Definition of Qualified Provider of Entrepreneurship
Courses.--Section 3452 is further amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(h) The term `qualified provider of entrepreneurship
courses' means any of the following entities insofar as such
entity offers, sponsors, or cosponsors an entrepreneurship
course (as defined in section 3675(c)(2) of this title):
``(1) Any small business development center described in
section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648).
``(2) The National Veterans Business Development
Corporation (established under section 33 of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657c)).''.
(f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to courses approved by State approving agencies
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 306. REPEAL OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO OBSOLETE EDUCATION
LOAN PROGRAM.

(a) Termination of Program.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs may not make a loan under subchapter III of chapter
36 of title 38, United States Code, after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(b) Discharge of Liabilities.--Effective as of the date of
the transfer of funds under subsection (c)--
(1) any liability on an education loan under subchapter III
of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, that is
outstanding as of such date shall be deemed discharged; and
(2) the right of the United States to recover an
overpayment declared under section 3698(e)(1) of such title
that is outstanding as of such date shall be deemed waived.
(c) Termination of Loan Fund.--(1) Effective as of the day
before the date of the repeal under this section of
subchapter III of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code,
all monies in the revolving fund of the Treasury known as the
``Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Fund'' shall
be transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs
Readjustment Benefits Account, and the revolving fund shall
be closed.
(2) Any monies transferred to the Department of Veterans
Affairs Readjustment Benefits Account under paragraph (1)
shall be merged with amounts in that account and shall be
available for the same purposes, and subject to the same
conditions and limitations, as amounts in that account.
(d) Use of Entitlement to Veterans Educational Assistance
for Education Loan Program.--Section 3462(a) is amended by
striking paragraph (2).
(e) Repeal of Education Loan Program.--Subchapter III of
chapter 36 is repealed.
(f) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 3485(e)(1) is
amended by striking ``(other than an education loan under
subchapter III)''.
(2) Section 3512 is amended by striking subsection (f).
(g) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 36 is amended by striking the items
relating to subchapter III and sections 3698 and 3699.
(h) Effective Dates.--(1) The amendments made by subsection
(d) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(2) The amendments made by subsections (e), (f), and (g)
shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act.

SEC. 307. SIX-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE VETERANS' ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

(a) Membership.--Subsection (a) of section 3692 is amended
in the second sentence by inserting ``, to the maximum extent
practicable,'' after ``The committee shall also''.
(b) Extension.--Subsection (c) of that section is amended
by striking ``December 31, 2003'' and inserting ``December
31, 2009''.

[[Page S15202]]

(c) Technical Amendments.--That section is further
amended--
(1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``chapter 106''
each place it appears and inserting ``chapter 1606''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``chapter 30'' and
inserting ``chapters 30''.

SEC. 308. PROCUREMENT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS
OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-DISABLED
VETERANS.

The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended
by redesignating section 36 as section 37 and by inserting
after section 35 the following new section:

``SEC. 36. PROCUREMENT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS
OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-DISABLED
VETERANS.

``(a) Sole Source Contracts.--In accordance with this
section, a contracting officer may award a sole source
contract to any small business concern owned and controlled
by service-disabled veterans if--
``(1) such concern is determined to be a responsible
contractor with respect to performance of such contract
opportunity and the contracting officer does not have a
reasonable expectation that 2 or more small business concerns
owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans will submit
offers for the contracting opportunity;
``(2) the anticipated award price of the contract
(including options) will not exceed--
``(A) $5,000,000, in the case of a contract opportunity
assigned a standard industrial classification code for
manufacturing; or
``(B) $3,000,000, in the case of any other contract
opportunity; and
``(3) in the estimation of the contracting officer, the
contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.
``(b) Restricted Competition.--In accordance with this
section, a contracting officer may award contracts on the
basis of competition restricted to small business concerns
owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans if the
contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that not
less than 2 small business concerns owned and controlled by
service-disabled veterans will submit offers and that the
award can be made at a fair market price.
``(c) Relationship to Other Contracting Preferences.--A
procurement may not be made from a source on the basis of a
preference provided under subsection (a) or (b) if the
procurement would otherwise be made from a different source
under section 4124 or 4125 of title 18, United States Code,
or the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (41 U.S.C. 46 et seq.).
``(d) Enforcement; Penalties.--Rules similar to the rules
of paragraphs (5) and (6) of section 8(m) shall apply for
purposes of this section.
``(e) Contracting Officer.--For purposes of this section,
the term `contracting officer' has the meaning given such
term in section 27(f)(5) of the Office of Federal Procurement
Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423(f)(5)).''.

SEC. 309. OUTSTATIONING OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
PERSONNEL.

(a) In General.--(1) Chapter 41 is amended by adding at the
end the following new section:

``Sec. 4113. Outstationing of Transition Assistance Program
personnel

``(a) Stationing of TAP Personnel at Overseas Military
Installations.--(1) The Secretary--
``(A) shall station employees of the Veterans' Employment
and Training Service, or contractors under subsection (c), at
each veterans assistance office described in paragraph (2);
and
``(B) may station such employees or contractors at such
other military installations outside the United States as the
Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense,
determines to be appropriate or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this chapter.
``(2) Veterans assistance offices referred to in paragraph
(1)(A) are those offices that are established by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs on military installations
pursuant to the second sentence of section 7723(a) of this
title.
``(b) Functions.--Employees (or contractors) stationed at
military installations pursuant to subsection (a) shall
provide, in person, counseling, assistance in identifying
employment and training opportunities, help in obtaining such
employment and training, and other related information and
services to members of the Armed Forces who are being
separated from active duty, and the spouses of such members,
under the Transition Assistance Program and Disabled
Transition Assistance Program established in section 1144 of
title 10.
``(c) Authority to Contract With Private Entities.--The
Secretary, consistent with section 1144 of title 10, may
enter into contracts with public or private entities to
provide, in person, some or all of the counseling,
assistance, information and services under the Transition
Assistance Program required under subsection (a).''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``4113. Outstationing of Transition Assistance Program personnel.''.

(b) Deadline for Implementation.--Not later than 90 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Labor shall implement section 4113 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a), and shall have employees of
the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, or
contractors, to carry out that section at the military
installations involved by such date.
(c) Additional Amendment.--(1) The second sentence of
section 7723(a) is amended by inserting ``and taking into
account recommendations, if any, of the Secretary of Labor''
after ``Secretary of Defense''
(2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with
respect to offices established after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

TITLE IV--HOUSING BENEFITS AND RELATED MATTERS

SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE
TO CERTAIN DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
WHO REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY.

Section 2101 is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(c)(1) The Secretary may provide assistance under
subsection (a) to a member of the Armed Forces serving on
active duty who is suffering from a disability described in
paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of that subsection if such
disability is the result of an injury incurred or disease
contracted in or aggravated in line of duty in the active
military, naval, or air service. Such assistance shall be
provided to the same extent as assistance is provided under
that subsection to veterans eligible for assistance under
that subsection and subject to the requirements of the second
sentence of that subsection.
``(2) The Secretary may provide assistance under subsection
(b) to a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty
who is suffering from a disability described in subparagraph
(A) or (B) of paragraph (1) of that subsection if such
disability is the result of an injury incurred or disease
contracted in or aggravated in line of duty in the active
military, naval, or air service. Such assistance shall be
provided to the same extent as assistance is provided under
that subsection to veterans eligible for assistance under
that subsection and subject to the requirements of paragraph
(2) of that subsection.''.

SEC. 402. INCREASE IN AMOUNTS FOR CERTAIN ADAPTIVE BENEFITS
FOR DISABLED VETERANS.

(a) Increase in Assistance Amount for Specially Adapted
Housing.--Section 2102 is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection
(a), by striking ``$48,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``$9,250'' and
inserting ``$10,000''.
(b) Increase in Amount of Assistance for Automobile and
Adaptive Equipment for Certain Disabled Veterans.--Section
3902(a) is amended by striking ``$9,000'' and inserting
``$11,000''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a)
and (b) shall apply with respect to assistance furnished on
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 403. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR HOUSING LOANS FOR MEMBERS
OF THE SELECTED RESERVE.

Section 3702(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ``For the
period'' and all that follows through ``each'' and inserting
``Each''.

SEC. 404. REINSTATEMENT OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SALE OF
VENDEE LOANS.

(a) Reinstatement.--Subsection (a) of section 3733 is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(7) During the period that begins on the date of the
enactment of the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2003 and ends on
September 30, 2013, the Secretary shall carry out the
provisions of this subsection as if--
``(A) the references in the first sentence of paragraph (1)
to `65 percent' and `may be financed' were references to `85
percent' and `shall be financed', respectively;
``(B) the second sentence of paragraph (1) were repealed;
and
``(C) the reference in paragraph (2) to `September 30,
1990,' were a reference to `September 30, 2013,'.''.
(b) Stylistic Amendments.--Such section is further
amended--
(1) by striking ``of this subsection'' after--
(A) ``paragraph (1)'' in subsections (a)(4)(A), (a)(5),
(a)(6), and (c)(2); and
(B) ``paragraph (5)'' in subsection (a)(4)(B)(i); and
(2) by striking ``of this paragraph'' each place it appears
in subsection (a)(4).

SEC. 405. ADJUSTMENT TO HOME LOAN FEES.

Effective January 1, 2004, paragraph (2) of section 3729(b)
is amended to read as follows:
``(2) The loan fee table referred to in paragraph (1) is as
follows:

[[Page S15203]]

``LOAN FEE TABLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active duty                    Other
Type of loan                                  veteran      Reservist      obligor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or                2.00          2.75            NA
construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other initial loan described
in section 3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down (closed before
January 1, 2004).....................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or               2.20          2.40            NA
construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other initial loan described
in section 3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down (closed on or
after January 1, 2004, and before October 1, 2004)...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(iii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or              2.15          2.40            NA
construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other initial loan described
in section 3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down (closed on or
after October 1, 2004, and before October 1, 2011)...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(iv) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or               1.40          1.65            NA
construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other initial loan described
in section 3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down (closed on or
after October 1, 2011)...............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or             3.00          3.00            NA
construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan
described in section 3710(a) (closed before January 1, 2004).........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or            3.30          3.30            NA
construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan
described in section 3710(a) (closed on or after January 1, 2004, and
before October 1, 2011)..............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or           2.15          2.15            NA
construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan
described in section 3710(a) (closed on or after October 1, 2011 and
before October 1, 2013)..............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(iv) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or            1.25          1.25            NA
construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan
described in section 3710(a) (closed on or after October 1, 2013)....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a            1.50          1.75            NA
dwelling with 5-down (closed before October 1, 2011).................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a           0.75          1.00            NA
dwelling with 5-down (closed on or after October 1, 2011)............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or                1.25          1.50            NA
construct a dwelling with 10-down (closed before October 1, 2011)....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or               0.50          0.75            NA
construct a dwelling with 10-down (closed on or after October 1,
2011)................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan..........................         0.50          0.50            NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F) Direct loan under section 3711....................................         1.00          1.00            NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(G) Manufactured home loan under section 3712 (other than an interest          1.00          1.00            NA
rate reduction refinancing loan).....................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(H) Loan to Native American veteran under section 3762 (other than an          1.25          1.25            NA
interest rate reduction refinancing loan)............................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(I) Loan assumption under section 3714................................         0.50          0.50          0.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(J) Loan under section 3733(a)........................................         2.25          2.25       2.25''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEC. 406. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF PROCEDURES ON LIQUIDATION
SALES OF DEFAULTED HOME LOANS GUARANTEED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1,
2011'' and inserting ``October 1, 2012''.

TITLE V--BURIAL BENEFITS

SEC. 501. BURIAL PLOT ALLOWANCE.

(a) In General.--Section 2303(b) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``a
burial allowance under such section 2302, or under such
subsection, who was discharged from the active military,
naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated
in line of duty, or who is a veteran of any war'' and
inserting ``burial in a national cemetery under section 2402
of this title''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(other than a veteran
whose eligibility for benefits under this subsection is based
on being a veteran of any war)'' and inserting ``is eligible
for a burial allowance under section 2302 of this title or
under subsection (a) of this section, or was discharged from
the active military, naval, or air service for a disability
incurred or aggravated in line of duty, and such veteran''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2307 is amended in the
last sentence by striking ``and (b)'' and inserting ``and
(b)(2)''.

SEC. 502. ELIGIBILITY OF SURVIVING SPOUSES WHO REMARRY FOR
BURIAL IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.

(a) Eligibility.--Section 2402(5) is amended by striking
``(which for purposes of this chapter includes an unremarried
surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage which was
terminated by death or divorce)'' and inserting ``(which for
purposes of this chapter includes a surviving spouse who had
a subsequent remarriage)''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after
January 1, 2000.

SEC. 503. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR STATE CEMETERY GRANTS
PROGRAM.

(a) Permanent Authority.--Subsection (a) of section 2408 is
amended--
(1) by striking ``(1)''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2).
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (e) of such section
is amended by striking ``Sums appropriated under subsection
(a) of this section'' and inserting ``Amounts appropriated to
carry out this section''.
(c) Technical Amendment to Repeal Obsolete Provision.--
Subsection (d)(1) of such section is amended by striking ``on
or after November 21, 1997,''.

TITLE VI--EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

SEC. 601. RADIATION DOSE RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE.

(a) Review of Mission, Procedures, and Administration.--(1)
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
Defense shall jointly conduct a review of the mission,
procedures, and administration of the Radiation Dose
Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense.
(2) In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the
Secretaries shall--
(A) determine whether any additional actions are required
to ensure that the quality assurance and quality control
mechanisms of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program are
adequate and sufficient for purposes of the program; and
(B) determine the actions that are required to ensure that
the mechanisms of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program
for communication and interaction with veterans are adequate
and sufficient for purposes of the program, including
mechanisms to permit veterans to review the assumptions
utilized in their dose reconstructions.
(3) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly submit to Congress
a report on the review under paragraph (1). The report shall
set forth--
(A) the results of the review;
(B) a plan for any actions determined to be required under
paragraph (2); and
(C) such other recommendations for the improvement of the
mission, procedures, and administration of the Radiation Dose
Reconstruction Program as the Secretaries jointly consider
appropriate.
(b) On-Going Review and Oversight.--The Secretaries shall
jointly take appropriate actions to ensure the on-going
independent review and oversight of the Radiation Dose
Reconstruction Program, including the establishment of the
advisory board required by subsection (c).
(c) Advisory Board.--(1) In taking actions under subsection
(b), the Secretaries shall jointly appoint an advisory board
to provide review and oversight of the Radiation Dose
Reconstruction Program.
(2) The advisory board under paragraph (1) shall be
composed of the following:
(A) At least one expert in historical dose reconstruction
of the type conducted under the Radiation Dose Reconstruction
Program.
(B) At least one expert in radiation health matters.
(C) At least one expert in risk communications matters.

[[Page S15204]]

(D) A representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(E) A representative of the Defense Threat Reduction
Agency.
(F) At least three veterans, including at least one veteran
who is a member of an atomic veterans group.
(3) The advisory board under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) conduct periodic, random audits of dose reconstructions
under the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program and of
decisions by the Department of Veterans Affairs on claims for
service connection of radiogenic diseases;
(B) assist the Department of Veterans Affairs and the
Defense Threat Reduction Agency in communicating to veterans
information on the mission, procedures, and evidentiary
requirements of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program;
and
(C) carry out such other activities with respect to the
review and oversight of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction
Program as the Secretaries shall jointly specify.
(4) The advisory board under paragraph (1) may make such
recommendations on modifications in the mission or procedures
of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program as the advisory
board considers appropriate as a result of the audits
conducted under paragraph (3)(A).

SEC. 602. STUDY ON DISPOSITION OF AIR FORCE HEALTH STUDY.

(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall, in accordance with this section, carry out a study to
determine the appropriate disposition of the Air Force Health
Study, an epidemiologic study of Air Force personnel who were
responsible for conducting aerial spray missions of
herbicides during the Vietnam era.
(b) Study Through National Academy of Sciences.--Not later
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the
National Academy of Sciences, or another appropriate
scientific organization, to carry out the study required by
subsection (a).
(c) Elements.--Under the study under subsection (a), the
National Academy of Sciences, or other appropriate scientific
organization, shall address the following:
(1) The scientific merit of retaining and maintaining the
medical records, other study data, and laboratory specimens
collected in the course of the Air Force Health Study after
the currently-scheduled termination date of the study in
2006.
(2) Whether or not any obstacles exist to retaining and
maintaining the medical records, other study data, and
laboratory specimens referred to in paragraph (1), including
privacy concerns.
(3) The advisability of providing independent oversight of
the medical records, other study data, and laboratory
specimens referred to in paragraph (1), and of any further
study of such records, data, and specimens, and, if so, the
mechanism for providing such oversight.
(4) The advisability of extending the Air Force Health
Study, including the potential value and relevance of
extending the study, the potential cost of extending the
study, and the Federal or non-Federal entity best suited to
continue the study if extended.
(5) The advisability of making the laboratory specimens of
the Air Force Health Study available for independent
research, including the potential value and relevance of such
research, and the potential cost of such research.
(d) Report.--Not later than 120 days after entering into an
agreement under subsection (b), the National Academy of
Sciences, or other appropriate scientific organization, shall
submit to the Secretary and Congress a report on the results
of the study under subsection (a). The report shall include
the results of the study, including the matters addressed
under subsection (c), and such other recommendations as the
Academy, or other appropriate scientific organization,
considers appropriate as a result of the study.

SEC. 603. FUNDING OF MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP AGENCY OF INSTITUTE OF
MEDICINE OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES FOR
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON MEMBERS OF THE
ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS.

(a) Funding.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the
Secretary of Defense shall each make available to the
National Academy of Sciences in each of fiscal years 2004
through 2013 the amount of $250,000 for the Medical Follow-Up
Agency of the Institute of Medicine of the Academy for
purposes of epidemiological research on members of the Armed
Forces and veterans.
(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available
amounts under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year from amounts
available for the Department of Veterans Affairs for that
fiscal year.
(3) The Secretary of Defense shall make available amounts
under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year from amounts available
for the Department of Defense for that fiscal year.
(b) Use of Funds.--The Medical Follow-Up Agency shall use
funds made available under subsection (a) for epidemiological
research on members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
(c) Supplement Not Supplant.--Amounts made available to the
Medical Follow-Up Agency under this section for a fiscal year
for the purposes referred to in subsection (b) are in
addition to any other amount made available to the Agency for
that fiscal year for those purposes.

TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 701. TIME LIMITATIONS ON RECEIPT OF CLAIM INFORMATION
PURSUANT TO REQUESTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.

(a) Information to Complete Claims Applications.--Section
5102 is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(c) Time Limitation.--(1) If information that a claimant
and the claimant's representative, if any, are notified under
subsection (b) is necessary to complete an application is not
received by the Secretary within one year from the date such
notice is sent, no benefit may be paid or furnished by reason
of the claimant's application.
``(2) This subsection shall not apply to any application or
claim for Government life insurance benefits.''.
(b) Construction of Limitation on Information to
Substantiate Claims.--Section 5103(b) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``if such'' and all that
follows through ``application'' and inserting ``such
information or evidence must be received by the Secretary
within one year from the date such notice is sent''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to
prohibit the Secretary from making a decision on a claim
before the expiration of the period referred to in that
subsection.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect as if enacted on November 9, 2000,
immediately after the enactment of the Veterans Claims
Assistance Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-475; 114 Stat. 2096).
(d) Procedures for Readjudication of Certain Claims.--(1)
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall readjudicate a claim
of a qualified claimant if the request for such
readjudication is received not later than the end of the one-
year period that begins on the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, a claimant is
qualified within the meaning of paragraph (1) if the
claimant--
(A) received notice under section 5103(a) of title 38,
United States Code, requesting information or evidence to
substantiate a claim;
(B) did not submit such information or evidence within a
year after the date such notice was sent;
(C) did not file a timely appeal to the Board of Veterans'
Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims; and
(D) submits such information or evidence during the one-
year period referred to in paragraph (1).
(3) If the decision of the Secretary on a readjudication
under this subsection is in favor of the qualified claimant,
the award of the grant shall take effect as if the prior
decision by the Secretary on the claim had not been made.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
establish a duty on the part of the Secretary to identify or
readjudicate any claim that--
(A) is not submitted during the one-year period referred to
in paragraph (1); or
(B) has been the subject of a timely appeal to the Board of
Veterans' Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims.
(e) Construction on Providing Renotification.--Nothing in
this section, or the amendments made by this section, shall
be construed to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs--
(1) to provide notice under section 5103(a) of such title
with respect to a claim insofar as the Secretary has
previously provided such notice; or
(2) to provide for a special notice with respect to this
section and the amendments made by this section.

SEC. 702. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICABILITY OF PROHIBITION ON
ASSIGNMENT OF VETERANS BENEFITS TO AGREEMENTS
REQUIRING PAYMENT OF FUTURE RECEIPT OF
BENEFITS.

Section 5301(a) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
(2) by designating the last sentence as paragraph (2); and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3)(A) This paragraph is intended to clarify that, in any
case where a beneficiary entitled to compensation, pension,
or dependency and indemnity compensation enters into an
agreement with another person under which agreement such
other person acquires for consideration the right to receive
such benefit by payment of such compensation, pension, or
dependency and indemnity compensation, as the case may be,
except as provided in subparagraph (B), and including deposit
into a joint account from which such other person may make
withdrawals, or otherwise, such agreement shall be deemed to
be an assignment and is prohibited.
``(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), nothing in this
paragraph is intended to prohibit a loan involving a
beneficiary under the terms of which the beneficiary may use
the benefit to repay such other person as long as each of the
periodic payments made to repay such other person is
separately and voluntarily executed by the beneficiary or is
made by preauthorized electronic funds transfer pursuant to
the Electronic Funds Transfers Act (15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq.).
``(C) Any agreement or arrangement for collateral for
security for an agreement that

[[Page S15205]]

is prohibited under subparagraph (A) is also prohibited and
is void from its inception.''.

SEC. 703. SIX-YEAR EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
MINORITY VETERANS.

Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2003''
and inserting ``December 31, 2009''.

SEC. 704. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL
DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT
PHYSICIANS.

(a) Authority.--Using appropriated funds, other than funds
available for compensation and pension, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs may provide for the conduct of examinations
with respect to the medical disabilities of applicants for
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary by persons
other than Department of Veterans Affairs employees. The
authority under this section is in addition to the authority
provided in section 504(b) of the Veterans' Benefits
Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101
note).
(b) Performance by Contract.--Examinations under the
authority provided in subsection (a) shall be conducted
pursuant to contracts entered into and administered by the
Under Secretary for Benefits.
(c) Expiration.--The authority in subsection (a) shall
expire on December 31, 2009. No examination may be carried
out under the authority provided in that subsection after
that date.
(d) Report.--Not later than four years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on the use of the authority provided in
subsection (a). The Secretary shall include in the report an
assessment of the effect of examinations under that authority
on the cost, timeliness, and thoroughness of examinations
with respect to the medical disabilities of applicants for
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.

SEC. 705. FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS FOR SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES.

(a) Addition of Certain Offenses.--Paragraph (2) of section
6105(b) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``175, 229,'' after ``sections''; and
(2) by inserting ``831, 1091, 2332a, 2332b,'' after
``798,''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply to claims filed after the date of the enactment
of this Act.

SEC. 706. TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF ROUND-DOWN REQUIREMENT FOR
COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS.

Sections 1104(a) and 1303(a) are each amended by striking
``2011'' and inserting ``2013''.

SEC. 707. CODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT FOR EXPEDITIOUS
TREATMENT OF CASES ON REMAND.

(a) Cases Remanded by Board of Veterans' Appeals.--(1)
Chapter 51 is amended by adding at the end of subchapter I
the following new section:

``Sec. 5109B. Expedited treatment of remanded claims

``The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary
to provide for the expeditious treatment by the appropriate
regional office of the Veterans Benefits Administration of
any claim that is remanded to a regional office of the
Veterans Benefits Administration by the Board of Veterans'
Appeals.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
5109A the following new item:

``5109B. Expedited treatment of remanded claims.''.

(b) Cases Remanded by Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims.--(1) Chapter 71 is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:

``Sec. 7112. Expedited treatment of remanded claims

``The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary
to provide for the expeditious treatment by the Board of any
claim that is remanded to the Secretary by the Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``7112. Expedited treatment of remanded claims.''.

(c) Repeal of Source Section.--Section 302 of the Veterans'
Benefits Improvement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-446; 108
Stat. 4658; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is repealed.

SEC. 708. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.

(a) Miscellaneous Amendments.--(1) Section 103(d) is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``this subsection'' and inserting ``paragraph (2)(A) or
(3)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and
inserting ``paragraph (2)(A)''; and
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``Paragraphs (2)'' and
inserting ``Paragraphs (2)(A)''.
(2) Section 1729A is amended--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``after June 30, 1997,''
in the matter preceding paragraph (1);
(B) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (3);
(C) by striking subsection (e); and
(D) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e).
(3) Section 1804(c)(2) is amended by striking
``subsection'' and inserting ``section''.
(4) Section 1974(a)(5) is amended by striking ``Secretary
of Transportation'' and inserting ``Secretary of Homeland
Security''.
(b) Amendments Relating to the Jobs for Veterans Act.--
(1)(A) Subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii) of section 4102A is amended
by striking ``October 1, 2002'' and inserting ``October 1,
2003''.
(B) The amendment made by subparagraph (A) shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 4(a) of the
Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288; 116 Stat. 2038).
(2) Subsection (f)(1) of section 4102A is amended by
striking ``6 months after the date of the enactment of this
section,'' and inserting ``May 7, 2003,''.
(c) Amendments Relating to the Establishment of Social
Security Administration as an Independent Agency.--(1)
Section 1322 is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``Secretary of Health
and Human Services'' and all that follows through the period
and inserting ``Commissioner of Social Security, and shall be
certified by the Commissioner to the Secretary upon request
of the Secretary.''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``Secretary of Health and Human Services''
in the first sentence and inserting ``Commissioner of Social
Security'';
(ii) by striking ``the two Secretaries'' and inserting
``the Secretary and the Commissioner''; and
(iii) by striking ``Secretary of Health and Human
Services'' in the second sentence and inserting
``Commissioner''.
(2) Section 5101(a) is amended by striking ``Secretary of
Health and Human Services'' and inserting ``Commissioner of
Social Security''.
(3) Section 5317 is amended by striking ``Secretary of
Health and Human Services'' in subsections (a), (b), and (g)
and inserting ``Commissioner of Social Security''.
(4)(A) Section 5318 is amended--
(i) in subsection (a), by striking ``Department of Health
and Human Services'' and inserting ``Social Security
Administration''; and
(ii) in subsection (b)--
(I) by striking ``Department of Health and Human Services''
and inserting ``Social Security Administration'';
(II) by striking ``Secretary of Health and Human Services''
the first place it appears and inserting ``Commissioner of
Social Security'';
(III) by striking ``Secretary of Health and Human
Services'' the second place it appears and inserting
``Commissioner''; and
(IV) by striking ``such Secretaries'' and inserting ``the
Secretary and the Commissioner''.
(B)(i) The heading of such section is amended to read as
follows:

``Sec. 5318. Review of Social Security Administration death
information''.

(ii) The item relating to that section in the table of
sections at the beginning at chapter 53 is amended to read as
follows:

``5318. Review of Social Security Administration death information.''.
______

SA 2206. Mr. SPECTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill S. 671, to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, to make
other technical amendments to the trade laws, and for other purposes;
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 137, between lines 3 and 4, insert the following:

SEC. 1421. TEMPORARY DUTY REDUCTIONS FOR CERTAIN COTTON
SHIRTING FABRIC.

(a) Certain Cotton Shirting Fabrics.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 99 is amended by
inserting in numerical sequence the following new headings:

``      9902.52.08       Woven fabrics of    Free           No change       No change       On or before 12/
cotton, all the                                                    31/2005
foregoing
certified by the
importer as
suitable for use
in making men's
and boys' shirts
and as imported
by or for the
benefit of a
manufacturer of
men's and boys'
shirts, subject
to the quantity
limitations
contained in
general note 18
of this
subchapter
(provided for in
section
204(b)(3)(B)(i)(I
II) of the Andean
Trade Preference
Act (19 U.S.C.
3203)).

[[Page S15206]]

9902.52.09       Woven fabrics of    Free           No change       No change       On or before 12/
cotton, all the                                                    31/2005          ''
foregoing                                                                            .
certified by the
importer as
containing 100
percent pima
cotton grown in
the United
States, as
suitable for use
in making men's
and boys' shirts,
and as imported
by or for the
benefit of a
manufacturer of
men's and boys'
shirts (provided
for in section
204(b)(3)(B)(i)(I
II) of the Andean
Trade Preference
Act (19 U.S.C.
3203)).

(2) Definitions and limitation on quantity of imports.--The
U.S. Notes to chapter 99 are amended by adding at the end the
following:
``17. For purposes of subheadings 9902.52.08 and
9902.52.09, the term `making' means cutting and sewing in the
United States, and the term `manufacturer' means a person or
entity that cuts and sews in the United States.
``18. The aggregate quantity of cotton fabrics entered
under subheading 9902.52.08 from January 1 to December 31 of
each year, inclusive, by or on behalf of each manufacturer of
men's and boys' shirts shall be limited to 85 percent of the
total square meter equivalents of all imported cotton woven
fabric used by such manufacturer in cutting and sewing men's
and boys' cotton shirts in the United States and purchased by
such manufacturer during calendar year 2000.''.
(b) Determination of Tariff-Rate Quotas.--
(1) Authority to issue licenses and license use.--To
implement the limitation on the quantity of imports of cotton
woven fabrics under subheading 9902.52.08 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States, as required by U.S.
Note 18 to subchapter II of chapter 99 of such Schedule, for
the entry, or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption, the
Secretary of Commerce shall issue licenses designating
eligible manufacturers and the annual quantity restrictions
under each such license. A licensee may assign the authority
(in whole or in part) to import fabric under subheading
9902.52.08 of such Schedule.
(2) Licenses under u.s. note 18.--For purposes of U.S. Note
18 to subchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States, as added by subsection (a)(2),
a license shall be issued within 60 days of an application
containing a notarized affidavit from an officer of the
manufacturer that the manufacturer is eligible to receive a
license and stating the quantity of imported cotton woven
fabric purchased during calendar year 2000 for use in the
cutting and sewing men's and boys' shirts in the United
States.
(3) Affidavits.--For purposes of an affidavit described in
this subsection, the date of purchase shall be--
(A) the invoice date if the manufacturer is not the
importer of record; and
(B) the date of entry if the manufacturer is the importer
of record.

On page 263, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following:

SEC. 2007. COTTON TRUST FUND.

(a) In General.--There is established in the Treasury of
the United States a trust fund to be known as the ``Pima
Cotton Trust Fund'', consisting of $32,000,000 transferred to
the Pima Cotton Trust Fund from funds in the general fund of
the Treasury.
(b) Grants.--
(1) General purpose.--From amounts in the Pima Cotton Trust
Fund, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to provide
grants to spinners of United States grown pima cotton,
manufacturers of men's and boys' cotton shirting, and a
nationally recognized association that promotes the use of
pima cotton grown in the United States, to assist such
spinners and manufacturers in maximizing United States
employment in the production of textile or apparel products
and to increase the promotion of the use of United States
grown pima cotton respectively.
(2) Timing for grant awards.--The Secretary of the Treasury
shall, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this section, establish guidelines for the application and
awarding of the grants described in paragraph (1), and shall
award such grants to qualified applicants not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this section. Each grant
awarded under this section shall be distributed to the
qualified applicant in 2 equal annual installments.
(3) Distribution of funds.--Of the amounts in the Pima
Cotton Trust Fund--
(A) $8,000,000 shall be made available to a nationally
recognized association established for the promotion of pima
cotton grown in the United States for the use in textile and
apparel goods;
(B) $8,000,000 shall be made available to yarn spinners of
pima cotton grown in the United States, and shall be
allocated to each spinner based on the percentage of the
spinner's production of ring spun cotton yarns, measuring
less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number), from
pima cotton grown in the United States in single and plied
form during calendar year 2002 (as evidenced by an affidavit
provided by the spinner), compared to the production of such
yarns for all spinners who qualify under this subparagraph;
and
(C) $16,000,000 shall be made available to manufacturers
who cut and sew cotton shirts in the United States and that
certify that they used imported cotton fabric during the
period January 1, 1998, through July 1, 2003, and shall be
allocated to each manufacturer on the bases of the dollar
value (excluding duty, shipping, and related costs) of
imported woven cotton shirting fabric of 80s or higher count
and 2-ply in warp purchased by the manufacturer during
calendar year 2002 (as evidenced by an affidavit from the
manufacturer) used in the manufacturing of men's and boys'
cotton shirts, compared to the dollar value (excluding duty,
shipping, and related costs) of such fabric for all
manufacturers who qualify under this subparagraph.
(4) Affidavit of shirting manufacturers.--For purposes of
paragraph (3)(D), an officer of the manufacturer of men's and
boys' shirts shall provide a notarized affidavit affirming--
(A) that the manufacturer used imported cotton fabric
during the period January 1, 1998, through July 1, 2003, to
cut and sew men's and boys' woven cotton shirts in the United
States;
(B) the dollar value of imported woven cotton shirting
fabric of 80s or higher count and 2-ply in warp purchased
during calendar year 2002;
(C) that the manufacturer maintains invoices along with
other supporting documentation (such as price lists and other
technical descriptions of the fabric qualities) showing the
dollar value of such fabric purchased, the date of purchase,
and evidencing the fabric as woven cotton fabric of 80s or
higher count and 2-ply in warp; and
(D) that the fabric was suitable for use in the
manufacturing of men's and boys' cotton shirts.
(5) Date of purchase.--For purposes of the affidavit
required by paragraph (4), the date of purchase shall be the
invoice date, and the dollar value shall be determined
excluding duty, shipping, and related costs.
(6) Affidavit of yarn spinners.--For purposes of paragraph
(3)(B), an officer of a company that produces ringspun yarns
shall provide a notarized affidavit affirming--
(A) that the manufacturer used pima cotton grown in the
United States during the period January 1, 2002, through
December 31, 2002, to produce ring spun cotton yarns,
measuring less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric
number), in single and plied form during 2002;
(B) the quantity, measured in pounds, of ring spun cotton
yarns, measuring less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120
metric number), in single and plied form during calendar year
2002; and
(C) that the manufacturer maintains supporting
documentation showing the quantity of such yarns produced,
and evidencing the yarns as ring spun cotton yarns, measuring
less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number), in
single and plied form during calendar year 2002.
(7) No appeal.--Any grant awarded by the Secretary under
this section shall be final and not subject to appeal or
protest.
(c) Authorization.--There are authorized to be
appropriated, and are appropriated out of the amounts in the
general fund of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such
sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this
section, including funds necessary for the administration and
oversight of the grants provided for in this section.

____________________