Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006
Latest action · Jun 15, 2006 Became Public Law No: 109-233.
Progress
Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.
- IntroducedJun 14, 2005
- Passed SenateSep 28, 2005
- Passed HouseMay 22, 2006
- To the PresidentJun 7, 2006
- Became lawJun 15, 2006Public Law 109-233
Summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on May 22, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 - Title I: Housing Matters - (Sec. 101) Permits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary), in the case of a service-disabled veteran who is residing, but does not intend to permanently reside, in a residence owned by a member of the veteran's family, to assist the veteran in acquiring such adaptations determined reasonably necessary due to the veteran's disability. Provides assistance limits. Terminates such assistance five years after the enactment of this Act. Prohibits any veteran from receiving more than three grants of assistance. Requires an interim and final implementation report from the Comptroller General to Congress.
(Sec. 102) Allows the Secretary, with respect to hybrid adjustable rate mortgages offered to veterans under provisions of the National Housing Act, to increase or decrease the interest rate in any single adjustment by such percentage points as the Secretary may prescribe. (Currently, the Secretary is limited to an increase of one percentage point in any single adjustment.)
(Sec. 103) Amends provisions directing the Secretary to establish and implement a pilot program for making direct housing loans to Native American veterans to: (1) make such program a permanent program rather than a pilot program; and (2) require the Secretary to include information on loans so provided as part of the annual benefits report of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
(Sec. 104) Extends eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) direct loans for Native American veterans to a non-Native American veteran who is the spouse of a Native American veteran, as long as there is joint possession or ownership on trust land.
Title II: Employment Matters - (Sec. 201) Requires, as additional duties of the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training (Assistant Secretary), the: (1) furnishing of information to employers with respect to the training and skills of veterans and disabled veterans; and (2) facilitation of employment of such veterans through participation in labor exchanges and other means.
(Sec. 202) Renames the Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training as the Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach. Expands the duties of the Assistant Secretary to include outreach activities to employers with respect to the training and skills of veterans and the advantages offered by their employment. Revises Committee membership. Directs that a currently-required annual report from the Committee also be transmitted to the congressional veterans' committees, and include a special emphasis on disabled veterans. Requires additional information within the annual reports, including an assessment of veterans' employment outreach activities carried out by the Secretary of Labor.
(Sec. 203) Extends through FY2009 the authorization of appropriations for homeless veterans reintegration programs.
Title III: Life and Health Insurance Matters - (Sec. 301) Extends the period of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage for totally disabled veterans following separation from active duty or active duty for training to the earlier of: (1) the date on which the insured ceases to be totally disabled; (2) two years after separation or release, in the case of a separation or release during the period beginning one year before the enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 2011; and (2) 18 months after separation or release, in the case of a separation or release on or after October 1, 2011. Makes identical changes with respect to certain reserve assignments in which the individual performs active duty or volunteers for assignment to a mobilization category.
(Sec. 302) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prohibit a premium increase for reinstated civilian health insurance for a servicemember who is released from active duty.
(Sec. 303) Provides for the preservation (reinstatement) of employer-sponsored health coverage for reserve members who acquire coverage under TRICARE (a Department of Defense (DOD)-managed health care plan) by reason of active-duty service, and then later return to civilian employment.
Title IV: Other Matters - (Sec. 401) Adds atherosclerotic heart disease or hypertensive vascular disease, stroke, and their complications to the list of diseases or conditions presumed to be associated with prisoner-of-war status, and therefore compensable under veterans' disability compensation.
(Sec. 402) Consolidates and recodifies the veterans outreach services program. Requires the Secretary to prepare a plan for VA outreach activities for each two-fiscal-year period. Changes from annually to biennially a required report from the Secretary to Congress on outreach activities.
(Sec. 403) Extends through 2009 (currently, 2004) a requirement for annual reports from the Secretary to Congress on VA equitable relief provided to veterans and their dependents following a loss of benefits because of VA administrative error.
Title V: Technical Amendments - (Sec. 501) Makes technical and clarifying amendments to provisions concerning SGLI traumatic injury protection coverage.
(Sec. 502) Makes typographical corrections, stylistic changes, and other revisions in provisions relating to eligibility for veterans' disability compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation.
Recorded votes 1
Newest first. Open one to see how every member voted.
| Roll call | Question | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House 177 | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended | Passed372–0 | May 22, 2006 |
Cosponsors
Members who signed on, in the order they did.
Committees 2
Where it was sent and what each committee and subcommittee did with it, in order.
| Chamber | Committee | What it did |
|---|---|---|
| Senate | Veterans' Affairs Committee | Referred Jun 14, 2005Hearings Jun 23, 2005Markup Jul 28, 2005Reported Sep 21, 2005 |
| House | Veterans' Affairs Committee | Referred Sep 29, 2005 |
Actions 24
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Jun 15, 2006Signed by President.
- Jun 15, 2006Became Public Law No: 109-233.
- Jun 7, 2006Presented to President.
- May 25, 2006Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5285-5295; text as passed Senate: CR S5285-5291)
- May 23, 2006Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
- May 22, 2006Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- May 22, 2006Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2970-2982)
- May 22, 2006DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1235.
- May 22, 2006At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- May 22, 2006Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2988)
- May 22, 2006Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 0 (Roll no. 177). (text: CR H2970-2976)
- May 22, 2006Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- May 22, 2006The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Sep 29, 2005Received in the House.
- Sep 29, 2005Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sep 29, 2005Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sep 28, 2005Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10620-10622; text as passed Senate: CR S10620-10622)
- Sep 21, 2005Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Craig with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 109-139.
- Sep 21, 2005Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
- Jul 28, 2005Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably (As approved by the Committee, the substitute amendment incorporated related provisions of S. 1235, as introduced, S. 552, S. 917, S. 151, S. 1259, S. 1271, and S. 423).
- Jun 23, 2005Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-243.
- Jun 14, 2005Introduced in Senate
- Jun 14, 2005Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6484-6485)
- Jun 14, 2005Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6485-6486)
In the Congressional Record 5
Days the Record’s own index lists this bill, newest first, with the pages and the members it names. Pages starting H are the House, S the Senate, E Extensions of Remarks.
| Where | In the Record | Members | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | Debate and remarks S5285–S5295Text printed S5285–S5291Amendments S5285Explanations S5291–S5294 | Daniel K. Akaka D-HI, John E. Sununu R-NH, Larry E. Craig R-ID, William H. Frist R-TN | May 25, 2006 |
| Extensions | Debate and remarks E929 | Michael H. Michaud D-ME | May 23, 2006 |
| House | Debate and remarks H2970–H2982Text printed H2970–H2976Recorded votes H2988enactExplanations H2976–H2979 | Bob Filner D-CA, Ed Case D-HI, Eni F. H. Faleomavaega D-AS, Eric Cantor R-VA, Jeff Miller R-FL, John T. Salazar D-CO, Steve Buyer R-IN | May 22, 2006 |
| Senate | Debate and remarks S10620–S10622Text printed S10620–S10622 | Chuck Grassley R-IA | Sep 28, 2005 |
| Senate | Debate and remarks S6484Text printed S6485 | Larry E. Craig R-ID (text) | Jun 14, 2005 |
Research
What has been written about this bill: committee reports, cost estimates, the sponsor’s authority statement, printed hearings and the Congressional Research Service’s work.
Committee report
Congressional Budget Office cost estimates 6
- Jun 6, 2006S. 1235, Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006<p>Estimate of direct spending and revenues effects for the bill as cleared by the Congress on May 25, 2006</p>
- Jun 6, 2006S. 1235, Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006Estimate of direct spending and revenues effects for the bill as cleared by the Congress on May 25, 2006
- May 18, 2006S. 1235, Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006<p>Cost estimate for the bill amended language provided by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on May 12, 2006</p>
- May 18, 2006S. 1235, Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006Cost estimate for the bill amended language provided by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on May 12, 2006
- Aug 9, 2005S. 1235, Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2005<p>Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on July 28, 2005</p>
- Aug 9, 2005S. 1235, Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2005Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on July 28, 2005
Printed hearings 1
Hearings whose printed record names this bill, newest first: hearings on it, and wider hearings where it came up.
| Number | Hearing | Committee | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| S. Hrg. 109-243 | PENDING BENEFITS-RELATED LEGISLATION64 pages | Veterans' Affairs Committee | Jun 23, 2005 |
CRS reports 7
Congressional Research Service work that CRS links to this bill or the law it became, newest first.
Cite it 7
Products on other subjects that cite it, usually among other measures.
| Product | Title | Kind | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| R42504 | VA Home Loan Programs | Report | May 20, 2026 |
| R41405 | Veterans Affairs: Presumptive Service Connection and Disability Compensation Archived | Report | Nov 18, 2014 |
| R41435 | Veterans’ Benefits: Current Life Insurance Programs Archived | Report | Feb 14, 2013 |
| R40507 | Haiti: Current Conditions and Congressional Concerns Archived | Report | Jun 17, 2009 |
| RL32294 | Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns Archived | Report | Jan 25, 2008 |
Related bills 8
Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.
| Bill | Title | Relationship | Latest action |
|---|---|---|---|
| S 151 | Veterans Benefits Outreach Act of 2005 | Procedurally related | Jul 28, 2005 |
| S 423 | A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make a stillborn child an insurable dependent for purposes of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program. | Procedurally related | Jul 28, 2005 |
| S 552 | A bill to make technical corrections to the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004. | Procedurally related | Jul 28, 2005 |
| S 917 | A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the pilot program for direct housing loans for Native American veterans. | Procedurally related | Jul 28, 2005 |
| S 1259 | Veterans Employment and Transition Services Act | Procedurally related | Jul 28, 2005 |
Titles 9
Every title it has carried, official and short, at each stage.
- Official Title as Introduced
- A bill to amend chapters 19 and 37 of title 38, United States Code, to extend the availability of $400,000 in coverage under the servicemembers' life insurance and veterans' group life insurance programs, and for other purposes.
- Official Titles as Amended by House
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and extend housing, insurance, outreach, and benefits programs provided under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to improve and extend employment programs for veterans under laws administered by the Secretary of Labor, and for other purposes.
- Official Titles as Amended by Senate
- A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and extend housing, insurance, outreach, and benefits programs provided under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to improve and extend employment programs for veterans under laws administered by the Secretary of Labor, and for other purposes.
- Short Titles as Introduced
- Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2005
- Short Titles as Reported to Senate
- Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2005
- Short Titles as Passed House
- Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006
- Short Titles as Passed Senate
- Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2005
- Short Titles as Enacted
- Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006
- Popular Titles
- Increase Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance bill
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security.
- Administrative procedure
- Administrative remedies
- Afghanistan
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Armed forces reserves
- Authorization
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Congress
- Congressional investigations
- Congressional reporting requirements
- Counseling
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Disabled
- Economics and Public Finance
- Employee health benefits
- Families
- Federal advisory bodies
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Government life insurance
- Government Operations and Politics
- Government publicity
- Health
- Health insurance
- Homeless
- Housing and Community Development
- Housing for the disabled
- Hypertension
- Indian housing
- Insurance premiums
- Interest rates
- Iraq
- Iraq compilation
- Labor and Employment
- Law
- Managed care
- Military dependents
- Military medicine
- Minorities
- Native Americans
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Prisoners of war
- Recruiting of employees
- Social Welfare
- Stroke
- Variable rate mortgage loans
- Veterans' benefits
- Veterans' disability compensation
- Veterans' employment
- Veterans' loans
- Veterans' medical care
- Veterans' pensions
- War casualties
Text 6
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- —Enrolled Bill
- May 22, 2006Engrossed Amendment House
- Sep 29, 2005Referred in House
- Sep 28, 2005Engrossed in Senate
- Sep 21, 2005Reported to Senate
- Jun 14, 2005Introduced in Senate
Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov; cost estimates are the Congressional Budget Office's, and the hearings are the printed hearings GovInfo publishes, which can appear months after the hearing.