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Public Law115th CongressArmed Forces and National Security
S. 114Became Law

VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Aug 12, 2017)

VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017

TITLE I--APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM

(Sec. 101) This bill provides funding for the Veterans Choice Program.

TITLE II--PERSONNEL MATTERS

(Sec. 201) The annual determination of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) staff shortages shall include shortages for a minimum of five clinical and five nonclinical occupations for each network. (Such determination currently includes the five occupations for which there are the largest Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]-wide shortages.)

(Sec. 202) The bill establishes in the VA an executive management fellowship program to provide Veterans Benefits Administration and VHA employees with training and experience in the private sector and private sector employees training and experience in the VA. Employees shall be selected in a manner that reflects veteran demographics and provides a preference for rural employees.

(Sec. 203) The VA shall conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee that is similar to the plan conducted for VA career senior executive employees.

(Sec. 204) The VA may noncompetitively appoint a qualified former employee to any VA position within the competitive service that is one grade or equivalent higher than the person's most recent position.

(Sec. 205) The VA shall establish a promotional track system for employees who are technical experts to advance without being required to transition to management positions.

(Sec. 206) The VA shall prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service appointments of qualifying students and recent graduates leading to career employment.

(Sec. 207) The VA shall establish a program to encourage service members with a military health care specialty to seek postmilitary employment with the VHA.

(Sec. 208) The VA shall establish a single database that lists each vacant VA position that is: (1) critical, difficult to fill, or both; or (2) for a mental health professional. A qualified applicant for a position in the database who is not selected may elect to be considered by the VA for similar positions in the database.

(Sec. 209) The VA shall provide VHA human resources professionals with recruitment and retention training.

(Sec. 210) The VA shall develop and implement a plan to hire qualified directors for VA medical centers without a permanent director.

(Sec. 211) The VA shall develop a standardized exit survey for employees and executives who voluntarily separate from the VA.

(Sec. 212) Physician assistants are included in the list of VA health care personnel who must receive pay that is competitive with non-VA health care facilities.

(Sec. 213) The VA may appoint highly qualified candidates without regard to competitive service provisions if there is a severe shortage of highly qualified candidates.

(Sec. 214) The Government Accountability Office shall assess the VA's succession planning policies.

TITLE III--MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES

(Sec. 301) The VA may carry out major medical facility leases in specified amounts at certain locations.

TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

(Sec. 401) The bill extends through FY2027: (1) the $90 monthly limit on a VA pension paid to veterans residing in nursing homes when their nursing costs are paid through title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) VA authority to collect certain fees at current levels for housing loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the VA; and (3) VA authority to obtain veterans' income verification information from the Social Security Administration or the Department of the Treasury.

What just happenedAug 12, 2017

Signed by President.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV](R-NV)Sponsor
3 cosponsors1 D1 R1 I
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors2committees36actions1amendments8related bills44subjects
  1. Aug 12, 2017President

    Signed by President.

  2. Aug 12, 2017BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  3. Aug 7, 2017Floor

    Presented to President.

  4. Aug 7, 2017President28000

    Presented to President.

  5. Aug 2, 2017Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  6. Aug 1, 2017ResolvingDifferences

    Senate agreed to the House amendments to the Senate bill by Voice Vote. (text as Senate agree to the House amendment: CR S4686)

  7. Aug 1, 2017NotUsed20500

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments to the Senate bill by Voice Vote.(text as Senate agree to the House amendment: CR S4686)

  8. Jul 31, 2017Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.

  9. Jul 28, 2017FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  10. Jul 28, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  11. Jul 28, 2017FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 0 (Roll no. 438). (text: CR H6531-6535)

  12. Jul 28, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 0 (Roll no. 438).(text: CR H6531-6535)

  13. Jul 28, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6557-6558)

  14. Jul 28, 2017FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 114, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the aye had prevailed. Mr. Roe(TN) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until later in the legislative day.

  15. Jul 28, 2017FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  16. Jul 28, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 114.

  17. Jul 28, 2017FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of S. 114 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.

  18. Jul 28, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 480. (consideration: CR H6531-6538)

  19. Jul 28, 2017FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 480 passed House.

  20. Jul 27, 2017FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 480 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 114 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.

  21. Jul 24, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 219 - 186 (Roll no. 408).

  22. Jul 24, 2017Floor9000

    Failed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 219 - 186 (Roll no. 408).

  23. Jul 24, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6196-6197)

  24. Jul 24, 2017FloorH37220

    At 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.

  25. Jul 24, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 114.

  26. Jul 24, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6151-6158; text of measure as received: CR H6151)

  27. Jul 24, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  28. May 26, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  29. May 26, 2017FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  30. May 25, 2017Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  31. May 25, 2017Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3190)

  32. May 25, 2017Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S3190)

  33. May 25, 2017Discharge

    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3190)

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  34. May 25, 2017Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3190)

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  35. Jan 12, 2017IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  36. Jan 12, 2017IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawAug 12, 201749

VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017

TITLE I--APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM

(Sec. 101) This bill provides funding for the Veterans Choice Program.

TITLE II--PERSONNEL MATTERS

(Sec. 201) The annual determination of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) staff shortages shall include shortages for a minimum of five clinical and five nonclinical occupations for each network. (Such determination currently includes the five occupations for which there are the largest Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]-wide shortages.)

(Sec. 202) The bill establishes in the VA an executive management fellowship program to provide Veterans Benefits Administration and VHA employees with training and experience in the private sector and private sector employees training and experience in the VA. Employees shall be selected in a manner that reflects veteran demographics and provides a preference for rural employees.

(Sec. 203) The VA shall conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee that is similar to the plan conducted for VA career senior executive employees.

(Sec. 204) The VA may noncompetitively appoint a qualified former employee to any VA position within the competitive service that is one grade or equivalent higher than the person's most recent position.

(Sec. 205) The VA shall establish a promotional track system for employees who are technical experts to advance without being required to transition to management positions.

(Sec. 206) The VA shall prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service appointments of qualifying students and recent graduates leading to career employment.

(Sec. 207) The VA shall establish a program to encourage service members with a military health care specialty to seek postmilitary employment with the VHA.

(Sec. 208) The VA shall establish a single database that lists each vacant VA position that is: (1) critical, difficult to fill, or both; or (2) for a mental health professional. A qualified applicant for a position in the database who is not selected may elect to be considered by the VA for similar positions in the database.

(Sec. 209) The VA shall provide VHA human resources professionals with recruitment and retention training.

(Sec. 210) The VA shall develop and implement a plan to hire qualified directors for VA medical centers without a permanent director.

(Sec. 211) The VA shall develop a standardized exit survey for employees and executives who voluntarily separate from the VA.

(Sec. 212) Physician assistants are included in the list of VA health care personnel who must receive pay that is competitive with non-VA health care facilities.

(Sec. 213) The VA may appoint highly qualified candidates without regard to competitive service provisions if there is a severe shortage of highly qualified candidates.

(Sec. 214) The Government Accountability Office shall assess the VA's succession planning policies.

TITLE III--MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES

(Sec. 301) The VA may carry out major medical facility leases in specified amounts at certain locations.

TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

(Sec. 401) The bill extends through FY2027: (1) the $90 monthly limit on a VA pension paid to veterans residing in nursing homes when their nursing costs are paid through title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) VA authority to collect certain fees at current levels for housing loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the VA; and (3) VA authority to obtain veterans' income verification information from the Social Security Administration or the Department of the Treasury.

Passed Senate without amendmentMay 25, 201782

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

Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the performance awards and bonuses presented to Regional Office Directors of the VA, Directors of Medical Centers of the VA, and Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

Each report shall include:

  • the amount of each award or bonus,
  • the job title of each recipient, and
  • the location where each recipient individual works.
Introduced in SenateJan 12, 2017

Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the performance awards and bonuses presented to Regional Office Directors of the VA, Directors of Medical Centers of the VA, and Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

Each report shall include:

  • the amount of each award or bonus,
  • the job title of each recipient, and
  • the location where each recipient individual works.
VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 — Informed