5-26-05, Bill Passed House 425-1
9-22-05, Passed as Senate Amendments
Became Public Law 109-114

Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 2528) entitled `An Act making appropriations for military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.', do pass with the following

AMENDMENTS:

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated for military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes, namely:

TITLE I--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION

Military Construction, Army

For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Army as currently authorized by law, including personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, and for construction and operation of facilities in support of the functions of the Commander in Chief, $1,640,641,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $179,343,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, architect and engineer services, and host nation support, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the amount provided for Military Construction, Army, $8,900,000 shall be available for Phase 1a of a Permanent Party Barracks at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and $3,150,000 shall be available for an Airfield Fire Station at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, facilities, and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps as currently authorized by law, including personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, $1,045,882,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $32,524,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the funds appropriated for `Military Construction, Navy' under Public Law 108-324, $92,354,000 are hereby rescinded.

Military Construction, Air Force

For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Air Force as currently authorized by law, $1,209,128,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $83,626,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the amount provided for Military Construction, Air Force, $5,721,000 shall be available for a B-2 Conventional Munitions Storage Facility at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and $14,000,000 for Phase 1 of Force Protection Enhancement at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Military Construction, Defense-wide

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, installations, facilities, and real property for activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the military departments), as currently authorized by law, $1,072,165,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such appropriations of the Department of Defense available for military construction or family housing as the Secretary may designate, to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes, and for the same time period, as the appropriation or fund to which transferred: Provided further, That of the amount appropriated, not to exceed $133,120,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor.

Military Construction, Army National Guard

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Army National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $467,146,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.

Military Construction, Air National Guard

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $279,156,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.

Military Construction, Army Reserve

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $136,077,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.

Military Construction, Naval Reserve

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $46,676,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.

Military Construction, Air Force Reserve

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air Force Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $89,260,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Security Investment Program

For the United States share of the cost of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for the acquisition and construction of military facilities and installations (including international military headquarters) and for related expenses for the collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $206,858,000, to remain available until expended.

Family Housing Construction, Army

For expenses of family housing for the Army for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $549,636,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army

For expenses of family housing for the Army for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $812,993,000.

Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $218,942,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps

For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $593,660,000.

Family Housing Construction, Air Force

For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $1,142,622,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force

For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $766,939,000.

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide

For expenses of family housing for the activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the military departments) for operation and maintenance, leasing, and minor construction, as authorized by law, $46,391,000.

Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund

For the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund, $2,500,000, to remain available until expended, for family housing initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883 of title 10, United States Code, providing alternative means of acquiring and improving military family housing and supporting facilities.

Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990

For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990, established by section 2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. section 2687 note), $377,827,000, to remain available until expended.

Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005

For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005, established by section 2906A(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. section 2687 note), $1,504,466,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That these funds may not be obligated or expended until the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees and receives approval of a report describing the specific programs, projects, and activities for which such funds are to be obligated.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 101. None of the funds made available in this title shall be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for construction, where cost estimates exceed $25,000, to be performed within the United States, except Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor.

SEC. 102. Funds made available in this title shall be available for hire of passenger motor vehicles.

SEC. 103. Funds made available in this title may be used for advances to the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, for the construction of access roads as authorized by section 210 of title 23, United States Code, when projects authorized therein are certified as important to the national defense by the Secretary of Defense.

SEC. 104. None of the funds made available in this title may be used to begin construction of new bases in the United States for which specific appropriations have not been made.

SEC. 105. None of the funds made available in this title shall be used for purchase of land or land easements in excess of 100 percent of the value as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, except: (1) where there is a determination of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney General; (3) where the estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as otherwise determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public interest.

SEC. 106. None of the funds made available in this title shall be used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site preparation; or (3) install utilities for any family housing, except housing for which funds have been made available in annual military construction appropriations Acts.

SEC. 107. None of the funds made available in this title for minor construction may be used to transfer or relocate any activity from one base or installation to another, without prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

SEC. 108. None of the funds made available in this title may be used for the procurement of steel for any construction project or activity for which American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete for such steel procurement.

SEC. 109. None of the funds made available in this title may be used to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation.

SEC. 110. None of the funds made available in this title may be used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

SEC. 111. None of the funds made available in this title may be obligated for architect and engineer contracts estimated by the Government to exceed $500,000 for projects to be accomplished in Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or in countries bordering the Arabian Sea, unless such contracts are awarded to United States firms or United States firms in joint venture with host nation firms.

SEC. 112. None of the funds made available in this title for military construction in the United States territories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Sea, may be used to award any contract estimated by the Government to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: Provided, That this section shall not be applicable to contract awards for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a United States contractor exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a foreign contractor by greater than 20 percent: Provided further, That this section shall not apply to contract awards for military construction on Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid is submitted by a Marshallese contractor.

SEC. 113. The Secretary of Defense shall inform the appropriate committees of both Houses of Congress, including the Committees on Appropriations, of the plans and scope of any proposed military exercise involving United States personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, if amounts expended for construction, either temporary or permanent, are anticipated to exceed $100,000.

SEC. 114. Not more than 20 percent of the funds made available in this title which are limited for obligation during the current fiscal year shall be obligated during the last two months of the fiscal year.

(TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 115. Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for construction in prior years shall be available for construction authorized for each such military department by the authorizations enacted into law during the current session of Congress.

SEC. 116. For military construction or family housing projects that are being completed with funds otherwise expired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds may be used to pay the cost of associated supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering and design on those projects and on subsequent claims, if any.

SEC. 117. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds made available to a military department or defense agency for the construction of military projects may be obligated for a military construction project or contract, or for any portion of such a project or contract, at any time before the end of the fourth fiscal year after the fiscal year for which funds for such project were made available if the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated from funds available for military construction projects; and (2) do not exceed the amount appropriated for such project, plus any amount by which the cost of such project is increased pursuant to law.

SEC. 118. The Secretary of Defense shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress with an annual report by February 15, containing details of the specific actions proposed to be taken by the Department of Defense during the current fiscal year to encourage other member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Japan, Korea, and United States allies bordering the Arabian Sea to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States.

(TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 119. In addition to any other transfer authority available to the Department of Defense, proceeds deposited to the Department of Defense Base Closure Account established by section 207(a)(1) of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act (Public Law 100-526) pursuant to section 207(a)(2)(C) of such Act, may be transferred to the account established by section 2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. section 2687 note), to be merged with, and to be available for the same purposes and the same time period as that account.

(TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 120. Subject to 30 days prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, such additional amounts as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to: (1) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction in `Family Housing' accounts, to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund; or (2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction of military unaccompanied housing in `Military Construction' accounts, to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: Provided, That appropriations made available to the Funds shall be available to cover the costs, as defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the Department of Defense pursuant to the provisions of subchapter IV of chapter 169, title 10, United States Code, pertaining to alternative means of acquiring and improving military family housing, military unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities.

SEC. 121. None of the funds made available in this title may be obligated for Partnership for Peace Programs in the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union.

SEC. 122. (a) Not later than 60 days before issuing any solicitation for a contract with the private sector for military family housing the Secretary of the military department concerned shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the notice described in subsection (b).

(b)(1) A notice referred to in subsection (a) is a notice of any guarantee (including the making of mortgage or rental payments) proposed to be made by the Secretary to the private party under the contract involved in the event of--

(A) the closure or realignment of the installation for which housing is provided under the contract;

(B) a reduction in force of units stationed at such installation; or

(C) the extended deployment overseas of units stationed at such installation.

(2) Each notice under this subsection shall specify the nature of the guarantee involved and assess the extent and likelihood, if any, of the liability of the Federal Government with respect to the guarantee.

(TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 123. In addition to any other transfer authority available to the Department of Defense, amounts may be transferred from the account established by section 2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), to the fund established by section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. section 3374) to pay for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program. Any amounts transferred shall be merged with and be available for the same purposes and for the same time period as the fund to which transferred.

SEC. 124. Notwithstanding this or any other provision of law, funds made available in this title for operation and maintenance of family housing shall be the exclusive source of funds for repair and maintenance of all family housing units, including general or flag officer quarters: Provided, That not more than $35,000 per unit may be spent annually for the maintenance and repair of any general or flag officer quarters without 30 days prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, except that an after-the-fact notification shall be submitted if the limitation is exceeded solely due to costs associated with environmental remediation that could not be reasonably anticipated at the time of the budget submission: Provided further, That the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is to report annually to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress all operation and maintenance expenditures for each individual general or flag officer quarters for the prior fiscal year.

SEC. 125. None of the funds made available in this title may be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government, except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in this Act, or any other appropriations Act.

SEC. 126. None of the funds made available in this title under the heading `North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program', and no funds appropriated for any fiscal year before fiscal year 2006 for that program that remain available for obligation, may be obligated or expended for the conduct of studies of missile defense.

SEC. 127. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement Account established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of title 10, United States Code, are appropriated and shall be available until expended for the purposes specified in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until transferred pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section.

SEC. 128. None of the funds made available in this title, or in any Act making appropriations for military construction which remain available for obligation, may be obligated or expended to carry out a military construction, land acquisition, or family housing project at or for a military installation approved for closure, or at a military installation for the purposes of supporting a function that has been approved for realignment to another installation, in 2005 under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. section 2687 note), unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that the cost to the United States of carrying out such project would be less than the cost to the United States of cancelling such project, or in the case of projects having multi-agency use, that another Government agency has indicated it will assume ownership of the completed project, and the Secretary of Defense may not transfer funds made available for such a military construction project, land acquisition, or family housing project to another account or use such funds for another purpose or project without the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

SEC. 129. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and notifications required by this title shall be submitted to the Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 130. Of the amount appropriated by this title under the heading `Military Construction, Air National Guard' and available for planning and design, $1,440,000 shall be available for planning and design for a replacement C-130 maintenance hangar at Air National Guard New Castle County Airport, Delaware.

SEC. 131. (a) Of the amount appropriated by this title under the heading `Military Construction, Army', $4,550,000 shall be made available for the construction of a military police complex at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

(b) The amount appropriated by this title under the heading `Military Construction, Army' and available for Fort Gillem, Georgia, is hereby decreased by $4,550,000.

SEC. 132. (a) The amount appropriated by this title under the heading `Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990' is hereby increased by $25,000,000.

(b) The amount appropriated by this title under the heading `Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005' is hereby decreased by $25,000,000.

TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans Benefits Administration

COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. 107, chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 53, 55, and 61); pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61; 92 Stat. 2508); and burial benefits, the Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors, emergency and other officers' retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and certificates, payment of premiums due on commercial life insurance policies guaranteed under the provisions of article IV of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (50 U.S.C. App. 540 et seq.) and for other benefits as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61; 50 U.S.C. App. 540-548; 43 Stat. 122, 123; 45 Stat. 735; 76 Stat. 1198), $33,412,879,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That not to exceed $23,491,000 of the amount appropriated under this heading shall be reimbursed to `General operating expenses' and `Medical administration' for necessary expenses in implementing those provisions authorized in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, and in the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1992 (38 U.S.C. chapters 51, 53, and 55), the funding source for which is specifically provided as the `Compensation and pensions' appropriation: Provided further, That such sums as may be earned on an actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to `Medical care collections fund' to augment the funding of individual medical facilities for nursing home care provided to pensioners as authorized.

READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. chapters 21, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, and 61), $3,214,246,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That expenses for rehabilitation program services and assistance which the Secretary is authorized to provide under section 3104(a) of title 38, United States Code, other than under subsection (a)(1), (2), (5), and (11) of that section, shall be charged to this account.

VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

For military and naval insurance, national service life insurance, servicemen's indemnities, service-disabled veterans insurance, and veterans mortgage life insurance as authorized by title 38, United States Code, chapter 19; 70 Stat. 887; 72 Stat. 487, $45,907,000, to remain available until expended.

VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by title 38, United States Code, chapter 37: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That during fiscal year 2006, within the resources available, not to exceed $500,000 in gross obligations for direct loans are authorized for specially adapted housing loans.

For administrative expenses to carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $153,575,000, which may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `General operating expenses'.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For the cost of direct loans, $53,000, as authorized by title 38, United States Code, chapter 31: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That funds made available under this heading are available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed $4,242,000.

In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct loan program, $305,000, which may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `General operating expenses'.

NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program authorized by title 38, United States Code, chapter 37, subchapter V, $580,000, which may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `General operating expenses': Provided, That no new loans in excess of $30,000,000 may be made in fiscal year 2006.

GUARANTEED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOANS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

For the administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed transitional housing loan program authorized by title 38, United States Code, chapter 37, subchapter VI, not to exceed $750,000 of the amounts appropriated by this Act for `General operating expenses' and `Medical administration' may be expended.

Veterans Health Administration

MEDICAL SERVICES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans described in paragraphs (1) through (8) of section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, including care and treatment in facilities not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs and including medical supplies and equipment and salaries and expenses of healthcare employees hired under title 38, United States Code, and aid to State homes as authorized by section 1741 of title 38, United States Code; $23,308,011,000, plus reimbursements, of which $1,977,000,000 are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 402 of House Concurrent Resolution 95 (109th Congress), the fiscal year 2006 budget resolution: Provided further, That of the emergency funds provided under this heading, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit for approval by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, a financial plan outlining how the emergency funds will be obligated: Provided further, That the Department of Veterans Affairs shall include these emergency funds in their base request for the fiscal year 2007 budget submission: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, not to exceed $1,500,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2007: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a priority for treatment for veterans who are service-connected disabled, lower income, or have special needs: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall give priority funding for the provision of basic medical benefits to veterans in enrollment priority groups 1 through 6: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may authorize the dispensing of prescription drugs from Veterans Health Administration facilities to enrolled veterans with privately written prescriptions based on requirements established by the Secretary: Provided further, That the implementation of the program described in the previous proviso shall incur no additional cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs: Provided further, That for the Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 721 of Public Law 107-314, a minimum of $15,000,000, to remain available until expended, for any purpose authorized by title 38, United States Code, section 8111.

MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION

For necessary expenses in the administration of the medical, hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; administrative expenses in support of capital policy activities; uniforms or allowances therefore, as authorized by sections 5901-5902 of title 5, United States Code; and administrative and legal expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs for collecting and recovering amounts owed the department as authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, and the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.); $2,858,442,000, plus reimbursements, of which $250,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2007.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

For necessary expenses, $1,456,821,000 shall be available for the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology program: Provided, That within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish an office for Information Technology (IT) with the authority and responsibility for all IT projects: Provided further, That this office shall report directly to the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Provided further, That this new organizational structure shall be subject to approval of the Committees on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress: Provided further, That within this amount, no more than $100,000,000 from all sources shall be available for the HealtheVet project for fiscal year 2006: Provided further, That none of the funds made available for the HealtheVet project may be obligated until such time that the Department of Veterans Affairs creates a single position with the responsibility for and the authority to manage the entire project, including budgetary authority: Provided further, That none of the funds made available for the HealtheVet project may be obligated until the Committees on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress approve a financial expenditure plan for the entire project.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities and other necessary facilities for the Veterans Health Administration; for administrative expenses in support of planning, design, project management, real property acquisition and disposition, construction and renovation of any facility under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs; for oversight, engineering and architectural activities not charged to project costs; for repairing, altering, improving or providing facilities in the several hospitals and homes under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, either by contract or by the hire of temporary employees and purchase of materials; for leases of facilities; and for laundry and food services, $3,297,669,000, plus reimbursements, of which $250,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2007.

MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical and prosthetic research and development as authorized by chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code to remain available until September 30, 2007, $412,000,000, plus reimbursements, of which, not less than $15,000,000 shall be used for Gulf War Illness research.

Departmental Administration

GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES

For necessary operating expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including administrative expenses in support of department-wide capital planning, management and policy activities, uniforms or allowances therefore; not to exceed $25,000 for official reception and representation expenses; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General Services Administration for security guard services, and the Department of Defense for the cost of overseas employee mail, $1,418,827,000: Provided, The Veterans Affairs shall conduct an information campaign in States with an average annual disability compensation payment of less than $7,300 (according to the report issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General on May 19, 2005), to inform all veterans receiving disability compensation, by direct mail, of the history of below average disability compensation payments to veterans in such States, and to provide all veterans in each such State, through broadcast or print advertising, with the aforementioned historical information and instructions for submitting new claims and requesting review of past disability claims and ratings: Provided further, That expenses for services and assistance authorized under title 38, United States Code, sections 3104(a)(1), (2), (5), and (11) that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines are necessary to enable entitled veterans: (1) to the maximum extent feasible, to become employable and to obtain and maintain suitable employment; or (2) to achieve maximum independence in daily living, shall be charged to this account: Provided further, That the Veterans Benefits Administration shall be funded at not less than $1,093,937,500: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, not to exceed $71,000,000 shall be available for obligation until September 30, 2007.

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Administration for operations and maintenance, not otherwise provided for, including uniforms or allowances therefore; cemeterial expenses as authorized by law; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial operations; and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $156,447,000: Provided, That of the funds made available under this heading, not to exceed $7,800,000 shall be available until September 30, 2007.

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, $70,174,000, to remain available until September 30, 2007.

CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

For constructing, altering, extending and improving any of the facilities including parking projects under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, and 8122 of title 38, United States Code, including planning, architectural and engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is more than the amount set forth in title 38, United States Code, section 8104(a)(3)(A) or where funds for a project were made available in a previous major project appropriation, $607,100,000, to remain available until expended, of which $539,800,000 shall be for Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) activities; and of which $2,500,000 shall be to make reimbursements as provided in title 41, United States Code, section 612 for claims paid for contract disputes: Provided, That except for advance planning activities, including needs assessments which may or may not lead to capital investments, and other capital asset management related activities, such as portfolio development and management activities, and investment strategy studies funded through the advance planning fund and the planning and design activities funded through the design fund and CARES funds, including needs assessments which may or may not lead to capital investments, none of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be used for any project which has not been approved by the Congress in the budgetary process: Provided further, That funds provided in this appropriation for fiscal year 2006, for each approved project (except those for CARES activities referenced above) shall be obligated: (1) by the awarding of a construction documents contract by September 30, 2006; and (2) by the awarding of a construction contract by September 30, 2007: Provided further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall promptly report in writing to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress any approved major construction project in which obligations are not incurred within the time limitations established above: Provided further, That none of the funds in this or any other Act may be used to modify or alter the mission, services or infrastructure of the 18 facilities on the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) list requiring further study as specified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the facilities including parking projects under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including planning and assessments of needs which may lead to capital investments, architectural and engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, 8122, and 8162 of title 38, United States Code, where the estimated cost of a project is equal to or less than the amount set forth in title 38, United States Code, section 8104(a)(3)(A), $208,937,000, to remain available until expended, along with unobligated balances of previous `Construction, minor projects' appropriations, of which $160,000,000 shall be for Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) activities: Provided, That from amounts appropriated under this heading, additional amounts may be used for CARES activities upon notification of and approval by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided further, That funds in this account shall be available for: (1) repairs to any of the nonmedical facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs which are necessary because of loss or damage caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe; and (2) temporary measures necessary to prevent or to minimize further loss by such causes.

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES

For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State nursing home and domiciliary facilities; and to remodel, modify or alter existing hospital, nursing home and domiciliary facilities in State homes; and for furnishing care to veterans as authorized by title 38, United States Code, sections 8131-8137, $104,322,000, to remain available until expended.

GRANTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATE VETERANS CEMETERIES

For grants to aid States in establishing, expanding, or improving State veterans cemeteries as authorized by title 38, United States Code, section 2408, $32,000,000, to remain available until expended.

General Provisions

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 201. Any appropriation for the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2006 for `Compensation and pensions', `Readjustment benefits', and `Veterans insurance and indemnities' may be transferred as necessary to any other of the mentioned appropriations: Provided, That before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed.

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 202. Amounts made available for the Veterans Health Administration for fiscal year 2006 under the `Medical services', `Medical administration', `Information technology', and `Medical facilities' accounts may be transferred between the mentioned accounts: Provided, That before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed: Provided further, That no transfer may be made out of the `Medical and Prosthetic Research' account.

SEC. 203. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress a quarterly report on the financial status of the Veterans Health Administration. This report shall contain, at a minimum, both planned and actual expenditure rates, unobligated balances, and any potential financial shortfalls.

SEC. 204. No project for which funds have been appropriated in the `Construction, major projects' account may be canceled or altered in scope by more than 10 percent in cost without submitting a request to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress and an approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed.

SEC. 205. No appropriations in this Act for the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be available for hospitalization or examination of any persons (except beneficiaries entitled under the laws bestowing such benefits to veterans, and persons receiving such treatment under 5 U.S.C., sections 7901-7904 or 42 U.S.C., sections 5141-5204), unless reimbursement of cost is made to the `Medical services' account at such rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 206. Appropriations available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2006 for `Compensation and pensions', `Readjustment benefits', and `Veterans insurance and indemnities' shall be available for payment of prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded by law against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 2005.

SEC. 207. Appropriations accounts available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2006 shall be available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding prior year appropriations accounts resulting from title X of the Competitive Equality Banking Act, Public Law 100-86, except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts they shall be payable from `Compensation and pensions'.

SEC. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during fiscal year 2006, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Government Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reimburse the `General operating expenses' account for the cost of administration of the insurance programs financed through those accounts: Provided, That reimbursement shall be made only from the surplus earnings accumulated in an insurance program in fiscal year 2006 that are available for dividends in that program after claims have been paid and actuarially determined reserves have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of administration of an insurance program exceeds the amount of surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement shall be made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: Provided further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine the cost of administration for fiscal year 2006 which is properly allocable to the provision of each insurance program and to the provision of any total disability income insurance included in such insurance program.

SEC. 209. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and hereafter, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall continue the Franchise Fund established by title I of Public Law 104-204.

SEC. 210. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds to reimburse an account for expenses incurred by that account during a prior fiscal year for providing enhanced-use lease services, may be obligated during the fiscal year in which the proceeds are received.

SEC. 211. Funds available in any Department of Veterans Affairs appropriation for fiscal year 2006 or funds for salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication for all services provided at rates which will recover actual costs but not exceed $29,758,000 for the Office of Resolution Management and $3,059,000 for the Office of Employment and Discrimination Complaint Adjudication: Provided, That payments may be made in advance for services to be furnished based on estimated costs: Provided further, That amounts received shall be credited to `General operating expenses' for use by the office that provided the service.

SEC. 212. No appropriations in this Act for the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be available to enter into any new lease of real property if the estimated annual rental is more than $300,000 unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits a report which the Committees on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress approve within 30 days following the date on which the report is received.

SEC. 213. No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be available for hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services provided to any person under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, for a non-service-connected disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of such title, unless that person has disclosed to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement information for purposes of section 1729 of such title: Provided, That the Secretary may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the United States, the reasonable charges for such care or services from any person who does not make such disclosure as required: Provided further, That any amounts so recovered for care or services provided in a prior fiscal year may be obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal year in which amounts are received.

SEC. 214. Amounts made available under the `Medical services' account are available--

(1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and equipment; and

(2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries receiving care in the department.

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 215. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2006 for the Veterans Benefits Administration made available under the heading `General operating expenses' may be transferred to the `Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund Program Account' for the purpose of providing funds for the nationwide property management contract if the administrative costs of such contract exceed $8,800,000 in the fiscal year.

SEC. 216. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall allow veterans eligible under existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care requirements and who reside in Alaska to obtain medical care services from medical facilities supported by the Indian Health Services or tribal organizations. The Secretary shall: (1) limit the application of this provision to rural Alaskan veterans in areas where an existing Department of Veterans Affairs facility or Veterans Affairs-contracted service is unavailable; (2) require participating veterans and facilities to comply with all appropriate rules and regulations, as established by the Secretary; (3) require this provision to be consistent with Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Activities; and (4) result in no additional cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service.

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 217. Such sums as may be deposited to the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant to title 38, United States Code, section 8118 may be transferred to the `Construction, major projects' and `Construction, minor projects' accounts, to remain available until expended for the purposes of these accounts.

SEC. 218. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, at the discretion of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, proceeds or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing activities (including disposal) may be deposited into the `Construction, major projects' and `Construction, minor projects' accounts and be used for construction (including site acquisition and disposition), alterations and improvements of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums as realized are in addition to the amount provided for in `Construction, major projects' and `Construction, minor projects'.

SEC. 219. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to implement any policy prohibiting the Directors of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks from conducting outreach or marketing to enroll new veterans within their respective Networks.

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 220. That such sums as may be deposited to the Medical Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to the `Medical services' account, to remain available until expended for the purposes of this account.

SEC. 221. Appropriations available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2006 for salaries and expenses shall be available for services authorized by title 5, United States Code, section 3109; hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of a facility or land or both; and uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by title 5, United States Code, sections 5901-5902.

SEC. 222. REPORT ON HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME VETERANS. (a) In General- The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on housing assistance to low-income veterans, including--

(1) an estimate of the number of low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income veteran households;

(2) a description of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and health and disability status of such households;

(3) an estimate of the number of such households experiencing a high cost burden in, overcrowding in, or poor quality of housing, or experiencing homelessness;

(4) an assessment of such households, including their current barriers to safe, quality, and affordable housing and levels of homelessness among such households;

(5) the extent to which Federal housing assistance programs provide benefits, including supportive services, to all veteran households and in particular to low-income, very low-income, and extremely-low income veteran households;

(6) the number of units designated for or occupied by veterans and low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income veterans in Federally subsidized or insured housing;

(7) a summary description of the manner in which veteran compensation, veteran dependency and indemnity compensation, and veteran pension are considered as income or adjusted income for purposes of determining--

(A) eligibility for Federal housing assistance programs; and

(B) the amount of rent paid by a veteran household for occupancy of a dwelling unit or housing assisted under Federal housing assistance programs;

(8) a summary description of the special considerations made for veterans under--

(A) public housing plans submitted under section 5A of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1); and

(B) comprehensive housing affordability strategies submitted under section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705);

(9) the extent to which public housing authorities have established preferences for veterans for public housing and housing choice vouchers;

(10) the number of homeless veterans provided assistance, cumulatively and currently, under the program of housing choice vouchers for homeless veterans under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42. U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)), and the current status of the program, including--

(A) the number of vouchers the Department of Housing and Urban Development currently allocates to the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(B) the monetary value of such vouchers; and

(C) the names and locations of VA medical centers receiving such vouchers; and

(11) a description of activities relating to veterans of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(b) Acquisition of Supporting Information- In carrying out the study under this section, the Comptroller General shall seek to obtain views from the following persons:

(1) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(3) Low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income veterans.

(4) Representatives of State and local housing assistance agencies.

(5) Representatives of nonprofit low-income housing providers and homeless service providers, including homeless veteran service providers.

(6) National advocacy organizations concerned with veterans, homelessness, and low-income housing.

(c) Timing of Report- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under this section.

SEC. 223. (a) Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after consultation with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, other veterans service organizations, and State departments of veterans affairs shall submit a report to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate that describes a plan (including estimated costs) to provide an adequate supply of the 2006 edition of handbook entitled, Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, and all subsequent editions, to all county veterans service officers in the United States.

SEC. 224. None of the funds made available in this Act or any other Act may be used--

(1) to revoke or reduce a veteran's disability compensation for post traumatic stress disorder based on a finding that the Department of Veterans Affairs failed to collect justifying documentation unless such failure was the direct result of fraud by the applicant; or

(2) for the implementation of Recommendation 3 of VA Inspector General Report No. 05-00765-137 or any related review and investigation of post traumatic stress disorder unemployability and 100 scheduler percent ratings cases, until the Department of Veterans' Affairs reports to the Committee on Appropriations on its plan for implementing this recommendation, and outlines the staffing and funding requirements.

SEC. 225. CLINICAL TRAINING AND PROTOCOLS. (a) Findings- Congress finds that--

(1) the Iraq War Clinician Guide has tremendous value; and

(2) the Secretary of Defense and the National Center on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should continue to work together to ensure that the mental health care needs of servicemembers and veterans are met.

(b) Collaboration- The National Center on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder shall collaborate with the Secretary of Defense--

(1) to enhance the clinical skills of military clinicians through training, treatment protocols, web-based interventions, and the development of evidence-based interventions; and

(2) to promote pre-deployment resilience and post-deployment readjustment among servicemembers serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

(c) Training- The National Center on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder shall work with the Secretary of Defense to ensure that clinicians in the Department of Defense are provided with the training and protocols developed pursuant to subsection (b)(1).

SEC. 226. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall immediately submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on any Department of Veterans Affairs budget shortfall totaling 2 percent or more of the Department's total discretionary funding budget for a fiscal year.

(b) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives a comprehensive plan to improve long-term budget planning and actuarial forecasting at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 227. (a) In conducting advanced planning activities under this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall reevaluate Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1006.1 and other guidance and procedures related to planning, activating, staffing, and maintaining community-based outpatient clinics.

(b) In conducting such planning, the Secretary shall--

(1) revise as appropriate existing policies to make them less disadvantageous to rural veterans; and

(2) reexamine criteria used in planning, activating, staffing, and maintaining such clinics, including geographic access, number of Priority 1-6 veterans, market penetration, cost effectiveness, and distance to parent facilities, to determine whether such criteria are weighted in a manner that negatively affects rural veterans.

TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

Salaries and Expenses

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American Battle Monuments Commission, including the acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries; purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of national cemeteries and monuments outside of the United States and its territories and possessions; rent of office and garage space in foreign countries; purchase (one for replacement only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $7,500 for official reception and representation expenses; and insurance of official motor vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of such countries, $36,250,000, to remain available until expended.

Foreign Currency Fluctuations

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American Battle Monuments Commission, $15,250,000, to remain available until expended, for purposes authorized by title 36, United States Code, section 2109.

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

Salaries and Expenses

For necessary expenses for the operation of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as authorized by title 38, United States Code, sections 7251-7298, $18,795,000, of which $1,260,000 shall be available for the purpose of providing financial assistance as described, and in accordance with the process and reporting procedures set forth, under this heading in Public Law 102-229.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL

Cemeterial Expenses, Army

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, including the purchase of two passenger motor vehicles for replacement only, and not to exceed $1,000 for official reception and representation expenses, $28,550,000, to remain available until expended. In addition, such sums as may be necessary for parking maintenance, repairs and replacement, to be derived from the lease of Department of Defense Real Property for Defense Agencies account.

ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

Armed Forces Retirement Home

For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retirement Home to operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington, District of Columbia and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport, Mississippi, to be paid from funds available in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, $58,281,000, of which $1,248,000 shall remain available until expended for construction and renovation of the physical plants at the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington, District of Columbia and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport, Mississippi.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. Any limitation, directive, or earmarking contained in either the House of Representatives or Senate report accompanying H.R. 2528 shall also be included in the conference report or joint statement accompanying H.R. 2528 in order to be considered as having been approved by both Houses of Congress.

This Act may be cited as the `Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006'.

Amend the title so as to read: `An Act making appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.'.

Attest:

Secretary.

END