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Title V — Accountability and Administrative Improvements

S. 1982 · 113th Congress · Feb 3, 2014 · Lineage

V Accountability and Administrative Improvements

Sec. 501 Administration of Veterans Integrated Service Networks

(a)
Veterans Integrated Service Networks—
(1)
In general— Subchapter I of chapter 73 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“7310. Veterans Integrated Service Networks

“(a) Organization

“(1) The Secretary shall organize the Veterans Health Administration in geographically defined Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

“(2) Each Veterans Integrated Service Network shall be organized in consideration of the following:

“(A) The size of the veteran population of the region of the network.

“(B) The complexity of the medical needs of the veterans in such region.

“(C) Patient referral patterns.

“(D) The availability of a full continuum of health care services.

“(E) The ability of the Department to furnish health care efficiently.

“(F) Partnerships with non-Department health care entities.

“(b) Staffing model

“(1) The Secretary shall establish a staffing model for each Veterans Integrated Service Network that—

“(A) is appropriate for the mission and responsibilities of the Veterans Integrated Service Network; and

“(B) accounts for the specific health care needs of differing populations in the Veterans Integrated Service Network.

“(2) The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated Service Network complies with the staffing model established by the Secretary under paragraph (1) for such Veterans Integrated Service Network.

“(c) Integrated health care system—The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated Service Network maintains a regional integrated healthcare system by—

“(1) implementing alliances with such other governmental, public, and private health care organizations and practitioners as the Secretary considers appropriate to meet the needs of veterans in the Network;

“(2) providing oversight and management of, and taking responsibility for, a regional budget for the activities of the Veterans Health Administration in the geographic area of the Network that is—

“(A) aligned with the budget guidelines of the Department and the Veterans Health Administration;

“(B) balanced at the end of each fiscal year; and

“(C) sufficient to provide high-quality health care to veterans within the region and to meet any unique needs of the veterans of the region;

“(3) using national metrics to develop systems to provide effective, efficient, and safe delivery of health care; and

“(4) ensuring high-quality clinical programs and services are rendered in and through—

“(A) the medical centers and outpatient clinics of the Department that are located in the Network; and

“(B) other non-Department clinical or health care delivery settings located in the Network.

“(d) Reduction in duplicate functions—The Secretary shall ensure that the Veterans Integrated Service Networks identify and reduce, whenever practicable, the duplication of functions in clinical, administrative, and operational processes and practices of the Veterans Health Administration.

“(e) Collaboration and cooperation—The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated Service Network—

“(1) works to achieve maximum effectiveness in patient care and safety, graduate medical education, and research; and

“(2) assesses the consolidation or realignment of institutional functions, including capital asset, safety, and operational support functions, in collaboration and cooperation with other Veterans Integrated Service Networks and the following offices or entities within the geographical area of the Network:

“(A) The offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration and the National Cemetery Administration.

“(B) The offices, installations, and facilities of the Department of Defense, including the offices, installations, and facilities of each branch of the Armed Forces and the reserve components of the Armed Forces.

“(C) The offices, installations, and facilities of the Coast Guard.

“(D) Offices of State and local agencies that have a mission to provide assistance to veterans.

“(E) Medical schools and other affiliates.

“(F) Offices of Congress, offices of State and local elected officials, and other government offices.

“(G) Federal, State, and local emergency preparedness organizations.

“(H) Community and nonprofit organizations.

“(I) Such other entities of the Federal Government as the Secretary considers appropriate.

“(f) Headquarters

“(1) The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated Service Network has only one headquarters office.

“(2) The location of a headquarters office for a Veterans Integrated Service Network shall be determined by the Secretary and co-located with a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.

“(3)

“(A) The Secretary may employ or contract for the services of such full time equivalent employees and contractors at the headquarters of each Veterans Integrated Service Network as the Secretary considers appropriate in accordance with the staffing models established under subsection (b).

“(B) Not later than December 31 each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on employment at the headquarters of Veterans Integrated Service Networks during the most recently completed fiscal year.

“(C) Each report submitted under subparagraph (B) shall include the following for the year covered by the report:

“(i) The number of individuals employed at each headquarters of a Veterans Integrated Service Network.

“(ii) The number of individuals employed by the Veterans Health Administration in each Veterans Integrated Service Network who are not employed at the same location as the headquarters of the Network.

“(iii) The title for each position of employment at a headquarters of a Veterans Integrated Service Network.

“(iv) The title for each position of employment with the Veterans Health Administration in each Veterans Integrated Service Network that is not at the same location as the headquarters of the Network.

“(v) An assessment of the impact on the budget of the Department by the employment of individuals at the headquarters of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

“(g) Triennial structure review, reassessment, and report

“(1) Beginning three years after the date of the enactment of this section and not less frequently than once every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a review and assessment of the structure and operations of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks in order to identify recommendations—

“(A) for streamlining and reducing costs associated with the operation of each headquarters of a Veterans Integrated Service Network; and

“(B) for reducing costs of health care within the Veterans Health Administration.

“(2) Not later than 180 days after conducting a review and assessment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee of Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on such review and assessment, which shall include such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to improve the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.”

(2)
Clerical amendment— The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7309 the following new item:
(b)
Relocation of headquarters—
(1)
In general— In the case of a headquarters office of a Veterans Integrated Service Network that on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act was in a location that was not co-located with a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center and the Secretary is engaged in a lease for such location, the Secretary may—
(A)
relocate such headquarters upon the expiration of such lease so that such headquarters is co-located as required by section 7310(f)(2) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)(1)); or
(B)
notwithstanding such section 7310(f)(2) (as so added), renew such lease or enter into a new lease to keep such headquarters in such location.
(2)
Report— If the Secretary renews a lease or engages in a new lease under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, before renewing such lease or engaging in such lease, a report describing the reasons for such renewal or engagement. Such report shall include the following:
(A)
A list of Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers in the Veterans Integrated Service Network of the headquarters with underutilized buildings, the number of such buildings, and the total underutilized square footage for each such medical center.
(B)
The cost of the current lease (the annual amount of rent, the total cost over the life of the lease, and the total cost per square foot) and the current square footage being leased.
(C)
The cost of the new lease (the annual amount of rent, the total cost over the life of the lease, and the total cost per square foot) and the square footage to be leased.
(c)
Construction— Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any change in the location or type of medical care or service provided by a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, a Department community based outpatient clinic, a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (known as a “vet center”), or other facility that provides direct care or services under a law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(d)
Effective date— This section, and the amendments made by this section, shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 502 Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service Networks

(a)
In general— Subchapter I of chapter 73, as amended by section 501(a)(1) of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“7310A. Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service Networks

“(a) Establishment—The Secretary shall establish not more than four regional support centers within the Veterans Health Administration to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks. The head of each regional support center shall report to the Under Secretary of Health.

“(b) Functions—The functions of the regional support centers established under subsection (a) are as follows:

“(1) To assess the quality of work performed within finance operations and other compliance related activities of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

“(2) To assess how effectively and efficiently each Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts outreach to veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, or any other contingency operation (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 10).

“(3) To assess how effectively and efficiently each Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts programs for the benefit of women veterans.

“(4) To assess how effectively and efficiently each Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts programs that address homelessness among veterans.

“(5) To assess how effectively and efficiently each Veterans Integrated Service Network consumes energy.

“(6) To assess such other matters concerning the operations and activities of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks as the Secretary considers appropriate.

“(c) Staff—The Secretary may hire such employees and contractors as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the functions of the regional support centers.

“(d) Location of regional support centers

“(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the location of each regional support center established under subsection (a) shall be determined by the Secretary and co-located with a medical center of the Department.

“(2) The Secretary may choose a location for a regional support center established under subsection (a) that is not co-located with a medical center of the Department if the Secretary submits to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, before entering into a contract for a location that is not co-located with a medical center, a report describing the reasons for choosing a location for the regional support center that is not co-located with a medical center of the Department. Such report shall include the following:

“(A) A list of medical centers of the Department in the Veterans Integrated Service Network of the regional support center with underutilized buildings, the number of all Veterans Health Administration buildings in such Network, and the total underutilized square footage for each medical center of the Department in such Network.

“(B) The estimated cost of such lease (the annual amount of rent, the total cost over the life of the lease, and the total cost per square foot) and the square footage to be leased.”

(b)
Initial staffing— In providing for the initial staff of each regional support center established under section 7310A(a) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the degree practicable, transfer employees from headquarters of Veterans Integrated Service Networks to regional support centers who were employed in positions at such headquarters that covered functions similar to those described in section 7310A(b) of such title, as so added.
(c)
Clerical amendment— The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73, as amended by section 501(a)(2) of this Act, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7310 the following new item:
(d)
Construction— Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any change in the location or type of medical care or service provided by a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, a Department community based outpatient clinic, a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (known as a “vet center”), or other facility that provides direct care or services under a law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(e)
Effective date— This section, and the amendments made by this section, shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 503 Commission on Capital Planning for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities

(a)
Establishment of commission—
(1)
Establishment— There is established the Commission on Capital Planning for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities (in this section referred to as the “Commission”).
(2)
Membership—
(A)
Voting members— The Commission shall, subject to subparagraph (B), be composed of 10 voting members as follows:
(i)
1 shall be appointed by the President.
(ii)
1 shall be appointed by the Administrator of General Services.
(iii)
3 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, of whom—
(I)
1 shall be an employee of the Veterans Health Administration;
(II)
1 shall be an employee of the Office of Asset Enterprise Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(III)
1 shall be an employee of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(iv)
1 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense from among employees of the Army Corps of Engineers.
(v)
1 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate.
(vi)
1 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.
(vii)
1 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(viii)
1 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(B)
Requirement relating to certain appointments of voting members— Of the members appointed pursuant to clause (i), (ii), and (iv) through (viii) of subparagraph (A), all shall have expertise in capital leasing, construction, or health facility management planning.
(C)
Non-voting members— The Commission shall be assisted by 10 non-voting members, appointed by the vote of a majority of members of the Commission under subparagraph (A), of whom—
(i)
6 shall be representatives of veterans service organizations recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
(ii)
4 shall be individuals from outside the Department of Veterans Affairs with experience and expertise in matters relating to management, construction, and leasing of capital assets.
(D)
Date of appointment of voting members— The appointments of the members of the Commission under subparagraph (A) shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3)
Period of appointment; vacancies— Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(4)
Initial meeting— Not later than 15 days after the date on which 7 members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meeting.
(5)
Meetings— The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair.
(6)
Quorum— A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(7)
Chair and vice chair— The Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.
(b)
Duties of commission—
(1)
In general— The Commission shall undertake a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of various options for capital planning for Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, including an evaluation and assessment of the mechanisms by which the Department currently selects means for the delivery of health care, whether by major construction, major medical facility leases, sharing agreements with the Department of Defense, the Indian Health Service, and Federally Qualified Health Clinics under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b), contract care, multisite care, telemedicine, extended hours for care, or other means.
(2)
Context of evaluation and assessment— In undertaking the evaluation and assessment, the Commission shall consider—
(A)
the importance of access to health care through the Department, including associated guidelines of the Department on access to, and drive time for, health care;
(B)
limitations and requirements applicable to the construction and leasing of medical facilities for the Department, including applicable laws, regulations, and costs as determined by both the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget;
(C)
the nature of capital planning for Department medical facilities in an era of fiscal uncertainty;
(D)
projected future fluctuations in the population of veterans; and
(E)
the extent to which the Department was able to meet the mandates of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Commission.
(3)
Particular considerations— In undertaking the evaluation and assessment, the Commission shall address, in particular, the following:
(A)
The Major Medical Facility Lease Program of the Department, including an identification of potential improvements to the lease authorization processes under that Program.
(B)
The management processes of the Department for its Major Medical Facility Construction Program, including processes relating to contract award and management, project management, and processing of change orders.
(C)
The overall capital planning program of the Department for medical facilities, including an evaluation and assessment of—
(i)
the manner in which the Department determines whether to use capital or non-capital means to expand access to health care;
(ii)
the manner in which the Department determines the disposition of under-utilized and un-utilized buildings on campuses of Department medical centers, and any barriers to disposition;
(iii)
the effectiveness of the facility master planning initiative of the Department; and
(iv)
the extent to which sustainable attributes are planned for to decrease operating costs for Department medical facilities.
(D)
The current backlog of construction projects for Department medical facilities, including an identification of the most effective means to quickly secure the most critical repairs required, including repairs relating to facility condition deficiencies, structural safety, and compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.
(4)
Reports— Subject to paragraph (5), the Commission shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to the Committee Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, reports as follows:
(A)
Not later than six months after its initial meeting under subsection (a)(4), a report on the Major Medical Facility Lease Program and the Congressional lease authorization process.
(B)
Not later than one year after its initial meeting, a report—
(i)
on the management processes of the Department for the construction of Department medical facilities; and
(ii)
setting forth an update of any matters covered in the report under subparagraph (A).
(C)
Not later than 18 months after its initial meeting, a report—
(i)
on the overall capital planning program of the Department for medical facilities; and
(ii)
setting forth an update of any matters covered in earlier reports under this paragraph.
(D)
Not later than two years after its initial meeting, a report—
(i)
on the current backlog of construction projects for Department medical facilities;
(ii)
setting forth an update of any matters covered in earlier reports under this paragraph; and
(iii)
including such other matters relating to the duties of the Commission that the Commission considers appropriate.
(E)
Not later than 27 months after its initial meeting, a report on the implementation by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to subsection (g) of the recommendations included pursuant to paragraph (5) in the reports under this paragraph.
(5)
Recommendations— Each report under paragraph (4) shall include, for the aspect of the capital asset planning process of the Department covered by such report, such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate for the improvement and enhancement of such aspect of the capital asset planning process.
(c)
Powers of commission—
(1)
Hearings— The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this section.
(2)
Information from Federal agencies— The Commission may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out this section. Upon request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.
(d)
Commission personnel matters—
(1)
Compensation of members— Each member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States.
(2)
Travel expenses— The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.
(3)
Staff—
(A)
In general— The Chair of the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Commission.
(B)
Compensation— The Chair of the Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(4)
Detail of government employees— Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(5)
Procurement of temporary and intermittent services— The Chair of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(e)
Termination of commission— The Commission shall terminate 60 days after the date on which the Commission submits its report under subsection (b)(4)(E).
(f)
Funding— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available to the Commission such amounts as the Secretary and the Chair of the Commission jointly consider appropriate for the Commission to perform its duties under this section.
(g)
Action on recommendations—
(1)
In general— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement each recommendation included in a report under subsection (b)(4) that the Secretary considers feasible and advisable and can be implemented without further legislative action.
(2)
Reports— Not later than 120 days after receipt of a report under subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(4), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report setting forth the following:
(A)
An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of each recommendation contained in such report.
(B)
For each recommendation assessed as feasible and advisable—
(i)
if such recommendation does not require further legislative action for implementation, a description of the actions taken, and to be taken, by the Secretary to implement such recommendation; and
(ii)
if such recommendation requires further legislative action for implementation, recommendations for such legislative action.

Sec. 504 Advance appropriations for certain accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)
In general— Section 117 is amended—
(1)
by striking “medical care accounts of the Department” each place it appears and inserting “covered accounts of the Department”;
(2)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
by striking “medical care accounts of the Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs account” and inserting “accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs account”;
(B)
in paragraph (1), by inserting “Veterans Health Administration,” after “(1)”;
(C)
in paragraph (2), by inserting “Veterans Health Administration,” after “(2)”;
(D)
in paragraph (3), by inserting “Veterans Health Administration,” after “(3)”;
(E)
by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively;
(F)
by inserting before paragraph (7), as redesignated by subparagraph (E), the following new paragraphs:

“(1) Veterans Benefits Administration, Compensation and Pensions.

“(2) Veterans Benefits Administration, Readjustment Benefits.

“(3) Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Insurance and Indemnities.

“(4) Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund.

“(5) Veterans Benefits Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account.

“(6) Veterans Benefits Administration, Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account.”

(G)
in the subsection heading, by striking “Medical care accounts” and inserting “Covered accounts”; and
(3)
in the section heading, by striking “certain medical care accounts” and inserting “certain accounts”.
(b)
Effective date— The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2016 and each subsequent fiscal year.
(c)
Conforming amendment— Section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the first paragraph (37) and inserting the following:

“(37) information on estimates of appropriations for the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted for the following accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs:

“(A) Veterans Benefits Administration, Compensation and Pensions.

“(B) Veterans Benefits Administration, Readjustment Benefits.

“(C) Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Insurance and Indemnities.

“(D) Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund.

“(E) Veterans Benefits Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account.

“(F) Veterans Benefits Administration, Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account.

“(G) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Services.

“(H) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Support and Compliance.

“(I) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Facilities.”

(d)
Technical correction— Such section is further amended by redesignating the second paragraph (37), as added by section 11(a)(2) of the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–352; 124 Stat. 3881), as paragraph (39).

Sec. 505 Public access to Department of Veterans Affairs research and data sharing between Departments

(a)
Establishment of Internet website— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available on an Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs available to the public the following:
(1)
Data files that contain information on research of the Department.
(2)
A data dictionary on each data file.
(3)
Instructions for how to obtain access to each data file for use in research.
(b)
Public access to manuscripts on Department funded research—
(1)
In general— Beginning not later than 540 days after the effective date specified in subsection (e), the Secretary shall require, as a condition on the use of any data gathered or formulated from research funded by the Department, that any final, peer-reviewed manuscript prepared for publication that uses such data be submitted to the Secretary for deposit in the digital archive under paragraph (2) and publication under paragraph (3).
(2)
Digital archive— Not later than 540 days after the effective date specified in subsection (e), the Secretary shall—
(A)
establish a digital archive consisting of manuscripts described in paragraph (1); or
(B)
partner with another executive agency to compile such manuscripts in a digital archive.
(3)
Public availability—
(A)
Availability of archive— The Secretary shall ensure that the digital archive under paragraph (2) and the contents of such archive are available to the public via a publicly accessible Internet website at no cost to the public.
(B)
Availability of manuscripts— The Secretary shall ensure that each manuscript submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (1) is available to the public under subparagraph (A) not later than one year after the official date on which the manuscript is otherwise published.
(4)
Consistent with copyright law— The Secretary shall carry out this subsection in a manner consistent with applicable copyright law.
(5)
Annual report—
(A)
In general— Not later than one year after the date the Secretary begins making manuscripts available to the public under this subsection and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of this subsection during the most recent one-year period.
(B)
Contents— Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include for the period of the report:
(i)
The number of manuscripts submitted under paragraph (1).
(ii)
The titles of such manuscripts.
(iii)
The authors of such manuscripts.
(iv)
For each such manuscript, the name and issue number or volume number, as the case may be, of the journal or other publication in which such manuscript was published.
(c)
Recommendations for data sharing between Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense— Not later than one year after the effective date specified in subsection (e), the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee established by section 320(a) of title 38, United States Code, shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense options and recommendations for the establishment of a program for long-term cooperation and data sharing between and within the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to facilitate research on outcomes of military service, readjustment after combat deployment, and other topics of importance to the following:
(1)
Veterans.
(2)
Members of the Armed Forces.
(3)
Family members of veterans.
(4)
Family members of members of the Armed Forces.
(5)
Members of communities that have a significant population of veterans or members of the Armed Forces.
(d)
Executive agency defined— In this section, the term executive agency has the meaning given that term in section 133 of title 41, United States Code.
(e)
Effective date— This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 506 Assessment by Comptroller General of the United States of information made available by Veterans Benefits Administration

(a)
Assessment of information currently available— Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall—
(1)
conduct an assessment of the process by which the Veterans Benefits Administration informs veterans, veterans service organizations, and such other persons as the Comptroller General considers appropriate regarding the furnishing of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to determine the extent to which the process results in disseminated information that—
(A)
adequately supports and improves the timeliness and accuracy of decisions made by the Administration with respect to claims for disability compensation and such other benefits furnished under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as the Comptroller General considers appropriate; and
(B)
encourages the filing of fully developed claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and
(2)
assess how the Veterans Benefits Administration notifies each claimant during, and as part of, any electronic filing process established by the Secretary for the filing of applications for disability compensation and such other benefits under laws administered by the Secretary as the Comptroller General considers appropriate that services may be available to the claimant from a veterans service organization.
(b)
Report— Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the Comptroller General under subsection (a). Such report shall include such recommendations as the Comptroller General may have for legislative or administrative action to improve the availability of information made available to the public by the Veterans Benefits Administration regarding the furnishing of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(c)
Veterans service organization defined— In this section, the term veterans service organization means an organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.
(d)
Effective date— This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 507 Comptroller general report on advisory committees of the Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)
In general— Not later than one year after the effective date specified in subsection (c), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the advisory committees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b)
Contents— The report required by subsection (a)—
(1)
shall include—
(A)
recommendations or proposals for continuing, modifying, or terminating certain advisory committees, including noting areas of overlap and duplication among the advisory committees; and
(B)
such other information as the Comptroller General considers appropriate; and
(2)
may include—
(A)
a description of each advisory committee, including with respect to each committee—
(i)
the purpose of the committee;
(ii)
the commencement date of the committee; and
(iii)
the anticipated termination date of the committee;
(B)
a summary of the anticipated expenses and the actual expenses incurred for each advisory committee during the most recent three fiscal years ending before the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(C)
with respect to meetings held by each advisory committee—
(i)
the frequency with which each committee has met during the shorter of—
(I)
the most recent three fiscal years ending before the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(II)
the life of the committee;
(ii)
the date of the most recent meeting held by the committee before such date of enactment; and
(iii)
the date of the most recent report or other written product developed by the committee before such date of enactment.
(c)
Effective date— This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.