SEC. 101. Short Title.
This title may be cited as the “Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement Act” or the “VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act”.
Division S — Veterans Matters
DIVISION S Veterans Matters
TITLE I Raise Act
SEC. 102. Pay for Nurses and Certain Other Medical Positions of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
in subsection (a)(2)(C), by striking “ and physician assistant” and inserting “ physician assistant, and podiatrist”; and
in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
“(2)
(A) The maximum rate of basic pay for any grade for a covered position may not exceed—
“(i) in the case of an advanced practice nurse, the maximum rate of basic pay established for positions in level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5;
“(ii) in the case of a physician assistant, the maximum rate of basic pay established for positions in level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5;
“(iii) in the case of a registered nurse, the maximum rate of basic pay established for positions in level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5; and
“(iv) in the case of any other covered position, the maximum rate of basic pay established for positions in level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5.
“(B) The maximum rate of basic pay for a grade for the position of certified registered nurse anesthetist pursuant to an adjustment under subsection (d) may exceed the maximum rate otherwise provided in subparagraph (A).”
Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants Serving in Management Positions.— Section 7404 of such title is amended—
in subsection (a)(2)—
by striking “ The pay of physicians” and inserting “ (A) The pay of physicians”; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(B) The basic pay of registered nurses and physician assistants serving in positions to which an Executive order applies under paragraph (1) may be determined under subchapter IV of this chapter instead of such Executive order. Such positions shall not otherwise be covered by such subchapter, except with respect to bonuses under section 7452 or 7458 or special pay under subsection (g) of such section 7452.”
; and
in subsection (e)—
by inserting “ basic pay” after “ paid”; and
by striking “ rate established for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5” and inserting “ rates established under subchapter IV of this chapter”.
TITLE II Outdoor Industry Veterans Careers Gao Study
SEC. 201. Outdoor Industry Veterans Careers Gao Study.
Study Required.— The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the use by veterans of educational assistance provided under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pursue careers in outdoor recreation.
Elements.— The study required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
Identification of opportunities for veterans to use educational assistance provided under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pursue careers in outdoor recreation in the private sector and in the public sector.
Identification of any difficulties with using the educational assistance provided under laws administered by the Secretary to veterans to pursue careers in outdoor recreation in the private and public sector, including trained, apprentice, assistant, and certified guides.
Assessment of the availability of opportunities for careers in outdoor recreation at the following:
The Department of Agriculture.
The Department of the Interior.
The Army Corps of Engineers.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Identification of any challenges veterans may have pursuing careers in outdoor recreation at the agencies list under paragraph (3).
Identification of options to increase opportunities for veterans to pursue careers in outdoor recreation at the agencies listed under paragraph (3).
Stakeholder Perspectives.— In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall obtain the perspectives of the outdoor recreation industry, veterans groups focusing on the outdoors, nongovernmental organizations, and other interested stakeholders.
Briefing and Report.—
Briefing.— Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall provide the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing on the study required by subsection (a).
Report.— After providing the briefing required by paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to the committees described in such paragraph a report on the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the study completed under subsection (a).
Outdoor Recreation Defined.— In this section, the term “outdoor recreation” means recreational activities undertaken for pleasure that—
generally involve some level of intentional physical exertion; and
occur in nature-based environments outdoors.