An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out certain programs and activities, and for other purposes.
Public Law 104-110 · H.R. 2353 · 104th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Feb 13, 1996 · Armed Forces and National Security
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Hutchinson (R-AR-3)
Cosponsors (11): Rep. Chet Edwards, Rep. Robert Stump,
Passage votes
- HouseUnanimous consent
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Extensions of Authority
Title II: Other Provisions
Title I: Extensions of Authority - Extends through December 31, 1996, the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs to: (1) provide priority hospital care and medical services to Persian Gulf veterans exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards during such service; (2) provide outpatient services to such veterans; and (3) guarantee the payment of principal and interest on certificates or other securities evidencing an interest in a pool of Department-guaranteed mortgage loans made in connection with the sale of properties represented by such loans.
Extends through December 31, 1997, Department authority to: (1) contract with community-based treatment facilities for the care of eligible veterans suffering from alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities; (2) provide a pilot program for furnishing veterans with noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care; (3) enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations and State and local governments to assist homeless veterans and their families to obtain shelter; (4) provide a health professionals scholarship program; (5) enter into enhanced use leases of Department real property; and (6) use data on local compensation rates for determining the pay rates of certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Repeals a Federal provision authorizing: (1) the veteran and the mortgagee to negotiate the interest rate on a Department-guaranteed loan; and (2) a lender on such a loan to appraise the property which is the basis for the loan.
Amends the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 to extend through December 31, 1997, the authority to use community-based residential care for the treatment of homeless chronically mentally ill veterans and other veterans. Extends through such date the Department's compensated work therapy and therapeutic transitional housing program.
Amends the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 to extend through September 30, 1997, the authority for a pilot program (and grants made under the program) to expand and improve Department benefits and services to homeless veterans.
Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend through December 31, 1997, the authority for homeless veterans' reintegration projects.
Ratifies any actions taken by the Secretary before the enactment of this Act during any periods of expired authority for programs and projects amended by this Act.
Title II: Other Provisions - Requires, within an annual fiscal report from the Secretary to the Congress, the inclusion of a discussion of Department housing and small business loans made to veterans. Repeals superseded reporting requirements under the Veterans Home Loan Program Amendments of 1992.
Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress: (1) on the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating into one program the alcohol and drug abuse program, the program to provide community-based residential care to homeless chronically mentally ill veterans, and the demonstration program of compensated work therapy and therapeutic transitional housing; (2) the results of a study evaluating the operation of the health professionals scholarship program; and (3) evaluating the operation of the Department's real property enhanced use lease program.
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts for the provision of utilities to the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Outlines contract requirements, including a contract term limit of no more than 35 years. Allows such contracts only to the extent provided for in advance in appropriations Acts.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 18 actions.
- Feb 13, 1996Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 104-110.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Feb 1, 1996PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Jan 30, 1996Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendments to Senate amendments by Voice Vote.
- Jan 25, 1996Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House agree with amendments to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Stump asked unanimous consent that the House agree with amendments to the Senate amendments.
- Jan 6, 1996CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Jan 5, 1996FloorFloor · Passed Senate in lieu of S. 991 with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote.
- Oct 18, 1995CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Oct 17, 1995FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 403 - 0 (Roll No. 716).House roll call 716
- FloorFloor · At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Stump moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Oct 12, 1995CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Sep 20, 1995CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Sep 19, 1995CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.