Overview

Title

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the pilot program authorized by the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

The bill wants to make a special program for veterans permanent, so that the people who help veterans can keep giving them buildings and fixing them up. This is to make sure veterans always have good places to go.

Summary AI

The bill, H.R. 217, seeks to amend title 38 of the United States Code to make permanent a program initially started under the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016. This program allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to accept donated facilities and related improvements. The bill eliminates the "pilot" status of the program and formalizes it as a permanent initiative under U.S. law. The amendments outlined in the bill are set to take effect on December 16, 2026.

Published

2025-01-07
Congress: 119
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2025-01-07
Package ID: BILLS-119hr217ih

Keywords AI

veterans affairs chip in for veterans act donated facilities united states code permanent program veteran benefits department of veterans affairs oversight mechanisms budgetary impacts 2016 act

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
693
Pages:
4
Sentences:
10

Language

Nouns: 204
Verbs: 60
Adjectives: 15
Adverbs: 1
Numbers: 27
Entities: 44

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.85
Average Sentence Length:
69.30
Token Entropy:
4.54
Readability (ARI):
34.38

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

H.R. 217 aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code to make a previously established pilot program permanent. This pilot program, initially authorized by the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016, allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept donated facilities and related improvements. The bill also involves updating the legal text to integrate this pilot program into existing legislation effectively, with changes set to take effect on December 16, 2026.

Significant Issues

Several issues arise from the proposed legislation:

  1. Lack of Oversight and Accountability: The bill does not specify how the VA will be held accountable for managing the donated facilities and improvements. Without oversight mechanisms, there is a risk of misuse or mismanagement.

  2. Complex Language and Legal Jargon: The amendments involve legal terminology and cross-references that may be hard for the general public to understand. This complexity can hinder transparency and accessibility.

  3. Ambiguity in Criteria: There is no clear definition of what qualifies as "donated facilities and related improvements." This ambiguity might result in inconsistencies or confusion in implementation.

  4. Unclear Purpose or Outcomes: The bill lacks a statement of purpose or intended outcomes, leaving questions about the necessity or effectiveness of making the pilot program permanent.

  5. Delayed Implementation: The effective date is set nearly two years in the future, which may raise concerns about the urgency with which veterans' needs are addressed.

  6. Potential Cost Implications: The bill does not address possible financial impacts or budgetary needs related to the program’s permanency, which could affect its sustainability.

Public Impact

The bill's permanent establishment of a program for accepting donated facilities could potentially benefit veterans if implemented effectively, as it allows for enhanced resources and infrastructure support through donations. However, the lack of clear guidelines and oversight could lead to administrative inefficiencies or misuse of resources, therefore limiting its benefits.

For the general public, the bill addresses veteran affairs, indirectly affecting taxpayers who are interested in effective use of public funds and ensuring veterans receive adequate support. Enhanced communication and simplification of the bill’s language could improve public understanding and support.

Impact on Stakeholders

  • Veterans: Potentially positive if the VA efficiently uses the additional resources and facilities. Still, the lack of clarity and accountability could mean that veterans may not fully benefit from the program.

  • Veterans Affairs Department: Gains a permanent tool to enhance its facilities and services. However, it might face challenges due to the absence of explicit administrative and oversight structures.

  • Donors: The bill could encourage more donations by formalizing the acceptance of facilities and improvements. However, donors might seek clearer guidance on what constitutes eligible donations.

  • Taxpayers and Legislators: They may be concerned about the financial oversight and implications of making the program permanent without a clear budgetary plan or oversight mechanism.

Overall, while the bill aims to provide a promising avenue for enhancing veterans' support, its effectiveness largely depends on addressing the oversight, clarity, and financial aspects highlighted in the issues.

Issues

  • The bill lacks oversight or accountability mechanisms for the acceptance of donated facilities and related improvements by the Department of Veterans Affairs as specified in Section 2. This could lead to potential misuse or mismanagement, posing risks in terms of governance and ethics.

  • The lack of a clear statement of purpose or intended outcomes for making the pilot program permanent in Section 2 raises questions about the necessity or effectiveness of the program. Clarifying the goals could address concerns about the program's impact and benefit to veterans.

  • The language used in the amendments section, particularly in Section 2, is complex and includes multiple cross-references and legal jargon. This may be difficult for the general public to understand, affecting transparency and accessibility of information.

  • Section 2 lacks clear criteria for what qualifies as 'donated facilities and related improvements.' This could lead to ambiguity in the implementation of the program and potential inconsistencies in what is accepted, impacting the effectiveness and fairness of the program.

  • The effective date for the amendments is set for December 16, 2026, as noted in Section 2(d). Such a delay in implementation might raise concerns about the urgency and priority of addressing veterans' needs with the program.

  • There is no mention of potential cost implications or budgetary impacts related to making the pilot program permanent as outlined in Section 2. This could be a concern for stakeholders involved in financial planning and resource allocation, impacting the program’s sustainability.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of this bill provides its short title, stating that the official name of the act is the “Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act,” which can also be abbreviated as the “CHIP IN for Veterans Act.”

2. Making permanent a pilot program on acceptance by the Department of Veterans Affairs of donated facilities and related improvements Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section of the bill makes a pilot program by the Department of Veterans Affairs permanent, allowing them to accept donated facilities and improvements. It also involves moving the program into a specific part of the United States Code and updating references and formatting to reflect this change, with the amendments taking effect on December 16, 2026.