Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess the forms that the VA sends to claimants. The center must submit a written assessment to the VA that includes recommendations on how the VA may make the forms clearer and more organized.
The VA must implement certain recommendations in the assessment within two years after the assessment is received.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1286 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1286
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an
agreement with a federally funded research and development center for
an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants for
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 13, 2025
Mr. Bresnahan (for himself, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Bost, Mr.
Panetta, Mr. Valadao, and Mr. Harder of California) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an
agreement with a federally funded research and development center for
an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants for
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Simplifying Forms for Veterans
Claims Act''.
SEC. 2. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF FORMS THAT THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS SENDS TO CLAIMANTS.
(a) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to
enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of forms that
the Secretary sends to claimants.
(b) Assessment.--An FFRDC that enters to an agreement under
subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment, made
in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment
shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the
Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better
organized.
(c) Report; Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the
Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary
shall--
(1) submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment;
and
(2) implement the recommendations in the assessment that
are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary.
(d) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary shall complete the
implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by
not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary
commences such implementation.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``FFRDC'' means a federally funded research
and development center.
(2) The term ``covered entities'' includes--
(A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(B) an expert in laws administered by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs;
(C) a veterans service organization recognized
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; and
(D) an entity that advocates for veterans and
survivors of veterans.
(3) The term ``claimant'' has the meaning given such term
in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-100.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-100.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73.
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2124-2126)
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DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1286.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2136-2137)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125)
Roll Call #133 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125)
Roll Call #133 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.