38 U.S.C. § 315 — Regional offices

Page 68 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 314 Provisions similar to those in this section were con- tained in section 203 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries RECURRING EXPENSES TRANSFORMATIONAL FUND Pub. L. 114–113, div. J, title II, § 243, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2701, provided that: ‘‘There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the ‘Recurring Expenses Transformational Fund’ (the Fund): Provided, That unobligated balances of expired discretionary funds appropriated in this or any succeeding fiscal year from the General Fund of the Treasury to the Department of Veterans Affairs by this or any other Act may be transferred (at the end of the fifth fiscal year after the last fiscal year for which such funds are available for the purposes for which ap- propriated) into the Fund: Provided further, That amounts deposited in the Fund shall be available until expended, and in addition to such other funds as may be available for such purposes, for facilities infrastruc- ture improvements, including nonrecurring mainte- nance, at existing hospitals and clinics of the Veterans Health Administration, and information technology systems improvements and sustainment, subject to ap- proval by the Office of Management and Budget: Pro- vided further, That prior to obligation of any amounts in the Fund, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall re- quest from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make such obliga- tion and such Committees issue an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed.’’ § 314. Central Office The Central Office of the Department shall be in the District of Columbia. (Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 383.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior section 314 was renumbered section 1114 of this title. Provisions similar to those in this section were con- tained in section 230(a) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a). § 315. Regional offices (a) The Secretary may establish such regional offices and such other field offices within the United States, its Territories, Commonwealths, and possessions, as the Secretary considers nec- essary. (b) The Secretary may maintain a regional of- fice in the Republic of the Philippines until Sep- tember 30, 2025. (Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 384; amended Pub. L. 102–291, § 1(a), May 20, 1992, 106 Stat. 178; Pub. L. 103–210, § 2(c), Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2497; Pub. L. 103–446, title V, § 502, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4663; Pub. L. 106–117, title VIII, § 802, Nov. 30, 1999, 113 Stat. 1586; Pub. L. 108–183, title II, § 213, Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2658; Pub. L. 111–117, div. E, title II, § 228, Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3307; Pub. L. 111–275, title VIII, § 807(a), Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2893; Pub. L. 112–74, div. H, title II, § 234, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 112–191, title II, § 202, Oct. 5, 2012, 126 Stat. 1439; Pub. L. 113–59, § 7, Dec. 20, 2013, 127 Stat. 662; Pub. L. 113–175, title IV, § 402, Sept. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 1905; Pub. L. 114–58, title IV, § 403, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 535; Pub. L. 114–228, title IV, § 402, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 939; Pub. L. 115–62, title IV, § 402, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1164; Pub. L. 115–251, title I, § 162, Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3171; Pub. L. 116–61, § 3, Sept. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 1116; Pub. L. 116–159, div. E, title II, § 5203, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 750; Pub. L. 117–180, div. E, title II, § 202, Sept. 30, 2022, 136 Stat. 2137; Pub. L. 118–83, div. B, title III, § 333, Sept. 26, 2024, 138 Stat. 1541.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior section 315 was renumbered section 1115 of this title. Provisions similar to those in this section were con- tained in section 230(a), (b) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a). AMENDMENTS 2024—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–83 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2025’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2024’’. 2022—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–180 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2024’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2022’’. 2020—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–159 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2022’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2020’’. 2019—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–61 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2020’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2019’’. 2018—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–251 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2019’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2018’’. 2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–62 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2018’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2017’’. 2016—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–228 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2017’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2016’’. 2015—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2016’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2015’’. 2014—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–175 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2015’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2014’’. 2013—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–59 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2014’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2013’’. 2012—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–191 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2013’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2012’’. 2011—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–74 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2012’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2011’’. 2010—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–275 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2011’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2010’’. 2009—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–117 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2010’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2009’’. 2003—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–183 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2009’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2003’’. 1999—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–117 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2003’’ for ‘‘December 31, 1999’’. 1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–446 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 1999’’ for ‘‘December 31, 1994’’. 1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–210 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 1994’’ for ‘‘March 31, 1994’’. 1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–291 substituted ‘‘March 31, 1994’’ for ‘‘September 30, 1991’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1992 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 102–291, § 1(b), May 20, 1992, 106 Stat. 178, pro- vided that: ‘‘The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as of Sep- tember 30, 1991.’’ EFFECT OF AMENDMENT Pub. L. 112–191, title II, § 202, Oct. 5, 2012, 126 Stat. 1439, provided that this section shall be carried out as amended by section 202 of Pub. L. 112–191 notwith- standing the date described in section 151 of Pub. L. 112–175 (126 Stat. 1323). RATIFICATION OF MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE DURING LAPSED PERIOD Pub. L. 102–291, § 1(c), May 20, 1992, 106 Stat. 178, pro- vided that: ‘‘Any action of the Secretary of Veterans Page 69 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 317 Affairs in maintaining a Department of Veterans Af- fairs Regional Office in the Republic of the Philippines under section 315(b) of title 38, United States Code, dur- ing the period beginning on October 1, 1991, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act [May 20, 1992] is hereby ratified with respect to that period.’’ § 316. Colocation of regional offices and medical centers (a) To provide for a more economical, effi- cient, and effective operation of such regional offices, the Secretary shall provide for the co- location of at least three regional offices with medical centers of the Department— (1) on real property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs at such medical centers; or (2) on real property that is adjacent to such a medical center and is under the jurisdiction of the Department as a result of being con- veyed to the United States for the purpose of such colocation. (b)(1) In carrying out this section and notwith- standing any other provision of law, the Sec- retary may lease, with or without compensation and for a period of not to exceed 35 years, to an- other party at not more than seven locations any of the real property described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a). (2) Such real property shall be used as the site of a facility— (A) constructed and owned by the lessee of such real property; and (B) leased under subsection (c)(1) to the De- partment for such use and such other activi- ties as the Secretary determines are appro- priate. (c)(1) The Secretary may enter into a lease for the use of any facility described in subsection (b)(2) for not more than 35 years under such terms and conditions as may be in the best in- terests of the Department. (2) Each agreement for such a lease shall pro- vide— (A) that the obligation of the United States to make payments under the agreement is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose; and (B) that the ownership of the facility shall vest in the United States at the end of such lease. (d)(1) The Secretary may sublease any space in such a facility to another party at a rate not less than— (A) the rental rate paid by the Secretary for such space under subsection (c); plus (B) the amount the Secretary pays for the costs of administering such facility (including operation, maintenance, utility, and rehabili- tation costs) which are attributable to such space. (2) In any such sublease, the Secretary shall include such terms relating to default and non- performance as the Secretary considers appro- priate to protect the interests of the United States. (e) The Secretary shall use the receipts of any payment for the lease of real property under subsection (b) for the payment of the lease of a facility under subsection (c). (f)(1) Subject to paragraph (3)(A), the Sec- retary shall, not later than April 18, 1990, issue an invitation for offers with respect to three co- locations to be carried out under this section. The invitation shall include, with respect to each such colocation, at least the following: (A) Identification of the site to be developed. (B) Minimum office space requirements for regional office activities. (C) Design criteria of the facility to be con- structed. (D) A plan for meeting the security and parking needs for the facility and its occu- pants and visitors. (E) A statement of current and projected rents and other costs for regional office activi- ties. (F) The estimated cost of construction of the facility concerned, the estimated annual cost of leasing space for regional office activities in the facility, and the estimated total annual cost of leasing all space in such facility. (G) A plan for securing appropriate licenses, easements, and rights-of-way. (H) A list of terms and conditions the Sec- retary has approved for inclusion in the lease agreement for the facility concerned. (2) Subject to paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary shall— (A) not later than one year after the date on which the invitation is issued under paragraph (1), enter into an agreement to carry out one colocation under this subsection; and (B) within 180 days after entering into the agreement referred to in subparagraph (A), enter into agreements to carry out two addi- tional colocations, unless the Secretary determines that it is not economically feasible for the Department to un- dertake them, taking into consideration all of the tangible and intangible benefits associated with such colocations. (3) The Secretary shall— (A) at least 10 days before the issuance or other publication of the invitation referred to in paragraph (1), submit a copy of the invita- tion to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives; and (B) at least 30 days before entering into an agreement under paragraph (2), submit a copy to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives of the proposals selected by the Secretary from those received in response to the invitation issued under paragraph (1). (g) The authority to enter into an agreement under this section shall expire on September 30, 1992. (Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 384.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior section 316 was renumbered section 1116 of this title. § 317. Center for Minority Veterans (a) There is in the Department a Center for Minority Veterans. There is at the head of the Center a Director.