The INVEST Act amends the federal tax code to expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for employers who hire veterans with specific renewable energy skills. To qualify for this credit, a veteran must be certified by a local agency as having military training in renewable energy fields, a recent vocational degree in the sector, or a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The legislation defines renewable energy broadly to include sources like solar, wind, and geothermal power. Additionally, the bill addresses tax implications for U.S. territories by providing compensation for any lost tax revenue and ensuring coordination between federal and local tax credits. These provisions will take effect for employees who start working for an employer after December 31, 2025.
The Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act of 2026 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a two-year demonstration project evaluating the cost and effectiveness of covering FDA-cleared, over-the-counter hearing aids for eligible veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. To participate, veterans must be enrolled in the VA system, receive a clinical clearance from an audiologist, and have access to a smartphone or Wi-Fi to operate the devices. The project will compare these over-the-counter options against traditional prescription hearing aids at selected VA facilities and require the Secretary to submit interim and final reports on the fiscal impact and health outcomes. Additionally, the bill mandates a separate study by the Comptroller General to analyze the current coverage of hearing aids for veterans and provide recommendations for potential program changes.
The Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to use commercial building codes alongside or instead of federal codes when constructing or altering facilities, provided there are no legal conflicts. To test this approach, the bill mandates that the Department run at least three pilot projects each year from 2027 through 2031 using these commercial standards for various construction and leasing initiatives. Additionally, the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing how these codes were applied and the results of the pilot projects. This legislation aims to streamline the building process for VA facilities by adopting widely accepted industry standards such as those from the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council.
The Renewing our PACT Act of 2026 expands disability benefits for federal employees who worked in foreign contingency operations after August 2, 1990, and were exposed to burn pits or other toxic hazards. It creates a legal presumption that specific diseases listed in the bill were caused by this exposure, meaning workers do not need to provide medical proof linking their illness to their time abroad to receive compensation. The Department of Labor is responsible for maintaining the official list of covered diseases, which must align with the list used by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to submit a report to Congress within one year detailing how many eligible employees have filed claims under the new provisions.
The Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025 expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' telescreening mammography program by removing the "pilot" designation and extending its timeline until May 1, 2027. This legislation requires the VA to offer at least one mammography option - such as telescreening, full-service screening, or mobile units - in every state and Puerto Rico within two years of enactment. The bill also mandates that these services remain accessible to veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or other disabilities. Additionally, it allows the VA to continue expanding these services to facilities outside the current pilot group or in states where breast imaging is not yet available.
The Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide funding to university law school programs that offer legal assistance to veterans. This funding, totaling $10,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, supports legal clinics that help veterans with VA appeals, fiduciary appointments, benefits claims, and other civil, criminal, and family legal matters. The bill does not mandate specific outcomes but establishes a financial mechanism for law schools to expand their veteran legal services. It directly affects veterans seeking legal help and university law schools that operate such programs.
The TREAT PTSD VA Act authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide stellate ganglion block therapy to veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. To qualify for this treatment, a veteran must be enrolled in the VA patient system, have a confirmed PTSD diagnosis, and choose the procedure after receiving information about its risks and benefits from a qualified healthcare provider. The bill requires the VA to update its clinical practice guidelines within 180 days to include this therapy option and notify Congress of the changes. This legislation affects veterans seeking PTSD treatment and the VA medical facilities or contracted providers administering the care.
This legislation amends federal criminal statutes to increase penalties for fraud targeting veterans. It introduces a new category that specifically covers crimes against targeted veterans of any age. The bill defines targeted veterans using existing standards from Title 38 of the United States Code. As a result, offenders who commit fraud against this group face stricter legal consequences under Title 18.
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2026. The act requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register. The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.
The TREAT PTSD TRICARE Act authorizes the provision of stellate ganglion block therapy for active duty and reserve military members diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder who are enrolled in the TRICARE program. Under this legislation, eligible service members must receive informed consent regarding the risks and benefits of the procedure before it can be administered by a Department of Defense facility or a participating TRICARE provider. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Defense to update the VA/DoD clinical practice guideline within 180 days to include this new therapy option and its clinical indicators. These changes take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted, ensuring the treatment is integrated into official medical guidelines alongside its implementation.
