This joint resolution encourages U.S. states to establish "Veterans Tax Relief Weekends" to benefit veterans, active duty military personnel, Reservists, and National Guard members. It proposes that states voluntarily implement three-day sales tax holidays coinciding with Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. During these periods, eligible individuals and their families would receive temporary relief from state sales taxes on consumer purchases, offering a practical way for communities to recognize their service.
This bill, the VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of 2026, prevents federal officials from lowering the pay grade or status of law enforcement positions within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It directly affects VA police officers and other law enforcement staff by blocking any proposed position downgrades and ensuring that no federal funds can be used for such reductions. The law also requires that any downgrades made between October 1, 2025, and the bill's enactment be reversed, restoring affected positions to their previous status and ensuring employees receive the pay they would have earned. By defining covered positions broadly to include all law enforcement roles regardless of funding source or employment type, the measure aims to protect the compensation levels of these workers from administrative reductions.
This bill, known as the No Tax on Drill Pay Act, would exclude certain military compensation from federal income tax. It directly affects members of the U.S. military who receive pay for inactive-duty training, which includes weekend drills and other training activities outside of regular duty. The legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to add inactive-duty training compensation to the list of qualified military benefits that are not subject to taxation. This change applies to any compensation received after the bill becomes law, meaning it would affect future training pay rather than past earnings.
This bill creates a new commemorative military service medal called the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal to honor veterans who received compensation for herbicide exposure during the Vietnam War. The medal will be designed by the Department of Defense and issued to living veterans or provided to next-of-kin for deceased veterans who meet specific eligibility criteria. Eligible recipients include those who receive compensation under existing Vietnam-era herbicide exposure laws or who are officially recognized as Vietnam-era herbicide-exposed veterans. The bill establishes an application process for veterans and their families to request the medal through the Department of Defense.
The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act of 2026 increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, and other educational costs under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program. This change directly affects veterans receiving education benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill raises the fixed stipend amount from $1,000 to $1,500 for fiscal year 2026 and establishes a formula for future annual adjustments based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. These provisions ensure that educational cost allowances keep pace with inflation in subsequent years.
This bill creates a new Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs within the Department of Veterans Affairs to serve as the main point of contact between the department and Congress. The office will be led by an Assistant Secretary appointed by the President and will be split into two roles: one focusing on developing legislative positions and another managing the logistics of responding to congressional requests. The bill establishes specific timelines for answering congressional information requests, requiring acknowledgment within two days, a production plan within five days, and full responses within 45 days. It also mandates that at least 65 percent of the office's staff be career civil servants rather than political appointees to ensure operational stability. Additionally, the legislation includes penalties for missing response deadlines, such as restrictions on spending office funds and a mandatory review by the department's Inspector General.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set a standard for how quickly veterans receive appointments after being referred for care, whether at VA facilities or through community providers. The VA Secretary must publish this standard in the Federal Register and report to Congress quarterly on how many referrals meet the timing requirement, broken down by service type and medical center performance. Each report must also include a ranking of VA medical centers from best to worst in meeting the standard, with data available to the public on a VA website. The VA must update the standard as scheduling processes change and include annual progress reports on steps taken to improve care timeliness.
The Veteran Infection Prevention Act requires sterile processing technicians in the Veterans Health Administration to obtain certification from an accredited training institution within two years of their appointment, with some exceptions for entry-level positions. Current employees who are not yet certified will have two years from the bill's enactment to become certified, and those who choose to pursue certification will receive a scholarship to help cover training costs. In exchange for the scholarship, recipients must commit to two years of service with the Veterans Health Administration after receiving their certification. This legislation aims to improve infection prevention standards by ensuring all sterile processing technicians meet professional certification requirements.
The SCHEDULES Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set a standard for how quickly veterans receive appointments after being referred for care, whether at a VA facility or through community providers. The VA must publish this standard in the Federal Register and on its website at least 30 days before implementing or changing it. The bill mandates quarterly reports to Congress detailing how many referrals meet the standard, broken down by care type and facility, along with an annual ranking of medical centers from best to worst in meeting the timing requirement. These reports must also include data on steps taken to improve care timeliness and estimates for full compliance. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability in scheduling appointments for veterans receiving care through the VA system.
The VA Appraisal Modernization Act establishes a new system for setting and adjusting appraisal fees for Department of Veterans Affairs home loans. It creates two special categories of counties - high-demand and remote - to address appraiser shortages and long wait times. High-demand counties, where appraisal delays exceed standards or appraiser availability is low, will see fees increase annually starting in 2027, with higher rates for counties facing persistent shortages. Remote counties, defined by low appraiser density or long travel distances, will receive mileage reimbursements for appraisers. The bill also requires the VA to publish fee schedules, notify appraisers of changes, and submit reports on the program's financial impact and effectiveness.
