Pub. L. 117-137 - An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer the name of property of the Department of Veterans Affairs designated by law to other property of the Department.

117th Congress

Affects: 38 U.S.C. §§ 531

SECTION 1. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO TRANSFER NAMES OF FACILITIES, STRUCTURES, OR REAL PROPERTY OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Section 531 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(a)(1) in the section heading, by striking “Requirement” and inserting “Requirements”;

(a)(2) by striking “Except as expressly provided by law” and inserting the following:

(a)(2)“(a) Except as expressly provided by law or as authorized under subsection (b)”

(a)(2) ; and

(a)(3) by adding at the end the following:

(a)(3)“(b)“(1) The Secretary may transfer the name of covered property of the Department to other covered property of the Department if—

(a)(3)“(b)“(1)“(A) the original covered property was designated with that name by law;

(a)(3)“(b)“(1)“(B) the Department no longer offers benefits or services at the original covered property;

(a)(3)“(b)“(1)“(C) the other covered property is similar in type and purpose as the original covered property;

(a)(3)“(b)“(1)“(D) the other covered property is located in a different location or at a different address from the original covered property within the town, city, or other local government area specified in the designation made by such law; and

(a)(3)“(b)“(1)“(E) such transfer occurs not less than 30 days after the Secretary notifies the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress representing the State in which the original covered property and other covered property are located of the intent of the Secretary to transfer the name of the original covered property to the other covered property.

(a)(3)“(b)“(2) If the Secretary transfers the name of covered property under paragraph (1), any reference in a law, regulation, map, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the covered property originally named by law shall be deemed to be a reference to the covered property to which the name has been transferred under such paragraph.

(a)(3)“(b)“(3) In this subsection, the term ‘covered property’ means a facility, structure, or real property of the Department or a major portion (such as a wing or floor) of any such facility, structure, or real property.”

(a)(3) .

(b) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code,38 USC 501 prec. is amended by striking the item relating to section 531 and inserting the following new item:

(b) “531. Requirements relating to naming of Department property.”.

Legislative History

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 3527:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):

Feb. 3, considered and passed Senate.

May 16, 17, considered and passed House.

DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2022):

June 7, Presidential remarks.