Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 1147
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-05-20: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T16:53:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 aims to establish an advisory committee within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide guidance on improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to VA information, services, benefits, and facilities. It also includes a minor extension to a pension payment limitation for certain veterans.

Key Provisions

Establishment of the Advisory Committee: Creates the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access under title 38, United States Code, as a 15-member voting body plus 4 non-voting ex officio members (or designees) from VA leadership and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB, a federal body that sets accessibility standards).
Membership Composition:
4 veterans with disabilities (covering mobility, hearing, visual, mental, or cognitive impairments).
4 experts in accessibility issues or relevant federal laws.
2 VA employees from offices handling digital (Section 508, which requires accessible electronic information) and architectural compliance.
5 representatives from veterans service organizations (VSOs) advocating for disabled veterans.
Terms are 2 years, with reappointments possible; vacancies filled within 180 days.
Operations:
Meets at least twice yearly; may form subcommittees.
Members elect a chairperson; a quorum requires a majority.
No compensation for members (except federal employees), but travel expenses are reimbursed.
VA must provide necessary resources, funding, and information.
Duties:
Advises the VA Secretary on enhancing accessibility in areas like electronic information, services/benefits, facilities (including those used in the Veterans Community Care Program), and procurement of accessible products/technology.
Ensures VA compliance with key laws, including:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, prohibits discrimination against disabled people in public services).
Rehabilitation Act sections on employment, program access, and electronic accessibility.
Plain Writing Act (requires clear federal communications).
21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (improves digital government services).
Architectural Barriers Act (mandates accessible federal buildings).
Assesses access needs and barriers for veterans, the public, and VA employees; reviews complaints and facility assessments.
Submits biennial reports (starting 2 years after first meeting) identifying barriers, evaluating VA compliance, recommending improvements/priorities, tracking prior recommendations, and suggesting legislative or administrative actions.
Reporting and Transparency:
VA Secretary submits reports to congressional committees (Veterans' Affairs in House and Senate, Education and Workforce in House, Special Committee on Aging in Senate) within 90 days, with any VA comments.
Reports and comments published on VA's public website.
Termination: The committee ends 7 years after enactment.
Implementation Requirements: Within 180 days of enactment, VA must abolish, consolidate, or recommend abolishing inactive advisory committees (those not created by Congress or inactive ones created by Congress) before forming the new committee.
Pension Extension: Extends a limitation on certain pension payments to veterans in nursing facilities from November 30, 2031, to January 31, 2032 (under 38 U.S.C. § 5503(d)(7), which caps payments to prevent overpayments in institutional settings).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Adds a new section (549) to title 38, United States Code (governing VA operations), and updates the table of sections, formalizing the advisory committee as a statutory body.
Introduces structured, time-limited advisory mechanisms focused on disability access, replacing or supplementing informal VA efforts.
Mandates abolition or consolidation of inactive VA advisory committees to streamline operations.
Minor extension of the pension payment deadline by 2 months, providing a brief continuation of current rules without substantive policy changes.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Requires VA to allocate resources for committee operations, reporting, and accessibility improvements, potentially increasing administrative workload but enhancing compliance and efficiency in serving disabled populations. May lead to better procurement of accessible technology and facility upgrades.
On Citizens: Improves access to VA services for veterans with disabilities (estimated 4-5 million affected), the public, and VA employees, reducing barriers in healthcare, benefits, and information. The pension extension minimally affects a small group of veterans in nursing homes by delaying payment adjustments.
On International Relations: None directly; the bill is domestic-focused on U.S. veterans and federal accessibility standards.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Veterans with Disabilities: Primary beneficiaries through targeted advice on access to benefits, healthcare, and facilities.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Must implement recommendations, provide resources, and report to Congress, affecting operations across health, benefits, and memorial affairs.
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): Gain representation and influence in shaping VA policies.
Federal Oversight Bodies: Includes input from ATBCB and congressional committees, promoting accountability.
VA Employees and the Public: Indirectly benefit from improved workplace and service accessibility.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens VA's obligations under existing disability laws (e.g., ADA, Rehabilitation Act) by institutionalizing expert advice, potentially reducing litigation risks from access complaints. Ensures alignment with federal standards for accessible government without creating new enforceable rights.
Constitutional: Supports equal protection principles under the Fifth Amendment by promoting non-discriminatory access to federal benefits for disabled veterans, though it does not alter core constitutional frameworks.
Political: Demonstrates bipartisan commitment to veterans' issues (passed House in 2025), with built-in sunset (7 years) allowing future evaluation. The inactive committee cleanup promotes fiscal efficiency, but the pension extension may signal ongoing debates on veterans' financial support amid budget constraints. No major controversies noted in the bill text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Recent Actions

2025-05-20: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2025-05-19: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-05-19: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2123-2124)
2025-05-19: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2123-2124)
2025-05-19: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1147.
2025-05-19: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2123-2124)
2025-05-19: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-02-07: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2025-02-07: Introduced in House
2025-02-07: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-19 — PDF (12 pages)
Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-07 — PDF (10 pages)
Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-20 — PDF (11 pages)