Fisher House Availability Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3726
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T10:23:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 3726: Fisher House Availability Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation expands access to temporary lodging facilities run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as Fisher Houses, on a space-available basis for certain veterans, family members, and active duty service members traveling for care. It also extends the timeline for limits on certain pension payments.
Key Provisions
- Short title: The bill is called the Fisher House Availability Act of 2026.
- Amends section 1708 of title 38, United States Code (the main law on veterans' benefits), to update rules for temporary lodging use.
- Adds new eligibility categories for space-available lodging, including:
- Active duty service members who travel far for care at VA or non-VA facilities.
- Family members or supporters accompanying those service members.
- Veterans and family members traveling because a family member needs care.
- Active duty service members and their families traveling for a family member's care.
- Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to set criteria for deciding who gets space-available access.
- Redesignates some subsections and removes one existing subsection for clarity.
- Extends the end date for limits on pension payments from January 31, 2033, to July 31, 2033.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Broadens who can use VA temporary lodging beyond the prior focus on veterans and families directly connected to a veteran's care.
- Introduces a definition for "covered beneficiary" to mean active duty members of the uniformed services.
- Adds a definition for "Fisher house" as a donated temporary housing facility near a VA medical site for patients and eligible companions.
- Adjusts language in related rules to cover the new groups and space-available access.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Department of Veterans Affairs would manage expanded use of lodging facilities, including developing access criteria and handling increased demand on a space-available basis.
- On citizens: Veterans, active duty service members, and their families may gain easier support when traveling long distances for medical care or services.
- On international relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Veterans Affairs, which operates the lodging facilities.
- Veterans and their family members seeking care.
- Active duty members of the uniformed services and their families.
- Organizations like the Fisher House Foundation that build and donate the housing facilities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The changes stay within Congress's authority to adjust veterans' benefits programs and do not appear to raise new constitutional concerns.
- The pension extension continues an existing policy with a six-month delay in the cutoff date.
- Overall, the bill focuses on practical support for military and veteran families without altering core legal structures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-05-19: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-05-19: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-05-19: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3577)
- 2026-05-19: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3577)
- 2026-05-19: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3726.
- 2026-05-19: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3577-3579)
- 2026-05-19: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2026-04-30: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 546.
- 2026-04-30: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-630.
- 2026-04-30: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-630.
- 2026-02-12: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2026-02-12: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-05: Subcommittee on Health Discharged
- 2025-06-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Bill Versions
- Fisher House Availability Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (6 pages)
- Fisher House Availability Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-04 — PDF (4 pages)
- Fisher House Availability Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (5 pages)
- Fisher House Availability Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (8 pages)