H.R. 217: Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act

This bill, titled the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act or CHIP IN for Veterans Act, aims to make permanent a pilot program that allows the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept donations of facilities and improvements intended for veterans. The original pilot program was created by a law in 2016 and was set to expire after a certain period.

Key Objectives of the Bill

• Permanently Establish Program: The bill seeks to remove the temporary status of the pilot program, converting it into a permanent program.
• Facilitate Donations: By making this program permanent, it encourages private entities and individuals to donate facilities and related improvements, which may include buildings or renovations aimed at supporting veterans.
• Streamline Acceptance Process: The amendments clarify the process by which the VA can accept such donations, ensuring that the program operates smoothly without the limitations imposed by a pilot status.

Amendments and Changes

• The bill revises language in the existing law, changing any mention of "pilot program" to simply "program" for clarity and operational effectiveness.
• It moves the relevant provisions to a different section of the United States Code, reorganizing legal references and ensuring that donors and the VA are clear about the framework in which they are operating.
• The amendments include conforming changes to update terms and ensure consistency in legal language.

Implementation Timeline

The changes brought about by this bill are set to take effect on December 16, 2026, providing time for a transition to the permanent structure.

Intended Outcomes

The overall goal of the legislation is to enhance support for veterans by ensuring that there is a structured and consistent way for communities and organizations to contribute to veterans' facilities and programs through donations.

Relevant Companies

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