# What This Bill Does

The Department of Veterans Affairs has been running a test program that lets private companies and organizations donate buildings and facilities to help serve veterans. Instead of the government building everything from scratch, this pilot program accepts donated properties—like medical facilities, housing, or other structures—to expand VA services. This bill simply extends that test program by five more years, pushing the deadline from 2021 to the end of 2026.

# Why This Matters

For veterans, this could mean faster access to new facilities and services without waiting for government construction projects to move through the typical bureaucratic process. Private donors can contribute buildings or improvements, which gets them built and operational more quickly. The VA gets to expand its capacity to serve veterans without spending as much taxpayer money on construction. However, the bill also adds an important accountability measure: the VA must now submit detailed reports every year explaining which donated facilities have been completed, which ones are still in progress, which ones they've rejected and why, and how they're prioritizing which donations to accept.

# The Practical Impact

This extension means the VA can continue accepting donations through 2026 instead of having the program expire. Veterans in communities where private donors are willing to contribute facilities might see new clinics, mental health centers, or housing options appear faster than traditional government construction timelines would allow. The new reporting requirement ensures Congress and the public can track whether this partnership approach is actually working well or if the VA is sitting on promising donation offers without good reason.

To extend the pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Jackson, Ronny

 <p>This bill extends through December 31, 2026, the pilot program under which the Department of Veterans Affairs may accept donations of real property or facilities from specified entities (e.g., a state or local authority). </p>