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HR 1364

Commending Sebastian Quaid for his service as chief of staff in the office of State Representative Marc LaHood.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Marc LaHood

Expands VA's definition of medical services to cover auto adaptations for drivers and passengers, allowing disabled veterans to obtain adaptive vehicle equipment.

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Bill Summary · HR 1364

Summary — H.R. 1364 (119th Congress): Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation Act of 2025 (ASSIST Act of 2025)

Note on bill identification
- The header information provided includes a conflicting caption (a congratulatory resolution for Sebastian Quaid). The official committee report (H. Rept. 119–96), bill text, and legislative actions show H.R. 1364 is in fact the "Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation Act of 2025" (ASSIST Act of 2025). This summary follows the committee report and enacted text.

Purpose

To clarify and expand the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) statutory definition of “medical services” to explicitly include a broader set of medically necessary automobile adaptations for both driver and passenger use, ensuring disabled veterans can obtain adaptive vehicle equipment through the VA Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) program. The bill also adjusts a statutory date limiting certain pension payment rules.

Key provisions

  1. Amendment to 38 U.S.C. § 1701(6)(I)

    • Expands VA’s definition of “medical services” to explicitly include medically necessary automobile adaptations for driver or passenger use, including (but not limited to):
      • ramp and kneeling systems
      • raised doors or lowered floors
      • raised roofs
      • air conditioning
      • occupied and unoccupied mobility lifts
      • ingress or egress accessibility modifications
      • wheelchair tiedowns
      • adapted seating
    • Uses the word “including” to make the list non‑exclusive, preserving VA ability to furnish other necessary adaptive items.
    • Removes prior wording that inadvertently limited coverage (e.g., limiting wheelchair tiedowns to passenger use).

  2. Amendment to 38 U.S.C. § 5503(d)(7)

    • Extends the date in law that governs certain limits on pension payments: strikes “November 30, 2031” and inserts “September 30, 2032.” (This maintains an existing capped payment provision for certain pension situations through the new date.)

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Disabled veterans who require vehicle adaptations and their caregivers — improved access to VA-funded adaptive equipment for both drivers and passengers.
  • VA: Implements the clarified authority and may expand furnished adaptive items under its AAE program.
  • Federal budget: Committee report indicates cost-offset considerations (e.g., pension payment recovery) though specific Congressional Budget Office (CBO) numbers are in the accompanying report (H. Rept. 119–96).

Legislative history and status

  • Introduced: Feb 14, 2025 (Rep. Tom Barrett, primary sponsor). Cosponsors include Claudia Tenney, Susie Lee, Dan Crenshaw, Maggie Goodlander, David G. Valadao, Jason Crow.
  • Committee actions: Referred to House Veterans’ Affairs; subcommittee hearings and markups; reported (amended) by Committee (H. Rept. 119–96) May 15, 2025.
  • House passage: Passed under suspension of the rules by voice vote on May 19, 2025.
  • Senate: Received and read twice; referred to Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on May 20, 2025. Companion bill: S.1726.
  • Final procedural steps: Reported enrolled June 1, 2025.

Expected impact

  • Clarifies congressional intent to let VA furnish a broader and non‑exclusive set of vehicle adaptations, reducing barriers veterans face in obtaining safe, accessible transportation. The provision is intended to support veterans’ mobility, independence, employment opportunities, and overall well‑being. The date change in pension law preserves an existing limitation through Sept. 30, 2032, which the committee cites in cost‑offset discussions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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