April 16 (legislative day, April 14), 2026
Mr. Banks (for himself and Ms. Hirono) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use commercial codes and standards instead of or in addition to Federal codes and standards in the construction or alteration of facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Department of Veterans Affairs use of commercial construction and facilities code and standards
(a) In general
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall use commercial codes and standards instead of or in addition to Federal codes and standards in the construction or alteration of facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, where such commercial codes and standards do not conflict with statutory and regulatory requirements.
(b) Pilot projects
The Secretary shall undertake not fewer than three pilot projects during each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031 utilizing commercial codes and standards instead of Federal codes and standards to lease or construct facilities of the Department for major construction, minor construction, or major lease projects.
(c) Reports
The Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives not later than 90 days after the end of each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031 detailing the use by the Secretary of the authority provided by subsection (a) and conduct of each pilot project required by subsection (b) that was initiated, ongoing, or completed during the fiscal year.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Commercial codes and standards
The term commercial codes and standards means building codes or standards of the following:
(A)
The National Fire Protection Association.
(B)
The International Code Council.
(C)
The American Society for Testing and Materials.
(D)
The American Society of Civil Engineers.
(E)
Any other building code or standard, other than those described in paragraph (2), determined by the Secretary.
(2) Federal codes and standards
The term Federal codes and standards means the following:
(A)
Building codes or standards specific to one or more Federal agencies.
(B)
Building codes or standards specific to the Department, including the Technical Information Library.
(C)
Standards of the Federal Guidelines Institute.