§3761. Pilot program

(a) The Secretary shall establish and implement a pilot program under which the Secretary may make direct housing loans to Native American veterans. The purpose of such loans is to permit such veterans to purchase, construct, or improve dwellings on trust land. The Secretary shall establish and implement the pilot program in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.

(b) In carrying out the pilot program under this subchapter, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, make direct housing loans to Native American veterans who are located in a variety of geographic areas and in areas experiencing a variety of economic circumstances.

(c) No loans may be made under this subchapter after September 30, 1997.

(Added Pub. L. 102–547, §8(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3636 .)

Consultation With Advisory Committee on Native-American Veterans

Section 8(b) of Pub. L. 102–547 provided that: "In carrying out the direct housing loan pilot program authorized under subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consider the views and recommendations, if any, of the Advisory Committee on Native-American Veterans established under section 19032 of the Veterans' Health-Care Amendments of 1986 [formerly set out as a note under former section 219 of this title] (title XIX of Public Law 99–272; 100 Stat. 388)."

Annual Reports on Pilot Program

Section 8(d) of Pub. L. 102–547 provided that: "Not later than February 1 of each of 1994 through 1998, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transmit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report relating to-

"(1) the implementation of the Native American veterans direct housing loan pilot program established under subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), during the period ending on September 30 of the year preceding the date of the report;

"(2) the Secretary's exercise of the authority provided under section 3762(c)(1)(B) of such title (as so added) to make loans exceeding the maximum loan amount;

"(3) the appraisals performed for the Secretary during that period under the authority of section 3732(d)(2) of such title (as so added), including a description of-

"(A) the manner in which such appraisals were performed;

"(B) the qualifications of the appraisers who performed such appraisals; and

"(C) the actions taken by the Secretary with respect to such appraisals to protect the interests of veterans and the United States; and

"(4) the Secretary's recommendations, if any, for legislation regarding the pilot program."

Authorization of Appropriations for Native American Veteran Housing Loans

Section 8(e) of Pub. L. 102–547 provided that: "New direct loan obligations for Native American veteran housing loans under subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), may be incurred only to the extent that appropriations of budget authority to cover the anticipated cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 [2 U.S.C. 661a], for such loans are made in advance. There is authorized to be appropriated for such purpose $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, which amount shall remain available without fiscal year limitation."