S. 2988 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Oct 8, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryOverhauls VA buildings and infrastructure policies
This bill makes several changes to how the Department of Veterans Affairs manages its buildings and facilities. It lets the VA more easily share its physical space and utilities with other organizations, gives the VA more flexibility to lease out property it owns, allows the VA to use standard commercial building codes alongside federal ones, and lets the VA hire private companies to manage construction projects. The bill also creates a pilot program to test accepting donations of property and consolidates some VA departments that handle facilities and procurement.
How it affects you
If you use VA health care or facilities, these changes could affect where and how you receive services, since the VA would have more options for sharing space and managing its buildings. Veterans may eventually benefit from more efficient facility management and construction practices, though the official summary doesn't detail specific day-to-day changes you'd notice.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Oct 8, 2025)
Veterans' Infrastructure and Transformation Act of 2025 or the VITAL Act of 2025
This bill addresses various policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) infrastructure and facilities, including those related to construction projects.
The bill modifies the VA’s authority to share health care resources, including by providing for a simplified agreement process to share physical space (e.g., a building or parking facility) or common services (e.g., electricity).
The bill also modifies the VA’s authority to lease its real property (enhanced-use leases). Specifically, the bill allows for the exchange of real property that is assessed to be of similar value and removes the cap on the length of an enhanced-use lease. The bill requires the VA to implement a seven-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of entering into enhanced-use leases for noncash consideration.
Among other elements, the bill also
• authorizes the VA to use commercial codes and standards instead of or in addition to federal codes and standards in constructing or altering VA facilities,
• authorizes the VA to contract with private entities for comprehensive construction project management services,
• expands and extends the pilot program under which the VA may accept donations of real property and facilities,
• modifies the authority and responsibilities of the VA’s Director of Construction and Facilities Management, and
• requires the VA to consolidate certain employees and functions relating to facilities and infrastructure as well as acquisition and procurement.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2988
A BILL
VITAL Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) · Introduced Oct 8, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 8, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.”
Sections
Sections · 14
- Sec. 1Short title; table of contentsNo change
- Sec. 2Modification of authority for sharing of health-care resources of Department of Veterans Affairs to include flexible space utilization and streamlined service agreementsNo change
- Sec. 3Use of commercial construction and facilities code and standardsNo change
- Sec. 4Exchanges of real property via enhanced-use leaseNo change
- Sec. 5Pilot program on authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into enhanced-use leases for noncash considerationNo change
- Sec. 6Feasibility studies for outleasing facilities of Department of Veterans AffairsNo change
- Sec. 7Report on strategic plan for infrastructure and capital assets of Department of Veterans AffairsNo change
- Sec. 8Contracting for construction project management servicesNo change
- Sec. 9Expansion and extension of pilot program on acceptance by the Department of Veterans Affairs of donated facilities and related improvementsNo change
- Sec. 10Reforming requirements and authorities of Director of Construction and Facilities Management of Department of Veterans AffairsNo change
- Sec. 11Consolidation of construction and leasing activities of Department of Veterans AffairsNo change
- Sec. 12Consolidation of Department of Veterans Affairs acquisition, procurement, and logisticsNo change
- Sec. 13Reports to CongressNo change
- Sec. 14General limitation on obligationsNo change