This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to use commercial building codes and standards instead of or alongside Federal codes when constructing or renovating VA facilities, as long as these commercial standards do not conflict with existing laws and regulations. The legislation requires the VA to conduct at least three pilot projects per year from 2027 through 2031 that use commercial codes for major construction, minor construction, or major lease projects. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must report to Congress every 90 days after the end of each fiscal year detailing the pilot projects and the use of commercial codes. Commercial codes come from established organizations like the National Fire Protection Association and International Code Council, while Federal codes are those specific to federal agencies or the VA itself. The goal of the bill is to streamline and potentially speed up the VA construction and renovation process by using more widely adopted commercial standards.
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