US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

38 U.S.C. § 8131

Definitions

For the purpose of this subchapter—
(1)
The veteran population of each State shall be determined on the basis of the latest figures certified by the Department of Commerce.
(2)
25 U.S.C. 5304 The term “State” includes each Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ()) but does not include any possession of the United States.
(3)
The term “construction” means the construction of new domiciliary or nursing home buildings, the expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing buildings for the provision of domiciliary, nursing home, adult day health, or hospital care in State homes, and the provision of initial equipment for any such buildings.
(4)
The term “cost of construction” means the amount found by the Secretary to be necessary for a construction project, including architect fees, but excluding land acquisition costs.

Pub. L. 88–450, § 4(a)78 Stat. 501Pub. L. 94–581, title II, § 206(b)90 Stat. 2859Pub. L. 95–62, § 3(1)91 Stat. 262Pub. L. 99–576, title II, § 224(d)100 Stat. 3263Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 402(b)(1)105 Stat. 238Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1)105 Stat. 404Pub. L. 104–262, title III, § 342(b)(1)110 Stat. 3206Pub. L. 116–315, title III, § 3004(c)(1)134 Stat. 4992(Added , , , § 5031; amended , , ; , (2), , ; , , ; renumbered § 8131, , , ; , (2)(E), , , 405; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–31525 U.S.C. 53042021—Par. (2). inserted “includes each Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ()) but” before “does not”.

Pub. L. 104–2621996—Par. (3). inserted “adult day health,” before “or hospital care”.

Pub. L. 102–40section 5031 of this title1991— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83Par. (4). substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”.

Pub. L. 99–5761986— redesignated pars. (a) to (d) as pars. (1) to (4), respectively.

Pub. L. 95–62, § 3(1)1977—Par. (c). , inserted construction of new domiciliary buildings, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing domiciliary and hospital buildings, and provision of initial equipment for any such buildings to definition of “construction”.

Pub. L. 95–62, § 3(2)Par. (d). , struck out provisions which had limited definition of “cost of construction” to the cost of construction of nursing home facilities.

Pub. L. 94–5811976—Par. (a). substituted “veteran” for “war veteran”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–576, title II, § 224(e)100 Stat. 3263

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 5033 and 5035 [now 8133 and 8135] of this title] shall take effect on .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–62, § 591 Stat. 263

“(a)
section 644 of this title Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the amendments made by this Act [amending this section and sections 5032 to 5036 [now 8132 to 8136] of this title and repealing ] shall be effective .
“(b)
(1)
section 644 of title 38section 644 of this title The terms and conditions of any grant made prior to , under , United States Code [former ], and regulations prescribed thereunder, shall remain in full force and effect unless modified, by the mutual agreement of the parties, in accordance with the provisions of subchapter III of chapter 81 of such title, and regulations prescribed thereunder, in effect after .
“(2)
With respect to any grant made prior to , under subchapter III of chapter 81 of such title, the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs shall, upon application of a grantee, modify the terms and conditions of such grant to comply with the provisions of such subchapter as amended by this Act, and regulations prescribed thereunder, and shall promptly notify each such grantee of the grantee’s right to request such modification.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–581section 211 of Pub. L. 94–581section 111 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Short Title of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–62section 1 of Pub. L. 95–62section 101 of this titleFor short title of as the “State Veterans’ Home Assistance Improvement Act of 1977”, see , set out as a Short Title of 1977 Amendment note under .