Bill · S. 4218· Senate(119-S-4218)
VA Appraisal Modernization Act
- Introduced
- 3/26/2026
- Last activity
- 3/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Tammy Duckworth
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The VA Appraisal Modernization Act aims to amend how appraisal fees are handled for Department of Veterans Affairs housing loans. It requires the Secretary to establish baseline appraisal fees and adjust them annually based on home purchase price increases. The bill introduces specific designations for high-demand and remote counties based on appraiser availability and distance. In high-demand counties, the Secretary must increase appraisal fees to a specific level. Additionally, the bill provides for mileage reimbursement for appraisers working in high-demand or remote counties. Finally, it mandates a report and a study regarding the implementation and feasibility of various appraisal processes.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+4
The bill aims to improve the timeliness and availability of appraisals necessary for veterans to secure VA-guaranteed housing loans.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill requires the Secretary to publish established appraisal fees on a publicly available website.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+3
The bill increases compensation and provides mileage reimbursement for individual appraisers working in high-demand or remote areas.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill mandates an estimation of how these new fee requirements and mileage reimbursements will increase government expenditures over time.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Inflation Protection for Appraisers: The Secretary must adjust appraisal fees annually to reflect the increase in home purchase prices, ensuring compensation keeps up with market changes (Section 2(b)(2)).
-
Increased Compensation in High-Demand Areas: Appraisers working in high-demand counties will receive increased fees, which can be at least 125 percent of the established baseline (Section 2(d)(1)).
-
Potential for Even Higher Fees in Persistent High-Demand Areas: In counties designated as high-demand for four quarters or more, the Secretary can increase the fee to up to 150 percent of the baseline (Section 2(d)(2)).
-
Travel Cost Coverage: Appraisers working in high-demand or remote counties will receive mileage reimbursement for the round trip between their business and the property (Section 2(e)).
-
Transparency of Fees: The Secretary is required to publish established appraisal fees on a publicly available website and notify appraisers directly (Section 2(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Government Expenditures: The bill requires the Secretary to estimate the effects of these new fee structures on government expenditures over time, suggesting an increase in costs (Section 3(a)(1)(A)).
-
Increased Complexity for the Secretary: The Secretary is tasked with maintaining and updating lists for both high-demand and remote counties on a quarterly basis (Section s 2(c)(1)(B) and 2(c)(2)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+4Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Low Income Households+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3Reduces Government Spending-2
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana