VA Appraisal Modernization Act
Sponsored By: Senator Tammy Duckworth
Introduced
Summary
Tie VA appraisal pay to local housing demand to reduce delays and reach remote areas. This bill would create annual, inflation‑linked appraisal fees, boost pay in high‑demand counties, reimburse travel for distant appraisals, and require VA reports and a study.
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- Veterans and homebuyers: The bill would aim to shorten appraisal wait times in busy markets by increasing fees where demand exceeds appraiser capacity. It sets a clear trigger for high‑demand status based on delays and unassigned work.
- Appraisers: Fees would be adjusted each January using the FHFA purchase‑only House Price Index and published by the VA. In high‑demand counties fees must be at least 125 percent of the baseline and can rise to 150 percent after prolonged demand, plus mileage reimbursed at the General Services Administration rate.
- Rural and remote borrowers: The VA could label remote counties with low appraiser density and pay travel costs when appraisers must drive more than 40 miles one way or when fewer than five appraisers are nearby.
- VA and Congress oversight: The VA must report within 180 days on effects such as spending, appraiser recruitment, appraisal completion times, and loan use, and complete a 180‑day study on contracting appraisers and mirroring FHA appraisal processes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Mileage pay for VA appraisers
If enacted, the bill would require the VA to reimburse appraisers for mileage when they do VA loan appraisals in counties the VA designates as high-demand or remote. Reimbursement would equal the round-trip miles between the appraiser's business and the property times the per-mile rate set by the General Services Administration under 5 U.S.C. 5707(b). This reimbursement would apply each time an appraisal is done for a VA loan in those counties.
Higher VA appraisal fees
If enacted, the bill would require the VA Secretary to set baseline appraisal fees within 180 days after enactment. The fees would be adjusted each January 1 starting in 2027 using the FHFA purchase-only House Price Index and rounded to the nearest $25. Appraisals in counties the VA labels "high-demand" would be paid at least 125% of the baseline fee. If a county stays high-demand for four quarters, the VA could raise that fee up to 150% of the baseline. The VA would publish fees on its website and notify appraisers on its network, and the Secretary would keep quarterly lists of high-demand and remote counties using the bill's criteria.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Tammy Duckworth
IL • D
Cosponsors
Tim Sheehy
MT • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Jim Banks
IN • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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