# 119-s-4218: VA Appraisal Modernization Act

119-s-4218, VA Appraisal Modernization Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4218
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-4218
- Congress: 119
- Title: VA Appraisal Modernization Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-03-26
- Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL)
- Cosponsors: 2
- Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## 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. - 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.

## Cosponsors (2)

- Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT] (R-MT), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN] (R-IN), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Mileage pay for VA appraisers: benefit, low. 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 G…
- Higher VA appraisal fees: mixed, low. 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-de…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-4744: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
- 119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act
- 119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-1552: Living Donor Protection Act of 2025
- 119-s-410: Love Lives On Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-4218 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4218)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-4744: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4744)
- [119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5238)
- [119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3597)
- [119-s-1552: Living Donor Protection Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1552)
- [119-s-410: Love Lives On Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-410)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4218 (as of 2026-04-21).