79–006 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 111–162 

PILOT COLLEGE WORK STUDY PROGRAMS FOR 

VETERANS ACT OF 2009 

JUNE 18, 2009.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. FILNER, from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 1037] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 1037) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability 

of expanding the scope of certain qualifying work-study activities 

under title 38, United States Code, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that 

the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Amendment .............................................................................................................. 2 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 2 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 2 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 3 

Subcommittee Consideration .................................................................................. 3 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 3 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 3 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 4 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 4 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 4 

Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits .................................................................. 4 

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 4 

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 4 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 5 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 5 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 5 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 5 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 6 


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AMENDMENT

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans 

Act of 2009’’. 

SEC. 2. FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM FOR ON-CAMPUS WORK-STUDY POSITIONS. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 

conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding 

the scope of qualifying work-study activities for purposes of section 3485(a)(4) of 

title 38, United States Code, including work-study positions available on site at educational institutions. 

(b) TYPE OF WORK-STUDY POSITIONS.—The work-study positions referred to in 

subsection (a) may include positions in academic departments (including positions 

as tutors or research, teaching, and lab assistants) and in student services (including positions in career centers and financial aid, campus orientation, cashiers, admissions, records, and registration offices). 

(c) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out the pilot 

project under this section, including regulations providing for the supervision of 

work-study positions referred to in subsection (a) by appropriate personnel of the 

Department. 

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to carry out 

the pilot project under this section. 

(e) SOURCE OF FUNDS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this section 

shall not be carried out with any funds provided for or under any authority of the 

Readjustment benefits program described by the list of Appropriated Entitlements 

and Mandatories for Fiscal Year 1997 contained in the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2015 of the 105th Congress, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (H. Report 

105-217). No funds shall be obligated for the purpose of carrying out this section 

except discretionary funds appropriated specifically for the purpose of carrying out 

this section in appropriation Acts enacted after the date of the enactment of this 

Act. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H.R. 1037 was introduced on February 12, 2009, by Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota, Chairwoman of 

the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of the Committee on 

Veterans’ Affairs. H.R. 1037, as amended, directs the Secretary of 

the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a five-year 

pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the 

scope of certain qualifying work-study activities. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The VA was first authorized to provide student veterans with a 

work-study allowance with the enactment of Public Law 92–540 (86 

Stat. 1095). Currently, student veterans enrolled three-fourths or 

full-time in college degree programs, vocational programs or professional programs are eligible to participate in the work-study allowance program. In addition, certain veterans with service-connected 

disabilities are given priority for available work-study jobs within 

normal commuting distances. 

Under the current work-study program, veterans that qualify for 

the VA work-study program are limited to positions involving VArelated work, such as processing VA paperwork, performing outreach services, and assisting staff at VA medical facilities or the offices of the National Cemetery Administration. During the 110th 

Congress, Committee staff was informed that student veterans 

were not given sufficient work-study opportunities similar to those 


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offered to non-veteran students who have the option of working in 

academic departments and student services. 

To expand the scope of the work-study program, Representative 

Herseth Sandlin introduced H.R. 6224, the Pilot College Work 

Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2008, in the 110th Congress. 

In the 111th Congress, Representative Herseth Sandlin re-introduced this measure as H.R. 1037. 

HEARINGS

On May 21, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 

conducted a legislative hearing on various bills introduced during 

the 111th Congress, including H.R. 1037. The following witnesses 

testified: The Honorable Mike Coffman of Colorado; Richard Daley, 

Associate Legislation Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; 

John L. Wilson, Associate National Legislative Director, Disabled 

American Veterans; Mark Seavey, Assistant Director, National 

Legislative Commission, The American Legion; Raymond C. Kelley, 

National Legislative Director, AMVETS; Cpl. Wade J. Spann, 

USMC, Wounded Warrior Project; Keith M. Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department 

of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant 

General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, John 

C. McWilliam, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans’ Employment 

and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor. Submitting a 

statement for the record included: The Honorable Bob Filner of 

California. 

SUBCOMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On June 4, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 

met in open markup session and ordered H.R. 1037, as amended, 

favorably forwarded to the full Committee by voice vote. During 

consideration of the bill the following amendment in the nature of 

a substitute was considered: 

An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. 

Teague of New Mexico to make a technical change to the bill by 

striking the effective end date of 2013 and inserting 2014 was 

agreed to by voice vote. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On June 10, 2009, the full Committee met in an open markup 

session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 1037, as amended, reported favorably to the House of Representatives by voice 

vote. During consideration of the bill the following amendment in 

the nature of a substitute was considered: 

An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Ms. 

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota to clarify that funding 

for the pilot program is provided by the VA’s discretionary spending account was agreed to by voice vote. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes on the motion 

to report the legislation and amendments thereto. There were no 

record votes taken on amendments or in connection with ordering 


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H.R. 1037 reported to the House. A motion by Ms. Herseth Sandlin 

of South Dakota to order H.R. 1037, as amended, reported favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed to by voice vote. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause (2)(b)(1) 

of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 

descriptive portions of this report. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee’s performance goals and 

objectives are reflected in the descriptive portions of this report. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate prepared by 

the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

EARMARKS AND TAX AND TARIFF BENEFITS

H.R. 1037 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), 

or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R. 1037 

prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate for H.R. 1037 

provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, June 16, 2009. 

Hon. BOB FILNER, Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1037, the Pilot College 

Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2009. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Camille Woodland. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF, Director. 


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Enclosure. 

H.R. 1037—Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 

2009 

H.R. 1037 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(VA) to conduct a five-year pilot program to expand work-study opportunities for veterans. Assuming appropriation of the specified 

amounts, CBO estimates that implementing this program would 

cost $47 million over the 2010–2014 period. Enacting the bill would 

not affect direct spending or revenues. 

The current work-study program is limited to positions in certain 

VA facilities and, on campus, to assisting other veterans in obtaining veterans’ education benefits. Under this pilot, veterans could 

also take positions in academic departments and student services. 

H.R. 1037 would authorize the appropriation of $10 million each 

year over the 20102014 period for this program. Given information 

from VA, CBO anticipates that nearly 3,500 additional veterans 

each year would participate in work study under this provision. 

CBO estimates that costs to VA would increase by $7 million in 

2010 and by $10 million each year over the 2011–2014 period, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. 

H.R. 1037 contains no private-sector or intergovernmental mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. Any costs 

to public institutions of higher education would be incurred voluntarily. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Camille Woodland. 

The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates regarding H.R. 1037 prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 1037. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee finds that the Constitutional authority for H.R. 1037 is provided by Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States. 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 


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SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Short title 

This section provides the short title of H.R. 1037, as amended, 

as the ‘‘Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 

2009.’’ 

Section 2. Five-year pilot program for on-campus work-study positions 

This section directs the Secretary of VA to conduct a five-year 

pilot project to expand on existing work-study activities. 

This section authorizes student veterans to participate in workstudy positions in academic departments (including positions as tutors or research, teaching, and lab assistants) and in student services (including positions in career centers and financial aid, campus 

orientation, cashiers, admissions, records, and registration offices). 

This section requires the VA to publish regulations to carry out 

the pilot program, including regulations on the supervision of veterans participating in work-study positions; and authorizes $10 

million for each fiscal year 2010 through 2014. This section also 

clarifies that no funds shall be obligated to carry out this program 

except discretionary funds appropriated specifically for this purpose. 

Æ 


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