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[House Report 111-162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

111th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    111-162

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       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

                               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 VA-related 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 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 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.
    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.

             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 
work-study 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.

                                  
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