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[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1071 Introduced in House (IH)]

106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1071

 To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits under the 
 Montgomery GI Bill by establishing an enhanced educational assistance 
 program, by increasing the amount of basic educational assistance, by 
repealing the requirement for reduction in pay for participation in the 
   program, by authorizing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make 
accelerated payments of basic educational assistance, and by reopening 
the period for certain VEAP participants to elect to participate in the 
    program of basic educational assistance, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 11, 1999

  Mr. Evans (for himself, Mr. Dingell, Mr. Filner, Mr. Shows, and Ms. 
Brown of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
 To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits under the 
 Montgomery GI Bill by establishing an enhanced educational assistance 
 program, by increasing the amount of basic educational assistance, by 
repealing the requirement for reduction in pay for participation in the 
   program, by authorizing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make 
accelerated payments of basic educational assistance, and by reopening 
the period for certain VEAP participants to elect to participate in the 
    program of basic educational assistance, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act 
of 1999''.

SEC. 2. ENHANCED BENEFITS UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL FOR FOUR YEARS OF 
              ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 30 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:
    ``SUBCHAPTER V-ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
``Sec. 3041. Enhanced educational assistance entitlement
    ``(a) Entitlement.--An eligible individual is entitled to enhanced 
educational assistance under this subchapter.
    ``(b) Eligible Individual Defined.--For purposes of this 
subchapter, the term `eligible individual' means an individual who 
meets the service requirement described in subsection (c) and whose 
status after completion of such service is described in section 
3011(a)(3) of this title. Such term does not include an individual 
described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 3011(c) of this title.
    ``(c) Service Requirement.--(1) The service requirement referred to 
in subsection (b) is as follows:
            ``(A) After September 30, 1999, the individual--
                    ``(i) first enters on active duty;
                    ``(ii) reenlists or extends an enlistment on active 
                duty as a member of the Armed Forces; or
                    ``(iii) in the case of an officer, continues to 
                serve on active duty after that date.
            ``(B) From the date of such entry, reenlistment, extension, 
        or continuation, as the case may be, the individual--
                    ``(i) serves a continuous period of active duty of 
                at least four years in the Armed Forces; or
                    ``(ii) serves on active duty in the Armed Forces 
                and is discharged or released from active duty--
                            ``(I) as provided in subclause (I) of 
                        section 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii) of this title;
                            ``(II) for the convenience of the 
                        Government, after having completed not less 
                        than 42 months of continuous active duty; or
                            ``(III) as provided in subclause (III) of 
                        section 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii) of this title.
    ``(2) In determining service under paragraph (1), the following 
rules apply:
            ``(A) Any period of service described in paragraph (2) or 
        (3) of section 3011(d) of this title that applies to an 
        eligible individual under this section shall not be considered 
        a part of the individual's period of active duty.
            ``(B) A member described in paragraph (2) of section 
        3011(f) of this title who serves the periods of active duty 
        referred to in such paragraph shall be deemed to have served a 
        continuous period of active duty the length of which is the 
        aggregate length of the periods of active duty referred to in 
        such paragraph.
            ``(C) Subsections (g) and (h) of section 3011 of this title 
        apply with respect to an eligible individual under this section 
        in the same manner as they apply to an individual under section 
        3011 of this title.
    ``(d) Election of Basic Educational Assistance.--(1) An eligible 
individual entitled to enhanced educational assistance under this 
subchapter may elect (in a form and manner prescribed by the Secretary) 
to receive basic educational assistance under subchapter II in lieu of 
such enhanced educational assistance for an enrollment period. Such an 
election shall be made by not later than 30 days before the beginning 
of the enrollment period.
    ``(2) An eligible individual may revoke an election made pursuant 
to paragraph (1), but in no case may such revocation be made later than 
30 days before the beginning of the enrollment period.
``Sec. 3042. Duration of enhanced educational assistance
    ``(a) In General.--Subject to section 3695 of this title and except 
as provided in subsection (b), each individual entitled to enhanced 
educational assistance under section 3041 of this title is entitled to 
a monthly enhanced educational assistance allowance under this 
subchapter for a period or periods not to exceed a total of 36 months 
(or the equivalent thereof in part-time enhanced educational 
assistance).
    ``(b) Special Rule for Certain Early Separations.--Subject to 
section 3695 of this title, in the case of an individual described in 
subclause (I) or (III) of section 3041(c)(1)(B)(ii) who does not serve 
a continuous period of active duty of at least four years in the Armed 
Forces (as described in section 3041(c)(1)(B)(i) of this title), the 
individual is entitled to one month of enhanced educational assistance 
benefits under this subchapter (not to exceed a total of 36 months (or 
the equivalent thereof in part-time enhanced educational assistance)) 
for each month of continuous active duty served by the individual 
beginning with the date on which the entry on active duty, 
reenlistment, enlistment extension, or continuation applicable to that 
individual under section 3041(c)(1)(A) of this title begins.
``Sec. 3043. Payment of educational expenses
    ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
shall pay to the educational institution providing a course under an 
approved program of education to an eligible individual under this 
subchapter who is enrolled in the course the actual cost of tuition and 
fees otherwise payable by the individual.
    ``(2) Such cost may not exceed the amount charged to similarly 
circumstanced nonveterans.
    ``(b) Stipend; Costs of Books and Supplies.--The Secretary shall 
pay to each eligible individual under this subchapter who is pursuing 
an approved program of education--
            ``(1) a stipend as provided in section 3044 of this title; 
        and
            ``(2) in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
        Secretary, an amount equal to the average cost of books and 
        supplies payable by individuals pursuing courses of education 
        at educational institutions.
    ``(c) Exclusion From Income for Eligibility Determinations for 
Federal Educational Loans.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
amounts payable by the Secretary under this subchapter with respect to 
an eligible individual shall not be considered as income for purposes 
of determining eligibility of such individual for education grants or 
loans under any other provision of Federal law.
``Sec. 3044. Amount of stipend
    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in section 3042 of this 
title, the stipend under this subchapter shall be paid at a monthly 
rate (as that rate may be increased pursuant to subsection (b)) as 
follows:
            ``(1) At the monthly rate of $800 for an approved program 
        of education pursued on a full-time basis.
            ``(2) At the monthly rate of $600 for an approved program 
        of education pursued on a three-quarter-time basis.
            ``(3) At the monthly rate of $400 for an approved program 
        of education pursued on a half-time basis.
            ``(4) At the monthly rate of $200 for an approved program 
        of education pursued on less than a half-time basis.
    ``(b) Adjustment for Inflation.--With respect to any fiscal year 
beginning after fiscal year 2000, the Secretary shall increase the rate 
paid under subsection (a) for the previous fiscal year by the 
percentage applicable under section 3015(g) of this title.
``Sec. 3045. Tutorial assistance
    ``An individual entitled to an enhanced educational assistance 
allowance under this subchapter shall be entitled to benefits provided 
an individual under section 3019 of this title, subject to the 
conditions provided in such section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 3002 of such title is 
amended by inserting at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(9) The term `enhanced educational assistance' means educational 
assistance provided under subchapter V.''.
    (2) Section 3011 of such title is amended in subsection (f)(1) and 
(g) by striking ``chapter'' each place it appears and inserting 
``subchapter''.
    (3) Section 3018 of such title is amended by striking ``educational 
assistance under this chapter'' each place it appears and inserting 
``educational assistance under this subchapter''.
    (4) Section 3018A(a) of such title is amended by striking 
``education assistance under this chapter'' and inserting ``educational 
assistance under this subchapter''.
    (5) Section 3018B of such title is amended by striking ``education 
assistance under this chapter'' each place it appears and inserting 
``educational assistance under this subchapter''.
    (6) Section 3018C of such title is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``educational assistance 
        under this chapter'' and inserting ``educational assistance 
        under this subchapter''; and
            (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``education assistance 
        under this chapter'' and inserting ``educational assistance 
        under this subchapter''.
    (7) Section 3019 of such title is amended by striking ``chapter'' 
each place it appears and inserting ``subchapter''.
    (8) Section 3031 of such title is amended--
            (A) in subsection (f), by inserting ``or 3042 of this 
        title'' after ``section 3013'' each place it appears; and
            (B) in subsection (g), by inserting ``or 
        3031(c)(1)(B)(ii)(III)'' after ``section 
        3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(III)''.
    (9) Section 3032(e)(3) of such title is amended by inserting ``, or 
section 3044(a)(1)'' after ``section 3015''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 30 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new items:

            ``SUBCHAPTER V--ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

``3041. Enhanced educational assistance entitlement.
``3042. Duration of enhanced educational assistance.
``3043. Payment of educational expenses.
``3044. Amount of stipend.
``3045. Tutorial assistance.''.

SEC. 3. INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER 
              MONTGOMERY GI BILL.

    (a) Active Duty Educational Assistance.--Section 3015 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``$528'' and 
        inserting ``$900''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``$429'' and 
        inserting ``$730''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on October 1, 1999, and shall apply with respect to 
educational assistance allowances paid for months after September 1999.

SEC. 4. REPEAL OF PAY REDUCTION, ELECTION OF BENEFITS, AND HIGH SCHOOL 
              GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN BASIC 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL.

    (a) Repeal of Pay Reduction and Election of Benefits.--
            (1) Active duty program.--(A) Section 3011 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (i) by striking subsection (b); and
                    (ii) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (1) 
                and redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
                (1) and (2), respectively.
            (B) Section 3012 of such title is amended--
                    (i) by striking subsection (c); and
                    (ii) in subsection (d), by striking paragraph (1) 
                and redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
                (1) and (2), respectively.
            (2) Opportunities to withdraw election not to enroll.--(A) 
        Section 3016(a)(1) of such title is amended by striking ``, and 
        does not make an election under section 3011(c)(1) or section 
        3012(d)(1)''.
            (B) Sections 3018A and 3018B of such title are each amended 
        by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Notwithstanding subsection (b), no reduction in the pay of an 
individual under this section shall be made for months beginning after 
September 30, 1999. Any obligation of such individual under subsection 
(b), as of September 30, 1999, shall be deemed to be fully satisfied as 
of such date.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall take effect on October 1, 1999, and apply to individuals 
        whose initial obligated period of active duty under section 
        3011 or 3012 of title 38, United States Code, as the case may 
        be, begins on or after such date.
            (4) Termination of pay reductions in progress.--Any 
        reduction in the basic pay of an individual referred to in 
        subsection (b) of section 3011 of title 38, United States Code, 
        by reason of such subsection, or of any individual referred to 
        in subsection (c) of section 3012 of such title by reason of 
        such subsection, shall cease commencing with months beginning 
        after September 30, 1999, and any obligation of such individual 
        under such subsections, as the case may be, as of September 30, 
        1999, shall be deemed to be fully satisfied as of such date.
    (b) Repeal of High School Graduation Requirement.--
            (1) Active duty.--(A) Section 3011(a) of title 38, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (i) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (ii) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (2).
            (B) Section 3011 of such title is amended--
                    (i) by striking subsection (e); and
                    (ii) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), and (h) 
                as subsections (e), (f), and (g), respectively.
            (C) Section 3012(a) of such title is amended--
                    (i) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (ii) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (2).
            (D) Section 3012 of such title is amended--
                    (i) by striking subsection (f); and
                    (ii) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection 
                (f).
            (2) Opportunities to withdraw election not to enroll.--(A) 
        Section 3018 of such title is amended--
                    (i) by striking paragraph (4) of subsection (b);
                    (ii) by inserting ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (3)(C); and
                    (iii) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
                (4).
            (B)(i) Section 3018A(a) of such title is amended--
                    (I) by striking paragraph (2);
                    (II) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) 
                as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively; and
                    (III) by striking ``paragraph (3)'' in paragraphs 
                (3) and (4), as so redesignated, and inserting 
                ``paragraph (2)''.
            (ii) Section 3018A(c) of such title is amended by striking 
        ``subsection (a)(3) of this section'' and inserting 
        ``subsection (a)(2)''.
            (iii) Section 3018A(d)(1) of such title is amended by 
        striking ``subsection (a)(4) of this subsection'' and inserting 
        ``subsection (a)(3)''.
            (C)(i) Section 3018B(a)(1) of such title is amended--
                    (I) by striking subparagraph (B);
                    (II) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and 
                (E) as subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), respectively; 
                and
                    (III) by striking ``subparagraph (C)'' in 
                subparagraphs (C) and (D), as so redesignated, and 
                inserting ``subparagraph (B)''.
            (D)(i) Section 3018B(a)(2) of such title is amended--
                    (I) by striking subparagraph (B);
                    (II) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and 
                (E) as subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), respectively;
                    (III) by striking ``paragraph (1)(C) of this 
                subsection'' in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, 
                and inserting ``paragraph (1)(B)''; and
                    (IV) by striking ``subparagraph (C)'' in 
                subparagraphs (C) and (D), as so redesignated, and 
                inserting ``subparagraph (B)''.
            (ii) Section 3018B(c) of such title is amended by striking 
        ``subsection (a)(1)(C) or (a)(2)(C) of this section'' and 
        inserting ``subsection (a)(1)(B) or (a)(2)(B)''.
            (iii) Section 3018B(d)(1) of such title is amended by 
        striking ``subsection (a)(1)(D) or (a)(2)(D) of this section'' 
        and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)(C) or (a)(2)(C)''.
            (E)(i) Section 3018C(a) of such title is amended--
                    (I) by striking paragraph (3);
                    (II) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as 
                paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
                    (III) by striking ``paragraph (5)'' in paragraph 
                (3), as so redesignated, and inserting ``paragraph 
                (4)''.
            (ii) Section 3018C(b) of such title is amended by striking 
        ``as specified in subsection (a)(4)'' and inserting ``as 
        specified in subsection (a)(3)''.
            (iii) Section 3018C(c)(1) of such title is amended by 
        striking ``election described in subsection (a)(5)'' and 
        inserting ``election described in subsection (a)(4)''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and 
        apply with respect to individuals applying for basic 
        educational assistance under chapter 30 of title 38, United 
        States Code, on or after such date.
    (c) Education Outreach Services to Members of the Armed Forces.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3034(e)(1) of title 38, United 
        States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(e)(1) Not later than one year after an individual initially 
enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces, and at such 
additional times as the Secretary determines appropriate, the Secretary 
shall furnish the individual the information described in paragraph 
(2).''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall take effect on October 1, 1999, and apply to individuals 
        whose initial obligated period of active duty under section 
        3011 or 3012 of title 38, United States Code, as the case may 
        be, begins on or after such date.

SEC. 5. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY TO MAKE ACCELERATED PAYMENTS OF BASIC 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL.

    (a) In General.--Section 3014 of title 38 is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``The 
        Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Accelerated Payment.--(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this chapter and subject to subparagraph (B), an 
individual entitled to basic educational assistance under this 
subchapter may elect to receive an accelerated payment of the basic 
educational assistance allowance.
    ``(B) The Secretary may not make an accelerated payment for a 
course to an individual who has received an advance payment under 
section 3680(d) of this title for the same enrollment period.
    ``(2)(A) Pursuant to an election under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall make an accelerated payment to an individual for a course in a 
lump-sum amount equal to the lesser of--
            ``(i) the amount of the educational assistance allowance 
        for the month, or fraction thereof, in which the course begins 
        plus the educational assistance allowance for each of the 
        succeeding four months; or
            ``(ii)(I) in the case of a course offered on a quarter, 
        semester, or term basis, the amount of aggregate monthly 
        educational assistance allowance otherwise payable under this 
        subchapter for the course for the entire quarter, semester, or 
        term; or
            ``(II) in the case of a course that is not offered on a 
        quarter, semester, or term basis, the amount of aggregate 
        monthly educational assistance allowance otherwise payable 
        under this subchapter for the entire course.
    ``(B) In the case of an adjustment under section 3015(g) of this 
title in the monthly rate of basic educational assistance that occurs 
during a period for which an accelerated payment is made under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall pay--
            ``(i) on an accelerated basis the amount of the allowance 
        otherwise payable under this subchapter for the period without 
        regard to the adjustment under that section; and
            ``(ii) on the date of the adjustment any additional amount 
        of the allowance that is payable for the period as a result of 
        the adjustment.
    ``(3) Pursuant to an election under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall pay the accelerated payment to the individual for a course by not 
later than the date on which the course begins.
    ``(4) For each accelerated payment made to an individual, the 
individual's entitlement under this subchapter shall be charged at the 
same rate at which the entitlement would be charged if the individual 
had received a monthly educational assistance allowance for the period 
of educational pursuit covered by the accelerated payment.
    ``(5) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this 
subsection, and include in such regulations the requirements, 
conditions, and methods for the request, issuance, delivery, 
certification of receipt and use, and recovery of overpayment of an 
accelerated payment.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on March 1, 2000, and apply with respect to courses of 
education beginning on or after such date.

SEC. 6. AVAILABILITY OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS FOR PAYMENT FOR 
              LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION TESTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3452(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``Such term 
also includes licensing or certification tests required under Federal, 
State, or local law, or regulation, for vocations or professions.''.
    (b) Amount of Payment.--Section 3032 of such title is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) The amount of educational assistance payable under this 
chapter for a licensing or certification test described in section 
3452(b) of this title is the fee charged for the test.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on October 1, 1999, and apply with respect to licensing and 
certification tests approved by the Secretary offered on or after such 
date.

SEC. 7. AVAILABILITY OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS FOR PREPARATORY 
              COURSES FOR COLLEGE AND GRADUATE SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3452(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
as amended by section 6, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: ``Such term also includes a preparatory course 
for a test that is required or utilized for admission to an institution 
of higher education or to a graduate school.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on October 1, 1999, and applies with respect to preparatory 
courses approved by the Secretary beginning on or after such date.

SEC. 8. AVAILABILITY OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS FOR TRAINING FOR 
              TECHNOLOGICAL OCCUPATIONS OFFERED BY ENTITIES OTHER THAN 
              EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3452(c) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) The term `educational institution' means--
            ``(1) any public or private elementary school, secondary 
        school, vocational school, correspondence school, business 
        school, junior college, teachers' college, college, normal 
        school, professional school, university, or scientific or 
        technical institution, or other institution furnishing 
        education for adults;
            ``(2) any entity that provides training required for 
        completion of any State-approved alternative teacher 
        certification program (as determined by the Secretary); or
            ``(3) any entity that provides, either directly or under an 
        agreement with another entity, training required for 
        certification in a vocation or profession in a technological 
        occupation (as defined by the Secretary).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on October 1, 1999, and applies with respect to training 
courses, approved by the Secretary, for certification for technological 
occupations beginning on or after such date.

SEC. 9. ENROLLMENT OF CERTAIN VEAP PARTICIPANTS IN BASIC EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL.

    (a) In General.--Section 3018C(a) of title 38 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``an individual who--'' 
        and inserting ``an individual who is described in subsection 
        (e) or who--''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) An individual referred to in the matter preceding paragraph 1 
of subsection (a) is an individual who meets the following 
requirements:
            ``(1) Before October 10, 1996, the individual was enrolled 
        in the educational benefits program provided in chapter 32 of 
        this title.
            ``(2) The individual has continuously served on active duty 
        since October 9, 1996.
            ``(3) The individual, if discharged or released from active 
        duty after the date on which the individual makes the election 
        described in paragraph (4), is discharged or released therefrom 
        with an honorable discharge.
            ``(4) During the 18-month period beginning on the date of 
        the enactment of the Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act of 
        1999, the individual makes an election pursuant to procedures 
        established under subsection (a)(4).''.
    (b) Elimination of Pay Reduction.--(1) Section 3018C(b) of such 
title is amended by striking ``With respect'' and inserting ``Except as 
provided in subsection (f), with respect''.
    (2) Section 3018C of such title, as amended by subsection (a), is 
further amended, by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) No reduction in the pay of an individual under this section 
shall be made for months beginning after the date of the enactment of 
the Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act of 1999. Any obligation of such 
individual under subsection (b), as of such date, shall be deemed to be 
fully satisfied as of such date.''.
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