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[House Report 113-94]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

113th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                     113-94
======================================================================
 
                  GI BILL TUITION FAIRNESS ACT OF 2013

                                _______
                                

  June 3, 2013.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Miller of Florida, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 357]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 357) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
require courses of education provided by public institutions of 
higher education that are approved for purposes of the 
educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs to charge veterans tuition and fees at the 
in-State tuition rate, having considered the same, report 
favorably thereon with amendments and recommend that the bill 
as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Amendment........................................................     2
Purpose and Summary..............................................     5
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     5
Hearings.........................................................    14
Subcommittee Consideration.......................................    15
Committee Consideration..........................................    15
Committee Votes..................................................    16
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................    16
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............    16
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures    16
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits.............................    16
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................    16
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................    16
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................    24
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................    24
Statement of Constitutional Authority............................    24
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................    24
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs.....................    24
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking................................    25
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................    25
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............    27

                               Amendment

    The amendments are as follows:
    Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``GI Bill Tuition 
Fairness Act of 2013''.
  (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Approval of courses of education provided by public educational 
institutions for purposes of educational assistance programs 
administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs conditional on in-State 
tuition rate for veterans.
Sec. 4. Extension of authorization of appropriations for payment of a 
monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing 
for the Paralympic Team.
Sec. 5. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance to 
United States Paralympics, Inc.
Sec. 6. Clarification of eligibility for services under the Homeless 
Veterans Reintegration Program.
Sec. 7. Extension of eligibility period for vocational rehabilitation 
programs.
Sec. 8. Work-study allowance.
Sec. 9. Responsibilities of the Directors of Veterans' Employment and 
Training.
Sec. 10. Contents of Transition Assistance Program.
Sec. 11. Three-month extension of Veterans Retraining Assistance 
Program.
Sec. 12. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency 
and indemnity compensation.
Sec. 13. Performance awards in the senior executive service.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

  Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a 
repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be 
considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, 
United States Code.

SEC. 3. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION PROVIDED BY PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL 
                    INSTITUTIONS FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
                    PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                    AFFAIRS CONDITIONAL ON IN-STATE TUITION RATE FOR 
                    VETERANS.

  (a) In General.--Section 3679 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
  ``(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, the 
Secretary or the Secretary's designee shall disapprove a course of 
education provided by a public educational institution unless the 
institution charges tuition and fees for a veteran at up to the same 
rate as the institution charges for residents of the State in which the 
institution is located, regardless of the veteran's State of residence. 
The Secretary shall notify the State approving agency of the 
Secretary's disapproval of a course of education under this 
subsection.''.
  (b) Treatment of Enrolled Benefits Recipients.--
          (1) In general.--In the case of a veteran or eligible person 
        who is enrolled before July 1, 2015, in a course of education 
        provided by a public educational institution that was approved 
        under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, at the time 
        of the initial enrollment of the veteran or eligible person but 
        that is disapproved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the 
        Secretary's designee by reason of subsection (c) of section 
        3679 of such title, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary 
        shall treat such institution as an institution that is approved 
        under such chapter for purposes of the laws administered by the 
        Secretary with respect to the veteran or eligible person until 
        the veteran or eligible person completes the program of 
        education in which the veteran or eligible person is enrolled.
          (2) Termination.--
                  (A) Limitation.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not treat 
                such an institution as an approved institution under 
                paragraph (1) after July 1, 2019.
                  (B) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the limitation 
                under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines such 
                a waiver is appropriate.
  (c) Effective Date.--Subsection (c) of section 3679 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a) shall apply with respect 
to educational assistance provided after July 1, 2015.

SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR PAYMENT OF A 
                    MONTHLY ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE TO DISABLED VETERANS 
                    TRAINING OR COMPETING FOR THE PARALYMPIC TEAM.

  Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2013'' and inserting 
``2018''.

SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE TO 
                    UNITED STATES PARALYMPICS, INC.

  Section 521A is amended--
          (1) in subsection (g), by striking ``2013'' and inserting 
        ``2018''; and
          (2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2013'' and inserting 
        ``2018''.

SEC. 6. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES UNDER THE HOMELESS 
                    VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

  Subsection (a) of section 2021 is amended by striking ``reintegration 
of homeless veterans into the labor force.'' and inserting the 
following: ``reintegration into the labor force of--''
          ``(1) homeless veterans;
          ``(2) veterans participating in the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs supported housing program for which rental assistance 
        provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) of the United States 
        Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)); and
          ``(3) veterans who are transitioning from being 
        incarcerated.''.

SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY PERIOD FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
                    PROGRAMS.

  (a) Extension.--Section 3103 is amended by striking ``twelve-year 
period'' and inserting ``17-year period'' each place it appears.
  (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply 
with respect to a veteran applying for assistance under chapter 31 of 
title 38, United States Code, on or after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 8. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE.

  Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by striking ``June 30, 2013'' each 
place it appears and inserting ``June 30, 2018''.

SEC. 9. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS OF VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT AND 
                    TRAINING.

  Section 4103 is amended--
          (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
          (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
        subsection (b):
  ``(b) Responsibilities.--Each Director assigned to a State under 
subsection (a) shall carry out the following responsibilities:
          ``(1) Monitoring the performance of veterans' training and 
        employment programs in the State, with special emphasis on 
        services to disabled veterans.
          ``(2) Monitoring the performance of the State workforce 
        agency in complying with section 4212 of this title.
          ``(3) Suggesting to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
        Veterans' Employment and Training corrective actions that could 
        be taken by the State workforce agency to address deficiencies 
        in the performance of veterans' training and employment 
        programs in the State.
          ``(4) Annually negotiating with the State workforce agency to 
        establish performance goals for veterans' training and 
        employment programs in the State.
          ``(5) Reviewing the State's requests for funding for 
        veterans' training and employment programs and providing advice 
        to the State workforce agency and the Assistant Secretary 
        regarding such funding requests.
          ``(6) Forwarding complaints regarding possible violations of 
        chapter 43 of this title to the appropriate Regional 
        Administrator or to the to the Assistant Secretary, as 
        required.
          ``(7) Carrying out grant officer technical representative 
        responsibilities for grants issued under programs administered 
        by the Department.
          ``(8) Providing advice to the State workforce agency on 
        strategies to market veterans to employers.
          ``(9) Supervising and managing all support staff, including 
        Assistant Directors, establishing workload priorities, managing 
        all personnel actions, and evaluating all assigned personnel.
          ``(10) Submitting to the Assistant Secretary regular reports 
        on the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (8), 
        and any other matters the Assistant Secretary determine 
        appropriate.
          ``(11) Performing such other related duties as directed by 
        the Assistant Secretary.''.

SEC. 10. CONTENTS OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

  (a) In General.--Section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended--
          (1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new 
        paragraph:
          ``(9) Provide information about disability-related employment 
        and education protections.''.
          (2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e), as 
        subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and
          (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
        subsection (c):
  ``(c) Additional Elements of Program.--The mandatory program carried 
out by this section shall include--
          ``(1) for any such member who plans to use the member's 
        entitlement to educational assistance under title 38--
                  ``(A) instruction providing an overview of the use of 
                such entitlement; and
                  ``(B) testing to determine academic readiness for 
                post-secondary education, courses of post-secondary 
                education appropriate for the member, courses of post-
                secondary education compatible with the member's 
                education goals, and instruction on how to finance the 
                member's post-secondary education; and
          ``(2) instruction in the benefits under laws administered by 
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and in other subjects 
        determined by the Secretary concerned.''.
  (b) Deadline for Implementation.--The program carried out under 
section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, shall comply with the 
requirements of subsections (b)(9) and (c) of such section, as added by 
subsection (a), by not later than April 1, 2015.
  (c) Feasibility Study.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives the results of a study carried out by the Secretary to 
determine the feasibility of providing the instruction described in 
subsection (b) of section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, at all 
overseas locations where such instruction is provided by entering into 
a contract jointly with the Secretary of Labor for the provision of 
such instruction.

SEC. 11. THREE-MONTH EXTENSION OF VETERANS RETRAINING ASSISTANCE 
                    PROGRAM.

  (a) Extension.--Section 211 of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 
(Public Law 112-56; 125 Stat. 713; 38 U.S.C. 4100 note) is amended--
          (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking ``March 31, 2014'' 
        and inserting ``June 30, 2014''; and
          (2) in subsection (k), by striking ``March 31, 2014'' and 
        inserting ``June 30, 2014''.
  (b) Interim Report.--
          (1) Report required.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs, in collaboration with the Secretary of Labor, shall 
        submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an interim 
        report on the retraining assistance provided under section 211 
        of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-56; 125 
        Stat. 713; 38 U.S.C. 4100 note).
          (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                  (A) The total number of--
                          (i) eligible veterans who have participated 
                        in the program established under such section 
                        as of the date of the enactment of this Act; 
                        and
                          (ii) associates degrees or certificates 
                        awarded (or other similar evidence of the 
                        completion of the program of education or 
                        training earned) to veterans participating in 
                        the program established under such section as 
                        of such date.
                  (B) Data related to the employment status of eligible 
                veterans who participated in such program.

SEC. 12. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY 
                    AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

  (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2013, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the 
dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2013, for the payment of 
disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under 
the provisions specified in subsection (b).
  (b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be increased 
pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
          (1) Wartime disability compensation.--Each of the dollar 
        amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.
          (2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the 
        dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of such title.
          (3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount under section 1162 
        of such title.
          (4) Dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving 
        spouse.--Each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a) 
        through (d) of section 1311 of such title.
          (5) Dependency and indemnity compensation to children.--Each 
        of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such 
        title.
  (c) Determination of Increase.--
          (1) Percentage.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), each 
        dollar amount described in subsection (b) shall be increased by 
        the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts 
        payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
        401 et seq.) are increased effective December 1, 2012, as a 
        result of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 
        U.S.C. 415(i)).
          (2) Rounding.--Each dollar amount increased under paragraph 
        (1), if not a whole dollar amount, shall be rounded to the next 
        lower whole dollar amount.
  (d) Special Rule.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may adjust 
administratively, consistent with the increases made under subsection 
(a), the rates of disability compensation payable to persons under 
section 10 of Public Law 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263) who have not received 
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code.
  (e) Publication of Adjusted Rates.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in 
subsection (b), as increased under that section, not later than the 
date on which the matters specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be 
published by reason of a determination made under section 215(i) of 
such Act during fiscal year 2014.

SEC. 13. PERFORMANCE AWARDS IN THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE.

  For each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs may not pay any performance awards under section 5384 of title 
5, United States Code.

    Amend the title to read:
    A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require 
courses of education provided by public institutions of higher 
education that are approved for purposes of the educational 
assistance programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to charge veterans tuition and fees at the in-State 
tuition rate, to make other improvements in the laws relating 
to benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
and for other purposes.

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 357 was introduced on January 23, 2013, by 
Representative Jeff Miller of Florida. H.R. 357, as amended, 
incorporates provisions from H.R. 562, introduced by 
Representative Jeff Miller of Florida, H.R. 569, introduced by 
Representative Jon Runyan of New Jersey; H.R. 631, as amended, 
introduced by Representative Bill Flores of Texas; H.R. 844 
introduced by Representative Mark Takano of California; H.R. 
1305, introduced by Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio; H.R. 
1316, as amended, introduced by Representative Bill Flores of 
Texas; H.R. 1402, introduced by Representative Mike Coffman of 
Colorado; and H.R. 1453, introduced by Representative Mark 
Takano of California. Additionally, the bill as amended 
contains a free-standing provision that would place a five year 
moratorium on bonuses for members of the senior executive 
service at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

                  Background and Need for Legislation

Section 3. Approval of courses of education provided by public 
        educational institutions for purposes of educational assistance 
        programs administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        conditional on in-state tuition rate for veterans

    Our nation's veterans have always been a source of strength 
for America's economy. The Post 9/11 GI Bill has given 
thousands of veterans the option of attending college or 
receiving other types of vocational training at little or no 
out-of-pocket cost to them. Every dollar that we provide in 
education and training benefits to veterans under the GI Bill 
goes right back into our economy when these veterans graduate 
and enter the workforce.
    According to the College Board, for the 2012-2013 school 
year, the average in-state tuition and fees at public 
institutions was $8,655 per year. For out-of-state students, 
the average was $21,706 per year (roughly a 250 percent 
difference). Under current law, the Post 9/11 GI Bill only 
covers tuition and fees at the in-state rates at public 
schools. As a result, out-of-state student veterans can incur 
significant debt to make up the $13,000 average yearly 
difference.
    The Committee believes that this disparity must end. First, 
the men and women who served this nation did not just defend 
the citizens of their home states, but the citizens of all 50 
states.
    Second, nearly every state already offers significant 
tuition discounts at many state institutions to non-resident 
students. For example, there are four regional state compacts 
that offer non-resident students discounts, usually about 150 
percent of in-state rates. Again, using College Board data, 
that is a significant difference from the average of 250 
percent now being charged non-resident veterans.
    Third, those who have served in the military should not be 
required to subsidize the education of the majority who did 
not. The Committee has also received anecdotal evidence that 
the non-resident tuition rates at some schools are set to 
defray some of the cost for in-state students. It is absolutely 
inappropriate that schools balance their revenue streams on the 
backs of veterans and the nation's taxpayers who are providing 
a very generous education benefit. Annual VA expenditures for 
GI Bill benefits has increased dramatically with the advent of 
the Post-9/11 GI Bill from about $3.5 billion in FY 2009 to 
about $11.5 billion predicted for FY 14. Of those totals, about 
one half are paid to schools for tuition and fees. Put 
succinctly, state boundaries should not trump a veteran's 
choice in schools.
    To solve this inequity, section 3 would require that public 
schools charge veterans no more than the in-state tuition and 
fee rates as a condition of approval by VA for GI Bill 
benefits. If the school chooses not to provide in-state tuition 
to veterans, regardless of their state of residence, the school 
would not be approved to enroll new students using their GI 
Bill benefits. Under this section, students who are attending 
these institutions prior to this section's effective date of 
July 1, 2015 would be grandfathered and would be able to use 
their GI Bill benefits at this institution until July 1, 2019. 
The expanded effective date of July 1, 2015 would provide 
states and institutions time to comply with this section.
    To address concerns that this section is potentially a 
violation of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, the 
Committee staff requested an opinion on those issues from 
Constitutional experts at the Congressional Research Service 
(CRS). The CRS replied as follows:

          This e-mail is to memorialize a conversation between 
        Ken Thomas of this office and Mike Brinck, Republican 
        Staff Director, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, on 
        the constitutionality of H.R. 357, the proposed GI Bill 
        Tuition Fairness Act of 2013. Specifically, the 
        question that was discussed was whether the Congress is 
        prohibited by the Spending Clause or the Tenth 
        Amendment from requiring, as a condition of receiving 
        federal education benefits from the U.S. Department of 
        Veterans Affairs, that veterans attending a public 
        university be charged the same rate as the institution 
        charges for residents of the state in which the 
        institution is located, regardless of the veteran's 
        state of residence.
          In South Dakota v. Dole, 483 U.S. 203 (1987), the 
        Supreme Court held that, in order for a federal grant 
        condition imposed on a state to pass constitutional 
        muster under the Spending Clause, the condition must be 
        related to the particular national project or programs 
        to which the money was being directed. In NFIB v. 
        Sebelius, No. 11-393, slip op. (June 28, 2012), Justice 
        Roberts, in a controlling opinion, suggested that the 
        withdrawal of program funds based on a grant condition 
        that modifies an existing program would, in most 
        foreseeable cases, be constitutional under the Spending 
        Clause. NFIB, slip op. at 53-55. As the tuition 
        discount in H.R. 357 is an amendment to an existing 
        program that is generally related to the policy goal of 
        making affordable higher education available to 
        veterans, this proposed bill would appear likely to be 
        found to be consistent with the Spending Clause.
          The Court in Dole also considered whether the Tenth 
        Amendment (which provides that state legislatures or 
        executive branch officials may not be ``commandeered'') 
        could be an independent constitutional bar to certain 
        grant conditions. The Court suggested that, in some 
        instances, financial inducements offered by Congress 
        might be so coercive as to pass the point at which 
        ``pressure turns into compulsion.'' In NFIB, the Court 
        found that, as long as a particular grant condition was 
        related to an existing underlying program, a grant 
        constituting as much as 10% of a state's overall budget 
        could be withdrawn without violating the Tenth 
        Amendment. NFIB, slip op. at 55. Since withholding of 
        veteran's education benefits in order to encourage 
        states to lower education costs for veterans would be 
        related to those existing programs designed to make 
        affordable higher education available to veterans, and 
        since the withholding of such benefits is unlikely to 
        reach 10% of a state's overall budget, the requirements 
        of H.R. 357 would appear to be constitutional.

    The Committee acknowledges that many states already provide 
reduced tuition benefit to out-of-state veterans. We applaud 
the effort of these states and their efforts to serve veteran 
students. Should all 50 states choose to apply in-state rates 
in the spirit of this section, this changes will have a minor 
effect on the vast majority of schools' revenue model since 85 
percent of schools approved for GI Bill benefits enroll fewer 
than 100 veterans.

Section 4. Extension of authorization of appropriations for payment of 
        a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or 
        competing for the Paralympic team

    Public Law 110-389 (122 Stat. 4145) authorized VA to 
provide monthly assistance allowance stipends equal to the 
allowance provided to veterans under the Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment Program to disabled veterans who 
are competing at the elite level in Paralympic sports. Since 
2010, VA has distributed training stipends to over 115 veteran 
athletes and 43 of these athletes have met the national team 
standard in their respective sports. The stipends help these 
athletes defray living expenses while they train and compete at 
an elite level in their respective sports.
    The Committee supports these stipends as a way to further 
facilitate rehabilitation of disabled veterans beginning at the 
grassroots level and, for those who are capable, at elite 
levels. For example, as a result of this program, 17 disabled 
veteran athletes were on the 2012 London Paralympic Team where 
they combined to win seven medals. This section would extend 
the existing authorization at the currently authorized rate of 
$2 million per year to provide these stipends through fiscal 
year 2018.

Section 5. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance 
        to United States Paralympics, Inc.

    With the passage of P.L. 110-389, Congress required VA to 
conclude a Memorandum of Agreement with the US Olympic 
Committee (USOC) to increase participation in sports by 
disabled veterans as a way to speed rehabilitation and promote 
a healthy lifestyle.
    The program focuses on increasing adaptive sports programs 
at the community level and opportunities for disabled veteran 
athletes to progress to elite levels of competition such as the 
Paralympic Games. The USOC provides a full range of assistance, 
from advice to direct training services and facilities.
    The law authorizes $8 million per year for VA to continue 
supporting a program of grants made by the USOC Paralympic 
Program to local and national providers of adaptive sports 
programs. According to USOC, more than 350 USOC partner 
organizations in 46 states and the District of Columbia are 
investing millions in private resources, staff and facilities 
to cost effectively implement these programs.
    The USOC has told the Committee that over 16,000 veterans 
have benefited from programs funding through this program. The 
Committee applauds the efforts of VA and USOC to help disabled 
veterans and we are heartened that VA and USOC have implemented 
the recommendations made by the Government Accountability 
Office to improve financial management and tracking of 
performance of this program. This section would extend the 
existing $8 million authorization of appropriations for this 
program through fiscal year 2018.

Section 6. Clarification of eligibility for services under the Homeless 
        Veteran Reintegration Program

    As our country continues its efforts to eliminate 
homelessness among veterans, the Committee believes that every 
effort must be made to provide homeless veterans, or veterans 
who are at risk for homelessness, access to job training and 
placement programs that can help them find meaningful 
employment.
    Earlier this year, a decision by the U.S. Department of 
Labor excluded veterans who were participating in the Housing 
and Urban Development-Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing 
Program (HUD-VASH) from participating in the Homeless Veteran 
Reintegration Program (HVRP) funded job-skill training and 
placement services. The decision concluded that because the 
HUD-VASH participants are defined as residing in ``permanent 
housing'' veterans were no longer ``homeless,'' and, therefore, 
were not eligible for the needed job-skill training under HVRP.
    Nearly all veterans who are in the HUD-VASH program were 
unemployed and could benefit from HVRP services as a means to 
become economically self-sufficient and eventually exit from 
the program. In fact, the concept behind HUD-VASH is to provide 
comprehensive wrap-around services to veterans so that 
recidivism is prevented. A large component of such wrap-around 
training services is job training, the provided under HVRP. The 
Committee strongly believes that it is counterintuitive to 
place a homeless and unemployed person--especially one who has 
been ``on the streets'' for extended periods, in housing and 
expect they will find employment without basic services. Thus, 
this section redefines eligibility for HVRP to include homeless 
veterans, veterans who are transitioning from being 
incarcerated, and veterans participating in HUD-VASH program.

Section 7. Extension of eligibility for period for Vocational 
        Rehabilitation Programs

    The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) 
provides job training and related services to veterans with 
service-connected disabilities. To be entitled to VR&E 
services, veterans must have received a discharge other than 
dishonorable and be found to have either (1) a 20 percent 
service-connected disability and an employment handicap, or (2) 
a 10 percent service-connected disability and a serious 
employment handicap. After veterans are found to be entitled to 
VR&E, a counselor helps the veteran identify a suitable 
employment goal and determines what services will be necessary 
to achieve that goal. Under section 3103 of title 38, United 
States Code, veterans are eligible for VR&E services for 12 
years following their discharge from active duty, except under 
limited circumstances.
    The Committee has received testimony that at the end of the 
12-year period veterans may not yet be ready to make a 
determination as to what they want to do career-wise, such as 
going to school, going to work, or getting licensed or 
certified in their military area of expertise. Veterans may 
need to take some time to reach the level where they can take 
advantage of the services offered by VR&E. Some veterans do not 
even become aware of the VR&E program until after they are no 
longer eligible.
    Some veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord 
injuries and other serious injuries often require years to 
properly heal and complete their rehabilitation. After 
completing their rehabilitation, veterans then need to adjust 
to the everyday activities of daily living. After taking years 
to adjust to their injuries veterans then face the challenge of 
reintegrating with families and communities.
    In order to provide disabled veterans with sufficient time 
to be physically and mentally ready to face those challenges 
outlined above, this section would extend the delimiting date 
for VR&E services from 12 to 17 years following discharge. This 
extension would ensure that all veterans, and seriously injured 
veterans in particular, are given the time to heal, 
rehabilitate, re-connect with their families and reintegrate 
back into their communities without missing the opportunities 
offered by VR&E.

Section 8. Work study allowance

    Under current law, certain veterans and dependents enrolled 
in school through a VA educational program are eligible to 
perform a certain number of hours of work in exchange for 
compensation through VA's work study program. Eligible 
individuals may work for up to 25 hours times the number of 
weeks contained in an enrollment period. Participants receive 
the greater of the state's minimum wage rate or the national 
minimum wage rate under section 6(a) of the Fair Labor 
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)). Eligible work-study 
activities are:
           VA outreach services programs or, prior to 
        June 30, 2013, outreach services to servicemembers and 
        veterans furnished by employees of a state approving 
        agency (SAA);
           preparation and processing of necessary 
        papers and other documents at educational institutions 
        or regional offices or facilities of the VA;
           hospital and domiciliary care and medical 
        treatment at VA facilities, and, prior to June 30, 
        2013, care to veterans in a state home;
           any other activity of the VA as the 
        Secretary determines appropriate;
           activities related to the administration of 
        MGIB-SR and REAP at DOD, Coast Guard, or National Guard 
        facilities (for reservists only);
           prior to June 30, 2013, activities relating 
        to the administration of a national cemetery or a state 
        veterans' cemetery;
           activities of a state veterans agency 
        related to providing assistance to veterans in 
        obtaining state and VA benefits;
           a position working in a cooperative program 
        carried out jointly by the VA and an IHL; and
           any other veterans-related position in an 
        IHL.
    The existing legal authority for VA's work study program 
expires on June 1, 2013. The Committee believes that 
reauthorization of this program would be beneficial to veterans 
pursuing a college degree. This program gives veterans and 
dependents an alternative means to supplement their income 
without incurring more debt. In recent years the average 
student has been leaving college with an average debt of 
$24,000 to cover all college expenses. Accordingly, section 
eight of the Committee bill would extend the authorization of 
this program through June 1, 2018.

Section 9. Responsibilities of the Directors of Veterans' Employment 
        and Training

    One of the Committee's highest priorities is to improve the 
performance of existing federal programs that provide job 
training and placement assistance to veterans. To improve the 
performance of those programs by setting a minimum standard for 
those Federal employees responsible for oversight, this section 
would codify the roles and responsibilities of Directors of 
Veteran Employment and Training (DVETS). DVETS are Federal 
employees who represent the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans 
Employment and Training Service (VETS) at the state level. 
Their primary responsibility is to oversee the Disabled Veteran 
Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPS) and Local Veteran 
Employment Representatives (LVERS) who are funded by the Jobs 
for Veterans Sate Grant Program.
    The DVOPS and LVERS are charged with helping disabled and 
non-disabled veterans with employment assistance at American 
Job Centers across the country. The inconsistent performance of 
the DVOPS and LVERS continues to be a topic of concern for the 
Committee. Codifying the responsibilities of DVETS would 
strengthen their position with their state to improve the 
performance of the DVOPS and LVERS.
    The roles and responsibilities that would be codified by 
this section generally reflect the current position description 
for DVETS that was provided to the Committee by VETS.

Section 10. Contents of the Transition Assistance Program

    The VOW to Hire Heroes Act (Title II of P.L. 112-56; 125 
Stat. 711) made the transition assistance program (TAP) 
mandatory for all but a very few servicemembers. Since the 
enactment of that bill, the military Services and the 
Administration have nearly completed an overhaul of the TAP 
program for the first time in decades. The military Services 
have wide latitude in how TAP is structured, i.e. which 
instructional element would be mandatory and which would be 
optional. Based on information gleaned during Committee staff 
site visits, the new TAP curriculum is much improved but still 
fails to include detailed instruction on the use of GI Bill 
benefits as part of the mandatory curriculum.
    The Mandatory curriculum includes detailed instruction 
designed to facilitate a departing servicemember's ability to 
find a good job. DoD has also created several tracks or courses 
for servicemembers that focus on some of the most common 
transition paths that servicemembers take when separating. 
These tracks focus on the following areas: education, 
vocational-tech, and entrepreneurship and are meant to provide 
in-depth training that best fits servicemembers' transition 
goals. Unfortunately, these tracks are considered as 
``optional'' by senior DoD staff and not part of the mandatory 
TAP program.
    From Committee staff's observations while attending several 
TAP sessions, the most popular of these tracks is the education 
track with about 50 percent of participants indicating their 
intent to use their GI Bill benefits soon after discharge. The 
education track should help them decide whether they are ready 
for post-secondary education, and if not, how to get ready, 
what their education or training goal should be, what schools 
would best meet their education or training goal, how to 
complete the admissions process, and finally, how to finance 
their education or training while avoiding some common 
mistakes.
    It is therefore imperative that these future students 
depart military service with a thorough understanding of a very 
generous GI Bill benefit and receive assistance in preparing 
for what can be a very diverse and potentially confusing 
education industry.
    The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefit has the potential to 
provide over $270,000 over four years to an eligible veteran. 
If taxpayers are going to provide this very generous benefit, 
it is important to ensure that program beneficiaries are 
prepared to make best use of this benefit.
    Unfortunately, because the educational instruction track is 
now a non-mandatory option, servicemembers can only take the 
track if their supervisor allows them to miss the additional 
days of work, or if servicemembers are deemed not to meet the 
``career readiness standards,'' which standards are currently 
undefined.
    Therefore, this section would require that if a 
servicemember intends to use their VA education benefits 
following discharge, they must be allowed to attend the 
education track. This section would also require the U.S. 
Department of Labor (DoL) to include information on disability-
related employment and education protections in its portion of 
TAP. Doing so is necessary because the current version of the 
DoL employment workshop fails to mention the various employment 
and education protections disabled veterans have under federal 
and state law.

Section 11. Three month extension of Veterans Retraining Assistance 
        Program (VRAP)

    The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program was authorized 
by the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (title II of P.L. 112-56; 
125 Stat. 711) and is a joint program between VA and VETS aimed 
at providing older, unemployed veterans access to short-term 
training to help them qualify for meaningful employment. The 
program provides unemployed veterans between the ages of 35 and 
60 up to one year of Chapter 30 Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits 
to attend training for an in-demand occupation at a community 
college or tech school. The program was capped at 99,000 
participants and runs from July 1, 2012 through March 31, 2014. 
Once the program expired, the law also required, VA and VETS to 
provide a joint report on the effectiveness of the program 
including the number of participants who found work.
    As of May 9, 2013 VA has received 116,731 applications for 
VRAP, has approved 100,825 certificates of eligibility, and 
46,699 veterans are currently in training. While the Committee 
is encouraged by these numbers we note that less than half of 
the veterans who possess a certificate of eligibility are 
actually involved in training and expect the VA and Department 
of Labor to renew efforts to increase actual enrollment.
    Section 11 would extend the ending period for the VRAP 
program from March 31, 2014 to June 30, 2014. This extension 
would allow veterans more time to use their VRAP benefits and 
better aligns with the traditional school year. Additionally, 
this section requires VA and DoL to submit to Congress an 
interim report within 30 days of enactment on the effectiveness 
of the VRAP program. This report will help better inform 
Congress on the success of this program and whether the program 
should be continued at some point or serve as a model to reduce 
future unemployment rates among veterans.

Section 12. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency 
        and indemnity compensation

    This section would increase, effective December 1, 2013, 
the rates of compensation for service-connected disabilities 
and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) 
for surviving spouses and children of veterans who die of 
service-connected causes, as well as the additional amounts for 
dependents and survivors, and clothing allowances for certain 
veterans. Congress has provided annual increases in these rates 
for every fiscal year since 1976.
    The Committee is following its longstanding practice of 
setting the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) by reference to 
the yet-to-be-determined Social Security increase. At the time 
of the filing of this report, the increase is expected to be 
2.1 percent, but it may be higher or lower depending on changes 
in the Consumer Price Index.
    The basic purpose of the disability compensation program is 
to provide relief from the impaired earning capacity of 
veterans disabled as the result of their military service. The 
amount of compensation payable varies according to the degree 
of disability. This amount in turn is required by law to 
represent, to the extent practicable, the average impairment in 
earning capacity in civilian occupations resulting from such 
disability or combination of disabilities.
    To be eligible to receive disability compensation, a 
veteran must have a disability incurred or aggravated during 
military service, which is not the result of willful 
misconduct, and have been discharged under other than 
dishonorable conditions. The responsibility for determining a 
veteran's entitlement to service-connection for a disability 
rests with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
    Surviving spouses and dependent children of veterans who 
died of disabilities determined by VA to be service-connected 
(including veterans who died while on active duty) or who had a 
service-connected disability rated at 100 percent for certain 
periods of time prior to death are entitled to receive monthly 
DIC benefits. Additional amounts are paid to survivors who are 
housebound, in need of aid and attendance, or have minor 
children. The purpose of DIC benefits authorized under chapter 
13 of title 38, United States Code, is to provide partial 
compensation to the appropriate survivors for the loss in 
financial support due to the service-connected death. Income 
and need are not factors in determining a surviving spouse's or 
child's entitlement because the Nation, in part, assumes the 
legal and moral obligation of the veteran to support the spouse 
and children.

Section 13--Performance awards in Senior Executive Services

    Section 5384 of title 5, United States Code, sets out the 
authority for Federal agencies to allocate performance 
incentives to employees of the Senior Executive Service (SES). 
According to information supplied by VA, 221 SES bonuses were 
awarded in FY 2008 at a total cost of $3,816,330; 219 bonuses 
were awarded in FY 2009 at a total cost of $3,728,536; 227 
bonuses were awarded in FY 2010 at a total cost of $3,342,100; 
and, 243 bonuses were awarded in FY 2011 at a total cost of 
$2,799,618. The Committee notes that historically, about two-
thirds of all SES employees receive bonuses which have averaged 
about $15,000 per employee.
    In light of the highly publicized problems over the past 
few years involving VA healthcare, contracting and benefits 
officials, as well as the tight fiscal climate, the Committee 
questions the effectiveness of the bonus program. Despite 
generous bonuses, lapses in the quality of healthcare, cost 
overruns in VA contracts, and the significant increase in 
claims backlog continue. The Committee believes that as an 
incentive to improve performance, bonuses have failed and they 
have become nothing more than a poorly-justified subsidy to SES 
salaries.
    To facilitate a reevaluation of VA's SES bonus program, 
this section would prohibit VA from paying SES performance 
awards to senior staff for fiscal years 2013 to 2018.

                                Hearings

    On April 10, 2013, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
conducted a legislative hearing on various bills introduced 
during the 113th Congress, including H.R. 357, H.R. 562, H.R. 
631, H.R. 844, H.R. 1305, H.R. 1316, H.R. 1402, and H.R. 1453. 
The Following witnesses testified:
    Mr. Curtis Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic 
Opportunity, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by Mr. Danny Pummill, 
Director, Veterans Benefits Administration/Department of 
Defense Program Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 
Dr. Susan Kelly, Deputy Director, Transition to Veterans 
Program Office, U.S. Department of Defense; The Honorable Keith 
Kelly, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training 
Service, U.S. Department of Labor; Mr. Charles Huebner, Chief 
of U.S. Paralympics, U.S. Olympic Committee; Dr. Susan 
Aldridge, Senior Fellow, American Association of State Colleges 
and Universities; Col. G. Michael Denning (USMC) Ret., Director 
of Graduate Military Programs, The University of Kansas, on 
behalf of the Association of Public and Land Grant 
Universities; LtGen Joseph F. Weber (USMC) Ret., Vice President 
for Student Affairs, Texas A&M University; Mr. Alexander 
Nicholson, Chief Policy Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans 
of America; Mr. Ryan M. Gallucci, Deputy Director, National 
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United 
States; Mr. Steve L. Gonzalez, Assistant Director, National 
Economic Commission, The American Legion; and Mr. Michael 
Dakduk, Executive Director, Student Veterans of America. The 
following groups submitted statements for the record: The 
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; VETSFirst; and Gold 
Star Wives of America, Inc.
    On April 16, 2013, the Subcommittee on Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted a legislative hearing 
on various bills introduced during the 113th Congress, 
including H.R. 569 (from which section 12 of H.R. 357, as 
amended, is derived), H.R. 570, H.R. 602, H.R. 671, H.R. 679, 
H.R. 733, H.R. 894 and H.R. 1405. The Following witnesses 
testified:
    The Honorable Bill Johnson, U.S. House of Representatives; 
The Honorable Chellie Pingree, U.S. House of Representatives; 
The Honorable Timothy Walz, U.S. House of Representatives; Mr. 
Jeff Hall, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled 
American Veterans; Mr. Raymond Kelley, Director of National 
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Colonel Robert 
F. Norton, USA (Ret.), Deputy Director of Government Relations, 
Military Officers Association of America; Heather Ansley, Esq., 
MSW, Vice President of Veterans Policy, VetsFirst, a program of 
United Spinal Association; Mr. Michael D. Murphy, Executive 
Director, National Association of County Veterans Service 
Officers; Mr. Richard Hipolit, Assistant General Counsel, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. David R. McLenachen, 
Director, Pension and Fiduciary Service, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Ms. Mary Ann Flynn, Deputy 
Director, Policy and Procedures, Compensation Service, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs. The following groups submitted 
statements for the record: The American Legion; Iraq and 
Afghanistan Veterans of America; National Organization of 
Veterans Advocates; and Wounded Warrior Project.

                       Subcommittee Consideration

    On April 25, 2013, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
met in an open markup session, a quorum being present, and 
favorably forwarded to the full Committee H.R. 357, as amended, 
H.R. 562, H.R. 631, as amended, H.R. 844, H.R. 1305, H.R. 1316, 
as amended, H.R. 1402, and H.R. 1453, as amended, by voice 
vote.
    During consideration of H.R. 357 the following amendment 
was considered and agreed to by voice vote:
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by 
        Mr. Runyan of New Jersey modified the bill to clarify 
        that to be eligible for VA education benefits a school 
        or training program could charge up to the in-state 
        tuition rate. The amendment in the nature of a 
        substitute also extended the effective date of the bill 
        to July 1, 2015.
    During consideration of H.R. 631 the following amendment 
was considered and agreed to by voice vote:
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by 
        Mr. Runyan of New Jersey that modified the original 
        bill to remove the requirement that listed a specific 
        amount of days of training required with each subject 
        of TAP. The amendment also required that if a 
        servicemember plans to use education benefits following 
        discharge they will be required to take the education 
        track as part of the mandatory portion of TAP. This 
        training would include information about the education 
        benefits available to servicemembers, testing for 
        academic readiness, information about financing the 
        education or training, and training on matching a 
        school to the servicemembers' interests.
    During consideration of H.R. 1316 the following amendment 
was considered and agreed to by voice vote:
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by 
        Mr. Runyan of New Jersey that removed two provisions of 
        the original bill that would have required DVETS to 
        provide outreach to employers about veterans preference 
        requirements under chapter 43 of title 38 U.S.C. and 
        review and administer a compliance program to ensure 
        that Federal contractors have an affirmative action 
        plan to hire veterans.

                        Committee Consideration

    On May 8, 2013, the full Committee met in an open markup 
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 357, as 
amended, reported favorably to the House of Representatives, by 
voice vote. During consideration of the bill, the following 
amendment was considered and agreed to by voice vote:
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute, by Mr. 
        Miller of Florida incorporated the provisions from H.R. 
        562, H.R. 631, as amended, H.R. 844, H.R. 1305, H.R. 
        1316, as amended, H.R. 1402, and H.R. 1453. 
        Additionally, the amendment in the nature of a 
        substitute added a free-standing provision that would 
        eliminate bonuses for SES employees at VA for fiscal 
        years 2014-2018.

                            Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded 
votes on the motion to report the legislation and amendments 
thereto. There were no recorded votes taken on amendments or in 
connection with ordering H.R 357, as amended, reported to the 
full House. A motion by Ranking Member Michael H. Michaud of 
Maine to order H.R. 357, as amended, reported favorably to the 
full House 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. 357, as amended, does not contain any Congressional 
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as 
defined in clause 9 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. 
357, as amended, 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. 357, as amended, 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, May 16, 2013.
Hon. Jeff Miller,
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. 357, the GI Bill 
Tuition Fairness Act of 2013.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is William Ma.
            Sincerely,
                                         Robert A. Sunshine
                              (For Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director).
    Enclosure.

H.R. 357--GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013

    Summary: H.R. 357 would: modify the monthly rates payable 
to veterans, their dependents, and survivors for disability 
compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation; amend 
the approval criteria for educational institutions at which 
veterans may use their education benefits; and make other 
changes to programs administered by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the 
Department of Labor (DOL).
    If enacted, CBO estimates that, on net, the bill would 
decrease direct spending by $139 million over the 2014-2018 
period and by $347 million over the 2014-2023 period. Because 
the bill would affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures 
apply. Enacting H.R. 357 would not affect revenues.
    In addition, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 357 would 
have a discretionary cost of $132 million over the 2014-2018 
period, assuming appropriation of the estimated amounts.
    H.R. 357 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of H.R. 357 is shown in Table 1. The costs of 
this legislation fall within budget functions 700 (veterans 
benefits and services) and 050 (national defense).

                                TABLE 1--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 357

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            2014     2015     2016     2017     2018   2014-2018
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           CHANGES IN DIRECT SPENDING

Estimated Budget Authority..............................       -1      -28      -36      -37      -37      -139
Estimated Outlays.......................................       -1      -28      -36      -37      -37      -139

                                  CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Estimated Authorization Level...........................       16       25       34       35       35       147
Estimated Outlays.......................................        7       21       33       34       35      132
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: In addition to the direct spending effects shown here, enacting H.R. 357 would have effects on direct
  spending beyond 2018 (see Table 2). CBO estimates that total direct spending would decrease by $347 million
  over the 2014-2023 period.
Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.

    Basis of estimate: For the purposes of this estimate, CBO 
assumes that the legislation will be enacted near the beginning 
of fiscal year 2014, that the necessary amounts will be 
appropriated each year, and that outlays will follow historical 
spending patterns for similar and existing programs.

Direct spending

    Table 2 summarizes H.R. 357's effects on direct spending 
for veterans' compensation and pension programs and veterans' 
education, training and rehabilitation programs. In total, CBO 
estimates that enacting those provisions would reduce direct 
spending for veterans' programs by $347 million over the 2014-
2023 period.

                                                     TABLE 2--IMPACT OF H.R. 357 ON DIRECT SPENDING
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            2014     2015     2016     2017     2018     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023   2014-2018  2014-2023
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rate Adjustment:
    Estimated Budget Authority..........      -25      -26      -26      -27      -27      -28      -29      -29      -30      -31      -131       -278
    Estimated Outlays...................      -25      -26      -26      -27      -27      -28      -29      -29      -30      -31      -131       -278
In-State Tuition for Veterans:
    Estimated Budget Authority..........        0       -6      -14      -15      -16      -16      -17      -18      -18      -19       -51       -139
    Estimated Outlays...................        0       -6      -14      -15      -16      -16      -17      -18      -18      -19       -51       -139
Increase to Eligibility Period for
 Vocational Rehabilitation and Training
 Assistance:
    Estimated Budget Authority..........        3        3        3        4        5        5        5        5        6        6        18         45
    Estimated Outlays...................        3        3        3        4        5        5        5        5        6        6        18         45
Extension of Veterans Retraining
 Assistance Program:
    Estimated Budget Authority..........       20        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        20         20
    Estimated Outlays...................       20        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        20         20
Extension of Work Study Program:
    Estimated Budget Authority..........        1        1        1        1        1        0        0        0        0        0         5          5
    Estimated Outlays...................        1        1        1        1        1        0        0        0        0        0         5          5
Total Changes in Direct Spending:
        Estimated Budget Authority......       -1      -28      -36      -37      -37      -39      -41      -42      -42      -44      -139       -347
        Estimated Outlays...............       -1      -28      -36      -37      -37      -39      -41      -42      -42      -44      -139       -347
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rate Adjustment. Section 12 would increase the amounts paid 
to veterans for disability compensation and to their survivors 
for dependency and indemnity compensation by the same cost-of-
living adjustment (COLA) payable to Social Security recipients. 
The increase would take effect on December 1, 2013. The COLA 
that would be authorized by this bill is assumed in CBO's 
baseline, consistent with section 257 of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act.
    Because the COLA is assumed in CBO's baseline, the COLA 
provision would have no budgetary effect relative to the 
baseline. Relative to current law, CBO estimates that enacting 
this bill would increase spending for those programs by $1.9 
billion in fiscal year 2014. (The annualized cost would be 
about $2.6 billion in subsequent years.) This estimate reflects 
the assumption that the COLA effective on December 1, 2013, 
would be 1.5 percent.
    Section 12 also would extend for a year a provision of law 
that requires the increased monthly rates resulting from the 
COLA to be rounded down to the next lower whole dollar. This 
provision of law applies to both disability compensation and 
dependency and indemnity compensation payments. This provision 
is set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2013. Based on 
projections of the number of beneficiaries and number of 
payments made each year, CBO estimates that this section would 
result in direct spending savings of $278million over the 2014-
2023 period.
    In-State Tuition for Veterans. Section 3 would require the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve, for the purposes of 
participating in education benefits programs administered by 
VA, only those public institutions of higher education that 
charge all veterans tuition and fees no more than the in-state 
rate. Eligible individuals would no longer be able to use their 
education benefits at institutions not approved; however, 
individuals enrolled in those institutions before July 1, 2015, 
would still be able to use their benefits through July 1, 2019.
    Under current law, VA pays up to the actual net cost of in-
state tuition and fees for individuals who are eligible for the 
full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. Students attending public 
institutions where non-resident tuition and fees exceed the 
maximum amount payable may be eligible for additional 
assistance under the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement 
Program. When an institution enters into a Yellow Ribbon 
Program (YRP) agreement with VA, it agrees to cover a portion 
of the student's tuition shortfall. VA then matches the 
institution's contribution to further reduce or eliminate the 
student's out-of-pocket expenses.
    Based on information from VA, CBO estimates that, if H.R. 
357 is enacted, approximately 3,800 veterans would no longer be 
charged tuition and fees at the non-resident rate each year. 
Under current law, those veterans will receive about $3,900 
each in YRP assistance in 2015 and, after taking into 
consideration annual increases in tuition costs, $4,900 each by 
2023. In total, CBO estimates that the reduction in YRP 
assistance would decrease direct spending by $139 million over 
the 2014-2023 period.
    Increase to Eligibility Period for Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Training Assistance. Under current law, VA 
may provide assistance for vocational training and 
rehabilitation to certain eligible veterans for up to 12 years 
following the veteran's discharge or separation from service on 
active duty. Section 7 would extend that period to 17 years. 
Based on information from VA, CBO estimates that under this 
provision, about 400 additional veterans would receive 
assistance each year. Based on data from VA, CBO estimates the 
average cost of providing vocational rehabilitation and 
training assistance to each of those veterans would be about 
$10,000 in 2014 and, after accounting for inflation, about 
$13,000 by 2023. In total, this provision would increase direct 
spending by $45 million over the 2014-2023 period, CBO 
estimates.
    Extension of Veterans Training Assistance Program (VRAP). 
VRAP provides up to 12 months of assistance to certain 
unemployed veterans pursuing programs that prepare them to work 
in fields determined by DOL to have significant employment 
opportunities. The monthly amount of assistance is equal to the 
maximum monthly amount of basic assistance payable under the 
Montgomery GI Bill (in 2014, that monthly amount will be about 
$1,640). Under current law, VA may not provide such assistance 
beyond March 31, 2014. Section 11 would extend VRAP through 
June 30, 2014. Based on information from VA, CBO estimates that 
about 5,000 veterans would benefit from this three-month 
extension, with each of those veterans receiving, on average, 
about 2\1/2\ months of additional assistance. CBO estimates 
that extending the VRAP by three months would increase direct 
spending by $20 million over the 2014-2023 period.
    Extension of Work-Study Program. Veterans using their 
educational benefits on a full-time or \3/4\-time basis may be 
eligible to receive a work-study allowance for performing VA-
related work on school campuses and at other qualifying 
locations. Those veterans are paid the federal minimum wage or 
their state's minimum wage, whichever is greater. Under current 
law, VA's authority to pay work-study allowances to certain 
veterans performing outreach services, providing hospital and 
domiciliary care to veterans in state homes, or performing 
activities at national or state veterans' cemeteries expires on 
June 30, 2013. Section 8 would extend that authority through 
June 30, 2018. Assuming the legislation is enacted near the 
beginning of fiscal year 2014, there would be an interruption 
in VA's authority to pay work-study allowances for about 400 
positions. Based on information from VA, CBO estimates that, if 
H.R. 357 is enacted, VA would quickly fill those 400 work-study 
positions and the veterans filling those positions would each 
be paid, on average, about $2,800 annually. Over the 2014-2023 
period, this provision would increase direct spending by $5 
million, CBO estimates.

Spending subject to appropriation

    H.R. 357 contains provisions that would extend or modify 
several discretionary programs that provide assistance to 
servicemembers separating from active duty and certain other 
veterans. It also would limit the amount of performance awards 
VA may pay to senior staff. CBO estimates that implementing 
those provisions of the bill would cost $132 million over the 
2014-2018 period, assuming appropriation of the estimated 
amounts (see Table 3).

                        TABLE 3--IMPACT OF H.R. 357 ON SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            2014     2015     2016     2017     2018   2014-2018
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required Contents of the Transition Assistance Program:
    Estimated Authorization Level.......................        *        9       18       19       19        65
    Estimated Outlays...................................        *        8       18       18       19        63
VA Support of Paralympic Program:
    Authorization Level.................................       10       10       10       10       10        50
    Estimated Outlays...................................       10       10       10       10       10        50
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Eligibility:
    Estimated Authorization Level.......................       10       10       10       10       10        50
    Estimated Outlays...................................        1        7        9       10       10        37
Performance Awards for Senior Executive Staff:
    Estimated Authorization Level.......................       -4       -4       -4       -4       -4       -18
    Estimated Outlays...................................       -4       -4       -4       -4       -4       -18
    Total Changes in Discretionary Spending:
        Estimated Authorization Level...................       16       25       34       35       35       147
        Estimated Outlays...............................        7       21       33       34       35      132
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Components may not add to totals because of rounding.
* = less than $500,000.

    Required Contents of the Transition Assistance Program 
(TAP). Under current law, servicemembers receive pre-separation 
counseling through the TAP to help prepare them for the 
transition from military service. Section 10 would require DoD 
to provide the following elements as a component of TAP to all 
separating servicemembers planning to use their education 
benefits upon discharge or release from active duty:
           An overview of the servicemember's use of 
        such entitlement;
           Testing to determine the academic 
        preparedness of the servicemember for postsecondary 
        education,
           Counseling on how to finance postsecondary 
        education, and
           Information on the veterans' benefits 
        programs administered by VA.
    Based on information from DoD, CBO estimates that the 
department would have to hire about 180 full-time employees to 
provide the required instruction, academic preparedness 
testing, and education counseling to about 85,000 separating 
servicemembers each year.
    CBO estimates that hiring those employees and carrying out 
the provisions of section 10 would cost $63 million over the 
2014-2018 period.
    Section 10 also would require DOL to incorporate into its 
existing TAP curriculum information about disability-related 
employment and education protections. Based on information from 
DOL, CBO estimates that revising DOL's TAP curriculum and 
updating its handout materials would cost less than $500,000 
over the 2014-2018 period.
    VA Support of Paralympic Program. Sections 4 and 5 would 
extend, through 2018, two programs related to VA's authority to 
support the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Paralympic 
Program. Those provisions are scheduled to expire at the end of 
fiscal year 2013. The first program authorizes VA to provide an 
allowance to certain veterans for any month in which they are 
in training for a USOC event or are residing at the USOC 
training center. Under section 4, $2 million would be 
authorized annually to provide the monthly allowances through 
the Office of National Veterans Sports and Special Events.
    The second program authorizes VA to make grants to the USOC 
to plan, develop, manage, and implement the Paralympic Program 
for disabled veterans and disabled members of the armed 
service. Section 5 would authorize VA to provide $8 million in 
grant money per year to the USOC for those purposes.
    Together, CBO expects that implementing sections 4 and 5 
would cost $50 million over the 2014-2018 period, assuming 
appropriation of the authorized amounts.
    Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) Eligibility. 
Section 6 would expand the number of veterans eligible to 
receive benefits under HVRP. That program, administered by DOL, 
provides job placement, training, and vocational counseling to 
homeless veterans to expedite their reintegration into the 
labor force. This provision would expand eligibility under HVRP 
to include veterans participating in the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program 
and veterans transitioning from being incarcerated. Under 
current law, the authorization of appropriations for the HVRP 
will expire at the end of fiscal year 2013; however, the 
authority for DOL to provide those reintegration services is 
indefinite (subject to the availability of appropriations). 
Based on information from DOL, VA, and the Department of 
Justice, CBO estimates that an additional 5,000 veterans would 
receive those services each year at a cost of $37 million over 
the 2014-2018 period.
    Performance Awards for Senior Executive Staff. Section 13 
would eliminate performance awards to senior executive staff at 
VA over the 2014-2018 period. In recent years, VA paid slightly 
less than $4 million annually for performance awards. Assuming 
that similar amounts would be provided under current law going 
forward, CBO estimates that implementing section 13 would 
reduce costs for pay and performance by $18 million over the 
2014-2018 period.
    Responsibilities of the Directors of Veterans' Employment 
and Training (DVETs). Under current law, the Secretary of Labor 
appoints DVETs in each state to manage and coordinate training 
and employment activities of the state. Section 9 would require 
DVETs to complete certain functions in the performance of their 
duties. Based on information from DOL, those prescribed 
functions are either already specified in statute or included 
in the performance standards of all DVETs. Thus, CBO estimates 
that implementing section 9 would codify those existing 
performance standards and have no effect on the federal budget.
    Pay-as-You-Go Considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go 
Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement 
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or 
revenues. The net changes in outlays that are subject to those 
pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in the following table.

            CBO ESTIMATE OF PAY-AS-YOU-GO EFFECTS FOR H.R. 357 AS ORDERED REPORTED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS ON MAY 8, 2013
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             2013    2014    2015    2016    2017    2018    2019    2020    2021    2022    2023   2013-2018  2013-2023
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             NET DECREASE (-) IN THE DEFICIT
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Impact............       0      -1     -28     -36     -37     -37     -39     -41     -42     -42     -44      -139       -347
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated impact on state, local, and tribal governments: 
H.R. 357 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in 
UMRA. The bill would require public institutions of higher 
education to charge veterans no more than in-state tuition and 
fees regardless of the veteran's state of residency if veterans 
enrolled in those institutions are to be eligible to use their 
VA education benefits at those institutions. Any costs those 
institutions might incur to comply would be incurred 
voluntarily as conditions of participating in a voluntary 
federal program.
    Estimated impact on the private sector: H.R. 357 contains 
no new private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: William Ma and Dwayne 
Wright; Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Lisa 
Ramirez-Branum; Impact on the Private Sector: Elizabeth Bass.
    Estimate 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. 357, as amended, 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. 
357, as amended.

                 Statement of Constitutional Authority

    Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States 
Constitution, the reported bill is authorized by Congress' 
power to ``provide for the common Defense and general Welfare 
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.

              Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to section 3(j) of H. Res. 5, 113th Cong. (2013), 
the Committee finds that no provision of H.R. 357, as amended, 
the ``GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013,'' establishes or 
reauthorizes a program of the Federal Government known to be 
duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was 
included in any report from the Government Accountability 
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-
139, or a program related to a program identified in the most 
recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                   Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking

    Pursuant to section 3(k) of H. Res. 5, 113th Cong. (2013), 
the Committee estimates that H.R. 357, as amended, does not 
require any directed rule makings.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation

Section 1. Short title

    This section provides the short title of H.R. 357, as 
amended, as the ``GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013.''

Section 2. References to Title 38, United States Code

    Section 2 provides that unless otherwise expressly provided 
all references to the United States Code shall be considered to 
be in reference to title 38, United States Code.

Section 3. Approval of courses of education provided by public 
        educational institutions for the purposes of education 
        assistance programs administered by Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs conditional on in-state tuition rate for veterans

    Section 3(a) would amend section 3679 of title 38, United 
States Code, by adding a new subsection (c) that would require 
the Secretary of VA, or a designee to disapprove a course of 
education at a public institution unless the institution 
charges veteran students no more than the in-state tuition rate 
regardless of the veteran's state of residence.
    Section 3(b) would continue benefits to any student veteran 
who is enrolled at an approved institution before July 1, 2015. 
These students would be able to continue to use their VA 
education benefits regardless of the institution's compliance 
with section 3(a) through July 1, 2019. This subsection also 
provides the Secretary waiver authority for this restriction 
where appropriate.
    Section 3(c) would set an effective date for this section 
of July 1, 2015.

Section 4. Extension of authorization of appropriations for payment of 
        a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or 
        competing for the paralympic team

    Section 4 would amend section 322(d)(4) of title 38, United 
States Code, by extending the existing authorization of 
appropriations for monthly assistance allowance to disabled 
veterans who are training at U.S. Olympic or other advanced 
training facilities for possible inclusion in U.S. Paralympic 
events for elite athletes. The existing $2 million 
authorization would be extended from FY 2013 to FY 2018.

Section 5. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance 
        to United States Paralympics, INC.

    Section 5 would amend subsections (g) and (l) of section 
521A of title 38, United States Code, to extend the existing $8 
million authorization of appropriations for the adaptive sports 
program funding that the United States Paralympic Committee 
provides to local grantees. The authorization would be extended 
from FY 2013 to FY 2018.

Section 6. Clarification of eligibility for services under the Homeless 
        Veteran Reintegration Program

    Section 6 would amend subsection (a) of section 2021 of 
title 38, United States Code, to clarify that veterans living 
in HUD-VASH housing (supported housing program under section 
8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937) as well as 
incarcerated veterans would be eligible for job training 
services under the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

Section 7. Extension of eligibility for period for vocational 
        rehabilitation programs

    Section 7 would amend section 3102 of title 38, United 
States Code by extending the delimiting date for a veteran to 
use their Vocational Rehabilitation benefits from 12 years to 
17 years following discharge from active duty. This section 
would make this change effective for any veteran who applies 
for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits on or after the date of 
enactment of this section.

Section 8. Work study allowance

    Section 8 would amend section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, 
United States Code by extending the authority for the VA's work 
study program from June 30, 2013 to June 30, 2018.

Section 9. Responsibilities of the Directors of Veterans' Employment 
        and Training

    Section 9 would amend section 4103 of title 38, United 
States Code, to codify the major duties of DVETs of the 
Veterans Employment and Training Service using the essential 
functions contained in the position description for DVETs. 
Their basic responsibilities would be to track the funding and 
performance of Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists 
(DVOPS) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERS) 
who are funded through the Jobs for Veterans State Grant 
Program (JVSG). Under this section they would also be 
responsible for monitoring and advising state and local 
workforce agencies on all other VETS programs such as the HVRP.

Section 10. Contents of the Transition Assistance Program

    Section 10 would amend section 1144 of title 10, United 
States Code to require that if a servicemember plans to use 
their education benefits following discharge they will be 
required to take the education track as part of the mandatory 
portion of TAP. This training would include information about 
the education benefits available to servicemembers, testing for 
academic readiness, information about financing the education 
or training, and training on matching a school to the 
servicemembers' interests. This section would also require that 
TAP instruction also cover topics related to disability-related 
and education protections provided to disabled veterans. The 
section also requires that VA conduct a feasibility study to 
determine if they could contract out for TAP instruction.

Section 11. Three month extension of Veterans Retraining Assistance 
        Program (VRAP)

    Section 11 would amend section 211 of the VOW to Hire 
Heroes Act of 2011 (title II of P.L. 112-56; 125 Stat. 711 ) to 
extend the authorization for a veteran to use VRAP from March 
31, 2014 to June 30, 2014. The section would also require an 
interim report on the effectiveness of VRAP from VA and the 
department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service 
(VETS) no later than 30 days after enactment.

Section 12. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency 
        and indemnity compensation

    Section 12 would authorize the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to increase, effective December 1, 2013, the dollar 
amounts in effect for payment of disability compensation and 
dependency and indemnity compensation by the same percentage by 
which benefits are increased under title II of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.), which would include the 
Wartime Disability Compensation, under section 1114 of title 
38, United States Code, the Additional Compensation for 
Dependents, under section 1115(1) of title 38, U.S.C., the 
Clothing Allowance, under section 1162 of title 38, United 
States Code., the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to 
Surviving Spouses, under section 1311 of title 38, United 
States Code., the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to 
Children, under section 1313(a) and 1314 of title 38, United 
States Code.
    This section would require the rounding down to the next 
lower dollar amount all compensation and DIC benefits, when the 
amount is not a whole dollar amount, would authorize the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to administratively adjust, 
consistent with the increases made, the rates of disability 
compensation payable to persons within the purview of section 
10 of Public Law 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263), who are not in receipt 
of compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, 
United States Code, and would require the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to publish in the Federal Register the amounts to be 
increased, as increased pursuant to this section.

Section 13. Performance awards in Senior Executive Services

    Section 13, would require VA to eliminate the amount paid 
in performance awards to members of the Senior Executive 
Service under section 5384 of title 5, United States Code, for 
fiscal years 2014 to 2018.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

CHAPTER 3--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 322. Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special 
                    Events

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (d) Monthly Assistance Allowance.--(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (4) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
subsection $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 
[2013] 2018.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

CHAPTER 5--AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SUBCHAPTER II--SPECIFIED FUNCTIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 521A. Assistance for United States Paralympics, Inc

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to 
be appropriated $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 
through [2013] 2018 to carry out this section. Amounts 
appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available 
without fiscal year limitation.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (l) Termination.--The Secretary may only provide assistance 
under this section during fiscal years 2010 through [2013] 
2018.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

PART II--GENERAL BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

CHAPTER 20--BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                 SUBCHAPTER III--TRAINING AND OUTREACH

Sec. 2021. Homeless veterans reintegration programs

  (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of 
Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or contract, 
such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to 
provide job training, counseling, and placement services 
(including job readiness and literacy and skills training) to 
expedite the [reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor 
force.] reintegration into the labor force of--
          (1) homeless veterans;
          (2) veterans participating in the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs supported housing program for which 
        rental assistance provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) 
        of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
        1437f(o)(19)); and
          (3) veterans who are transitioning from being 
        incarcerated.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

   CHAPTER 31--TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-
CONNECTED DISABILITIES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 3103. Periods of eligibility

  (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), (c), (d), or (e) of 
this section, a rehabilitation program may not be afforded to a 
veteran under this chapter after the end of the [twelve-year 
period] 17-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's 
discharge or release from active military, naval, or air 
service.
  (b)(1) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a 
veteran has been prevented from participating in a vocational 
rehabilitation program under this chapter within the period of 
eligibility prescribed in subsection (a) of this section 
because a medical condition of such veteran made it infeasible 
for such veteran to participate in such a program, the [twelve-
year period] 17-year period of eligibility shall not run during 
the period of time that such veteran was so prevented from 
participating in such a program, and such period of eligibility 
shall again begin to run on the first day following such 
veteran's recovery from such condition on which it is 
reasonably feasible, as determined under regulations which the 
Secretary shall prescribe, for such veteran to participate in 
such a program.
  (2) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a 
veteran has been prevented from participating in a vocational 
rehabilitation program under this chapter within the period of 
eligibility prescribed in subsection (a) of this section 
because--
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

the [twelve-year period] 17-year period of eligibility shall 
not run during the period of time that such veteran was so 
prevented from participating in such a program.
  (3) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a 
veteran has been prevented from participating in a vocational 
rehabilitation program under this chapter within the period of 
eligibility prescribed in subsection (a) of this section 
because such veteran had not established the existence of a 
service-connected disability rated at 10 percent or more, the 
[twelve-year period] 17-year period of eligibility shall not 
run during the period such veteran was so prevented from 
participating in such a program.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

CHAPTER 34--VETERANS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SUBCHAPTER IV--PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE VETERANS; VETERAN-STUDENT SERVICES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 3485. Work-study allowance

  (a)(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (4) For the purposes of this section, the term ``qualifying 
work-study activity'' means any of the following:
          (A) The outreach services program under chapter 63 of 
        this title as carried out under the supervision of a 
        Department employee or, during the period preceding 
        [June 30, 2013] June 30, 2018, outreach services to 
        servicemembers and veterans furnished by employees of a 
        State approving agency.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (C) The provision of hospital and domiciliary care 
        and medical treatment under chapter 17 of this title, 
        including, during the period preceding [June 30, 2013] 
        June 30, 2018, the provision of such care to veterans 
        in a State home for which payment is made under section 
        1741 of this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (F) During the period preceding [June 30, 2013] June 
        30, 2018, an activity relating to the administration of 
        a national cemetery or a State veterans' cemetery.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

           CHAPTER 36--ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

SUBCHAPTER I--STATE APPROVING AGENCIES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 3679. Disapproval of courses

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, the 
Secretary or the Secretary's designee shall disapprove a course 
of education provided by a public educational institution 
unless the institution charges tuition and fees for a veteran 
at up to the same rate as the institution charges for residents 
of the State in which the institution is located, regardless of 
the veteran's State of residence. The Secretary shall notify 
the State approving agency of the Secretary's disapproval of a 
course of education under this subsection.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    CHAPTER 41--JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR 
VETERANS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 4103. Directors and Assistant Directors for Veterans' Employment 
                    and Training; additional Federal personnel

  (a) * * *
  (b) Responsibilities.--Each Director assigned to a State 
under subsection (a) shall carry out the following 
responsibilities:
          (1) Monitoring the performance of veterans' training 
        and employment programs in the State, with special 
        emphasis on services to disabled veterans.
          (2) Monitoring the performance of the State workforce 
        agency in complying with section 4212 of this title.
          (3) Suggesting to the Assistant Secretary of Labor 
        for Veterans' Employment and Training corrective 
        actions that could be taken by the State workforce 
        agency to address deficiencies in the performance of 
        veterans' training and employment programs in the 
        State.
          (4) Annually negotiating with the State workforce 
        agency to establish performance goals for veterans' 
        training and employment programs in the State.
          (5) Reviewing the State's requests for funding for 
        veterans' training and employment programs and 
        providing advice to the State workforce agency and the 
        Assistant Secretary regarding such funding requests.
          (6) Forwarding complaints regarding possible 
        violations of chapter 43 of this title to the 
        appropriate Regional Administrator or to the to the 
        Assistant Secretary, as required.
          (7) Carrying out grant officer technical 
        representative responsibilities for grants issued under 
        programs administered by the Department.
          (8) Providing advice to the State workforce agency on 
        strategies to market veterans to employers.
          (9) Supervising and managing all support staff, 
        including Assistant Directors, establishing workload 
        priorities, managing all personnel actions, and 
        evaluating all assigned personnel.
          (10) Submitting to the Assistant Secretary regular 
        reports on the matters described in paragraphs (1), 
        (2), (4), and (8), and any other matters the Assistant 
        Secretary determine appropriate.
          (11) Performing such other related duties as directed 
        by the Assistant Secretary.
  [(b)] (c) Additional Federal Personnel.--The Secretary may 
also assign as supervisory personnel such representatives of 
the Veterans' Employment and Training Service as the Secretary 
determines appropriate to carry out the employment, training, 
and placement services required under this chapter, including 
Assistant Directors for Veterans' Employment and Training.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              

TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SUBTITLE A--GENERAL MILITARY LAW

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

PART II--PERSONNEL

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

   CHAPTER 58--BENEFITS AND SERVICES FOR MEMBERS BEING SEPARATED OR 
RECENTLY SEPARATED

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 1144. Employment assistance, job training assistance, and other 
                    transitional services: Department of Labor

  (a) * * *
  (b) Elements of Program.--In establishing and carrying out a 
program under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall do the 
following:
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (9) Provide information about disability-related 
        employment and education protections.
  (c) Additional Elements of Program.--The mandatory program 
carried out by this section shall include--
          (1) for any such member who plans to use the member's 
        entitlement to educational assistance under title 38--
                  (A) instruction providing an overview of the 
                use of such entitlement; and
                  (B) testing to determine academic readiness 
                for post-secondary education, courses of post-
                secondary education appropriate for the member, 
                courses of post-secondary education compatible 
                with the member's education goals, and 
                instruction on how to finance the member's 
                post-secondary education; and
          (2) instruction in the benefits under laws 
        administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and 
        in other subjects determined by the Secretary 
        concerned.
  [(c)] (d) Participation.--The Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall encourage and otherwise 
promote maximum participation by members of the armed forces 
eligible for assistance under the program carried out under 
this section.
  [(d)] (e) Use of Personnel and Organizations.--In carrying 
out the program established under this section, the Secretaries 
may--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [(e)] (f) Participation in Apprenticeship Programs.--As part 
of the program carried out under this section, the Secretary of 
Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security may permit a 
member of the armed forces eligible for assistance under the 
program to participate in an apprenticeship program registered 
under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the 
``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 
U.S.C. 50 et seq.), or a pre-apprenticeship program that 
provides credit toward a program registered under such Act, 
that provides members of the armed forces with the education, 
training, and services necessary to transition to meaningful 
employment that leads to economic self-sufficiency.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              

VOW TO HIRE HEROES ACT OF 2011

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

TITLE II--VOW TO HIRE HEROES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    Subtitle A--Retraining Veterans

SEC. 211. VETERANS RETRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

  (a) Program Authorized.--
          (1) * * *
          (2) Number of eligible veterans.--The number of 
        unique eligible veterans who participate in the program 
        established under paragraph (1) may not exceed--
                  (A) * * *
                  (B) 54,000 during the period beginning 
                October 1, 2012, and ending [March 31, 2014] 
                June 30, 2014.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (k) Termination of Authority.--The authority to make payments 
under this section shall terminate on [March 31, 2014] June 30, 
2014.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                                  

```