I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1071
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits under the Mont-
gomery GI Bill by establishing an enhanced educational assistance pro-
gram, by increasing the amount of basic educational assistance, by re-
pealing the requirement for reduction in pay for participation in the
program, by authorizing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make accel-
erated payments of basic educational assistance, and by reopening the
period for certain VEAP participants to elect to participate in the pro-
gram of basic educational assistance, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 11, 1999
Mr. EVANS (for himself, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. FILNER, Mr. SHOWS, and Ms.
BROWN of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits
under the Montgomery GI Bill by establishing an en-
hanced educational assistance program, by increasing the
amount of basic educational assistance, by repealing the
requirement for reduction in pay for participation in
the program, by authorizing the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to make accelerated payments of basic edu-
cational assistance, and by reopening the period for cer-
tain VEAP participants to elect to participate in the
program of basic educational assistance, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Montgomery GI Bill
Improvements Act of 1999’’.
SEC. 2. ENHANCED BENEFITS UNDER MONTGOMERY GI
BILL FOR FOUR YEARS OF ACTIVE-DUTY
SERVICE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 30 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the follow-
ing new subchapter:
‘‘SUBCHAPTER 
V–ENHANCED 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE
‘‘§ 3041. Enhanced educational assistance entitlement
‘‘(a) ENTITLEMENT.—An eligible individual is enti-
tled to enhanced educational assistance under this sub-
chapter.
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL DEFINED.—For pur-
poses of this subchapter, the term ‘eligible individual’
means an individual who meets the service requirement
described in subsection (c) and whose status after comple-
tion of such service is described in section 3011(a)(3) of
this title. Such term does not include an individual de-
scribed in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 3011(c) of this
title.
‘‘(c) SERVICE REQUIREMENT.—(1) The service re-
quirement referred to in subsection (b) is as follows:
‘‘(A) 
After 
September 
30, 
1999, 
the
individual—
‘‘(i) first enters on active duty;
‘‘(ii) reenlists or extends an enlistment on
active duty as a member of the Armed Forces;
or
‘‘(iii) in the case of an officer, continues to
serve on active duty after that date.
‘‘(B) From the date of such entry, reenlistment,
extension, or continuation, as the case may be, the
individual—
‘‘(i) serves a continuous period of active
duty of at least four years in the Armed Forces;
or
‘‘(ii) serves on active duty in the Armed
Forces and is discharged or released from ac-
tive duty—
‘‘(I) as provided in subclause (I) of
section 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii) of this title;
‘‘(II) for the convenience of the Gov-
ernment, after having completed not less
than 42 months of continuous active duty;
or
‘‘(III) as provided in subclause (III)
of section 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii) of this title.
‘‘(2) In determining service under paragraph (1), the
following rules apply:
‘‘(A) Any period of service described in para-
graph (2) or (3) of section 3011(d) of this title that
applies to an eligible individual under this section
shall not be considered a part of the individual’s pe-
riod of active duty.
‘‘(B) A member described in paragraph (2) of
section 3011(f) of this title who serves the periods
of active duty referred to in such paragraph shall be
deemed to have served a continuous period of active
duty the length of which is the aggregate length of
the periods of active duty referred to in such para-
graph.
‘‘(C) Subsections (g) and (h) of section 3011 of
this title apply with respect to an eligible individual
under this section in the same manner as they apply
to an individual under section 3011 of this title.
‘‘(d) ELECTION
OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE.—(1) An eligible individual entitled to enhanced
educational assistance under this subchapter may elect (in
a form and manner prescribed by the Secretary) to receive
basic educational assistance under subchapter II in lieu
of such enhanced educational assistance for an enrollment
period. Such an election shall be made by not later than
30 days before the beginning of the enrollment period.
‘‘(2) An eligible individual may revoke an election
made pursuant to paragraph (1), but in no case may such
revocation be made later than 30 days before the begin-
ning of the enrollment period.
‘‘§ 3042. Duration of enhanced educational assistance
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to section 3695 of this
title and except as provided in subsection (b), each individ-
ual entitled to enhanced educational assistance under sec-
tion 3041 of this title is entitled to a monthly enhanced
educational assistance allowance under this subchapter for
a period or periods not to exceed a total of 36 months
(or the equivalent thereof in part-time enhanced edu-
cational assistance).
‘‘(b) SPECIAL RULE FOR CERTAIN EARLY SEPARA-
TIONS.—Subject to section 3695 of this title, in the case
of an individual described in subclause (I) or (III) of sec-
tion 3041(c)(1)(B)(ii) who does not serve a continuous pe-
riod of active duty of at least four years in the Armed
Forces (as described in section 3041(c)(1)(B)(i) of this
title), the individual is entitled to one month of enhanced
educational assistance benefits under this subchapter (not
to exceed a total of 36 months (or the equivalent thereof
in part-time enhanced educational assistance)) for each
month of continuous active duty served by the individual
beginning with the date on which the entry on active duty,
reenlistment, enlistment extension, or continuation appli-
cable to that individual under section 3041(c)(1)(A) of
this title begins.
‘‘§ 3043. Payment of educational expenses
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall pay to the educational institution providing
a course under an approved program of education to an
eligible individual under this subchapter who is enrolled
in the course the actual cost of tuition and fees otherwise
payable by the individual.
‘‘(2) Such cost may not exceed the amount charged
to similarly circumstanced nonveterans.
‘‘(b) STIPEND; COSTS OF BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.—
The Secretary shall pay to each eligible individual under
this subchapter who is pursuing an approved program of
education—
‘‘(1) a stipend as provided in section 3044 of
this title; and
‘‘(2) in accordance with regulations prescribed
by the Secretary, an amount equal to the average
cost of books and supplies payable by individuals
appears and inserting ‘‘educational assistance under this
subchapter’’.
(4) Section 3018A(a) of such title is amended by
striking ‘‘education assistance under this chapter’’ and in-
serting ‘‘educational assistance under this subchapter’’.
(5) Section 3018B of such title is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘education assistance under this chapter’’ each place
it appears and inserting ‘‘educational assistance under
this subchapter’’.
(6) Section 3018C of such title is amended—
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘educational
assistance under this chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘edu-
cational assistance under this subchapter’’; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘education as-
sistance under this chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘edu-
cational assistance under this subchapter’’.
(7) Section 3019 of such title is amended by striking
‘‘chapter’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘sub-
chapter’’.
(8) Section 3031 of such title is amended—
(A) in subsection (f), by inserting ‘‘or 3042 of
this title’’ after ‘‘section 3013’’ each place it ap-
pears; and
(B) in subsection (g), by inserting ‘‘or
3031(c)(1)(B)(ii)(III)’’ 
after 
‘‘section
3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(III)’’.
(9) Section 3032(e)(3) of such title is amended by
inserting ‘‘, or section 3044(a)(1)’’ after ‘‘section 3015’’.
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
at the beginning of chapter 30 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
items:
‘‘SUBCHAPTER V—ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
‘‘3041. Enhanced educational assistance entitlement.
‘‘3042. Duration of enhanced educational assistance.
‘‘3043. Payment of educational expenses.
‘‘3044. Amount of stipend.
‘‘3045. Tutorial assistance.’’.
SEC. 3. INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL.
(a) ACTIVE DUTY EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—Sec-
tion 3015 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘$528’’ and
inserting ‘‘$900’’; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘$429’’
and inserting ‘‘$730’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 1999, and
shall apply with respect to educational assistance allow-
ances paid for months after September 1999.
SEC. 4. REPEAL OF PAY REDUCTION, ELECTION OF BENE-
FITS, AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RE-
QUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN BASIC
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER MONT-
GOMERY GI BILL.
(a) REPEAL OF PAY REDUCTION AND ELECTION OF
BENEFITS.—
(1) ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAM.—(A) Section 3011
of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(i) by striking subsection (b); and
(ii) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph
(1) and redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3)
as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
(B) Section 3012 of such title is amended—
(i) by striking subsection (c); and
(ii) in subsection (d), by striking para-
graph (1) and redesignating paragraphs (2) and
(3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
(2) OPPORTUNITIES TO WITHDRAW ELECTION
NOT TO ENROLL.—(A) Section 3016(a)(1) of such
title is amended by striking ‘‘, and does not make
an election under section 3011(c)(1) or section
3012(d)(1)’’.
(B) Sections 3018A and 3018B of such title
are each amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
‘‘(e) Notwithstanding subsection (b), no reduction in
the pay of an individual under this section shall be made
for months beginning after September 30, 1999. Any obli-
gation of such individual under subsection (b), as of Sep-
tember 30, 1999, shall be deemed to be fully satisfied as
of such date.’’.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made
by this subsection shall take effect on October 1,
1999, and apply to individuals whose initial obli-
gated period of active duty under section 3011 or
3012 of title 38, United States Code, as the case
may be, begins on or after such date.
(4) TERMINATION
OF
PAY
REDUCTIONS
IN
PROGRESS.—Any reduction in the basic pay of an
individual referred to in subsection (b) of section
3011 of title 38, United States Code, by reason of
such subsection, or of any individual referred to in
subsection (c) of section 3012 of such title by reason
of such subsection, shall cease commencing with
months beginning after September 30, 1999, and
any obligation of such individual under such sub-
sections, as the case may be, as of September 30,
1999, shall be deemed to be fully satisfied as of such
date.
(b) REPEAL OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RE-
QUIREMENT.—
(1) ACTIVE DUTY.—(A) Section 3011(a) of title
38, United States Code, is amended—
(i) by striking paragraph (2); and
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (3) as
paragraph (2).
(B) Section 3011 of such title is amended—
(i) by striking subsection (e); and
(ii) by redesignating subsections (f), (g),
and (h) as subsections (e), (f), and (g), respec-
tively.
(C) Section 3012(a) of such title is amended—
(i) by striking paragraph (2); and
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (3) as
paragraph (2).
(D) Section 3012 of such title is amended—
(i) by striking subsection (f); and
(ii) by redesignating subsection (g) as sub-
section (f).
(2) OPPORTUNITIES TO WITHDRAW ELECTION
NOT TO ENROLL.—(A) Section 3018 of such title is
amended—
(i) by striking paragraph (4) of subsection
(b);
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (3)(C); and
(iii) by redesignating paragraph (5) as
paragraph (4).
(B)(i) Section 3018A(a) of such title is
amended—
(I) by striking paragraph (2);
(II) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4),
and (5) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respec-
tively; and
(III) by striking ‘‘paragraph (3)’’ in para-
graphs (3) and (4), as so redesignated, and in-
serting ‘‘paragraph (2)’’.
(ii) Section 3018A(c) of such title is amended
by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(3) of this section’’ and
inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(2)’’.
(iii) Section 3018A(d)(1) of such title is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(4) of this subsection’’
and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(3)’’.
(C)(i) Section 3018B(a)(1) of such title is
amended—
(I) by striking subparagraph (B);
(II) by redesignating subparagraphs (C),
(D), and (E) as subparagraphs (B), (C), and
(D), respectively; and
(III) by striking ‘‘subparagraph (C)’’ in
subparagraphs (C) and (D), as so redesignated,
and inserting ‘‘subparagraph (B)’’.
(D)(i) Section 3018B(a)(2) of such title is
amended—
(I) by striking subparagraph (B);
(II) by redesignating subparagraphs (C),
(D), and (E) as subparagraphs (B), (C), and
(D), respectively;
(III) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)(C) of this
subsection’’ in subparagraph (B), as so redesig-
nated, and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)(B)’’; and
(IV) by striking ‘‘subparagraph (C)’’ in
subparagraphs (C) and (D), as so redesignated,
and inserting ‘‘subparagraph (B)’’.
(ii) Section 3018B(c) of such title is amended
by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(1)(C) or (a)(2)(C) of this
section’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1)(B) or
(a)(2)(B)’’.
(iii) Section 3018B(d)(1) of such title is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(1)(D) or (a)(2)(D) of
this section’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1)(C) or
(a)(2)(C)’’.
(E)(i) Section 3018C(a) of such title is
amended—
(I) by striking paragraph (3);
(II) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and
(5) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
(III) by striking ‘‘paragraph (5)’’ in para-
graph (3), as so redesignated, and inserting
‘‘paragraph (4)’’.
(ii) Section 3018C(b) of such title is amended
by striking ‘‘as specified in subsection (a)(4)’’ and
inserting ‘‘as specified in subsection (a)(3)’’.
(iii) Section 3018C(c)(1) of such title is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘election described in subsection
(a)(5)’’ and inserting ‘‘election described in sub-
section (a)(4)’’.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made
by this subsection shall take effect on the date of the
enactment of this Act and apply with respect to indi-
viduals applying for basic educational assistance
under chapter 30 of title 38, United States Code, on
or after such date.
(c) EDUCATION OUTREACH SERVICES TO MEMBERS
OF THE ARMED FORCES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 3034(e)(1) of title
38, United States Code, is amended to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(e)(1) Not later than one year after an individual
initially enters on active duty as a member of the Armed
Forces, and at such additional times as the Secretary de-
termines appropriate, the Secretary shall furnish the indi-
vidual the information described in paragraph (2).’’.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made
by paragraph (1) shall take effect on October 1,
1999, and apply to individuals whose initial obli-
gated period of active duty under section 3011 or
3012 of title 38, United States Code, as the case
may be, begins on or after such date.
SEC. 5. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY TO MAKE ACCELER-
ATED PAYMENTS OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3014 of title 38 is
amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before
‘‘The Secretary’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(b) ACCELERATED
PAYMENT.—(1)(A) Notwith-
standing any other provision of this chapter and subject
to subparagraph (B), an individual entitled to basic edu-
cational assistance under this subchapter may elect to re-
ceive an accelerated payment of the basic educational as-
sistance allowance.
‘‘(B) The Secretary may not make an accelerated
payment for a course to an individual who has received
an advance payment under section 3680(d) of this title
for the same enrollment period.
‘‘(2)(A) Pursuant to an election under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall make an accelerated payment to an
individual for a course in a lump-sum amount equal to
the lesser of—
‘‘(i) the amount of the educational assistance
allowance for the month, or fraction thereof, in
which the course begins plus the educational assist-
ance allowance for each of the succeeding four
months; or
‘‘(ii)(I) in the case of a course offered on a
quarter, semester, or term basis, the amount of ag-
gregate monthly educational assistance allowance
otherwise payable under this subchapter for the
course for the entire quarter, semester, or term; or
‘‘(II) in the case of a course that is not offered
on a quarter, semester, or term basis, the amount of
aggregate monthly educational assistance allowance
otherwise payable under this subchapter for the en-
tire course.
issuance, delivery, certification of receipt and use, and re-
covery of overpayment of an accelerated payment.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall take effect on March 1, 2000, and
apply with respect to courses of education beginning on
or after such date.
SEC. 6. AVAILABILITY OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS
FOR PAYMENT FOR LICENSING OR CERTIFI-
CATION TESTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3452(b) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new sentence: ‘‘Such term also includes licensing
or certification tests required under Federal, State, or
local law, or regulation, for vocations or professions.’’.
(b) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.—Section 3032 of such
title is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
‘‘(g) The amount of educational assistance payable
under this chapter for a licensing or certification test de-
scribed in section 3452(b) of this title is the fee charged
for the test.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall take effect on October 1, 1999, and apply
with respect to licensing and certification tests approved
by the Secretary offered on or after such date.
SEC. 7. AVAILABILITY OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS
FOR PREPARATORY COURSES FOR COLLEGE
AND GRADUATE SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3452(b) of title 38,
United States Code, as amended by section 6, is further
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
‘‘Such term also includes a preparatory course for a test
that is required or utilized for admission to an institution
of higher education or to a graduate school.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by
subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 1999, and
applies with respect to preparatory courses approved by
the Secretary beginning on or after such date.
SEC. 8. AVAILABILITY OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS
FOR TRAINING FOR TECHNOLOGICAL OCCU-
PATIONS 
OFFERED 
BY 
ENTITIES 
OTHER
THAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3452(c) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(c) The term ‘educational institution’ means—
‘‘(1) any public or private elementary school,
secondary school, vocational school, correspondence
school, business school, junior college, teachers’ col-
lege, college, normal school, professional school, uni-
versity, or scientific or technical institution, or other
institution furnishing education for adults;
‘‘(2) any entity that provides training required
for completion of any State-approved alternative
teacher certification program (as determined by the
Secretary); or
‘‘(3) any entity that provides, either directly or
under an agreement with another entity, training re-
quired for certification in a vocation or profession in
a technological occupation (as defined by the Sec-
retary).’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by
subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 1999, and
applies with respect to training courses, approved by the
Secretary, for certification for technological occupations
beginning on or after such date.
SEC. 9. ENROLLMENT OF CERTAIN VEAP PARTICIPANTS IN
BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER
MONTGOMERY GI BILL.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3018C(a) of title 38 is
amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘an individual
who—’’ and inserting ‘‘an individual who is de-
scribed in subsection (e) or who—’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(e) An individual referred to in the matter preceding
paragraph 1 of subsection (a) is an individual who meets
the following requirements:
‘‘(1) Before October 10, 1996, the individual
was enrolled in the educational benefits program
provided in chapter 32 of this title.
‘‘(2) The individual has continuously served on
active duty since October 9, 1996.
‘‘(3) The individual, if discharged or released
from active duty after the date on which the individ-
ual makes the election described in paragraph (4), is
discharged or released therefrom with an honorable
discharge.
‘‘(4) During the 18-month period beginning on
the date of the enactment of the Montgomery GI
Bill Improvements Act of 1999, the individual makes
an election pursuant to procedures established under
subsection (a)(4).’’.
(b) ELIMINATION OF PAY REDUCTION.—(1) Section
3018C(b) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘With re-
spect’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in subsection (f),
with respect’’.
(2) Section 3018C of such title, as amended by sub-
section (a), is further amended, by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
‘‘(f) No reduction in the pay of an individual under
this section shall be made for months beginning after the
date of the enactment of the Montgomery GI Bill Improve-
ments Act of 1999. Any obligation of such individual
under subsection (b), as of such date, shall be deemed to
be fully satisfied as of such date.’’.
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