Solar VETS Act
Bill: H.R.3620 | Sponsor: Rep. O'Halleran, Tom (D-AZ)
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
Solar Vocational Education and Training for our Servicemembers Act or the Solar VETS Act
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a training course for careers in solar-related occupations to be (1) made available at military installations and to eligible members of the Armed Forces, and (2) administered by institutions of higher education pursuant to an agreement with DOE.

To require the Secretary of Energy to develop a solar workforce 
training course for certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other 
                               purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Solar Vocational Education and 
Training for our Servicemembers Act'' or the ``Solar VETS Act''.

SEC. 2. SOLAR WORKFORCE TRAINING COURSE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
              FORCES.

    (a) Training Course.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the 
        Secretary of Defense, shall develop a training course for 
        careers in solar-related occupations to be--
                    (A) made available--
                            (i) at military installations; and
                            (ii) to eligible members of the Armed 
                        Forces; and
                    (B) administered by institutions of higher 
                education pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary.
            (2) Course components.--The training course shall include--
                    (A) hands-on, in-person instruction with respect to 
                solar-related occupations;
                    (B) assistance with resume preparation;
                    (C) assistance with job interview preparation; and
                    (D) an examination that results in the receipt of 
                an entry-level certification in solar installation 
                (such as a certification from the North American Board 
                of Certified Energy Practitioners).
            (3) Fees or charges prohibited; reimbursement for 
        examination costs.--
                    (A) Fees or charges.--No fee or charge may be 
                assessed to an eligible member of the Armed Forces in 
                connection with the participation of the member in the 
                training course.
                    (B) Reimbursement.--The Secretary shall reimburse 
                an eligible member of the Armed Forces for the costs of 
                an examination described in paragraph (2)(D) incurred 
                by the member.
    (b) Selection of Participating Military Installations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the 
        Secretary of Defense, shall select military installations at 
        which the training course will be offered to eligible members 
        of the Armed Forces.
            (2) Considerations.--In selecting a military installation, 
        the Secretary shall consider--
                    (A) the average number of eligible members of the 
                Armed Forces stationed at the military installation;
                    (B) the solar market in the local community near 
                the military installation, including the number of 
                relevant employers and job opportunities; and
                    (C) the capability of institutions of higher 
                education located near the military installation to 
                administer the training course.
    (c) Agreement With Institution of Higher Education.--For each 
military installation at which the training course is to be offered, 
the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with an institution of 
higher education located near the military installation under which the 
institution shall administer the training course.
    (d) Outreach.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary 
of Defense, shall ensure that--
            (1) commanders at military installations are aware of the 
        availability of the training course; and
            (2) installation transition offices inform eligible members 
        of the Armed Forces about the training course.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Eligible member of the armed forces.--The term 
        ``eligible member of the Armed Forces'' means a member of the 
        Armed Forces that--
                    (A) has completed at least 180 days on active duty 
                in the Armed Forces; and
                    (B) is expected to be discharged or released from 
                active duty in the Armed Forces within 180 days of the 
                date of commencement of participation in the training 
                course.
            (2) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            (3) Military installation.--The term ``military 
        installation'' means a military installation that is located 
        within any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands 
        of the United States, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
        Islands, or Guam.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
            (5) Training course.--The term ``training course'' means 
        the training course developed under subsection (a).
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