Veterans Educational Opportunities Enhancement Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1328
Sponsor: Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Collection of accounts
Disability retirement
Disabled
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Military discharges
Military pay
Secondary education
Veterans' education
Veterans' pensions

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Veterans Educational Opportunities Enhancement Act of 2003 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to allow the basic pay reduction for entitlement to veterans educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to be taken over two years (currently one year).
Allows the withdrawal of an election not to receive such assistance during a specified open period for an individual who: (1) first becomes a member or enters into active service on or after the enactment of this Act; (2) continues to serve the period of obligated service without a service break; (3) before completing such period, is discharged or released from duty for a service-connected disability, a preexisting medical condition, a hardship, a physical or mental condition that did not result from the individual's own willful misconduct, or for the convenience of the Government; (4) completes the requirements of a secondary school diploma or equivalency certificate or 12 semester hours toward a standard college degree; and (5) is discharged honorably or placed on one of specified retirement lists. Provides a basic pay reduction for entitlement to such assistance.
Provides an opportunity for certain active-duty military personnel who first became a member of the armed forces before July 1, 1985, to enroll for such assistance during an open period under eligibility requirements very similar to those above, and requires a similar basic pay reduction for such assistance.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Total Force.
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House