VET–TEC Authorization Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-1669
Sponsor: Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]
Introduced: 2023-03-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Aviation and airports
Cemeteries and funerals
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Internet, web applications, social media
Philippines
Public contracts and procurement
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: 

VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permanently implement a program under which it provides up to 8,000 covered individuals per year the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that provide non-degree training or skills related to computer programming, media application, data processing, or information sciences. A covered individual is a veteran who (1) the VA determines is under the age of 62, served an aggregate of at least 36 months on active duty, and was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (2) will satisfy such requirements in fewer than 180 days after the VA's determination.
 
In administering the program, the VA must provide assistance to covered individuals in amounts equal to those provided to Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients who are pursuing a degree on more than a half-time basis.
 
The VA must seek to enter into contracts with any number of qualified providers of high technology programs of education and pay such providers a specified percentage of the tuition and other fees for each enrolled individual.
 
The bill prescribes (1) requirements for a provider of a program to be considered as qualified (e.g., the provider employs instructors the VA determines are experts in their respective fields), and (2) criteria for the VA to approve providers for contracts.
 
If a covered individual has remaining entitlement to other VA educational assistance, entitlement under this program must be charged at the rate of one month of that remaining entitlement for each month of assistance under this program.

action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023

This bill addresses various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits, including to continue a high technology program and provide burial and funeral allowances for certain veterans.

(Sec. 2) The VA must implement through FY2028 a program under which it provides up to 6,000 covered individuals per year the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that provide non-degree training or skills related to computer programming, media application, data processing, or information sciences. A covered individual is a veteran who (1) the VA determines is under the age of 62, served an aggregate of at least 36 months on active duty, and was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (2) will satisfy such requirements in fewer than 180 days after the VA's determination.

In administering the program, the VA must provide assistance to covered individuals in amounts equal to those provided to Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients who are pursuing a degree on more than a half-time basis.

(Sec. 3) The bill also requires the VA to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a veteran who dies in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care).

(Sec. 4) The bill provides that a rehabilitation program under the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program may include a program that includes flight training and does not lead to a degree.

(Sec. 5) This section imposes sole liability for overpayments of educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill on the individual who was eligible for such assistance in situations where the individual failed to complete a service agreement and transferred the entitlement to a dependent.

Filipino Education Fairness Act

(Sec. 6) This section increases the amount of educational assistance available to an individual pursuing a program of education under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program at an institution located in the Philippines. Under current law, DEA educational assistance for an individual pursuing a program of education at an institution located in the Philippines is limited to $0.50 for each dollar. The bill makes an individual eligible for the full assistance amount.

(Sec. 7) The VA must provide eligibility and award documents related to specified VA educational assistance programs (e.g., the Post-9/11 GI Bill) in an electronic format. Specifically, the VA must electronically provide (1) a certificate of eligibility for an individual's entitlement to assistance, and (2) an award letter regarding the authorization to receive assistance.

An individual may elect to receive documents by mail and may revoke such an election at any time.

(Sec. 8) Finally, the bill extends certain loan fee rates through April 30, 2032, under the VA's home loan program.

action_date: 2023-05-24
text: 

VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023

This bill addresses various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits, including to continue a high technology program and provide burial and funeral allowances for certain veterans.

(Sec. 2) The VA must implement through FY2028 a program under which it provides up to 6,000 covered individuals per year the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that provide non-degree training or skills related to computer programming, media application, data processing, or information sciences. A covered individual is a veteran who (1) the VA determines is under the age of 62, served an aggregate of at least 36 months on active duty, and was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (2) will satisfy such requirements in fewer than 180 days after the VA's determination.

In administering the program, the VA must provide assistance to covered individuals in amounts equal to those provided to Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients who are pursuing a degree on more than a half-time basis.

(Sec. 3) The bill also requires the VA to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a veteran who dies in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care).

(Sec. 4) The bill provides that a rehabilitation program under the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program may include a program that includes flight training and does not lead to a degree.

(Sec. 5) This section imposes sole liability for overpayments of educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill on the individual who was eligible for such assistance in situations where the individual failed to complete a service agreement and transferred the entitlement to a dependent.

Filipino Education Fairness Act

(Sec. 6) This section increases the amount of educational assistance available to an individual pursuing a program of education under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program at an institution located in the Philippines. Under current law, DEA educational assistance for an individual pursuing a program of education at an institution located in the Philippines is limited to $0.50 for each dollar. The bill makes an individual eligible for the full assistance amount.

(Sec. 7) The VA must provide eligibility and award documents related to specified VA educational assistance programs (e.g., the Post-9/11 GI Bill) in an electronic format. Specifically, the VA must electronically provide (1) a certificate of eligibility for an individual's entitlement to assistance, and (2) an award letter regarding the authorization to receive assistance.

An individual may elect to receive documents by mail and may revoke such an election at any time.

(Sec. 8) Finally, the bill extends certain loan fee rates through April 30, 2032, under the VA's home loan program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-30
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2023-05-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 9 (Roll no. 235). (text: 05/22/2023 CR H2474-2476)
action_date: 2023-05-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 9 (Roll no. 235). (text: 05/22/2023 CR H2474-2476)
action_date: 2023-05-24
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2578-2579)
action_date: 2023-05-22
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2023-05-22
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1669.
action_date: 2023-05-22
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2474-2479)
action_date: 2023-05-22
text: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 48.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-68.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-68.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.
action_date: 2023-04-18
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-04-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Introduced in House