Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2008-06-26 00:00:00

Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program for veterans to: (1) increase the rates of basic educational assistance and the time limit for entitlement to and use of such assistance; (2) provide a stipend for individuals using such assistance to pursue a program of education at an institution of higher learning; (3) extend the period for the collection of a fee for the use of such assistance; (4) authorize the use of such assistance for business courses and seminars, courses taken to prepare for licensing or certification tests, and the repayment of federal student loans; (5) allow for withdrawal of the election not to enroll in the program; (6) state that such assistance shall not reduce eligibility for other financial aid; (7) extend the increase in benefits for certain individuals pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training; (8) modify the amount for reimbursement of state and local agencies administering veterans' education benefits; (9) provide educational assistance for veterans discharged under a general discharge; (10) increase the reporting fee payable to educational institutions that enroll veterans receiving assistance; (11) provide additional areas of work-study for veterans; (12) require a five-year pilot program for on-campus work-study positions; (13) increase the number of employees in the Education Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); (14) require an action plan for upgrading VA information technology used in the administration of educational benefits; (15) modify the advance payment of initial educational assistance or subsistence allowance; (16) modify the period of eligibility for educational assistance applicable to spouses of individuals with service-connected disabilities considered permanent; (17) increase the amount of educational assistance for reserve personnel supporting contingency and other operations; and (18) expand the programs of education eligible for the accelerated payment of educational assistance. Revises federal employment provisions with respect to: (1) a voucher plan for Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) participants; (2) the basis for government contributions for annuitants under the FEHBP; (3) the computation of benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS); and (4) the elimination of the annuity supplement under FERS and related retirement systems. National Environment and Energy Development Act - Declares without force or effect all federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Revokes all withdrawals of federal submerged lands from leasing for natural gas exploration and production. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from: (1) granting a natural gas lease for any OCS located within 25 miles of a state coastline; (2) issuing any lease for natural gas exploration or development in any OCS area within 50 miles of a state coastline unless the state has enacted a law approving such lease; or (3) issuing a lease for natural gas exploration or development in any OCS area more than 50 and less than 100 miles from the coastline of a state if the state has enacted a law disapproving such lease issuance. Authorizes the Secretary to issue leases for development and production of natural gas and associated condensate. American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources on the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against leasing or other development leading to production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Deems any oil and gas leasing programs and activities authorized by this Act to be in compliance with ANWR purposes. Authorizes the Secretary, after certain consultation, to designate up to 45,000 acres of the Coastal Plain as a Special Area. Permits directional drilling in the Special Area. Prescribes procedures governing Coastal Plain lease sales, including: (1) environmental protection; (2) federal and state distribution of revenues; (3) rights-of-way; and (4) local government impact aid and community service assistance. Sets forth: (1) a "no significant adverse effect" standard to govern Coastal Plain activities; and (2) guidelines for expedited judicial review of complaints. Establishes the ANWR Alternative Energy Trust Fund.