I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3719 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 6, 2009 Mr. Buyer (for himself and Mr. Michaud) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration Act of 2009.

2.

Establishment of Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration of Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

Economic Opportunity Administration

Part V of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter: 80

Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration

8001. Organization of Administration. 8002. Functions of Administration. 8003. Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

8001.

Organization of Administration

(a)

Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration

There is in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration. The primary function of the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration is the administration of the programs of the Department which provide assistance related to economic opportunity to veterans and their dependents and survivors. (b)

Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity

The Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration is under the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity, who is directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of the Administration.

8002.

Functions of Administration

The Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration is responsible for the administration of the following programs of the Department: (1)Vocational rehabilitation and employment programs. (2)Educational assistance programs. (3)Veterans’ housing loan and related programs. (4)Veterans entrepreneurship programs. (5)Programs for homeless veterans.

8003.

Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

Notwithstanding section 15(k) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(k)), the head of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization shall report directly to both the Secretary and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity.

. (b)

Clerical amendments

The tables of chapters at the beginning of title 38, and of part V of title 38, are each amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 79 the following new item: 80. Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration8001 .

3.

Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity

(a)

Under Secretary

Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 306 the following new section:

306A.

Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity

(a)

Under Secretary

There is in the Department an Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity, who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation or activity and solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in— (1)fiscal management; and (2)the administration of programs within the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration or programs of similar content and scope. (b)

Responsibilities

The Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity is the head of, and is directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of, the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration. (c)

Vacancies

(1)Whenever a vacancy in the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity occurs or is anticipated, the Secretary shall establish a commission to recommend individuals to the President for appointment to the position. (2)A commission established under this subsection shall be composed of the following members appointed by the Secretary: (A)Three persons representing education and training, vocational rehabilitation, employment, real estate, mortgage finance and related industries, and survivor benefits activities affected by the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration. (B)Two persons representing veterans served by the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration. (C)Two persons who have experience in the management of veterans benefits programs or programs of similar content and scope. (D)The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (E)The chairman of the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education formed under section 3692 of this title. (F)One person who has held the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity, if the Secretary determines that it is desirable for such person to be a member of the commission. (3)A commission established under this subsection shall recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity. The commission shall submit all recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary shall forward the recommendations to the President with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate. Thereafter, the President may request the commission to recommend additional individuals for appointment. (4)The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and labor relations functions shall serve as the executive secretary of a commission established under this subsection. (d)

Qualifications of recommended individuals

Each individual recommended to the President by the commission for appointment to the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity shall be an individual who has held a senior level position in the private sector with responsibilities relating to at least one of the following: (1)Education policy. (2)Vocational rehabilitation. (3)Employment. (4)Home loan finance. (5)Small business development.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 306 the following new item: 306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity. . (c)

Conforming amendments

Such title is further amended— (1)in section 7701(a), by inserting after assistance the following: , other than assistance related to economic opportunity,; (2)in section 7703, by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; (3)in section 306(c)(2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (E) and redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (F), as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively; (4)in section 317(d), by inserting after Under Secretary for Benefits the following: , the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity,; (5)in section 318(d)(2), by inserting after Under Secretary for Benefits the following: , the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity,; (6)in section 516(e)(2)(C), by striking Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits and inserting Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity; (7)in section 541(a)(2)(B), by striking Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits and inserting Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity; (8)in section 542(a)(2)(A)(iii), by striking Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits and inserting Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity; (9)in section 544(a)(2)(B)(vi), by striking Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits and inserting Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity; and (10)in section 709(c)(2)(A), by inserting after Under Secretary for Benefits the following: , the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity,.

4.

Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Labor-Small Business Administration Joint Executive Committee on Economic Opportunity

(a)

Establishment

Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

323.

Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Labor-Small Business Administration Joint Executive Committee on Economic Opportunity

(a)

Establishment

(1)There is established an interagency committee to be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Labor-Small Business Administration Joint Executive Committee on Economic Opportunity (hereinafter in this section referred to as the Committee). (2)The Committee is composed of— (A)the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Veterans Economic Opportunity; (B)the Director of Homeless Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs; (C)the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training; and (D)the Associate Administrator of the Small Business Administration for Veterans Business Development. (b)

Administrative Matters

(1)The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Under Secretary of Labor, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall jointly determine the administrative and procedural guidelines for the operation of the Committee. (2)The two Departments and the Small Business Administration shall supply appropriate staff and resources to provide administrative support and services. Support for such purposes shall be provided at a level sufficient for the efficient operation of the Committee. (c)

Recommendations

(1)The Committee shall recommend to the Secretaries and the Administrator strategic direction for the joint coordination and sharing efforts between and within the two Departments and the Administration to promote and administer veterans economic opportunity programs for education and training, vocational rehabilitation, employment, small business, and homelessness under section 8111 of this title, and shall oversee implementation of those efforts. (2)The Committee shall submit to the two Secretaries and the Administrator and directly to Congress an annual report containing such recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate. (d)

Functions

In order to enable the Committee to make recommendations in its annual report under subsection (c)(2), the Committee shall do the following: (1)Review existing policies, procedures, and practices relating to the coordination and sharing of resources between the two Departments. (2)Identify changes in policies, procedures, and practices that, in the judgment of the Committee, would promote mutually beneficial coordination, use, or exchange of use of services and resources of the two Departments and the Administration, with the goal of improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of benefits and services to veterans, service members, military retirees, and their families through a relationship among the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor, and the Small Business Administration. (3)Identify and assess further opportunities for the coordination and collaboration between the Departments and the Administration that, in the judgment of the Committee, would not adversely affect the range of services, the quality of care, or the established priorities for benefits provided by either of the Departments or the Administration. (4)Review the plans of both Departments and the Administration for the acquisition of additional resources, especially new facilities and major equipment and technology, in order to assess the potential effect of such plans on further opportunities for the coordination and sharing of resources. (5)Review the implementation of activities designed to promote the coordination and sharing of resources between the Departments and the Administration. (e)

Consultation with certain organizations

In carrying out its responsibilities under this section, the Committee may consult with appropriate organizations that promote employment.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 323. Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Labor-Small Business Administration Joint Executive Committee on Economic Opportunity. .