I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3340 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 3, 2011 Mr. Bilbray (for himself and Mr. Barrow) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to provide veterans with apprenticeships and career advice.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Help Inspire and Retrain our Exceptional Veterans Act of 2011 or the HIRE Veterans Act of 2011.

2.

Grant program to provide veterans with apprenticeships and career advice

(a)

Establishment

Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a program to award grants to local Chambers of Commerce to provide veterans with apprenticeships and career advice. (b)

Use of grant

A local Chamber of Commerce may use a grant awarded under this section to establish a veterans apprenticeship program that provides veterans (particularly those who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn) with— (1)training with respect to writing a résumé; (2)career advice; and (3)opportunities to pursue apprenticeships with businesses participating in the program. (c)

Number and amount of grants

(1)

Number

The Secretary may not award more than one grant to a local Chamber of Commerce during each five-year period in which the grant program established under subsection (a) is carried out. (2)

Amount

A grant awarded under this section shall be an amount that is not less than $10,000 and not more than $20,000. (d)

Application

To be eligible for a grant under this section, a local Chamber of Commerce shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (e)

Termination

The grant program established under subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2022. (f)

Annual Report

Not later than March 31 of each year following a year in which a grant is awarded under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the grant program, including— (1)a list of each grant awarded in the year covered by the report, including the amount of the grant and the local Chamber of Commerce awarded the grant; and (2)the number of veterans who participated in a program described in subsection (b) who became employed during such year, including whether such employment is considered permanent or temporary. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section a total of $10,000,000.