[House Report 118-68]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress    }                                     {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session      }                                     {       118-68

======================================================================



 
                   VET-TEC AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2023

                                _______
                                

  May 17, 2023.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Bost, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1669]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 1669) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
make permanent the high technology pilot program of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an 
amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Amendment........................................................     2
Purpose and Summary..............................................     6
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     7
Hearings.........................................................    10
Subcommittee Consideration.......................................    11
Committee Consideration..........................................    12
Committee Votes..................................................    12
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................    14
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............    14
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits.............................    14
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................    14
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Estimate........    14
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................    19
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................    19
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................    19
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs.....................    19
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................    19
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............    21

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``VET--TEC Authorization Act of 2023''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

  (a) High Technology Program.--
          (1) In general.--Chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, 
        is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 3699C. High technology program

  ``(a) Establishment.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out a program 
under which the Secretary provides covered individuals with the 
opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that the 
Secretary determines provide training or skills sought by employers in 
a relevant field or industry.
  ``(2) Not more than 6,000 covered individuals may participate in the 
program under this section in any fiscal year.
  ``(b) Amount of Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall provide, to each 
covered individual who pursues a high technology program of education 
under this section, educational assistance in amounts equal to the 
amounts provided under section 3313(c)(1) of this title, including with 
respect to the housing stipend described in that section and in 
accordance with the treatment of programs that are distance learning 
and programs that are less than half-time.
  ``(2) Under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide such amounts 
of educational assistance to a covered individual for each of the 
following:
          ``(A) A high technology program of education.
          ``(B) A second such program if--
                  ``(i) the second such program begins at least 18 
                months after the covered individual graduates from the 
                first such program; and
                  ``(ii) the covered individual uses educational 
                assistance under chapter 33 of this title to pursue the 
                second such program.
  ``(c) Contracts.--(1) For purposes of carrying out subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts with any number of 
qualified providers of high technology programs of education for the 
provision of such programs to covered individuals. Each such contract 
shall provide for the conditions under which the Secretary may 
terminate the contract with the provider and the procedures for 
providing for the graduation of students who were enrolled in a program 
provided by such provider in the case of such a termination.
  ``(2) A contract under this subsection shall provide that the 
Secretary shall pay to a provider--
          ``(A) upon the enrollment of a covered individual in the 
        program, 25 percent of the cost of the tuition and other fees 
        for the program of education for the individual;
          ``(B) upon graduation of the individual from the program, 25 
        percent of such cost; and
          ``(C) 50 percent of such cost upon--
                  ``(i) the successful employment of the covered 
                individual for a period--
                          ``(I) of 180 days in the field of study of 
                        the program; and
                          ``(II) that begins not later than 180 days 
                        following graduation of the covered individual 
                        from the program;
                  ``(ii) the employment of the individual by the 
                provider for a period of one year; or
                  ``(iii) the enrollment of the individual in a program 
                of education to continue education in such field of 
                study.
  ``(3) For purposes of this section, a provider of a high technology 
program of education is qualified if--
          ``(A) the provider employs instructors whom the Secretary 
        determines are experts in their respective fields in accordance 
        with paragraph (5);
          ``(B) the provider has successfully provided the high 
        technology program for at least one year;
          ``(C) the provider does not charge tuition and fees to a 
        covered individual who receives assistance under this section 
        to pursue such program that are higher than the tuition and 
        fees charged by such provider to another individual; and
          ``(D) the provider meets the approval criteria developed by 
        the Secretary under paragraph (4).
  ``(4)(A) The Secretary shall prescribe criteria for approving 
providers of a high technology program of education under this section.
  ``(B) In developing such criteria, the Secretary may consult with 
State approving agencies.
  ``(C) Such criteria are not required to meet the requirements of 
section 3672 of this title.
  ``(D) Such criteria shall include the job placement rate, in the 
field of study of a program of education, of covered individuals who 
complete such program of education.
  ``(5) The Secretary shall determine whether instructors are experts 
under paragraph (3)(A) based on evidence furnished to the Secretary by 
the provider regarding the ability of the instructors to--
          ``(A) identify professions in need of new employees to hire, 
        tailor the programs to meet market needs, and identify the 
        employers likely to hire graduates;
          ``(B) effectively teach the skills offered to covered 
        individuals;
          ``(C) provide relevant industry experience in the fields of 
        programs offered to incoming covered individuals; and
          ``(D) demonstrate relevant industry experience in such fields 
        of programs.
  ``(6) In entering into contracts under this subsection, the Secretary 
shall give preference to a provider of a high technology program of 
education--
          ``(A) from which at least 70 percent of graduates find full-
        time employment in the field of study of the program during the 
        180-day period beginning on the date the student graduates from 
        the program; or
          ``(B) that offers tuition reimbursement for any student who 
        graduates from such a program and does not find employment 
        described in subparagraph (A).
  ``(d) Effect on Other Entitlement.--(1) If a covered individual 
enrolled in a high technology program of education under this section 
has remaining entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 30, 
32, 33, 34, or 35 of this title, entitlement of the individual to 
educational assistance under this section shall be charged at the rate 
of one month of such remaining entitlement for each such month of 
educational assistance under this section.
  ``(2) The Secretary may not consider enrollment in a high technology 
program of education under this section to be assistance under a 
provision of law referred to in section 3695 of this title.
  ``(e) Requirements for Educational Institutions.--(1) The Secretary 
shall not approve the enrollment of any covered individual, not already 
enrolled, in any high technology programs of education under this 
section for any period during which the Secretary finds that more than 
85 percent of the students enrolled in the program are having all or 
part of their tuition, fees, or other charges paid to or for them by 
the educational institution or by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
under this title or under chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, except with 
respect to tuition, fees, or other charges that are paid under a 
payment plan at an educational institution that the Secretary 
determines has a history of offering payment plans that are completed 
not later than 180 days after the end of the applicable term, quarter, 
or semester.
  ``(2) The Secretary may waive a requirement of paragraph (1) if the 
Secretary determines, pursuant to regulations which the Secretary shall 
prescribe, such waiver to be in the interest of the covered individual 
and the Federal Government. Not later than 30 days after the Secretary 
waives such a requirement, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
report regarding such waiver.
  ``(3)(A)(i) The Secretary shall establish and maintain a process by 
which an educational institution may request a review of a 
determination that the educational institution does not meet the 
requirements of paragraph (1).
  ``(ii) The Secretary may consult with a State approving agency 
regarding such process or such a review.
  ``(iii) Not later than 180 days after the Secretary establishes or 
revises a process under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report regarding such process.
  ``(B) An educational institution that requests a review under 
subparagraph (A)--
          ``(i) shall request the review not later than 30 days after 
        the start of the term, quarter, or semester for which the 
        determination described in subparagraph (A) applies; and
          ``(ii) may include any information that the educational 
        institution believes the Department should have taken into 
        account when making the determination, including with respect 
        to any mitigating circumstances.
  ``(f) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter until the 
termination date specified in subsection (i), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the operation of program under this 
section during the year covered by the report. Each such report shall 
include each of the following:
          ``(1) The number of covered individuals enrolled in the 
        program, disaggregated by type of educational institution, 
        during the year covered by the report.
          ``(2) The number of covered individuals who completed a high 
        technology program of education under the program during the 
        year covered by the report.
          ``(3) The average employment rate of covered individuals who 
        completed such a program of education during such year, as of 
        180 days after the date of completion.
          ``(4) The average length of time between the completion of 
        such a program of education and employment.
          ``(5) The total number of covered individuals who completed a 
        program of education under the program and who, as of the date 
        of the submission of the report, are employed in a position 
        related to technology.
          ``(6) The average salary of a covered individual who 
        completed a program of education under the program and who is 
        employed in a position related to technology, in various 
        geographic areas determined by the Secretary.
          ``(7) The average salary of all individuals employed in 
        positions related to technology in the geographic areas 
        determined under subparagraph (F), and the difference, if any, 
        between such average salary and the average salary of a covered 
        individual who completed a program of education under the 
        program and who is employed in a position related to 
        technology.
          ``(8) The number of covered individuals who completed a 
        program of education under the program and who subsequently 
        enrolled in a second program of education under the program.
  ``(g) Collection of Information; Consultation.--(1) The Secretary 
shall develop practices to use to collect information about covered 
individuals and providers of high technology programs of education.
  ``(2) For the purpose of carrying out program under this section, the 
Secretary may consult with providers of high technology programs of 
education and may establish an advisory group made up of 
representatives of such providers, private employers in the technology 
field, and other relevant groups or entities, as the Secretary 
determines necessary.
  ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
          ``(1) The term `covered individual' means any of the 
        following:
                  ``(A) A veteran whom the Secretary determines--
                          ``(i) served an aggregate of at least 36 
                        months on active duty in the Armed Forces 
                        (including service on active duty in entry 
                        level and skill training) and was discharged or 
                        released therefrom under conditions other than 
                        dishonorable; and
                          ``(ii) has not attained the age of 62.
                  ``(B) A member of the Armed Forces that the Secretary 
                determines will become a veteran described in 
                subparagraph (A) fewer than 180 days after the date of 
                such determination.
          ``(2) The term `high technology program of education' means a 
        program of education--
                  ``(A) offered by a public or private educational 
                institution;
                  ``(B) if offered by an institution of higher 
                learning, that is provided directly by such institution 
                rather than by an entity other than such institution 
                under a contract or other agreement;
                  ``(C) that does not lead to a degree;
                  ``(D) that has a term of not less than six and not 
                more than 28 weeks; and
                  ``(E) that provides instruction in computer 
                programming, computer software, media application, data 
                processing, or information sciences.
  ``(i) Termination.--The authority to carry out a program under this 
section shall terminate on September 30, 2028.''.
          (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 3699B the following new item:

``3699C. High technology program.''.

  (b) Effect on High Technology Pilot Program.--Section 116 of the 
Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public 
Law 115-48; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note) is amended--
          (1) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (6); and
          (2) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following 
        new subsection (h):
  ``(h) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under 
this section shall terminate on September 30, 2023.''.
  (c) Approval of Certain High Technology Programs.--Section 3680A of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended--
          (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (4) and 
        inserting the following:
          ``(4) Any independent study program except--
                  ``(A) an independent study program (including such a 
                program taken over open circuit television) that--
                          ``(i) is accredited by an accrediting agency 
                        or association recognized by the Secretary of 
                        Education under subpart 2 of part H of title IV 
                        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        1099b);
                          ``(ii) leads to--
                                  ``(I) a standard college degree;
                                  ``(II) a certificate that reflects 
                                educational attainment offered by an 
                                institution of higher learning; or
                                  ``(III) a certificate that reflects 
                                graduation from a course of study 
                                offered by--
                                          ``(aa) an area career and 
                                        technical education school (as 
                                        defined in subparagraphs (C) 
                                        and (D) of section 3(3) of the 
                                        Carl D. Perkins Career and 
                                        Technical Education Act of 2006 
                                        (20 U.S.C. 2302(3))) that 
                                        provides education at the 
                                        postsecondary level; or
                                          ``(bb) a postsecondary 
                                        vocational institution (as 
                                        defined in section 102(c) of 
                                        the Higher Education Act of 
                                        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))) that 
                                        provides education at the 
                                        postsecondary level; and
                          ``(iii) in the case of a program described in 
                        clause (ii)(III)--
                                  ``(I) provides training aligned with 
                                the requirements of employers in the 
                                State or local area where the program 
                                is located, which may include in-demand 
                                industry sectors or occupations;
                                  ``(II) provides a student, upon 
                                graduation from the program, with a 
                                recognized postsecondary credential 
                                that is recognized by employers in the 
                                relevant industry, which may include a 
                                credential recognized by industry or 
                                sector partnerships in the State or 
                                local area where the industry is 
                                located; and
                                  ``(III) meets such content and 
                                instructional standards as may be 
                                required to comply with the criteria 
                                under section 3676(c)(14) and (15) of 
                                this title; or
                  ``(B) an online high technology program of education 
                (as defined in subsection (h)(2) of section 3699C of 
                this title)--
                          ``(i) the provider of which has entered into 
                        a contract with the Secretary under subsection 
                        (c) of such section;
                          ``(ii) that has been provided to covered 
                        individuals (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of 
                        such section) under such contract for a period 
                        of at least five years;
                          ``(iii) regarding which the Secretary has 
                        determined that the average employment rate of 
                        covered individuals who graduated from such 
                        program of education is 65 percent or higher 
                        for the year preceding such determination; and
                          ``(iv) that satisfies the requirements of 
                        subsection (e) of such section.''; and
          (2) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:
  ``(8) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the enrollment of a veteran in 
an online high technology program described in subsection (a)(4)(B).''.
  (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (c) 
shall take effect on October 1, 2023.

SEC. 3. BURIAL ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WHO DIE AT HOME WHILE IN 
                    RECEIPT OF HOSPICE CARE FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF 
                    VETERANS AFFAIRS.

  (a) In General.--Subsection (a)(2)(A) of section 2303 of title 38, 
United States Code, is further amended--
          (1) in clause (i), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
          (2) in clause (ii)(III), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; or''; and
          (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                  ``(iii) a home or other setting at which the deceased 
                veteran was, at the time of death, receiving hospice 
                care pursuant to section 1717(a) of this title if such 
                care was directly preceded by the Secretary furnishing 
                to the veteran hospital care or nursing home care 
                described in subclause (I), (II), or (III) of clause 
                (ii).''.
  (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take 
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect 
to deaths occurring on or after the date that is 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. INCLUSION OF NON-DEGREE FLIGHT TRAINING IN CERTAIN 
                    REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH 
                    SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

  Section 3101 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
          (1) in paragraph (7), by adding at the end the following: ``A 
        rehabilitation program may include a program that includes 
        flight training and does not lead to a degree.''; and
          (2) by redesignating the first paragraph (10) as paragraph 
        (1).

SEC. 5. SOLE LIABILITY FOR TRANSFERRED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BY AN 
                    INDIVIDUAL WHO FAILS TO COMPLETE A SERVICE 
                    AGREEMENT.

  Subsection (i) of section 3319 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
          (1) in paragraph (1)--
                  (A) by striking ``In the event'' and inserting 
                ``Subject to paragraph (2), in the event''; and
                  (B) by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 
                3685'';
          (2) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2)--
                  (A) in the heading, by striking ``In general'' and 
                inserting ``Sole liability''; and
                  (B) by striking ``under paragraph (1)'' and inserting 
                ``for which the individual shall be solely liable to 
                the United States for the amount of the overpayment for 
                purposes of section 3685 of this title''; and
          (3) in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2)--
                  (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
                ``Subparagraph (A) shall not apply'' and inserting 
                ``Neither the individual nor the dependent shall be 
                liable to the United States for the amount of the 
                overpayment for purposes of section 3685 of this 
                title''; and
                  (B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``of this title'' 
                after ``section 3311(c)(4)''.

SEC. 6. INCREASE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EDUCATIONAL 
                    ASSISTANCE FOR PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION IN REPUBLIC OF 
                    PHILIPPINES.

  (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Filipino 
Education Fairness Act''.
  (b) Increase.--Section 3532 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
          (1) by striking subsection (d); and
          (2) by resdesignating subsections (e) through (g) as 
        subsections (d) through (f), respectively.

SEC. 7. PROVISION OF CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBILITY AND AWARD LETTERS 
                    USING ELECTRONIC MEANS.

  Chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after section 3698 the following new section (and conforming the table 
of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly):

``Sec. 3698A. Provision of certificates of eligibility and award 
                    letters using electronic means

  ``(a) Requirement.--Except as provided by subsection (b), the 
Secretary shall provide to an individual the following documents using 
electronic means:
          ``(1) A certificate of eligibility for the entitlement of the 
        individual to covered educational assistance.
          ``(2) An award letter regarding the authorization of the 
        individual to receive covered educational assistance.
  ``(b) Election To Opt Out.--An individual may elect to receive the 
documents specified in subsection (a) by mail rather than through 
electronic means under subsection (a). An individual may revoke such an 
election at any time, by means prescribed by the Secretary.
  ``(c) Covered Educational Assistance.--In this section, the term 
`covered educational assistance' means educational assistance under 
chapter 30, 33, or 35, or section 3699C, of this title.''.

SEC. 8. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING LOAN FEES.

  The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``November 14, 2031'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``April 30, 2032''.

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 1669, the ``VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023'' was 
introduced by Rep. Juan Ciscomani of Arizona on March 21, 2023. 
H.R. 1669 the underlying legislation would establish the VET-
TEC program for 5 years for up to 6000 veterans based on the 
successful pilot. The bill as amended includes the text of 
several pieces of legislation including:
    H.R. 234, the ``Gerald's Law Act'' was introduced on 
January 10, 2023, by Rep. Jack Bergman of Michigan. It would 
provide a burial allowance to the survivors of a veteran who 
chose to pass away at home in VA hospice rather than in a VA 
facility.
    H.R. 1169, the ``VA E-Notification Enhancement Act'' was 
introduced on March 30, 2023, by Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas. 
This legislation would require VA to provide eligibility 
documents for VA educational programs electronically.
    H.R. 746, the ``Streamlining Aviation for Eligible Veterans 
Act'' or the ``SAFE Veterans Act'' was introduced on March 30, 
2023, by Rep. Jay Obernolte of California. This legislation 
would amend current law to include non-degree flight training 
programs in the rehabilitation programs under the Veterans 
Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E).
    H.R. 1798, the ``Protect Military Dependents Act'' was 
introduced on March 30, 2023, by Rep. Derrick Van Orden of 
Wisconsin. This legislation would ensure that a servicemember 
is solely liable for overpayments of education benefits 
transferred to spouse or children that arise from a failure to 
complete the service obligation or obtain an honorable 
discharge.
    H.R. 1635, the ``Filipino Education Fairness Act'' was 
introduced by Rep. Jennifer Kiggans of Virginia on March 17, 
2023. This bill would provide parity in payments for survivors 
and dependents of veterans located in the Philippines.
    Finally, the bill as amended also would provide an offset 
for the cost of these programs by extending current rates for 
VA home loan funding fees.

                  Background and Need for Legislation


Section 1: Short title

    This Act may be cited as the VET-TEC Authorization Act.

Section 2: Department of Veterans Affairs High Technology Program

    The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses 
(VET-TEC) pilot program was enacted as part of the Harry W. 
Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 
115-48.) This program provides eligible veterans tuition, fees, 
and a monthly housing stipend (based on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill 
rates) to train in the high-technology industry. Currently, 
VET-TEC allows for training in the computer software, computer 
programming, data processing, information science, and media 
application fields of study. The tuition and fee structure for 
this program is a little bit different than other G.I. Bill 
programs. Training providers receive 25% of their tuition and 
fees when the participant starts the program, 25% when they 
complete the program, and 50% when the veteran gets a job. 
Congress has recently increased the annual funding for this 
program to match increasing demand. The program is currently 
funded at $45 million a year.
    As of April 3, 2023, 10,031 veterans have completed the 
program (84% graduation rate), with a 63% employment rate and 
an average salary of $65,819. VA has told the Committee that 
VET-TEC will run out of money at the end of April 2023 and no 
enrollments will be accepted until September 1, 2023, so there 
is a need for this bill to be enacted quickly to fund the 
program. VET-TEC graduates often end up being employed by 
companies like Amazon, Boeing, Booz Allen, and Microsoft. The 
bill would make several modifications to the VET-TEC program 
with the goal of establishing it as a permanent program. It 
would build upon on the knowledge gained from the pilot 
program. It would preserve the current tuition and fee 
structure but would expand the types of providers who can 
participate. It also would consider the experience of the 
providers by allowing the Secretary to consult with providers 
as needed and work with them to develop methods to improve 
communication with graduates of the program. Under this 
section, up to 6,000 veterans would participate each year, 
higher institutions of education would be allowed to become a 
provider, online schools would now qualify for VET-TEC, and 
students would be able to pursue a second program after 18 
months.
    Finally, the section would establish reporting requirements 
that would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
Congress to have effective oversight of the operations of the 
program. The Committee believes that the pilot program has been 
very successful. The Committee hopes to build on that success 
while ensuring the program continues to be an effective path to 
meaningful employment for veterans.

Section 3: Burial allowance for certain veterans who die at home while 
        in receipt of hospice care furnished by Department of Veterans 
        Affairs

    This provision would require the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a 
veteran who dies from a non-service-connected disability 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). Currently, VA cannot provide a burial 
allowance ($893 maximum) to the survivor of a veteran that is 
not in receipt of compensation or pension benefits, if the 
veteran does not pass away in a VA facility, such as a hospital 
or nursing home facility.
    The families of veterans who are receiving pension or 
compensation at the time of death can receive $893, if the 
veteran has a non-service-connected death. Families of veterans 
who die of a service-connected condition can receive a $2,000 
burial allowance. As of FY21, there were 736 patients in 
hospice in VA facilities. In that same fiscal year there were 
1,240 veterans in inpatient hospice (general inpatient care and 
respite) and 12,092 veterans in home hospice. This section 
would allow veterans receiving VA furnished hospice care to 
pass away in the comfort of their home without fear of their 
family losing access to the burial allowance, which helps them 
pay for the cost of interment. The committee believes this is 
important because this section would provide parity between 
terminally ill veterans who pass away in a VA facility and 
veterans who choose to pass away at home. This is in line with 
VHA's whole veteran initiative that allows veteran to age in 
place.

Section 4: Inclusion of non-degree flight training in certain 
        rehabilitation programs for certain veterans with service-
        connected disabilities

    Under current law, public flight school degree programs 
have greater access to increased G.I. Bill funds than private 
and non-degree programs. However, veterans trying to get their 
pilot license through the Veteran Readiness and Employment 
(VR&E) program do not have access to the same G.I. Bill funds 
as other VR&E programs. This provision would include non-degree 
flight training programs in the definition of rehabilitation 
programs so veterans using VR&E can have access to greater 
funds while attending flight school. The Committee believes 
this is a good idea because would expand the education 
possibilities for disabled veterans. It would also standardize 
what flight school programs are available in VR&E as currently 
a veteran could get their pilot license through a public-school 
flight training program. The Committee believes that this would 
be an important change because adding non-degree programs would 
give the veteran an often less expensive option that also takes 
significantly less time to complete.

Section 5: Sole liability for transferred educational assistance by an 
        individual who fails to complete a service agreement

    Under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, VA pays the tuition and 
provides housing allowances for beneficiaries pursuing approved 
education programs. Beneficiaries, including veterans, 
servicemembers, and their designated dependents, can receive 
that assistance for up to 36 months. Servicemembers who 
complete at least six years of active duty and agree to perform 
another four years, can be approved to transfer up to a total 
of 36 months of their education benefits to their spouses or 
children. Spouses may begin using benefits upon transfer. With 
some exceptions, if the servicemember fails to complete their 
service obligation or receives a less than honorable discharge, 
payments for the use of transferred education benefits become 
overpayments. Both the servicemember and the person to whom 
benefits were transferred are liable for repayment. This 
provision would make the servicemember solely liable for 
overpayments of education benefits that arise from their 
failure to complete the service obligation or obtain an 
honorable discharge. The Committee believes that this proposal 
would close a loophole that is not often used but could very 
negatively impact a spouse's future. Under current law, a 
former spouse could be forced to pay back hundreds of thousands 
of dollars because their spouse who was serving was either 
discharged other than honorably or seek revenge on the spouse 
under a circumstance. This legislative fix would close that 
loophole and hold the servicemember accountable financially for 
their actions.

Section 6: Increase of Department of Veterans Affairs educational 
        assistance for programs of education in Republic of Philippines

    Under the Dependents Education Assistance program of the 
G.I. Bill, certain survivors and dependents of veterans are 
eligible for educational assistance at the rate of $1,224 for 
full-time, $967 for three-quarter-time, or $710 for half-time 
in 2023. Survivors and dependents are also eligible to use 
their benefit in foreign countries if the school standards are 
approved by the Secretary. However, under current law if an 
institution is in the Republic of the Philippines, the 
educational assistance is only paid $0.50 to the dollar. This 
is only in the Philippines, where the most veterans outside of 
the United States have historically lived. This provision would 
strike the subsection that contains $0.50 to each dollar rate 
in the Philippines and allow each dollar to go the survivor and 
dependents of veterans. The Committee believes that this is a 
good small technical fix to remedy a statute that was 
originally written in the 1950s and has not been changed since.

Section 7: Provision of certificates of eligibility and aware letters 
        using electronic means

    This language would amend title 38, United States Code, to 
direct VA to provide certificates of eligibility and award 
letters to certain individuals using electronic means.
    VA traditionally uses the U.S. mail to notify individuals 
with existing entitlement their certificate of eligibility and 
award letters regarding receiving educational assistance. While 
there are some veterans that still need to use the mail-in 
method, most veterans have the ability, and would prefer to 
receive these notifications electronically. The Committee has 
heard of instances where mail gets lost or is delayed and has 
negatively impacted student veterans or eligible dependents. 
This section would allow VA to provide a certificate of 
eligibility or an award letter to individuals electronically. 
An individual would be allowed to opt out of electronic 
notification if they wished. The Committee believes that this 
legislation would benefit VA and individuals by increasing the 
notification speed of eligibility and reducing the loss of 
mail.

Section 9: Department of Veterans Affairs housing loan fees

    Currently veterans who take advantage of the VA Home Loan 
Program pay a small fee that is included in their monthly 
mortgage payment. This language would provide funding for the 
programs included in the larger legislation by extending the 
current rates for VA home loan funding fees by a few months. 
This funding method has been used since 1989, and extending the 
funding fee increases a veteran's monthly cost by about $5 on 
top of the monthly mortgage. The funding fee is not paid by 
disabled veterans, so they are not affected by this extension 
of the home loan fees.

                                Hearings

    On March 30, 2023, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1669 several of the bills 
included in the bill as amended, and other bills that were 
pending before the subcommittee.
    The following witnesses testified:
          Mr. Joseph Garcia, Executive Director of Education 
        Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Nick 
        Pamperin, Executive Director of Veteran Readiness and 
        Employment, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. 
        Keith Harris, Senior Executive Homelessness Agent, U.S. 
        Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Vice 
        President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of 
        America; Mr. Matthew Brennan, Veteran Education and 
        Employment Policy Analyst, The American Legion; Ms. 
        Alicia Boddy, Chief Operations and Development Officer, 
        Code Platoon; and Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, 
        National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars 
        of the United States.
    The following individuals and organizations submitted 
statements for the record:
          The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the 
        Disabled American Veterans.
    On March 29, 2023, the Subcommittee on Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on 
H.R. 234 and other bills that were pending before the 
subcommittee.
          The following witnesses testified: The Honorable Jack 
        Bergman, U.S. House of Representatives; Ms. Cheryl 
        Rawls, Executive Director, Outreach, Transition and 
        Economic Development, Veterans Benefits Administration, 
        U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Christa 
        Shriber, Deputy Chief Counsel, Benefits Law Group, 
        Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans 
        Affairs; Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy National 
        Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. 
        Lawrence Montreuil, Legislative Director, The American 
        Legion; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Deputy Director for 
        National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars 
        of the United States; and Lieutenant Colonel William 
        Taylor (U.S.A.) Ret., Co-Founder & Chief Operating 
        Officer, Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting, LLC.
    The following individuals and organizations submitted 
statements for the record:
          The Honorable Michael Waltz, U.S. House of 
        Representatives; the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans 
        Claims; Gold Star Wives of America; the National 
        Organization of Veterans' Advocates; and the Tragedy 
        Assistance Program for Survivors.

                       Subcommittee Consideration

    On April 18, 2023, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a markup on the legislation included in the text of this 
bill.
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 
        1669 offered by Rep. McGarvey was adopted by voice vote 
        and the bill was ordered favorably forwarded to the 
        full Committee on Veterans Affairs. The amendment in 
        the nature of a reduced the number of authorized 
        individuals from 8,000 to 6,000, set a 5-year sunset 
        for the program, and increased reporting requirements 
        for the program.
          H.R. 746, H.R. 1169, and H.R. 1635 passed the 
        Subcommittee by voice vote and were ordered favorably 
        forwarded to the full Committee on Veterans Affairs.
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 
        1798 offered by Rep. VanOrden was adopted by voice vote 
        and the bill was ordered favorably forwarded to the 
        full Committee on Veterans Affairs.
    On April 19, 2023, the Subcommittee on Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a markup of H.R. 234 among 
other bills.
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute was 
        offered by Chairman Luttrell to H.R. 234 and was 
        adopted by voice vote. The bill as amended was ordered 
        favorably forwarded to the full Committee on Veterans 
        Affairs.

                        Committee Consideration

    On April 28, 2023, the full Committee met in open markup 
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 1669, as 
amended, be reported favorably to the House of Representatives 
by voice vote. During consideration of the bill, the following 
amendments were considered:
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by 
        Chairman Bost that included the text of H.R. 1669, 
        adopted by the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, 
        and added the text of the following bills: H.R. 234, as 
        amended, H.R. 1169, H.R. 746, H.R. 1798, as amended, 
        and H.R. 1635. The amendment would also extend current 
        rates for VA home loan funding fees to pay for programs 
        in the bill. The amendment in the nature of substitute, 
        as amended, was approved by voice vote.
          An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a 
        substitute offered Representative Takano of California 
        was offered to authorize the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs (VA) to provide food, clothing, bedding, 
        hygiene items, shelter, transportation, communication 
        devices and services, and other necessary assistance to 
        veterans who are homeless or using rental vouchers. 
        Similar authority was temporarily available during the 
        public health emergency declared as a result of the 
        novel coronavirus pandemic. The amendment included 
        language to further extend current rates for VA home 
        loan funding fees. The amendment to the amendment in 
        the nature of a substitute was not agreed to by a 
        recorded vote of 13-10.
    A motion by Representative Bergman to report H.R. 1669, as 
amended, favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed 
to by voice vote.

                            Committee Votes

    In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, 1 recorded vote was taken on 
amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 1669, as 
amended, reported to the House.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of 
this report.

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance 
goals and objectives of H.R. 1669, as amended, are to provide 
additional opportunities for education and training for 
veterans and improve the lives of veterans generally.

                  Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits

    H.R. 1669, as amended, does not contain any Congressional 
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as 
defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    The Committee adopts as its own the Congressional Budget 
Office cost estimate on this measure.

     Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


    The bill would
           Increase the fees that the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs (VA) charges borrowers for home loan 
        guarantees
           Extend and modify the Veteran Employment 
        Through Technology Education Courses (VET-TEC) program
           Provide burial allowances to the surviving 
        family of certain veterans receiving hospice care 
        provided by VA
           Make additional changes to other education 
        and training benefit programs administered by VA
    Estimated budgetary effects would mainly stem from
           Increasing fees charged by VA for home loan 
        guarantees
           Payment of additional education and training 
        benefits
           Payment of additional burial allowances
    Bill summary: H.R. 1669 would increase the fees that the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will charge borrowers for 
home loan guarantees in 2032. The bill also would modify and 
extend the authorization for the Veteran Employment Through 
Technology Education Courses (VET-TEC) program through 2028 and 
make additional changes to other benefit programs administered 
by VA.
    Estimated Federal Cost: The estimated budgetary effects of 
H.R. 1669 are shown in Table 1. The bill would change net 
direct spending by an insignificant amount over the 2023-2033 
period. The costs of the legislation fall within budget 
function 700 (veterans benefits and services).

                                                   TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 1669
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                  2023-
                                                        2023   2024   2025   2026   2027   2028   2029   2030   2031    2032    2033  2023-2028    2033
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Increases or Decreases (-) in Direct Spending
 
Home Loan Fees.......................................      0      0      0      0      0      0      0      0      0     -413      0         0      -413
VET-TEC Extension....................................      0     31     70     77     79     80      0      0      0        0      0       337       337
Burial Allowance.....................................      0      3      3      3      3      3      3      4      4        4      4        15        34
Flight Training......................................      *      2      2      2      2      2      2      2      2        2      2        10        20
Benefits in Philippines..............................      *      2      2      2      2      2      2      2      2        2      2        10        20
Sole Liability.......................................      *      *      *      *      1      *      *      *      1        *      *         1         2
    Total Changes in Direct Spending.................      *     38     77     84     87     87      7      8      9     -405      8       373         *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* = between -$500,000 and $500,000; budget authority equals outlays for all sections.

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 
1669 will be enacted in fiscal year 2023 and that provisions 
will take effect upon enactment or on the dates specified by 
the bill. CBO also estimates that outlays will follow 
historical spending patterns for affected programs.
    Direct spending: H.R. 1669 would make changes to VA's home 
loan guarantee program, educational benefits, and burial 
benefits. Enacting the bill would change net direct spending by 
an insignificant amount over the 2023-2033 period, CBO 
estimates.
    Home loan fees. VA provides guarantees to lenders for 
eligible borrowers to obtain better loan terms--such as lower 
interest rates or smaller down payments--when purchasing, 
constructing, improving, or refinancing a home. VA typically 
pays lenders up to 25 percent of the outstanding mortgage 
balance if a borrower's home is foreclosed upon. Those 
payments, net of fees paid by borrowers and recoveries by 
lenders, constitute the subsidy cost for the loan 
guarantees.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, the subsidy cost of 
a loan guarantee is the net present value of estimated payments by the 
government to cover defaults and delinquencies, interest subsidies, or 
other expenses offset by any payments to the government, including 
origination or other fees, penalties, and recoveries on defaulted 
loans. Such subsidy costs are calculated by discounting those expected 
cash flows using the rate on Treasury securities of comparable 
maturity. The resulting estimated subsidy costs are recorded in the 
budget when the loans are disbursed or modified. A positive subsidy 
indicates that the loan results in net outlays from the Treasury; a 
negative subsidy indicates that the loan results in net receipts to the 
Treasury.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Under current law, most of the fees that borrowers pay to 
VA for loans guaranteed after November 14, 2031, will decline 
from a weighted average of about 2.4 percent of the loan amount 
to about 1.2 percent. Section 8 would extend the higher rates 
for five months, through April 30, 2032. On the basis of loan 
data provided by VA, CBO estimates that extending the higher 
fee rates would decrease direct spending by $413 million over 
the 2023-2033 period.
    VET-TEC extension. Under the Veteran Employment through 
Technology Education Courses pilot program, VA contracts with 
entities to provide vocational training in computer programing, 
computer software, media applications, data processing, and 
information services to veterans who are eligible for VA 
education benefits. Veterans can also receive monthly housing 
stipends while they attend that training. Costs for the program 
are paid from mandatory appropriations, subject to annual 
maximum amounts. VA is authorized to spend $15 million annually 
in 2019 and 2020, $45 million in 2021, $125 million in 2022, 
and $45 million in each 2023 and 2024. Under current law, the 
authority to conduct the program expires after 2024.
    Section 2 would extend the authority to conduct the VET-TEC 
program through 2028 and make several other modifications to 
the program. On net, CBO estimates that enacting section 2 
would increase direct spending by $337 million over the 2023-
2033 period.
    Beginning in 2024, instead of annual spending caps, the 
bill would limit the number of participants to 6,000 veterans 
annually. It also would expand the eligibility to veterans who 
cannot use the program under current law and would newly 
authorize colleges and universities to provide VET-TEC courses. 
In 2022, more than 20,000 people applied and were eligible for 
VET-TEC. Because of that eligibility expansion and the current 
high demand for the program, CBO expects that interest in VET-
TEC would remain high and that the maximum limit of 6,000 
participants each year would be reached.
    Under section 2, payments to VET-TEC providers would 
typically be reduced if the veterans they train do not remain 
employed in their field of study for at least 180 days 
following completion of VET-TEC courses. Additionally, payments 
to providers of VET-TEC courses would be limited to the same 
tuition and fee rates under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Those 
changes would slightly reduce average payments compared to the 
current program.
    Using data published by VA, CBO estimates that the 
department would pay an average of $15,000 per participant per 
year over the 2024-2028 period, increasing direct spending by 
$447 million. Since section 2 would eliminate the authorization 
for the existing VET-TEC pilot program after 2023, a year 
before it expires under current law, CBO estimates the increase 
in direct spending under the bill would be partially offset by 
a reduction of $45 million, the amount that had been provided 
under current law for 2024.
    Veterans generally earn 36 months of education benefits 
from their military service, referred to as their benefit 
entitlement. Section 2 would require VA to count time in the 
VET-TEC program as use of that entitlement for participants who 
have remaining entitlement to other education benefit programs 
(e.g., the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Survivors' 
and Dependents' Educational Assistance). CBO expects that 
roughly a quarter of VET-TEC participants under the bill would 
have and use remaining entitlement and that nearly all of that 
entitlement would have otherwise been used for the Post-9/11 GI 
Bill. On the basis of VA-provided data on the average length of 
VET-TEC courses and usage of other education benefit programs, 
CBO estimates that reducing remaining entitlement on a month-
for-month basis would decrease direct spending for other 
education benefits by $65 million over the 2023-2033 period.
    Burial allowance. Section 3 would expand eligibility for VA 
burial allowances paid to the surviving family of certain 
veterans to cover funeral and other expenses. Under current 
law, the survivors of veterans who die while receiving care in 
a VA hospital or nursing home facility, who have a service-
connected disability, or who are receiving a VA pension at the 
time of death are eligible to receive payments of $893 in 
2023.\2\ VA adjusts the amount of those payments each year 
based on inflation. Under section 3, families of veterans who 
die while receiving VA-provided hospice care outside of a VA 
facility would be eligible to receive burial allowance payments 
if the veteran was receiving hospital or nursing home care from 
VA immediately preceding such hospice care. That change would 
apply to deaths that occur 180 days following enactment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\Veterans receive disability ratings from VA based on injuries 
and illnesses sustained during military service. Ratings range from 
zero to 100 percent. If a veteran dies because of their service-
connected disability, their surviving family may receive a payment of 
$2,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    According to VA, an average of 26,000 veterans receive 
hospice care from VA each year. Many of those veterans would 
already be eligible for the burial allowance under current law. 
CBO estimates that under the bill, an average of 3,200 
additional families each year would receive average burial 
allowances of a little over $1,000. As a result, section 3 
would increase direct spending by $34 million over the 2023-
2033 period, CBO estimates.
    Flight training. Veterans with service-connected 
disabilities that limit or prevent them from working can 
receive vocational rehabilitation services such as educational 
assistance, job training, skills counseling, and independent-
living services. VA pays the tuition, fees, and related costs 
as well as housing allowances for veterans pursuing education 
or training programs. Under current law, VA pays for flight 
training that leads to a college degree; section 4 would expand 
the types of programs that veterans could pursue to include 
flight training that does not lead to a degree. Such non-degree 
programs are often provided by vocational pilot schools, rather 
than colleges or universities, and result in a license or 
certification upon successful completion.
    On the basis of information provided by VA concerning 
pursuit of non-degree flight training by people using the Post-
9/11 GI Bill, CBO expects that roughly 100 veterans each year 
who would not otherwise receive vocational rehabilitation would 
pursue such training under the bill, at an average annual cost 
of about $19,000 per person. As a result, CBO estimates that 
this provision would increase direct spending by $20 million 
over the 2023-2033 period.
    Benefits in Philippines. Under the Survivors' and 
Dependents' Educational Assistance program, VA pays dependents 
of veterans with certain service-connected disabilities or who 
die under certain circumstance a monthly benefit while they are 
pursuing qualified education or training. Beneficiaries can 
receive payments for up to 36 months. The amount is determined 
by the number of credits earned during an academic term and is 
adjusted annually for inflation. The benefit for a full-time 
student is $1,401 per month in 2023.
    Beneficiaries pursuing education or training at 
institutions located in the Republic of the Philippines receive 
half of the amount that they would receive from VA if located 
elsewhere. Under section 6, payment rates would be the same in 
all locations. On the basis of information provided by VA, CBO 
estimates that roughly 500 beneficiaries each year would 
receive an additional $4,200, thereby increasing direct 
spending by $20 million over the 2023-2033 period.
    Sole liability. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, VA pays the 
tuition and provides housing allowances for beneficiaries 
pursuing approved education programs. Beneficiaries, including 
veterans, service members, and their designated dependents, can 
receive that assistance for up to 36 months. Service members 
who complete at least six years of active duty and agree to 
perform another four years can be approved to transfer up to a 
total of 36 months of their education benefits to their spouses 
or children. Spouses may begin using benefits upon transfer; 
children cannot use benefits until the service member completes 
the four additional years of service. With some exceptions, if 
the service member fails to complete their service obligation 
or receives a less than honorable discharge, payments for the 
use of transferred education benefits are classified as 
overpayments. Both the service member and the person to whom 
benefits were transferred are liable for repayment.
    Section 5 would make the service member solely liable for 
overpayments of education benefits that arise from their 
failure to complete the service obligation or obtain an 
honorable discharge. On the basis of information provided by 
VA, CBO expects that a small number of people who use benefits 
transferred to them by such service members would no longer be 
liable for those overpayments and, consequently, VA would 
collect fewer repayments than under current law. CBO estimates 
that the reduction in repayments would total about $2 million 
over the 2023-2033 period. That reduction in collections is 
classified as an increase in direct spending.
    Spending subject to appropriation: H.R. 1669 would increase 
administrative expenses by less than $500,000 over the 2023-
2033 period. Such spending would be subject to the availability 
of appropriated funds.
    Pay-As-You-Go considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go 
Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement 
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or 
revenues. The net changes in outlays that are subject to those 
pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in Table 1.
    Increase in long-term net direct spending and deficits: CBO 
estimates that enacting H.R. 1669 would not increase net direct 
spending by more than $2.5 billion in any of the four 
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2034.
    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 1669 would not increase 
on-budget deficits by more than $5 billion in any of the four 
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2034.
    Mandates: None.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Paul B.A. Holland 
(veterans' education and housing benefits); Logan Smith 
(veterans' burial benefits); Mandates: Brandon Lever.
    Estimate reviewed by: David Newman, Chief, Defense, 
International Affairs, and Veterans' Affairs Cost Estimates 
Unit; Chad Chirico, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis; Theresa 
Gullo, Director of Budget Analysis.
    Estimate approved by: Phillip L. Swagel, Director, 
Congressional Budget Office.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment 
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded 
Mandate Reform Act, P.L. 104-4) is inapplicable to H.R. 1669, 
as amended.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 
1669, as amended.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 1669, as amended, does not 
relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to 
public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

              Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 1669, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program 
of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another 
Federal program, a program that was included in any report from 
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to 
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a 
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation


Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 would establish the short title of the bill as 
``VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023.''

Section 2. Department of Veterans Affairs High Technology Program

    This section would establish the Veteran Employment Through 
Technology Education Courses (VET-TEC) program for fiscal years 
2024-2029 and funds pilot program that was created via the 
Forever G.I. Bill through fiscal year 2023. It would allow 6000 
individuals to participate in the program each year. This 
section would allow training providers to receive 25% of their 
tuition and fees when the participant starts the program, 25% 
when they complete the program, and 50% when the veteran gets a 
job.
    The section would allow students to pursue a second program 
after 18 months. It would also expand the program to 
institutions of higher education and online schools, both of 
whom were not able to participate in the pilot program. While 
the types of providers allowed to participate in the program 
are outlined in this section, the Secretary would be required 
to establish criteria for approving providers and make 
determinations regarding the expertise of instructors.
    This section also would require an annual report on the 
following: the number of people enrolled in the program; the 
number of people who completed the program during the covered 
year; the average employment rate for graduates of the program 
the previous year; the average length of time between 
completion of the program and employment; the number of 
individuals that completed the program that are employed in 
technology; the average salary of individuals who completed the 
program; the number of individuals who completed the program 
who subsequently enrolled in a second education program 
included under the VET-TEC program; and the number of 
individuals enrolled in the various types of institutions 
included in the program.
    Finally, this section would require the Secretary to 
develop practices to collect relevant information on the 
program and allows the Secretary to consult with providers and 
establish an advisory group of stakeholders if necessary.

Section 3: Gerald's Law Act

    This section would amend section 2303 of title 38, United 
States Code (U.S.C.) and require the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a 
veteran who dies from a non-service-connected disability 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).

Section 4. Streamlining Aviation for Eligible Veterans Act

    This section would amend section 3101 of title 38, U.S.C. 
to include non-degree flight training programs in the 
definition of rehabilitation programs so veterans using VR&E 
can have access to greater funds while attending flight school.

Section 5. Protect Military Dependents Act

    This section would amend section 3319 of title 38, U.S.C. 
to make a servicemember solely liable for overpayments of 
education benefits that arise from their failure to complete a 
service obligation or obtain an honorable discharge.

Section 6. Filipino Education Fairness Act

    This section would amend section 3532 of title 38, U.S.C. 
by removing the subsection that requires veterans in the 
Philippines and their dependents to receive a lower rate of 
payment for educational benefits.

Section 7. VA E-Notification Enhancement Act

    This section would amend chapter 36 of title 38, U.S.C. by 
inserting after section 3698 a following new section to direct 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide certificates of 
eligibility and award letters to certain individuals using 
electronic means.

Section 8. Department of Veterans Affairs Housing Loan Fees

    This section would provide funding for these programs 
included in the bill by extending current rates for VA home 
loan funding fees as established in section 3729 of title 38, 
U.S.C. from November 14, 2031 to April 30, 2031.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

    In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

                      TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
PART II--GENERAL BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 23--BURIAL BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 2303. Death from non-service-connected disability; plot allowance

  (a)(1) When a veteran described in paragraph (2) dies, the 
Secretary shall--
          (A) pay the actual cost (not to exceed $700 (as 
        increased from time to time under subsection (c))) of 
        the burial and funeral or, within such limits, may make 
        contracts for such services without regard to the laws 
        requiring advertisement for proposals for supplies and 
        services for the Department; and
          (B) when such a death occurs in a State, transport 
        the body to the place of burial in the same or any 
        other State.
  (2) A veteran described in this paragraph is a deceased 
veteran who is not covered by section 2307 of this title and 
who meets any of the following criteria:
          (A) The deceased veteran dies in--
                  (i) a facility of the Department (as defined 
                in section 1701(3) of this title) to which the 
                deceased veteran was properly admitted for 
                hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care 
                under section 1710 or 1711(a) of this title[; 
                or];
                  (ii) an institution at which the deceased 
                veteran was, at the time of death, receiving--
                          (I) hospital care in accordance with 
                        sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153 of this 
                        title;
                          (II) nursing home care under section 
                        1720 of this title; or
                          (III) nursing home care for which 
                        payments are made under section 1741 of 
                        this title[.]; or
                  (iii) a home or other setting at which the 
                deceased veteran was, at the time of death, 
                receiving hospice care pursuant to section 
                1717(a) of this title if such care was directly 
                preceded by the Secretary furnishing to the 
                veteran hospital care or nursing home care 
                described in subclause (I), (II), or (III) of 
                clause (ii).
          (B) At the time of death, the deceased veteran 
        (including a person who died during a period deemed to 
        be active military, naval, or air service under section 
        106(c) of this title) is in receipt of compensation 
        under chapter 11 of this title (or but for the receipt 
        of retirement pay would have been entitled to such 
        compensation) or was in receipt of pension under 
        chapter 15 of this title.
          (C) The Secretary determines--
                  (i) the deceased veteran (including a person 
                who died during a period deemed to be active 
                military, naval, or air service under section 
                106(c) of this title) has no next of kin or 
                other person claiming the body of the deceased 
                veteran; and
                  (ii) that there are not available sufficient 
                resources to cover burial and funeral expenses.
  (b) In addition to the benefits provided for under subsection 
(a) of this section, in the case of a veteran who is eligible 
for burial in a national cemetery under section 2402 of this 
title and who is not buried in a national cemetery or other 
cemetery under the jurisdiction of the United States--
          (1) the Secretary shall pay to the relevant State, 
        agency, political subdivision, or tribal organization, 
        as the case may be, the sum of $700 (as increased from 
        time to time under subsection (c)) as a plot or 
        interment allowance for such veteran if the veteran is 
        buried (without charge for the cost of a plot or 
        interment) in a cemetery, or a section of a cemetery, 
        that--
                  (A) is used solely for the interment of 
                persons who are--
                          (i) eligible for burial in a national 
                        cemetery;
                          (ii) members of a reserve component 
                        of the Armed Forces not otherwise 
                        eligible for such burial or former 
                        members of such a reserve component not 
                        otherwise eligible for such burial who 
                        are discharged or released from service 
                        under conditions other than 
                        dishonorable; or
                          (iii) described in section 2408(i)(2) 
                        of this title; and
                  (B) is--
                          (i) owned by a State or by an agency 
                        or political subdivision of a State; or
                          (ii) on trust land owned by, or held 
                        in trust for, a tribal organization.
          (2) if such veteran is eligible for a burial 
        allowance under subsection (a) of this section, or was 
        discharged from the active military, naval, air, or 
        space service for a disability incurred or aggravated 
        in line of duty, and such veteran is buried in a 
        cemetery, or a section of a cemetery, other than as 
        described in clause (1) of this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall pay a sum not exceeding $700 (as 
        increased from time to time under subsection (c)) as a 
        plot or interment allowance to such person as the 
        Secretary prescribes, except that if any part of the 
        plot or interment costs of a burial to which this 
        clause applies has been paid or assumed by a State, an 
        agency or political subdivision of a State, tribal 
        organization, or a former employer of the deceased 
        veteran, no claim for such allowance shall be allowed 
        for more than the difference between the entire amount 
        of the expenses incurred and the amount paid or assumed 
        by any or all of the foregoing entities.
  (c) With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) 
in the maximum amount of burial and funeral expenses payable 
under subsection (a) and in the maximum amount of the plot or 
interment allowance payable under subsection (b), equal to the 
percentage by which--
          (1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United 
        States city average) for the 12-month period ending on 
        the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year 
        for which the increase is made, exceeds
          (2) the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
        preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph 
        (1).
  (d) With respect to a deceased veteran described in 
subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2), except as 
hereafter provided in this subsection, no deduction shall be 
made from the burial allowance because of the veteran's net 
assets at the time of the death of such veteran, or because of 
any contribution from any source toward the burial and funeral 
expenses (including transportation) unless the amount of 
expenses incurred is covered by the amount actually paid 
therefor by the United States, a State, any agency or political 
subdivision of the United States or of a State, or the employer 
of the deceased veteran. No claim shall be allowed (1) for more 
than the difference between the entire amount of the expenses 
incurred and the amount paid by any or all of the foregoing, or 
(2) when the burial allowance would revert to the funds of a 
public or private organization or would discharge such an 
organization's obligation without payment. The burial allowance 
or any part thereof shall not be paid in any case where 
specific provision is otherwise made for payment of expenses of 
funeral, transportation, and interment under any other Act.
  (e) In this section, the terms ``tribal organization'' and 
``trust land'' have the meanings given those terms in section 
3765 of this title.

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PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


   CHAPTER 31--TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-
CONNECTED DISABILITIES

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Sec. 3101. Definitions

  For the purposes of this chapter--
  [(10)] (1) The term ``emergency situation'' has the meaning 
given such term in section 3601 of this title.
  (2) The term ``employment handicap'' means an impairment, 
resulting in substantial part from a disability described in 
section 3102(1)(A) of this title, of a veteran's ability to 
prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with such 
veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and interests.
  (3) The term ``independence in daily living'' means the 
ability of a veteran, without the services of others or with a 
reduced level of the services of others, to live and function 
within such veteran's family and community.
  (4) The term ``program of education'' has the meaning 
provided in section 3452(b) of this title.
  (5) The term ``program of independent living services and 
assistance'' includes (A) the services provided for in this 
chapter that are needed to enable a veteran to achieve 
independence in daily living, including such counseling, 
diagnostic, medical, social, psychological, and educational 
services as are determined by the Secretary to be needed for 
such veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily living, 
and (B) the assistance authorized by this chapter for such 
veteran.
  (6) The term ``rehabilitated to the point of employability'' 
means rendered employable in an occupation for which a 
vocational rehabilitation program has been provided under this 
chapter.
  (7) The term ``rehabilitation program'' means (A) a 
vocational rehabilitation program, or (B) a program of 
independent living services and assistance authorized under 
section 3120 of this title for a veteran for whom a vocational 
goal has been determined not to be currently reasonably 
feasible. A rehabilitation program may include a program that 
includes flight training and does not lead to a degree.
  (8) The term ``serious employment handicap'' means a 
significant impairment, resulting in substantial part from a 
service-connected disability rated at 10 percent or more, of a 
veteran's ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment 
consistent with such veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and 
interests.
  (9) The term ``vocational goal'' means a gainful employment 
status consistent with a veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and 
interests.
  (10) The term ``vocational rehabilitation program'' 
includes--
          (A) the services provided for in this chapter that 
        are needed for the accomplishment of the purposes of 
        this chapter, including such counseling, diagnostic, 
        medical, social, psychological, independent living, 
        economic, educational, vocational, and employment 
        services as are determined by the Secretary to be 
        needed--
                  (i) in the case of a veteran for whom the 
                achievement of a vocational goal has not been 
                determined not to be currently reasonably 
                feasible, (I) to determine whether a vocational 
                goal is reasonably feasible, (II) to improve 
                such veteran's potential to participate in a 
                program of services designed to achieve a 
                vocational goal, and (III) to enable such 
                veteran to achieve maximum independence in 
                daily living, and
                  (ii) in the case of a veteran for whom the 
                achievement of a vocational goal is determined 
                to be reasonably feasible, to enable such 
                veteran to become, to the maximum extent 
                feasible, employable and to obtain and maintain 
                suitable employment, and
          (B) the assistance authorized by this chapter for a 
        veteran receiving any of the services described in 
        clause (A) of this paragraph.

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CHAPTER 33--POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

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SUBCHAPTER II--EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3319. Authority to transfer unused education benefits to family 
                    members

  (a) In General.--
          (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the 
        Secretary concerned may permit an individual described 
        in subsection (b) who is entitled to educational 
        assistance under this chapter to elect to transfer to 
        one or more of the dependents specified in subsection 
        (c) a portion of such individual's entitlement to such 
        assistance, subject to the limitation under subsection 
        (d).
          (2) The purpose of the authority in paragraph (1) is 
        to promote recruitment and retention in the uniformed 
        services. The Secretary concerned may exercise the 
        authority for that purpose when authorized by the 
        Secretary of Defense in the national security interests 
        of the United States.
  (b) Eligible Individuals.--An individual referred to in 
subsection (a) is any member of the uniformed services who, at 
the time of the approval of the individual's request to 
transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this 
section, has completed at least--
          (1) six years of service in the Armed Forces and 
        enters into an agreement to serve at least four more 
        years as a member of the uniformed services; or
          (2) the years of service as determined in regulations 
        pursuant to subsection (j).
  (c) Eligible Dependents.--
          (1) Transfer.--An individual approved to transfer an 
        entitlement to educational assistance under this 
        section may transfer the individual's entitlement to an 
        eligible dependent or a combination of eligible 
        dependents.
          (2) Definition of eligible dependent.--For purposes 
        of this subsection, the term ``eligible dependent'' has 
        the meaning given the term ``dependent'' under 
        subparagraphs (A), (I), and (D) of section 1072(2) of 
        title 10.
  (d) Limitation on Months of Transfer.--The total number of 
months of entitlement transferred by a individual under this 
section may not exceed 36 months. The Secretary of Defense may 
prescribe regulations that would limit the months of 
entitlement that may be transferred under this section to no 
less than 18 months.
  (e) Designation of Transferee.--An individual transferring an 
entitlement to educational assistance under this section 
shall--
          (1) designate the dependent or dependents to whom 
        such entitlement is being transferred; and
          (2) designate the number of months of such 
        entitlement to be transferred to each such dependent.
  (f) Time for Transfer; Revocation and Modification.--
          (1) Time for transfer.--Subject to the time 
        limitation for use of entitlement under section 3321, 
        and except as provided in subsection (k) or (l), an 
        individual approved to transfer entitlement to 
        educational assistance under this section may transfer 
        such entitlement only while serving as a member of the 
        Armed Forces when the transfer is executed.
          (2) Modification or revocation.--
                  (A) In general.--An individual transferring 
                entitlement under this section may modify or 
                revoke at any time the transfer of any unused 
                portion of the entitlement so transferred.
                  (B) Notice.--The modification or revocation 
                of the transfer of entitlement under this 
                paragraph shall be made by the submittal of 
                written notice of the action to both the 
                Secretary concerned and the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs.
          (3) Prohibition on treatment of transferred 
        entitlement as marital property.--Entitlement 
        transferred under this section may not be treated as 
        marital property, or the asset of a marital estate, 
        subject to division in a divorce or other civil 
        proceeding.
  (g) Commencement of Use.--A dependent to whom entitlement to 
educational assistance is transferred under this section may 
not commence the use of the transferred entitlement until--
          (1) in the case of entitlement transferred to a 
        spouse, the completion by the individual making the 
        transfer of at least--
                  (A) six years of service in the Armed Forces; 
                or
                  (B) the years of service as determined in 
                regulations pursuant to subsection (j); or
          (2) in the case of entitlement transferred to a 
        child, both--
                  (A) the completion by the individual making 
                the transfer of at least--
                          (i) ten years of service in the Armed 
                        Forces; or
                          (ii) the years of service as 
                        determined in regulations pursuant to 
                        subsection (j); and
                  (B) either--
                          (i) the completion by the child of 
                        the requirements of a secondary school 
                        diploma (or equivalency certificate); 
                        or
                          (ii) the attainment by the child of 
                        18 years of age.
  (h) Additional Administrative Matters.--
          (1) Use.--The use of any entitlement to educational 
        assistance transferred under this section shall be 
        charged against the entitlement of the individual 
        making the transfer at the rate of one month for each 
        month of transferred entitlement that is used.
          (2) Nature of transferred entitlement.--Except as 
        provided under subsection (e)(2) and subject to 
        paragraphs (5) and (6)--
                  (A) in the case of entitlement transferred to 
                a spouse under this section, the spouse is 
                entitled to educational assistance under this 
                chapter in the same manner as the individual 
                from whom the entitlement was transferred; or
                  (B) in the case of entitlement transferred to 
                a child under this section, the child is 
                entitled to educational assistance under this 
                chapter in the same manner as the individual 
                from whom the entitlement was transferred as if 
                the individual were not on active duty.
          (3) Rate of payment.--The monthly rate of educational 
        assistance payable to a dependent to whom entitlement 
        referred to in paragraph (2) is transferred under this 
        section shall be payable--
                  (A) in the case of a spouse, at the same rate 
                as such entitlement would otherwise be payable 
                under this chapter to the individual making the 
                transfer; or
                  (B) in the case of a child, at the same rate 
                as such entitlement would otherwise be payable 
                under this chapter to the individual making the 
                transfer as if the individual were not on 
                active duty.
          (4) Death of transferor.--
                  (A) In general.--The death of an individual 
                transferring an entitlement under this section 
                shall not affect the use of the entitlement by 
                the dependent to whom the entitlement is 
                transferred.
                  (B) Death prior to transfer to designated 
                transferees.--(i) In the case of an eligible 
                individual whom the Secretary has approved to 
                transfer the individual's entitlement under 
                this section who, at the time of death, is 
                entitled to educational assistance under this 
                chapter and has designated a transferee or 
                transferees under subsection (e) but has not 
                transferred all of such entitlement to such 
                transferee or transferees, the Secretary shall 
                transfer the entitlement of the individual 
                under this section by evenly distributing the 
                amount of such entitlement between all such 
                transferees who would not be precluded from 
                using some or all of the transferred benefits 
                due to the expiration of time limitations found 
                in paragraph (5) of this subsection or section 
                3321 of this title, notwithstanding the 
                limitations under subsection (f).
                  (ii) If a transferee cannot use all of the 
                transferred benefits under clause (i) because 
                of expiration of a time limitation, the unused 
                benefits will be distributed among the other 
                designated transferees who would not be 
                precluded from using some or all of the 
                transferred benefits due to expiration of time 
                limitations found in paragraph (5) of this 
                subsection or section 3321 of this title, 
                unless or until there are no transferees who 
                would not be precluded from using the 
                transferred benefits because of expiration of a 
                time limitation.
          (5) Limitation on age of use by child transferees.--
                  (A) In general.--A child to whom entitlement 
                is transferred under this section may use the 
                benefits transferred without regard to the 15-
                year delimiting date specified in section 3321, 
                but may not, except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B) or (C), use any benefits so transferred 
                after attaining the age of 26 years.
                  (B) Primary caregivers of seriously injured 
                members of the armed forces and veterans.--
                          (i) In general.--Subject to clause 
                        (ii), in the case of a child who, 
                        before attaining the age of 26 years, 
                        is prevented from pursuing a chosen 
                        program of education by reason of 
                        acting as the primary provider of 
                        personal care services for a veteran or 
                        member of the Armed Forces under 
                        section 1720G(a), the child may use the 
                        benefits beginning on the date 
                        specified in clause (iii) for a period 
                        whose length is specified in clause 
                        (iv).
                          (ii) Inapplicability for 
                        revocation.--Clause (i) shall not apply 
                        with respect to the period of an 
                        individual as a primary provider of 
                        personal care services if the period 
                        concludes with the revocation of the 
                        individual's designation as such a 
                        primary provider under section 
                        1720G(a)(7)(D).
                          (iii) Date for commencement of use.--
                        The date specified in this clause for 
                        the beginning of the use of benefits by 
                        a child under clause (i) is the later 
                        of--
                                  (I) the date on which the 
                                child ceases acting as the 
                                primary provider of personal 
                                care services for the veteran 
                                or member concerned as 
                                described in clause (i);
                                  (II) the date on which it is 
                                reasonably feasible, as 
                                determined under regulations 
                                prescribed by the Secretary, 
                                for the child to initiate or 
                                resume the use of benefits; or
                                  (III) the date on which the 
                                child attains the age of 26 
                                years.
                          (iv) Length of use.--The length of 
                        the period specified in this clause for 
                        the use of benefits by a child under 
                        clause (i) is the length equal to the 
                        length of the period that--
                                  (I) begins on the date on 
                                which the child begins acting 
                                as the primary provider of 
                                personal care services for the 
                                veteran or member concerned as 
                                described in clause (i); and
                                  (II) ends on the later of--
                                          (aa) the date on 
                                        which the child ceases 
                                        acting as the primary 
                                        provider of personal 
                                        care services for the 
                                        veteran or member as 
                                        described in clause 
                                        (i); or
                                          (bb) the date on 
                                        which it is reasonably 
                                        feasible, as so 
                                        determined, for the 
                                        child to initiate or 
                                        resume the use of 
                                        benefits.
                  (C) Emergency situations.--In any case in 
                which the Secretary determines that an 
                individual to whom entitlement is transferred 
                under this section has been prevented from 
                pursuing the individual's chosen program of 
                education before the individual attains the age 
                of 26 years because the educational institution 
                or training establishment closed (temporarily 
                or permanently) under an established policy 
                based on an Executive order of the President or 
                due to an emergency situation, the Secretary 
                shall extend the period during which the 
                individual may use such entitlement for a 
                period equal to the number of months that the 
                individual was so prevented from pursuing the 
                program of education, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
          (6) Scope of use by transferees.--The purposes for 
        which a dependent to whom entitlement is transferred 
        under this section may use such entitlement shall 
        include the pursuit and completion of the requirements 
        of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency 
        certificate).
          (7) Additional administrative provisions.--The 
        administrative provisions of this chapter shall apply 
        to the use of entitlement transferred under this 
        section, except that the dependent to whom the 
        entitlement is transferred shall be treated as the 
        eligible individual for purposes of such provisions.
  (i) Overpayment.--
          (1) Joint and several liability.--[In the event] 
        Subject to paragraph (2), in the event of an 
        overpayment of educational assistance with respect to a 
        dependent to whom entitlement is transferred under this 
        section, the dependent and the individual making the 
        transfer shall be jointly and severally liable to the 
        United States for the amount of the overpayment for 
        purposes of section 3685 of this title.
          (2) Failure to complete service agreement.--
                  (A)  [In general] Sole liability.--Except as 
                provided in subparagraph (B), if an individual 
                transferring entitlement under this section 
                fails to complete the service agreed to by the 
                individual under subsection (b)(1) in 
                accordance with the terms of the agreement of 
                the individual under that subsection, the 
                amount of any transferred entitlement under 
                this section that is used by a dependent of the 
                individual as of the date of such failure shall 
                be treated as an overpayment of educational 
                assistance [under paragraph (1)] for which the 
                individual shall be solely liable to the United 
                States for the amount of the overpayment for 
                purposes of section 3685 of this title.
                  (B) Exception.--[Subparagraph (A) shall not 
                apply] Neither the individual nor the dependent 
                shall be liable to the United States for the 
                amount of the overpayment for purposes of 
                section 3685 of this title in the case of an 
                individual who fails to complete service agreed 
                to by the individual--
                          (i) by reason of the death of the 
                        individual; or
                          (ii) for a reason referred to in 
                        section 3311(c)(4) of this title.
  (j) Regulations.--(1) The Secretary of Defense, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall 
prescribe regulations for purposes of this section.
  (2) Such regulations shall specify--
          (A) the manner of authorizing the transfer of 
        entitlements under this section;
          (B) the eligibility criteria in accordance with 
        subsection (b); and
          (C) the manner and effect of an election to modify or 
        revoke a transfer of entitlement under subsection 
        (f)(2).
  (3) The Secretary of Defense may not prescribe any regulation 
that would provide for a limitation on eligibility to transfer 
unused education benefits to family members based on a maximum 
number of years of service in the Armed Forces.
  (k) Additional Transfer Upon Death of Dependent.--In the case 
of a dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is 
transferred under this section who dies before using all of 
such entitlement, the individual who transferred the 
entitlement to the dependent may transfer any remaining 
entitlement to a different eligible dependent, notwithstanding 
whether the individual is serving as a member of the Armed 
Forces when such transfer is executed.
  (l) Transfer by Dependent.--In the case of an individual who 
transfers entitlement to educational assistance under this 
section who dies before the dependent to whom entitlement to 
educational assistance is so transferred has used all of such 
entitlement, such dependent may transfer such entitlement to 
another eligible dependent in accordance with the provisions of 
this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 35--SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER IV--PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3532. Computation of educational assistance allowance

  (a)(1) The educational assistance allowance on behalf of an 
eligible person who is pursuing a program of education 
consisting of institutional courses shall be paid at the 
monthly rate of $1,224 for full-time, $967 for three-quarter-
time, or $710 for half-time pursuit.
  (2) The educational assistance allowance on behalf of an 
eligible person pursuing a program of education on less than a 
half-time basis shall be paid at the rate of the lesser of--
          (A) the established charges for tuition and fees that 
        the educational institution involved requires similarly 
        circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the same program 
        to pay; or
          (B) $1,224 per month for a full-time course.
  (b) The educational assistance allowance to be paid on behalf 
of an eligible person who is pursuing a full-time program of 
education which consists of institutional courses and alternate 
phases of training in a business or industrial establishment 
with the training in the business or industrial establishment 
being strictly supplemental to the institutional portion, shall 
be computed at the rate of $1,224 per month.
  (c)(1) An eligible person who is enrolled in an educational 
institution for a ``farm cooperative'' program consisting of 
institutional agricultural courses prescheduled to fall within 
forty-four weeks of any period of twelve consecutive months and 
who pursues such program on--
          (A) a full-time basis (a minimum of ten clock hours 
        per week or four hundred and forty clock hours in such 
        year prescheduled to provide not less than eighty clock 
        hours in any three-month period),
          (B) a three-quarter-time basis (a minimum of seven 
        clock hours per week), or
          (C) a half-time basis (a minimum of five clock hours 
        per week),
shall be eligible to receive an educational assistance 
allowance at the appropriate rate provided in paragraph (2) of 
this subsection, if such eligible person is concurrently 
engaged in agricultural employment which is relevant to such 
institutional agricultural courses as determined under 
standards prescribed by the Secretary. In computing the 
foregoing clock hour requirements there shall be included the 
time involved in field trips and individual and group 
instruction sponsored and conducted by the educational 
institution through a duly authorized instructor of such 
institution in which the person is enrolled.
  (2) The monthly educational assistance allowance to be paid 
on behalf of an eligible person pursuing a farm cooperative 
program under this chapter shall be $636 for full-time, $477 
for three-quarter-time, or $319 for half-time pursuit.
  [(d) If a program of education is pursued by an eligible 
person at an institution located in the Republic of the 
Philippines, the educational assistance allowance computed for 
such person under this section shall be paid at the rate of 
$0.50 for each dollar.]
  [(e)] (d) In the case of an eligible person who is pursuing a 
program of education under this chapter while incarcerated in a 
Federal, State, local, or other penal institution or 
correctional facility for conviction of a felony, the 
educational assistance allowance shall be paid in the same 
manner prescribed in section 3482(g) of this title for 
incarcerated veterans, except that the references therein to 
the monthly educational assistance allowance prescribed for a 
veteran with no dependents shall be deemed to refer to the 
applicable allowance payable to an eligible person under 
corresponding provisions of this chapter or chapter 36 of this 
title, as determined by the Secretary.
  [(f)] (e)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of 
educational assistance payable under this chapter for a 
licensing or certification test described in section 3501(a)(5) 
of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee charged for 
the test.
  (2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case 
of any individual for such licensing or certification test is 
equal to the number (including any fraction) determined by 
dividing the total amount paid to such individual for such test 
by the full-time monthly institutional rate of the educational 
assistance allowance which, except for paragraph (1), such 
individual would otherwise be paid under this chapter.
  (3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the 
individual's available entitlement under this chapter.
  [(g)] (f)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of 
educational assistance payable under this chapter for a 
national test for admission or national test providing an 
opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher 
learning described in section 3501(a)(5) of this title or a 
covered preparatory course (as that term is defined in section 
3315B(a) of this title) is the amount of the fee charged for 
the test.
  (2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case 
of any individual for a test or covered preparatory course 
described in paragraph (1) is equal to the number (including 
any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount of 
educational assistance paid such individual for such test or 
covered preparatory course by the full-time monthly 
institutional rate of educational assistance, except for 
paragraph (1), such individual would otherwise be paid under 
this chapter.
  (3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for a test or covered preparatory course 
described in paragraph (1) exceed the amount of the 
individual's available entitlement under this chapter.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 36--ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec.
     * * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER III-MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
     * * * * * * *
3698A. Provision of certificates of eligibility and award letters using 
          electronic means.
     * * * * * * *
3699C. High technology program.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3680A. Disapproval of enrollment in certain courses

  (a) The Secretary shall not approve the enrollment of an 
eligible veteran in any of the following:
          (1) Any bartending course or personality development 
        course.
          (2) Any sales or sales management course which does 
        not provide specialized training within a specific 
        vocational field.
          (3) Any type of course which the Secretary finds to 
        be avocational or recreational in character (or the 
        advertising for which the Secretary finds contains 
        significant avocational or recreational themes) unless 
        the veteran submits justification showing that the 
        course will be of bona fide use in the pursuit of the 
        veteran's present or contemplated business or 
        occupation.
          [(4) Any independent study program except an 
        independent study program (including such a program 
        taken over open circuit television) that--
                  [(A) is accredited by an accrediting agency 
                or association recognized by the Secretary of 
                Education under subpart 2 of part H of title IV 
                of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1099b);
                  [(B) leads to--
                          [(i) a standard college degree;
                          [(ii) a certificate that reflects 
                        educational attainment offered by an 
                        institution of higher learning; or
                          [(iii) a certificate that reflects 
                        completion of a course of study offered 
                        by--
                                  [(I) an area career and 
                                technical education school (as 
                                defined in subparagraphs (C) 
                                and (D) of section 3(3) of the 
                                Carl D. Perkins Career and 
                                Technical Education Act of 2006 
                                (20 U.S.C. 2302(3))) that 
                                provides education at the 
                                postsecondary level; or
                                  [(II) a postsecondary 
                                vocational institution (as 
                                defined in section 102(c) of 
                                the Higher Education Act of 
                                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))) that 
                                provides education at the 
                                postsecondary level; and
                  [(C) in the case of a program described in 
                subparagraph (B)(iii)--
                          [(i) provides training aligned with 
                        the requirements of employers in the 
                        State or local area where the program 
                        is located, which may include in-demand 
                        industry sectors or occupations; and
                          [(ii) provides a student, upon 
                        completion of the program, with a 
                        recognized postsecondary credential 
                        that is recognized by employers in the 
                        relevant industry, which may include a 
                        credential recognized by industry or 
                        sector partnerships in the State or 
                        local area where the industry is 
                        located; and
                          [(iii) meets such content and 
                        instructional standards as may be 
                        required to comply with the criteria 
                        under section 3676(c)(14) and (15) of 
                        this title.]
          (4) Any independent study program except--
                  (A) an independent study program (including 
                such a program taken over open circuit 
                television) that--
                          (i) is accredited by an accrediting 
                        agency or association recognized by the 
                        Secretary of Education under subpart 2 
                        of part H of title IV of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        1099b);
                          (ii) leads to--
                                  (I) a standard college 
                                degree;
                                  (II) a certificate that 
                                reflects educational attainment 
                                offered by an institution of 
                                higher learning; or
                                  (III) a certificate that 
                                reflects graduation from a 
                                course of study offered by--
                                          (aa) an area career 
                                        and technical education 
                                        school (as defined in 
                                        subparagraphs (C) and 
                                        (D) of section 3(3) of 
                                        the Carl D. Perkins 
                                        Career and Technical 
                                        Education Act of 2006 
                                        (20 U.S.C. 2302(3))) 
                                        that provides education 
                                        at the postsecondary 
                                        level; or
                                          (bb) a postsecondary 
                                        vocational institution 
                                        (as defined in section 
                                        102(c) of the Higher 
                                        Education Act of 1965 
                                        (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))) 
                                        that provides education 
                                        at the postsecondary 
                                        level; and
                          (iii) in the case of a program 
                        described in clause (ii)(III)--
                                  (I) provides training aligned 
                                with the requirements of 
                                employers in the State or local 
                                area where the program is 
                                located, which may include in-
                                demand industry sectors or 
                                occupations;
                                  (II) provides a student, upon 
                                graduation from the program, 
                                with a recognized postsecondary 
                                credential that is recognized 
                                by employers in the relevant 
                                industry, which may include a 
                                credential recognized by 
                                industry or sector partnerships 
                                in the State or local area 
                                where the industry is located; 
                                and
                                  (III) meets such content and 
                                instructional standards as may 
                                be required to comply with the 
                                criteria under section 
                                3676(c)(14) and (15) of this 
                                title; or
                  (B) an online high technology program of 
                education (as defined in subsection (h)(2) of 
                section 3699C of this title)--
                          (i) the provider of which has entered 
                        into a contract with the Secretary 
                        under subsection (c) of such section;
                          (ii) that has been provided to 
                        covered individuals (as defined in 
                        subsection (h)(1) of such section) 
                        under such contract for a period of at 
                        least five years;
                          (iii) regarding which the Secretary 
                        has determined that the average 
                        employment rate of covered individuals 
                        who graduated from such program of 
                        education is 65 percent or higher for 
                        the year preceding such determination; 
                        and
                          (iv) that satisfies the requirements 
                        of subsection (e) of such section.
  (b) Except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in 
this title or chapter 106 of title 10, the Secretary shall not 
approve the enrollment of an eligible veteran in any course of 
flight training other than one given by an educational 
institution of higher learning for credit toward a standard 
college degree the eligible veteran is seeking.
  (c) The Secretary shall not approve the enrollment of an 
eligible veteran in any course to be pursued by radio.
  (d)(1) The Secretary shall not approve the enrollment of any 
eligible veteran, not already enrolled, in any course for any 
period during which the Secretary finds that more than 85 
percent of the students enrolled in the course are having all 
or part of their tuition, fees, or other charges paid to or for 
them by the educational institution or by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs under this title or under chapter 1606 of 
title 10, except with respect to tuition, fees, or other 
charges that are paid under a payment plan at an educational 
institution that the Secretary determines has a history of 
offering payment plans that are completed not later than 180 
days after the end of the applicable term, quarter, or 
semester.
  (2) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph 
(1), in whole or in part, if the Secretary determines, pursuant 
to regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe, it to be in 
the interest of the eligible veteran and the Federal 
Government.
  (3)(A) The Secretary shall establish a process by which an 
educational institution may request a review of a determination 
that the educational institution does not meet the requirements 
of paragraph (1).
  (B) An educational institution that requests a review under 
subparagraph (A)--
          (i) shall request the review not later than 30 days 
        after the start of the term, quarter, or semester for 
        which the determination described in subparagraph (A) 
        applies; and
          (ii) may include any information that the educational 
        institution believes the Department should have taken 
        into account when making the determination, including 
        with respect to any mitigating circumstances.
  (C) The Under Secretary of Benefits shall issue an initial 
decision for each review requested under subparagraph (A) by 
not later than 30 days after the date of the request, to the 
extent feasible.
  (D) An educational institution may request the Secretary to 
review the decision by the Under Secretary under subparagraph 
(C). The Secretary shall review each decision so requested and, 
pursuant to such review, shall issue a final decision 
sustaining, modifying, or overturning the decision by the Under 
Secretary.
  (E) The Secretary shall carry out this paragraph without 
regard to any review process carried out by the Secretary under 
chapter 51 of this title.
  (4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any course offered by an 
educational institution if--
          (A) the majority of courses offered by the 
        educational institution are approved under section 3672 
        or 3675 of this title; and
          (B) the total number of veterans and persons 
        receiving assistance under this title or under chapter 
        1606 of title 10 who are enrolled in such institution 
        equals 35 percent or less of the total student 
        enrollment at such institution (computed separately for 
        the main campus and any branch or extension of such 
        institution).
  (5)(A) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any course offered by 
an educational institution if--
          (i) the majority of courses offered by the 
        educational institution are approved under section 3676 
        of this title; and
          (ii) the total number of veterans and persons 
        receiving assistance under this title or under chapter 
        1606 of title 10 who are enrolled in such institution 
        equals 35 percent or less of the total student 
        enrollment at such institution (computed separately for 
        the main campus and any branch or extension of such 
        institution).
  (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), on a case by case 
basis, the Secretary may apply paragraph (1) with respect to 
any course otherwise covered by such subparagraph if the 
Secretary has reason to believe that the enrollment of veterans 
and persons described in clause (ii) of such subparagraph may 
be in excess of 85 percent of the total student enrollment in 
such course.
  (6) The Secretary shall ensure that an educational 
institution that meets the requirements of paragraph (4) or (5) 
submits information to the Secretary on a biennial basis to 
verify meeting such requirements. During such biennial period 
in which an educational institution is covered by such 
verification, the Secretary may not require the educational 
institution to submit information with respect to meeting the 
requirements of paragraph (1).
  (7) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to the 
enrollment of a veteran--
          (A) in a program of education for which fewer than 10 
        students are having all or part of their tuition, fees, 
        or other charges paid to or for them by the educational 
        institution or by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        under this title or under chapter 1606 of title 10;
          (B) in a course offered pursuant to section 3019, 
        3034(a)(3), 3234, or 3241(a)(2) of this title;
          (C) in a farm cooperative training course; or
          (D) in a course described in subsection (g).
  (8) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the enrollment of a 
veteran in an online high technology program described in 
subsection (a)(4)(B).
  (e) The Secretary may not approve the enrollment of an 
eligible veteran in a course not leading to a standard college 
degree offered by a proprietary profit or proprietary nonprofit 
educational institution if--
          (1) the educational institution has been operating 
        for less than two years;
          (2) the course is offered at a branch of the 
        educational institution and the branch has been 
        operating for less than two years; or
          (3) following either a change in ownership or a 
        complete move outside its original general locality, 
        the educational institution does not retain 
        substantially the same faculty, student body, and 
        courses as before the change in ownership or the move 
        outside the general locality (as determined in 
        accordance with regulations the Secretary shall 
        prescribe) unless the educational institution following 
        such change or move has been in operation for at least 
        two years.
  (f)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
not approve the enrollment of an eligible veteran in a course 
as a part of a program of education offered by an educational 
institution if the course is provided under contract by another 
educational institution or entity and--
          (A) the Secretary would be barred under subsection 
        (e) from approving the enrollment of an eligible 
        veteran in the course of the educational institution or 
        entity providing the course under contract; or
          (B) the educational institution or entity providing 
        the course under contract has not obtained approval for 
        the course under this chapter.
  (2)(A) In the case of a covered study-abroad course, the 
Secretary may approve the course for a period of not more than 
five years, if the contract or other written agreement under 
which the course is offered provides that--
          (i) the educational institution that offers a course 
        that is approved under this chapter agrees--
                  (I) to assume responsibility for the quality 
                and content of the covered study-abroad course; 
                and
                  (II) to serve as the certifying official for 
                the course for purposes of this chapter; and
          (ii) the educational institution that offers the 
        covered study-abroad course agrees to seek the approval 
        of the course under this chapter by not later than five 
        years after the date of the agreement.
  (B) In this paragraph, the term ``covered study-abroad 
course'' means a course that--
          (i) is provided as a part of a program of education 
        offered by an educational institution under a contract 
        or other written agreement by another educational 
        institution that offers a course that is approved under 
        this chapter;
          (ii) is provided at a location in a foreign country; 
        and
          (iii) has not been approved under this chapter.
  (g) Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f)(1), the Secretary 
may approve the enrollment of an eligible veteran in a course 
approved under this chapter if the course is offered by an 
educational institution under contract with the Department of 
Defense or the Department of Homeland Security and is given on 
or immediately adjacent to a military base, Coast Guard 
station, National Guard facility, or facility of the Selected 
Reserve.
  (h) In this section, the terms ``State or local area'', 
``recognized postsecondary credential'', ``industry or sector 
partnership'', and ``in-demand industry sector or occupation'' 
have the meaning given such terms in section 3 of the Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3698A. Provision of certificates of eligibility and award letters 
                    using electronic means

  (a) Requirement.--Except as provided by subsection (b), the 
Secretary shall provide to an individual the following 
documents using electronic means:
          (1) A certificate of eligibility for the entitlement 
        of the individual to covered educational assistance.
          (2) An award letter regarding the authorization of 
        the individual to receive covered educational 
        assistance.
  (b) Election To opt out.--An individual may elect to receive 
the documents specified in subsection (a) by mail rather than 
through electronic means under subsection (a). An individual 
may revoke such an election at any time, by means prescribed by 
the Secretary.
  (c) Covered Educational Assistance.--In this section, the 
term ``covered educational assistance'' means educational 
assistance under chapter 30, 33, or 35, or section 3699C, of 
this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3699C. High technology program

  (a) Establishment.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out a 
program under which the Secretary provides covered individuals 
with the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of 
education that the Secretary determines provide training or 
skills sought by employers in a relevant field or industry.
  (2) Not more than 6,000 covered individuals may participate 
in the program under this section in any fiscal year.
  (b) Amount of Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall provide, 
to each covered individual who pursues a high technology 
program of education under this section, educational assistance 
in amounts equal to the amounts provided under section 
3313(c)(1) of this title, including with respect to the housing 
stipend described in that section and in accordance with the 
treatment of programs that are distance learning and programs 
that are less than half-time.
  (2) Under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide such 
amounts of educational assistance to a covered individual for 
each of the following:
          (A) A high technology program of education.
          (B) A second such program if--
                  (i) the second such program begins at least 
                18 months after the covered individual 
                graduates from the first such program; and
                  (ii) the covered individual uses educational 
                assistance under chapter 33 of this title to 
                pursue the second such program.
  (c) Contracts.--(1) For purposes of carrying out subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts with any 
number of qualified providers of high technology programs of 
education for the provision of such programs to covered 
individuals. Each such contract shall provide for the 
conditions under which the Secretary may terminate the contract 
with the provider and the procedures for providing for the 
graduation of students who were enrolled in a program provided 
by such provider in the case of such a termination.
  (2) A contract under this subsection shall provide that the 
Secretary shall pay to a provider--
          (A) upon the enrollment of a covered individual in 
        the program, 25 percent of the cost of the tuition and 
        other fees for the program of education for the 
        individual;
          (B) upon graduation of the individual from the 
        program, 25 percent of such cost; and
          (C) 50 percent of such cost upon--
                  (i) the successful employment of the covered 
                individual for a period--
                          (I) of 180 days in the field of study 
                        of the program; and
                          (II) that begins not later than 180 
                        days following graduation of the 
                        covered individual from the program;
                  (ii) the employment of the individual by the 
                provider for a period of one year; or
                  (iii) the enrollment of the individual in a 
                program of education to continue education in 
                such field of study.
  (3) For purposes of this section, a provider of a high 
technology program of education is qualified if--
          (A) the provider employs instructors whom the 
        Secretary determines are experts in their respective 
        fields in accordance with paragraph (5);
          (B) the provider has successfully provided the high 
        technology program for at least one year;
          (C) the provider does not charge tuition and fees to 
        a covered individual who receives assistance under this 
        section to pursue such program that are higher than the 
        tuition and fees charged by such provider to another 
        individual; and
          (D) the provider meets the approval criteria 
        developed by the Secretary under paragraph (4).
  (4)(A) The Secretary shall prescribe criteria for approving 
providers of a high technology program of education under this 
section.
  (B) In developing such criteria, the Secretary may consult 
with State approving agencies.
  (C) Such criteria are not required to meet the requirements 
of section 3672 of this title.
  (D) Such criteria shall include the job placement rate, in 
the field of study of a program of education, of covered 
individuals who complete such program of education.
  (5) The Secretary shall determine whether instructors are 
experts under paragraph (3)(A) based on evidence furnished to 
the Secretary by the provider regarding the ability of the 
instructors to--
          (A) identify professions in need of new employees to 
        hire, tailor the programs to meet market needs, and 
        identify the employers likely to hire graduates;
          (B) effectively teach the skills offered to covered 
        individuals;
          (C) provide relevant industry experience in the 
        fields of programs offered to incoming covered 
        individuals; and
          (D) demonstrate relevant industry experience in such 
        fields of programs.
  (6) In entering into contracts under this subsection, the 
Secretary shall give preference to a provider of a high 
technology program of education--
          (A) from which at least 70 percent of graduates find 
        full-time employment in the field of study of the 
        program during the 180-day period beginning on the date 
        the student graduates from the program; or
          (B) that offers tuition reimbursement for any student 
        who graduates from such a program and does not find 
        employment described in subparagraph (A).
  (d) Effect on Other Entitlement.--(1) If a covered individual 
enrolled in a high technology program of education under this 
section has remaining entitlement to educational assistance 
under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of this title, entitlement 
of the individual to educational assistance under this section 
shall be charged at the rate of one month of such remaining 
entitlement for each such month of educational assistance under 
this section.
  (2) The Secretary may not consider enrollment in a high 
technology program of education under this section to be 
assistance under a provision of law referred to in section 3695 
of this title.
  (e) Requirements for Educational Institutions.--(1) The 
Secretary shall not approve the enrollment of any covered 
individual, not already enrolled, in any high technology 
programs of education under this section for any period during 
which the Secretary finds that more than 85 percent of the 
students enrolled in the program are having all or part of 
their tuition, fees, or other charges paid to or for them by 
the educational institution or by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs under this title or under chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 
10, except with respect to tuition, fees, or other charges that 
are paid under a payment plan at an educational institution 
that the Secretary determines has a history of offering payment 
plans that are completed not later than 180 days after the end 
of the applicable term, quarter, or semester.
  (2) The Secretary may waive a requirement of paragraph (1) if 
the Secretary determines, pursuant to regulations which the 
Secretary shall prescribe, such waiver to be in the interest of 
the covered individual and the Federal Government. Not later 
than 30 days after the Secretary waives such a requirement, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report regarding 
such waiver.
  (3)(A)(i) The Secretary shall establish and maintain a 
process by which an educational institution may request a 
review of a determination that the educational institution does 
not meet the requirements of paragraph (1).
  (ii) The Secretary may consult with a State approving agency 
regarding such process or such a review.
  (iii) Not later than 180 days after the Secretary establishes 
or revises a process under this subparagraph, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report regarding such 
process.
  (B) An educational institution that requests a review under 
subparagraph (A)--
          (i) shall request the review not later than 30 days 
        after the start of the term, quarter, or semester for 
        which the determination described in subparagraph (A) 
        applies; and
          (ii) may include any information that the educational 
        institution believes the Department should have taken 
        into account when making the determination, including 
        with respect to any mitigating circumstances.
  (f) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter until 
the termination date specified in subsection (i), the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the operation 
of program under this section during the year covered by the 
report. Each such report shall include each of the following:
          (1) The number of covered individuals enrolled in the 
        program, disaggregated by type of educational 
        institution, during the year covered by the report.
          (2) The number of covered individuals who completed a 
        high technology program of education under the program 
        during the year covered by the report.
          (3) The average employment rate of covered 
        individuals who completed such a program of education 
        during such year, as of 180 days after the date of 
        completion.
          (4) The average length of time between the completion 
        of such a program of education and employment.
          (5) The total number of covered individuals who 
        completed a program of education under the program and 
        who, as of the date of the submission of the report, 
        are employed in a position related to technology.
          (6) The average salary of a covered individual who 
        completed a program of education under the program and 
        who is employed in a position related to technology, in 
        various geographic areas determined by the Secretary.
          (7) The average salary of all individuals employed in 
        positions related to technology in the geographic areas 
        determined under subparagraph (F), and the difference, 
        if any, between such average salary and the average 
        salary of a covered individual who completed a program 
        of education under the program and who is employed in a 
        position related to technology.
          (8) The number of covered individuals who completed a 
        program of education under the program and who 
        subsequently enrolled in a second program of education 
        under the program.
  (g) Collection of Information; Consultation.--(1) The 
Secretary shall develop practices to use to collect information 
about covered individuals and providers of high technology 
programs of education.
  (2) For the purpose of carrying out program under this 
section, the Secretary may consult with providers of high 
technology programs of education and may establish an advisory 
group made up of representatives of such providers, private 
employers in the technology field, and other relevant groups or 
entities, as the Secretary determines necessary.
  (h) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) The term ``covered individual'' means any of the 
        following:
                  (A) A veteran whom the Secretary determines--
                          (i) served an aggregate of at least 
                        36 months on active duty in the Armed 
                        Forces (including service on active 
                        duty in entry level and skill training) 
                        and was discharged or released 
                        therefrom under conditions other than 
                        dishonorable; and
                          (ii) has not attained the age of 62.
                  (B) A member of the Armed Forces that the 
                Secretary determines will become a veteran 
                described in subparagraph (A) fewer than 180 
                days after the date of such determination.
          (2) The term ``high technology program of education'' 
        means a program of education--
                  (A) offered by a public or private 
                educational institution;
                  (B) if offered by an institution of higher 
                learning, that is provided directly by such 
                institution rather than by an entity other than 
                such institution under a contract or other 
                agreement;
                  (C) that does not lead to a degree;
                  (D) that has a term of not less than six and 
                not more than 28 weeks; and
                  (E) that provides instruction in computer 
                programming, computer software, media 
                application, data processing, or information 
                sciences.
  (i) Termination.--The authority to carry out a program under 
this section shall terminate on September 30, 2028.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 37--HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3729. Loan fee

  (a) Requirement of Fee.--(1) Except as provided in subsection 
(c), a fee shall be collected from each person obtaining a 
housing loan guaranteed, insured, or made under this chapter, 
and each person assuming a loan to which section 3714 of this 
title applies. No such loan may be guaranteed, insured, made, 
or assumed until the fee payable under this section has been 
remitted to the Secretary.
  (2) The fee may be included in the loan and paid from the 
proceeds thereof.
  (b) Determination of Fee.--(1) The amount of the fee shall be 
determined from the loan fee table in paragraph (2). The fee is 
expressed as a percentage of the total amount of the loan 
guaranteed, insured, or made, or, in the case of a loan 
assumption, the unpaid principal balance of the loan on the 
date of the transfer of the property.
  (2) The loan fee table referred to in paragraph (1) is as 
follows:


 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of loan                Active duty  veteran          Reservist              Other obligor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(i) Initial loan described in       2.15                     2.40                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 October 1, 2004, and before January
 1, 2020).
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in      2.30                     2.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 January 1, 2020, and before April 7,
 2023).
(A)(iii) Initial loan described in     2.15                     2.15                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 April 7, 2023, and before [November
 14, 2031] April 30, 2032 ).
(A)(iv) Initial loan described in      1.40                     1.40                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 [November 14, 2031] April 30, 2032 ).
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in    3.30                     3.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after October 1, 2004, and before
 January 1, 2020).
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in   3.60                     3.60                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in  3.30                     3.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 14, 2031] April 30, 2032 ).
(B)(iv) Subsequent loan described in   1.25                     1.25                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after [November 14, 2031] April 30,
 2032 ).
(C)(i) Loan described in section       1.50                     1.75                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed before
 January 1, 2020).
(C)(ii) Loan described in section      1.65                     1.65                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(C)(iii) Loan described in section     1.50                     1.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 14, 2031] April 30, 2032 ).
(C)(iv) Loan described in section      0.75                     0.75                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after [November 14, 2031] April 30,
 2032 ).
(D)(i) Loan described in section       1.25                     1.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed before
 January 1, 2020).
(D)(ii) Loan described in section      1.40                     1.40                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(D)(iii) Loan described in section     1.25                     1.25                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 14, 2031] April 30, 2032 ).
(D)(iv) Loan described in section      0.50                     0.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after [November 14, 2031] April 30,
 2032 ).
(E) Interest rate reduction            0.50                     0.50                     NA
 refinancing loan.
(F) Direct loan under section 3711...  1.00                     1.00                     NA
(G) Manufactured home loan under       1.00                     1.00                     NA
 section 3712 (other than an interest
 rate reduction refinancing loan).
(H) Loan to Native American veteran    1.25                     1.25                     NA
 under section 3762 (other than an
 interest rate reduction refinancing
 loan).
(I) Loan assumption under section      0.50                     0.50                     0.50
 3714.
(J) Loan under section 3733(a).......  2.25                     2.25                     2.25.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  (3) Any reference to a section in the ``Type of loan'' column 
in the loan fee table in paragraph (2) refers to a section of 
this title.
  (4) For the purposes of paragraph (2):
          (A) The term ``active duty veteran'' means any 
        veteran eligible for the benefits of this chapter other 
        than a Reservist.
          (B) The term ``Reservist'' means a veteran described 
        in section 3701(b)(5)(A) of this title who is eligible 
        under section 3702(a)(2)(E) of this title.
          (C) The term ``other obligor'' means a person who is 
        not a veteran, as defined in section 101 of this title 
        or other provision of this chapter.
          (D)(i) The term ``initial loan'' means a loan to a 
        veteran guaranteed under section 3710 or made under 
        section 3711 of this title if the veteran has never 
        obtained a loan guaranteed under section 3710 or made 
        under section 3711 of this title.
          (ii) If a veteran has obtained a loan guaranteed 
        under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this 
        title and the dwelling securing such loan was 
        substantially damaged or destroyed by a major disaster 
        declared by the President under section 401 of the 
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
        Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Secretary shall 
        treat as an initial loan, as defined in clause (i), the 
        next loan the Secretary guarantees or makes to such 
        veteran under section 3710 or 3711, respectively, if--
                  (I) such loan is guaranteed or made before 
                the date that is three years after the date on 
                which the dwelling was substantially damaged or 
                destroyed; and
                  (II) such loan is only for repairs or 
                construction of the dwelling, as determined by 
                the Secretary.
          (E) The term ``subsequent loan'' means a loan to a 
        veteran, other than an interest rate reduction 
        refinancing loan, guaranteed under section 3710 or made 
        under section 3711 of this title that is not an initial 
        loan.
          (F) The term ``interest rate reduction refinancing 
        loan'' means a loan described in section 3710(a)(8), 
        3710(a)(9)(B)(i), 3710(a)(11), 3712(a)(1)(F), or 
        3762(h) of this title.
          (G) The term ``0-down'' means a downpayment, if any, 
        of less than 5 percent of the total purchase price or 
        construction cost of the dwelling.
          (H) The term ``5-down'' means a downpayment of at 
        least 5 percent or more, but less than 10 percent, of 
        the total purchase price or construction cost of the 
        dwelling.
          (I) The term ``10-down'' means a downpayment of 10 
        percent or more of the total purchase price or 
        construction cost of the dwelling.
  (c) Waiver of Fee.--(1) A fee may not be collected under this 
section from a veteran who is receiving compensation (or who, 
but for the receipt of retirement pay or active service pay, 
would be entitled to receive compensation), from a surviving 
spouse of any veteran (including a person who died in the 
active military, naval, air, or space service) who died from a 
service-connected disability, or from a member of the Armed 
Forces who is serving on active duty and who provides, on or 
before the date of loan closing, evidence of having been 
awarded the Purple Heart.
  (2)(A) A veteran described in subparagraph (B) shall be 
treated as receiving compensation for purposes of this 
subsection as of the date of the rating described in such 
subparagraph without regard to whether an effective date of the 
award of compensation is established as of that date.
  (B) A veteran described in this subparagraph is a veteran who 
is rated eligible to receive compensation--
          (i) as the result of a pre-discharge disability 
        examination and rating; or
          (ii) based on a pre-discharge review of existing 
        medical evidence (including service medical and 
        treatment records) that results in the issuance of a 
        memorandum rating.

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                              ----------                              


      HARRY W. COLMERY VETERANS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2017



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
TITLE I--POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 116. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HIGH TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM.

  (a) Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall 
provide eligible veterans with the opportunity to enroll in 
high technology programs of education that the Secretary 
determines provide training or skills sought by employers in a 
relevant field or industry.
  (b) Eligibility.--For purposes of the pilot program under 
this section, an eligible veteran is a veteran who is entitled 
to educational assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 
of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of 
title 10, United States Code. The Secretary shall treat an 
individual as an eligible veteran if the Secretary determines 
that the individual shall become an eligible veteran fewer than 
180 days after the date of such determination. If an individual 
treated as an eligible veteran by reason of the preceding 
sentence does anything to make the veteran ineligible during 
the 180-day period referred to in such sentence, the Secretary 
may require the veteran to repay any benefits received by such 
veteran by reason of such sentence.
  (c) Contracts.--
          (1) In General.--For purposes of carrying out 
        subsection (a), by not later than 180 days after August 
        1, 2018, the Secretary shall seek to enter into 
        contracts with any number of qualified providers of 
        high technology programs of education for the provision 
        of such programs to eligible veterans under the pilot 
        program. Each such contract shall provide for the 
        conditions under which the Secretary may terminate the 
        contract with the provider and the procedures for 
        providing for the completion of the instruction of 
        students who were enrolled in a program provided by 
        such provider in the case of such a termination.
          (2) Payment of contractors.--A contract under this 
        subsection shall provide that the Secretary shall pay 
        to a provider--
                  (A) upon the enrollment of an eligible 
                veteran in the program, 25 percent of the cost 
                of the tuition and other fees for the program 
                of education for the veteran;
                  (B) upon the completion of the program by the 
                veteran, 25 percent of such cost; and
                  (C) upon the employment of the veteran in the 
                field of study of the program following 
                completion of the program, 50 percent of such 
                cost.
          (3) Qualified providers.--For purposes of the pilot 
        program, a provider of a high technology program of 
        education is qualified if--
                  (A) the provider employs instructors whom the 
                Secretary determines are experts in their 
                respective fields in accordance with paragraph 
                (6);
                  (B) the provider has successfully provided 
                the high technology program for at least 1 
                year; and
                  (C) the provider meets the approval criteria 
                developed by the Secretary under paragraph (4).
          (4) Approval criteria.--The Secretary shall develop 
        criteria for approving providers for purposes of the 
        pilot program. In developing such criteria, the 
        Secretary may consult with State approving agencies. 
        Such criteria is not required to meet the requirements 
        of section 3672 of title 38, United States Code.
          (5) Tuition reimbursement.--In entering into 
        contracts to carry out the pilot program, the Secretary 
        shall give preference to a qualified provider that 
        offers tuition reimbursement for any student who--
                  (A) completes a program of education offered 
                by the provider; and
                  (B) does not find full-time meaningful 
                employment in the field of study of the program 
                within the 180-day period beginning on the date 
                the student completes the program.
          (6) Experts.--The Secretary shall determine whether 
        instructors are experts under paragraph (3)(A) based on 
        evidence furnished to the Secretary by the provider 
        regarding the ability of the instructors to--
                  (A) identify professions in need of new 
                employees to hire, tailor the programs to meet 
                market needs, and identify the employers likely 
                to hire graduates;
                  (B) effectively teach the skills offered to 
                eligible veterans;
                  (C) provide relevant industry experience in 
                the fields of programs offered to incoming 
                eligible veterans; and
                  (D) demonstrate relevant industry experience 
                in such fields of programs.
  (d) Housing Stipend.--The Secretary shall pay to each 
eligible veteran (not including an individual described in the 
second sentence of subsection (b)) who is enrolled in a high 
technology program of education under the pilot program on a 
full-time or part-time basis a monthly housing stipend equal to 
the product--
          (1) of--
                  (A) in the case of a veteran pursuing 
                resident training, the monthly amount of the 
                basic allowance for housing payable under 
                section 403 of title 37, United States Code, 
                for a member with dependents in pay grade E-5 
                residing in the military housing area that 
                encompasses all or the majority portion of the 
                ZIP code area in which is located the campus of 
                the institution where the individual physically 
                participates in a majority of classes; or
                  (B) in the case of a veteran pursuing a 
                program of education through distance learning, 
                a monthly amount equal to 50 percent of the 
                national average of the monthly amount of the 
                basic allowance for housing payable under 
                section 403 of title 37, United States Code, 
                for a member with dependents in pay grade E-5, 
                multiplied by
          (2) the lesser of--
                  (A) 1.0; or
                  (B) the number of course hours borne by the 
                individual in pursuit of the program of 
                education involved, divided by the minimum 
                number of course hours required for full-time 
                pursuit of such program of education, rounded 
                to the nearest multiple of 10.
  (e) High Technology Program of Education Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``high technology program of education'' 
means a program of education that--
          (1) is offered by an entity other than an institution 
        of higher learning;
          (2) does not lead to a degree; and
          (3) provides instruction in computer programming, 
        computer software, media application, data processing, 
        or information sciences.
  (f) Reports.--
          (1) Secretary of veterans affairs.--Not later than 1 
        year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
        annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to 
        Congress a report on the pilot program under this 
        section.
          (2) Comptroller general.--
                  (A) Interim report.--Not later than 3 years 
                after the date on which the Secretary first 
                enters into a contract under this section, the 
                Comptroller General of the United States shall 
                submit to Congress a report containing the 
                results of the interim assessment of the 
                Comptroller General. Such report shall include 
                the recommendations of the Comptroller General 
                for improving the pilot program and an 
                assessment of each of the following:
                          (i) The technology experience of the 
                        directors and instructors of the 
                        providers of high technology programs 
                        of education under the pilot program.
                          (ii) Whether the providers cooperated 
                        with the technology industry to create 
                        the curriculum for the program of 
                        education.
                          (iii) Whether the providers use an 
                        open source curriculum for the program 
                        of education.
                          (iv) The admittance rate into the 
                        pilot program.
                          (v) The job placement and retention 
                        rate for veterans who completed a 
                        program of education under the pilot 
                        program in the field of study of the 
                        program.
                          (vi) The percentage of veterans who 
                        completed a program of education under 
                        the pilot program who were subsequently 
                        employed for a period of 6 months or 
                        longer in a field of study of the 
                        program.
                          (vii) The percentage of veterans who 
                        completed a program of education under 
                        the pilot program who were subsequently 
                        employed for a period of less than 6 
                        months in a field of study of the 
                        program.
                          (viii) The median annual salary of 
                        veterans who completed a program of 
                        education under the pilot program and 
                        were subsequently employed.
                          (ix) As applicable, the transfer 
                        rates to other academic or vocational 
                        programs and certifications and 
                        licensure exam passage rates.
                          (x) The average age of veterans who 
                        participated in the pilot program.
                  (B) Final report.--Not later than 5 years 
                after the date on which the Secretary first 
                enters into a contract under this section, the 
                Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a 
                final report on the pilot program. Such report 
                shall include the recommendation of the 
                Comptroller General with respect to whether the 
                program should be extended and an assessment of 
                each item described in clauses (i) through (x) 
                of subparagraph (A).
  (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Funds shall be made 
available to carry out the pilot program under this section 
from funds appropriated to, or otherwise made available to, the 
Department for the payment of readjustment benefits, in the 
following amounts for a fiscal year in which the Secretary 
carries out the pilot program:
          (1) For fiscal year 2019, $15,000,000.
          (2) For fiscal year 2020, $15,000,000.
          (3) For fiscal year 2021, $45,000,000.
          (4) For fiscal year 2022, $125,000,000.
          (5) For fiscal year 2023, $45,000,000.
          [(6) For fiscal year 2024, $45,000,000.]
  [(h) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program 
under this section shall terminate on the date that is 5 years 
after the date on which the Secretary first enters into a 
contract under this section.]
  (h) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program 
under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2023.
  (i) Prohibition on Certain Accounting of Assistance.--The 
Secretary may not consider enrollment in a high technology 
program of education under this section to be assistance under 
a provision of law referred to in section 3695 of title 38, 
United States Code.

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