Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5914) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the processes to approve programs of education for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5914
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act'' or the ``VETT Act''. SEC. 2. PROCESSES TO APPROVE PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION FOR PURPOSES OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Limitation of Disapproval of Programs of Education for Failure To Provide Certain Forms.--Section 3679(f)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``this paragraph'' and inserting ``this subparagraph'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``this paragraph'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A)''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) If an educational institution cannot provide to an individual a form under paragraph (1) that contains all of the information required under subparagraph (A) of such paragraph, the educational institution shall provide to such individual, with the form under such paragraph, a notice--
``(i) that specifies what such information may be inaccurate or incomplete; and
``(ii) that includes, in place of the information that may be inaccurate or incomplete, the best estimate available on the date of such notice.''.
(b) Publication of Information About Training for School Certifying Officials.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a website to serve as a central location for the publication of information about the training that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides for school certifying officials and shall update such information on a regular basis. SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF RULES FOR APPROVAL OF COMMERCIAL DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 3680A(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) though (C), respectively;
(2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary'';
(3) in paragraph (1)(B), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by inserting ``except as provided in paragraph (2),'' before ``the course''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):
``(2)(A) Subject to this paragraph, a commercial driver education program is exempt from paragraph (1)(B) for a branch of an educational institution if the commercial driver education program offered at the branch by the educational institution--
``(i) is appropriately licensed; and
``(ii)(I) the branch is located in a State in which the same commercial driver education program is offered by the same educational institution at another branch of that educational institution in the same State that is approved for purposes of this chapter by a State approving agency or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency; or
``(II)(aa) the branch is located in a State in which the same commercial driver education program is not offered at another branch of the same educational institution in the same State; and
``(bb) the branch has been operating for a period of at least one year using the same curriculum as a commercial driver education program offered by the educational institution at another location that is approved for purposes of this chapter by a State approving agency or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency.
``(B)(i) In order for a commercial driver education program of an educational institution offered at a branch described in paragraph (1)(B) to be exempt under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the educational institution shall submit to the Secretary each year that paragraph (1)(B) would otherwise apply a report that demonstrates that the curriculum at the new branch is the same as the curriculum at the primary location.
``(ii) Reporting under clause (i) shall be submitted in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall establish in consultation with the State approving agencies.
``(C)(i) The Secretary may withhold an exemption under subparagraph (A) for any educational institution or branch of an educational institution as the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(ii) In making any determination under clause (i), the Secretary may consult with the Secretary of Transportation on the performance of a provider of a commercial driver program, including the status of the provider within the Training Provider Registry of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration when appropriate.
``(D) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a notification not later than 30 days after the Secretary grants an exemption under this paragraph. Such notification shall identify the educational institution and branch of such educational institution granted such exemption.''.
(b) Implementation.--
(1) Establishment of requirements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish requirements under section 3680A(e)(2)(B)(ii) of such title, as added by subsection (a).
(2) Rulemaking.--In promulgating any rules to carry out paragraph (2) of section 3680A(e) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with State approving agencies.
(3) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to commercial driver education programs on and after the day that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary establishes the requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
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Mr. BOST. 5914, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5914, as amended, offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), my friend and colleague.
This bill, as amended, would improve the information schools are required to give individuals regarding their GI Bill benefits.
Right now, schools are required to give an estimated cost of education to anyone using the GI Bill. However, there are cases where the school cannot accurately estimate the tuition and expenses for that year.
This could cause veterans to pick a school based off incorrect information that might harm them financially in the future.
Now, I support getting veterans all the information they need to make the right decision about their education. I do not support schools being forced to give a favorable financial estimate before the student enrolls.
This bill would also ensure that schools have a central place to find information to train their staff in charge of helping student veterans use their benefits.
Finally, this bill, as amended, would improve opportunities for veterans wanting to get commercial driver's licenses.
I thank my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards), as well for his work on key provisions of this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R.
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Mr. BOST. I appreciate the fine job he has done coming forward with this.
Mr. VAN ORDEN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to speak on behalf of my legislation, H.R. 5914, the VETT Act.
This legislation addresses unnecessary barriers that veterans face while trying to access educational benefits that they earned during their time of service and ensures a more effective transition to civilian life.
One important provision in the VETT Act addresses a burdensome administrative requirement by revising the current mandate for individualized shopping sheets. With the Department of Education's disastrous FAFSA rollout this year, many institutions cannot provide up-to-date, accurate financial aid information to many of our student veterans. Letting this failure result in a delayed delivery of education benefits for our veterans is entirely unacceptable.
My legislation resolves this burden by ensuring that the State approving agencies can only disapprove programs when schools fail to provide necessary information to the maximum extent possible.
This change offers the needed flexibility for institutions like police academies and truck driving schools, ensuring they can operate effectively while safeguarding veterans and their families.
These are two beleaguered industries that should be supported wholeheartedly by Congress and the American people at large.
I am also very thankful to see the inclusion of the provision from my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards) that will aid our veterans seeking opportunities in the transportation and trucking industry.
By eliminating unnecessary 2-year waits for GI benefits for commercial driving licenses, this provision opens up great-paying jobs to our veterans and aids in fulfilling necessary roles in the private sector.
We need to get our servicemen transitioned from productive members of the military to productive members of civilian live.
This legislation dovetails perfectly with Mr. Nunn's H.R. 3722 because the 24-month window following separating from Active-Duty service is when our men and women commit suicide, and we will do anything as a body to prevent that.
I thank Ranking Member Takano and the chairman for your support in this, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote for it.
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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage Members to support this legislation and to help our veterans get the most out of their GI Bill benefits.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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