[House Report 111-162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 111-162
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PILOT COLLEGE WORK STUDY PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2009
_______
June 18, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Filner, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1037]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred the
bill (H.R. 1037) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and
advisability of expanding the scope of certain qualifying work-
study activities under title 38, United States Code, having
considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment
and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Amendment........................................................ 2
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 3
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 4
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 4
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 4
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 4
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 5
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 5
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 5
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 5
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 6
AMENDMENT
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 ``Pilot College Work Study Programs for
Veterans Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM FOR ON-CAMPUS WORK-STUDY POSITIONS.
(a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility
and advisability of expanding the scope of qualifying work-study
activities for purposes of section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, United
States Code, including work-study positions available on site at
educational institutions.
(b) Type of Work-Study Positions.--The work-study positions referred
to in subsection (a) may include positions in academic departments
(including positions as tutors or research, teaching, and lab
assistants) and in student services (including positions in career
centers and financial aid, campus orientation, cashiers, admissions,
records, and registration offices).
(c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out
the pilot project under this section, including regulations providing
for the supervision of work-study positions referred to in subsection
(a) by appropriate personnel of the Department.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010
through 2014 to carry out the pilot project under this section.
(e) Source of Funds.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
this section shall not be carried out with any funds provided for or
under any authority of the Readjustment benefits program described by
the list of Appropriated Entitlements and Mandatories for Fiscal Year
1997 contained in the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2015 of the
105th Congress, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (H. Report 105-217). No
funds shall be obligated for the purpose of carrying out this section
except discretionary funds appropriated specifically for the purpose of
carrying out this section in appropriation Acts enacted after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
H.R. 1037 was introduced on February 12, 2009, by
Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota,
Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H.R. 1037, as amended, directs
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility
and advisability of expanding the scope of certain qualifying
work-study activities.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The VA was first authorized to provide student veterans
with a work-study allowance with the enactment of Public Law
92-540 (86 Stat. 1095). Currently, student veterans enrolled
three-fourths or full-time in college degree programs,
vocational programs or professional programs are eligible to
participate in the work-study allowance program. In addition,
certain veterans with service-connected disabilities are given
priority for available work-study jobs within normal commuting
distances.
Under the current work-study program, veterans that qualify
for the VA work-study program are limited to positions
involving VA-related work, such as processing VA paperwork,
performing outreach services, and assisting staff at VA medical
facilities or the offices of the National Cemetery
Administration. During the 110th Congress, Committee staff was
informed that student veterans were not given sufficient work-
study opportunities similar to those offered to non-veteran
students who have the option of working in academic departments
and student services.
To expand the scope of the work-study program,
Representative Herseth Sandlin introduced H.R. 6224, the Pilot
College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2008, in the
110th Congress. In the 111th Congress, Representative Herseth
Sandlin re-introduced this measure as H.R. 1037.
HEARINGS
On May 21, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
conducted a legislative hearing on various bills introduced
during the 111th Congress, including H.R. 1037. The following
witnesses testified: The Honorable Mike Coffman of Colorado;
Richard Daley, Associate Legislation Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; John L. Wilson, Associate National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mark Seavey,
Assistant Director, National Legislative Commission, The
American Legion; Raymond C. Kelley, National Legislative
Director, AMVETS; Cpl. Wade J. Spann, USMC, Wounded Warrior
Project; Keith M. Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General Counsel,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, John C. McWilliam,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training
Service, U.S. Department of Labor. Submitting a statement for
the record included: The Honorable Bob Filner of California.
SUBCOMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On June 4, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open markup session and ordered H.R. 1037, as amended,
favorably forwarded to the full Committee by voice vote. During
consideration of the bill the following amendment in the nature
of a substitute was considered:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr.
Teague of New Mexico to make a technical change to the bill by
striking the effective end date of 2013 and inserting 2014 was
agreed to by voice vote.
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On June 10, 2009, the full Committee met in an open markup
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 1037, as
amended, reported favorably to the House of Representatives by
voice vote. During consideration of the bill the following
amendment in the nature of a substitute was considered:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Ms.
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota to clarify that
funding for the pilot program is provided by the VA's
discretionary spending account was agreed to by voice vote.
COMMITTEE VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes
on the motion to report the legislation and amendments thereto.
There were no record votes taken on amendments or in connection
with ordering H.R. 1037 reported to the House. A motion by Ms.
Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota to order H.R. 1037, as amended,
reported favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed
to by voice vote.
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 are reflected in the descriptive portions
of this report.
NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX EXPENDITURES
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
EARMARKS AND TAX AND TARIFF BENEFITS
H.R. 1037 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R.
1037 prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
for H.R. 1037 provided by the Congressional Budget Office
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, June 16, 2009.
Hon. Bob Filner,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1037, the Pilot
College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2009.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Camille
Woodland.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 1037--Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2009
H.R. 1037 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to conduct a five-year pilot program to expand work-study
opportunities for veterans. Assuming appropriation of the
specified amounts, CBO estimates that implementing this program
would cost $47 million over the 2010-2014 period. Enacting the
bill would not affect direct spending or revenues.
The current work-study program is limited to positions in
certain VA facilities and, on campus, to assisting other
veterans in obtaining veterans' education benefits. Under this
pilot, veterans could also take positions in academic
departments and student services. H.R. 1037 would authorize the
appropriation of $10 million each year over the 20102014 period
for this program. Given information from VA, CBO anticipates
that nearly 3,500 additional veterans each year would
participate in work study under this provision. CBO estimates
that costs to VA would increase by $7 million in 2010 and by
$10 million each year over the 2011-2014 period, subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
H.R. 1037 contains no private-sector or intergovernmental
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. Any
costs to public institutions of higher education would be
incurred voluntarily.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Camille
Woodland. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates regarding H.R. 1037 prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
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.
1037.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the
Constitutional authority for H.R. 1037 is provided by Article
I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States.
APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation 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.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Short title
This section provides the short title of H.R. 1037, as
amended, as the ``Pilot College Work Study Programs for
Veterans Act of 2009.''
Section 2. Five-year pilot program for on-campus work-study positions
This section directs the Secretary of VA to conduct a five-
year pilot project to expand on existing work-study activities.
This section authorizes student veterans to participate in
work-study positions in academic departments (including
positions as tutors or research, teaching, and lab assistants)
and in student services (including positions in career centers
and financial aid, campus orientation, cashiers, admissions,
records, and registration offices).
This section requires the VA to publish regulations to
carry out the pilot program, including regulations on the
supervision of veterans participating in work-study positions;
and authorizes $10 million for each fiscal year 2010 through
2014. This section also clarifies that no funds shall be
obligated to carry out this program except discretionary funds
appropriated specifically for this purpose.