Solar Vocational Education and Training for our Servicemembers Act or the Solar VETS Act
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Department of Defense, to develop a training course for careers in solar-related occupations to be (1) made available at military installations and to eligible members of the Armed Forces, and (2) administered by institutions of higher education pursuant to an agreement with DOE.
[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6166 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6166
To require the Secretary of Energy to develop a solar workforce
training course for certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 20, 2018
Ms. Rosen (for herself, Mr. Knight, Mr. O'Halleran, and Mr. MacArthur)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed
Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Energy to develop a solar workforce
training course for certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other
purposes.
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 ``Solar Vocational Education and
Training for our Servicemembers Act'' or the ``Solar VETS Act''.
SEC. 2. SOLAR WORKFORCE TRAINING COURSE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED
FORCES.
(a) Training Course.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
Secretary of Defense, shall develop a training course for
careers in solar-related occupations to be--
(A) made available--
(i) at military installations; and
(ii) to eligible members of the Armed
Forces; and
(B) administered by institutions of higher
education pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary.
(2) Course components.--The training course shall include--
(A) hands-on, in-person instruction with respect to
solar-related occupations;
(B) assistance with resume preparation;
(C) assistance with job interview preparation; and
(D) an examination that results in the receipt of
an entry-level certification in solar installation
(such as a certification from the North American Board
of Certified Energy Practitioners).
(3) Fees or charges prohibited; reimbursement for
examination costs.--
(A) Fees or charges.--No fee or charge may be
assessed to an eligible member of the Armed Forces in
connection with the participation of the member in the
training course.
(B) Reimbursement.--The Secretary shall reimburse
an eligible member of the Armed Forces for the costs of
an examination described in paragraph (2)(D) incurred
by the member.
(b) Selection of Participating Military Installations.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
Secretary of Defense, shall select military installations at
which the training course will be offered to eligible members
of the Armed Forces.
(2) Considerations.--In selecting a military installation,
the Secretary shall consider--
(A) the average number of eligible members of the
Armed Forces stationed at the military installation;
(B) the solar market in the local community near
the military installation, including the number of
relevant employers and job opportunities; and
(C) the capability of institutions of higher
education located near the military installation to
administer the training course.
(c) Agreement With Institution of Higher Education.--For each
military installation at which the training course is to be offered,
the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with an institution of
higher education located near the military installation under which the
institution shall administer the training course.
(d) Outreach.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary
of Defense, shall ensure that--
(1) commanders at military installations are aware of the
availability of the training course; and
(2) installation transition offices inform eligible members
of the Armed Forces about the training course.
(e) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Eligible member of the armed forces.--The term
``eligible member of the Armed Forces'' means a member of the
Armed Forces that--
(A) has completed at least 180 days on active duty
in the Armed Forces; and
(B) is expected to be discharged or released from
active duty in the Armed Forces within 180 days of the
date of commencement of participation in the training
course.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(3) Military installation.--The term ``military
installation'' means a military installation that is located
within any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands
of the United States, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, or Guam.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(5) Training course.--The term ``training course'' means
the training course developed under subsection (a).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.
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