Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7103 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7103

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide greater opportunities 
     for veterans to pursue education programs involving emerging 
                 technologies, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 15, 2026

    Mr. Hamadeh of Arizona introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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 amend title 38, United States Code, to provide greater opportunities 
     for veterans to pursue education programs involving emerging 
                 technologies, 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 ``Improving Emerging Tech 
Opportunities for Veterans Act''.

SEC. 2. CRITICAL STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) Partnerships Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
partnership with critical stakeholders, shall--
            (1) identify specific types of industries and positions 
        that, as a result of emerging technologies, are likely to have 
        high employment and growth potential for individuals with 
        appropriate education, training, or skills; and
            (2) identify courses of education that help veterans 
        acquire the appropriate education, training, or skills to 
        become employed in such industries and positions.
    (b) Prominent Dissemination.--The Secretary shall ensure that such 
emerging technologies, and such courses of education, industries, and 
positions, are prominently included in the Transition Assistance 
Program under sections 1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code, 
and prominently displayed on the Internet website of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
    (c) Expedited Approval Process.--Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an 
expedited process for the approval, as provided in chapters 34, 35, and 
36 of title 38 United States Code, of courses of education identified 
under subsection (a)(2).
    (d) Determination of Emerging Technologies.--The Secretary shall, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, determine which 
technologies of critical importance, such as artificial intelligence 
and semiconductor manufacturing, shall be treated as emerging 
technologies for purposes of this section.
    (e) Definition of Critical Stakeholders.--In this section, the term 
``critical stakeholders'' means entities in the private sector that 
have an interest in supporting veterans to pursue education programs 
involving emerging technologies, such as employers in relevant 
industries, educational institutions offering relevant programs 
(whether or not leading to a standard college degree), and non-profit 
organizations.
    (f) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on September 30, 2027.

SEC. 3. INCLUSION OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 3699C of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in the section heading by striking ``High technology'' 
        and inserting ``High technology and emerging technology'';
            (2) by striking ``high technology'' and inserting ``high 
        technology or emerging technology'' each place such term 
        appears; and
            (3) in subsection (c)(4) by adding at the end the following 
        new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Such criteria shall also identify which 
                technologies of critical importance, such as artificial 
                intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, shall be 
                treated as emerging technologies for purposes of this 
                section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 3699D and inserting the following new item:

``3699C. High technology and emerging technology program.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3680A of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended in each of subsections (a)(4)(B) and (d)(8) by 
striking ``high technology'' and inserting ``high technology or 
emerging technology''.
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