Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7103
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-16T08:07:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act" (H.R. 7103) aims to expand educational and training opportunities for veterans in fields involving emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. It seeks to better prepare veterans for high-growth jobs by integrating these technologies into existing veterans' education programs and transition support.
Key Provisions
- Partnerships for Identifying Opportunities (Section 2): The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) must collaborate with "critical stakeholders" (private sector entities like employers, educational institutions, and non-profits) to:
- Identify industries and job positions with strong growth potential driven by emerging technologies.
- Pinpoint relevant education or training courses that equip veterans with necessary skills.
- Dissemination and Visibility: Information on these technologies, courses, industries, and jobs must be prominently featured in the military's Transition Assistance Program (under U.S. Code Title 10) and on the VA's website.
- Expedited Course Approval: Within 90 days of enactment, the VA must create a faster approval process for qualifying education courses under veterans' benefits chapters (34, 35, and 36 of U.S. Code Title 38).
- Definition of Emerging Technologies: In consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the VA defines critical emerging technologies (e.g., AI and semiconductor manufacturing) for this Act's purposes.
- Sunset Clause: These partnership requirements end on September 30, 2027.
- Expansion of High Technology Program (Section 3): Amends the existing "High Technology Program" (Section 3699C of U.S. Code Title 38) to include "emerging technologies":
- Updates program name, terminology, and criteria to cover both high and emerging technologies.
- Makes conforming changes to related sections (e.g., Section 3680A) for consistency.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands the scope of the High Technology Program (previously limited to "high technology") to explicitly include "emerging technologies," broadening eligible education and training options for veterans using GI Bill benefits.
- Introduces a temporary (until 2027) requirement for VA-private sector partnerships and expedited approvals, which did not previously exist in this form.
- Adds specific criteria for identifying emerging technologies, integrating them into approval processes for veterans' education benefits.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA and Department of Labor will need to allocate resources for partnerships, consultations, and expedited processes, potentially streamlining veteran support but adding short-term administrative workload. The Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program will incorporate new content, enhancing military-to-civilian transitions.
- On Citizens (Veterans): Increases access to education in high-demand tech fields, potentially improving employment prospects and earnings in growing industries, though benefits are time-limited until 2027.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but could indirectly strengthen U.S. competitiveness in critical technologies like AI and semiconductors by building a skilled veteran workforce.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, gaining easier access to relevant education and job pathways.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementation, partnerships, and program updates.
- Department of Labor and Department of Defense: Involved in consultations and program integration.
- Private Sector Entities: Employers in tech industries, educational institutions (including non-degree programs), and non-profits, who partner to identify opportunities and may see increased veteran hiring.
- Military Personnel: Affected through enhanced transition support before leaving service.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing veterans' education laws (e.g., GI Bill provisions) without altering core eligibility or funding; the expedited approval process could reduce bureaucratic delays but requires clear criteria to avoid arbitrary decisions. The sunset clause limits long-term commitments, allowing future Congresses to reassess.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I to provide for veterans' welfare and regulate education benefits; no apparent conflicts with free speech, equal protection, or other rights.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan support for veteran employment in strategic tech sectors, potentially addressing national security needs in emerging technologies amid global competition; the temporary nature may encourage ongoing legislative attention post-2027.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
- 2026-05-14: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-24: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2026-02-24: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-01-23: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2026-01-15: 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.
- 2026-01-15: 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.
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (4 pages)