Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the rules for approval by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of commercial driver education programs for purposes of veterans educational assistance, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill authorizes approval of certain commercial driver education programs for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance if the programs meet specified requirements. Under current law, the VA may not approve enrollment of a veteran in courses for programs that do not lead to a standard degree that are offered at a new branch (i.e., a branch that has been operating for less than 2 years) of an educational institution. Under the bill, a commercial driver education program offered at a new branch of an educational institution may be approved if it is appropriately licensed and uses the same curriculum as a commercial driver education program offered by the educational institution at another location that is already approved for purposes of VA educational assistance. The educational institution must submit a report demonstrating the curriculum at the new branch is the same as the curriculum at the primary location in order to be exempt from the current prohibition against course approval at new branches.
Sponsors: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans seeking educational assistance for commercial driver education programs
Estimated Size: 19000000
- The bill affects veterans seeking to enroll in commercial driver education programs as part of their educational benefits provided by the VA.
- The focus is on programs that do not lead to traditional degrees but are critical for vocational training like commercial driving.
- The bill's condition relaxes restrictions on enrollment in new branches of educational institutions, thereby increasing access to such programs.
- Veterans who may not have easy access to the main campus can benefit from satellite locations.
- The change applies to educational institutions that meet certain criteria—particularly those that can demonstrate their programs are identical at new branches as at approved locations.
Reasoning
- The target population is US veterans, which includes approximately 19 million people.
- The policy specifically affects veterans interested in enrolling in commercial driver education programs, likely for new vocational opportunities.
- Given the nature of the policy, the direct impact is on a subset of this population - those interested in commercial driving careers and who are utilizing VA educational benefits.
- There are budget constraints which limit the number of programs and potential enrollees in the early years, but these expand over a decade.
- Each interview will show a part of this diverse veteran population, from those who directly benefit due to alternative location options to those who see minimal impact.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran, aspiring truck driver (Texas)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm looking forward to starting driver education closer to home because traveling far wasn't an option.
- I've been waiting for access to this program to switch careers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Veteran, currently unemployed (Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill seems beneficial for someone like me who wants to utilize VA benefits without moving cities.
- I hope it increases employment opportunities in a flexible field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Veteran, entrepreneur (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this is a great opportunity to recruit skilled labor once veterans are qualified.
- It broadens access and helps meet industry demands.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired veteran (Ohio)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I won't personally use it, but it's a sound step for younger veterans starting new careers.
- Anything that uses VA benefits productively is a win.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Part-time worker, veteran (Virginia)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a game-changer for my income potential with better training access.
- I believe it will effectively open doors for more veterans like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Veteran, pursuing education (New York)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad more veterans have options, even if I'm already studying. A backup plan is always good.
- The new bill could influence my decision if I seek a secondary career soon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Veteran, looking to retrain (Michigan)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to more locations for training is critical given my situation - this policy might just make it viable.
- This is potentially life-changing for my career and family life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired, not seeking retraining (Nevada)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I won't be taking up any programs personally, but it's a supportive move for the veteran community.
- Veterans need more accessible paths to tangible careers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Veteran, contractor (North Carolina)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The option to train in commercial driving broadens my opportunity landscape significantly.
- Flexibility in location makes a huge difference. This policy facilitates that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Veteran, corporate job (Illinois)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy won't impact me directly, but I recognize its importance for those seeking driving careers.
- Anything that facilitates smooth transitions for veterans is worthwhile.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 2: $3150000 (Low: $2600000, High: $3675000)
Year 3: $3307500 (Low: $2730000, High: $3858750)
Year 5: $3638250 (Low: $3000000, High: $4247625)
Year 10: $4411612 (Low: $3637340, High: $5142812)
Year 100: $19000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $23000000)
Key Considerations
- This policy specifically targets commercial driver education programs, limiting its immediate widespread financial impact.
- The primary cost will result from increased enrollment and expanded program eligibility.
- Consideration should also be given to any potential administrative burden introduced by requiring curriculum consistency checks.