H.R. 7103 — Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with critical stakeholders (i.e., private-sector entities such as relevant employers, educational institutions offering relevant programs including non-degree programs, and nonprofits), to (1) identify industries and positions with high employment and growth potential for veterans due to emerging technologies (such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, as determined in consultation with the Secretary of Labor); and (2) identify courses of education to equip veterans with requisite skills for such employment. The section further directs the Secretary to prominently include this information in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for separating service members under 10 U.S.C. §§1142, 1144 and on the VA website; and, not later than 90 days after enactment, to establish an expedited approval process for such courses under VA education benefit programs in 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 (All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program), 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance), and 36 (Administration of Education Benefits). This section sunsets on September 30, 2027.

This section expands VA's high technology program (38 U.S.C. §3699C)—which authorizes contracts with providers of online programs demonstrating at least a 65% graduate employment rate for veterans and certain others after five years of operation—to include emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, renaming it the high technology and emerging technology program. It requires VA criteria under the program to identify such critical technologies as emerging and makes conforming amendments, including in 38 U.S.C. §3680A(a)(4)(B) and (d)(8). (Thus, VA may approve eligible veterans' enrollment in qualifying online high technology or emerging technology independent study programs, which are otherwise generally prohibited.)