[House Report 114-708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
114th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 114-708
======================================================================
HONORING INVESTMENTS IN RECRUITING AND EMPLOYING AMERICAN MILITARY
VETERANS ACT OF 2016
_______
September 6, 2016.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Miller of Florida, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 3286]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 3286) to encourage effective, voluntary private
sector investments to recruit, employ, and retain men and women
who have served in the United States military with annual
presidential awards to private sector employers recognizing
such efforts, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend
that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Amendment........................................................ 2
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 4
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 5
Hearings......................................................... 6
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 6
Committee Consideration.......................................... 7
Committee Votes.................................................. 7
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 7
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 7
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 7
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 8
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 8
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 9
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 9
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 9
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 9
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs..................... 9
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking................................ 9
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 10
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported............. 11
Amendment
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Honoring Investments in Recruiting and
Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2016'' or the ``HIRE Vets
Act''.
SEC. 2. HIRE VETS MEDALLION PROGRAM.
(a) Program Established.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall establish, by rule,
a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to solicit voluntary information from
employers for purposes of recognizing, by means of an award to be
designated a ``HIRE Vets Medallion'', verified efforts by such
employers--
(1) to recruit, employ, and retain veterans; and
(2) to provide community and charitable services supporting
the veteran community.
(b) Application Process.--Beginning in the calendar year following
the calendar year in which the Secretary establishes the program--
(1) the Secretary shall annually--
(A) solicit and accept voluntary applications from
employers in order to consider whether those employers
should receive a HIRE Vets Medallion;
(B) review applications received in each calendar
year; and
(C) provide to the President a list of recipients;
and
(2) the President shall annually--
(A) notify such recipients of their awards; and
(B) at a time to coincide with the annual
commemoration of Veterans Day--
(i) announce the names of such recipients;
(ii) recognize such recipients through
publication in the Federal Register; and
(iii) issue to each such recipient--
(I) a HIRE Vets Medallion of the
level determined under section 3; and
(II) a certificate stating that such
employer is entitled to display such
HIRE Vets Medallion during the
following calendar year, to be
designated a ``HIRE Vets Medallion
Certificate''.
(c) Timing.--
(1) Solicitation period.--The Secretary shall solicit
applications not later than January 31st of each calendar year
for the medallions to be awarded in November of that calendar
year.
(2) End of acceptance period.--The Secretary shall stop
accepting applications not earlier than April 30th of each
calendar year for the medallions to be awarded in November of
that calendar year.
(3) Review period.--The Secretary shall finish reviewing
applications not later than August 31st of each calendar year
for the medallions to be awarded in November of that calendar
year.
(4) Recommendations to president.--The Secretary shall
provide to the President a list of employers to receive HIRE
Vets Medallions not later than September 30th of each calendar
year for the medallions to be awarded in November of that
calendar year.
(5) Notice to recipients.--The President shall notify
employers who will receive HIRE Vets Medallions not later than
October 11th of each calendar year for the medallions to be
awarded in November of that calendar year.
SEC. 3. SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS.
(a) Application Review Process.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall review all applications
received in a calendar year to determine whether an employer
should receive a HIRE Vets Medallion, and, if so, of what
level.
(2) Application contents.--The Secretary shall require that
all applications provide information on the programs and other
efforts of applicant employers during the calendar year prior
to that in which the medallion is to be awarded, including the
categories and activities governing the level of award for
which the applicant is eligible under subsection (b).
(3) Verification.--In reviewing applications, the Secretary
shall verify all information provided in the applications, to
the extent that such information is relevant in determining
whether or not an applicant should receive a HIRE Vets
Medallion or in determining the appropriate level of HIRE Vets
Medallion for that employer to receive.
(b) Awards.--
(1) Large employers.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish two
levels of HIRE Vets Medallions to be awarded to
employers employing 500 or more employees, to be
designated the ``Gold HIRE Vets Medallion'' and the
``Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion''.
(B) Gold hire vets medallion.--No employer shall be
eligible to receive a Gold HIRE Vets Medallion in a
given calendar year unless--
(i) veterans constitute not less than 7
percent of all employees hired by such employer
during the prior calendar year;
(ii) such employer has established an
employee veteran organization or resource group
to assist new veteran employees with
integration, including coaching and mentoring;
and
(iii) such employer has established programs
to enhance the leadership skills of veteran
employees during their employment.
(C) Platinum hire vets medallion.--No employer shall
be eligible to receive a Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion
in a given calendar year unless--
(i) veterans constitute not less than 10
percent of all employees hired by such employer
during the prior calendar year;
(ii) such employer retains through the end of
the prior calendar year not less than 85
percent of veteran employees hired during the
calendar year before the prior calendar year;
(iii) such employer employs dedicated human
resources professionals to support hiring and
retention of veteran employees, including
efforts focused on veteran hiring and training;
(iv) such employer provides each of its
employees serving on active duty in the United
States National Guard or Reserve with
compensation sufficient, in combination with
the employee's active duty pay, to achieve a
combined level of income commensurate with the
employee's salary prior to undertaking active
duty; and
(v) such employer has established a tuition
assistance program to support veteran
employees' attendance in postsecondary
education during the term of their employment.
(D) Exemption for smaller employers.--An employer
shall be deemed to meet the requirements of
subparagraph (E)(iv) if such employer--
(i) employs 5,000 or fewer employees; and
(ii) employs at least one human resources
professional whose regular work duties include
those described under subparagraph (E)(iv).
(E) Additional criteria.--The Secretary may provide,
by rule, additional criteria with which to determine
qualifications for receipt of each level of HIRE Vets
Medallion.
(2) Small- and medium-sized employers.--The Secretary shall
establish similar awards in order to recognize achievements in
supporting veterans by--
(A) employers with 50 or fewer employees; and
(B) employers with more than 50 but fewer than 500
employees.
(c) Design by Secretary.--The Secretary shall establish the shape,
form, and metallic content of each HIRE Vets Medallion.
SEC. 4. DISPLAY OF AWARD.
(a) In General.--The recipient of a HIRE Vets Medallion may--
(1) publicly display such medallion through the end of the
calendar year following receipt of such medallion; and
(2) publicly display the HIRE Vets Medallion Certificate
issued in conjunction with such medallion.
(b) Unlawful Display Prohibited.--It is unlawful for any employer to
publicly display a HIRE Vets Medallion, in connection with, or as a
part of, any advertisement, solicitation, business activity, or
product--
(1) for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably
calculated to convey, a false impression that the employer
received the medallion through the HIRE Vets Medallion Program,
if such employer did not receive such medallion through the
HIRE Vets Medallion Program; or
(2) for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably
calculated to convey, a false impression that the employer
received the medallion through the HIRE Vets Medallion Program
during the preceding calendar year if it is after the end of
the calendar year following the calendar year in which such
medallion was issued to such employer through the HIRE Vets
Medallion Program.
SEC. 5. APPLICATION FEE AND FUNDING.
(a) Fund Established.--There is established in the Treasury of the
United States a fund to be designated the ``HIRE Vets Medallion Award
Fund''.
(b) Fee Authorized.--The Secretary may assess a reasonable fee on
employers that apply for receipt of a HIRE Vets Medallion and the
Secretary shall deposit such fees into the HIRE Vets Medallion Award
Fund. The Secretary shall establish the amount of the fee such that the
amounts collected as fees and deposited into the Fund are sufficient to
cover the costs associated with carrying out this Act.
(c) Use of Funds.--Amounts in the HIRE Vets Medallion Award Fund
shall be available, without further appropriation, to the Secretary to
carry out the HIRE Vets Medallion Program.
SEC. 6. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
(a) Reports.--Beginning not later than two years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress annual
reports on--
(1) the fees collected from applicants for HIRE Vets
Medallions in the prior year and any changes in fees to be
proposed in the present year;
(2) the cost of administering the HIRE Vets Medallion Program
in the prior year;
(3) the number of applications for HIRE Vets Medallions
received in the prior year; and
(4) the HIRE Vets Medallions awarded in the prior year,
including the name of each employer to whom a HIRE Vets
Medallion was awarded and the level of medallion awarded to
each such employer.
(b) Committees.--The Secretary shall provide the reports required
under subsection (a) to the Chairman and Ranking Member of--
(1) the Committees on Education and the Workforce and
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committees on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
and Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(a) Employer.--The term ``employer'' has the meaning given such term
under section 4303 of title 38, United States Code, except that such
term does not include--
(1) the Federal Government;
(2) any State, as defined in such section; or
(3) any foreign state.
(b) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Labor.
(c) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given such term
under section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 8. LIMITATION ON AWARDS AND BONUSES PAID TO SENIOR EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of
2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended by striking
the period at the end and inserting the following: , ``of which, during
fiscal year 2016, not more than an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 may
be paid to employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are
members of the Senior Executive Service.''.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 3286, the ``Honoring Investments in Recruiting and
Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2015,'' was
introduced by Representative Paul Cook of California on July
29, 2015. H.R. 3286, as amended, would require the Department
of Labor to establish an Honoring Investments in Recruiting and
Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE) Vets Medallion
Program to solicit voluntary information from employers for
purposes of recognizing, by the award of a HIRE Vets Medallion,
verified efforts by these employers to: (1) recruit, employ,
and retain veterans; and (2) provide community and charitable
services supporting the veteran community.
Background and Need for Legislation
Employment of veterans has been a central focus of the
Committee. This was especially demonstrated in 2011 with the
passage of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act (title II of P.L. 112-56,
125 Stat. 711, 712), which created training opportunities and
education programs for 100,000 veterans who were out of work;
improved licensing and credentialing opportunities for
veterans; improved tax credits for businesses hiring veterans;
and implemented many other provisions to help veterans gain
meaningful employment.
The Committee understands that no government-funded program
can single-handedly improve veterans' employment prospects by
itself. Rather, it takes commitment and action from the private
sector to value the benefits of hiring veterans. On September
13, 2011, the Committee hosted a veterans' employment summit
where business leaders from across the country came together to
share their best practices and strategies for recruiting and
retaining veterans. During this summit, each participant signed
a veterans' employment pledge, solidifying their collective
efforts to reduce the national unemployment rate for veterans
to less than 5 percent. Since the 2011 summit, the Subcommittee
on Economic Opportunity has continued to highlight companies
and sectors of the economy that are hiring veterans and are
actively engaged in their commitment to reduce the veteran
unemployment rate.
Thanks to the combined efforts of this Committee, the
Department of Labor, states, and the private sector, the
veteran unemployment rate has dramatically decreased since
2011. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the
unemployment rate for veterans as of May 2016 was 3.4
percent.\1\ The Committee believes this low percentage is not
only the result of an improving economy, but also from a
measurable effort by American companies, both large and small,
to hire veterans. These companies have made a concerted effort
to hire, retain, and promote veterans because they understand
the value that a veteran employee brings to their organization
and their work product.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Employment status of the civilian population 18 years and over
by veteran status, period of service, and sex, not seasonally adjusted,
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, available at:
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Therefore, it is important to highlight the work that these
companies have done and publicly recognize their commitment to
hiring veterans. With this idea in mind, H.R. 3286, as amended,
would authorize the Secretary of Labor to create the HIRE Vets
Medallion program, which would recognize employers who hire and
retain veterans. Employers could apply for this program and
publicly display the award to show the public that they
prioritize veteran hiring.
Employers would earn either platinum or gold status based
on requirements related to the number of veterans hired each
year; providing pay equity for Guardsmen and Reserve employees
who were called up to active military service; and other
requirements. While the bill would require a small
discretionary offset to initially set up the program, paid for
by a monetary cap on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Senior
Executive Service (SES) employee bonuses for fiscal year (FY)
2016, the rest of the funding needed to administer this program
would derive from the fees that employers would pay during
their application for the award. H.R. 3286, as amended, would
require the President of the United States to award the
medallions to eligible businesses each year on the day that
coincides with Veterans Day.
The Committee believes that the creation of this program is
a constructive way for the Federal government to recognize
companies that have made significant efforts to hire and retain
veterans. The Committee is also encouraged that the award will
remain meaningful and relevant due to the strict qualifications
that companies must fulfill to be eligible for the HIRE Vets
Medallion.
Hearings
On April 14, 2016, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
conducted a legislative hearing on various bills introduced
during the 114th Congress, including H.R. 3286. The following
witnesses testified:
The Honorable David McKinley (WV-01); The Honorable
Paul Cook (CA-08); The Honorable Martha McSally (AZ-
02); Mr. Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for
Economic Opportunity, Veterans Benefits Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who was
accompanied by Ms. Carin Otero, Associate Deputy
Assistant Secretary for HR Policy and Planning, Office
of Human Resources and Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Sam Shellenberger, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Operations, Veterans'
Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of
Labor; Mr. Davy Leghorn, Assistant Director, Veterans
Employment and Education Division, The American Legion;
Dr. Joseph W. Wescott, Legislative Director, National
Association of State Approving Agencies; Mr. Walter
Ochinko, Policy Director, Veterans Education Success;
Mr. Jared Lyon, President & CEO, Student Veterans of
America; and Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director,
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States.
A statement for the record was submitted by the following:
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Consideration
On May 11, 2016, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open markup session, a quorum being present, and ordered
H.R. 3286, as amended, favorably forwarded to the full
Committee by voice vote. During consideration of H.R. 3286, the
following amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to
by voice vote:
An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute offered by
Mr. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio which would streamline the
administration of the program by eliminating two of the
medallion tiers from the original bill so that only the
gold and platinum tiers remain.
A motion by Mr. Mark Takano of California to favorably
forward the bill, as amended, to the full Committee was agreed
to by voice vote.
Committee Consideration
On May 18, 2016, the full Committee met in open markup
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 3286, as
amended, favorably reported to the House of Representatives by
voice vote. During consideration of H.R. 3286, as amended, the
following amendment was considered and was agreed to by a voice
vote:
An amendment offered by Mr. Jeff Miller of Florida,
added section eight of the bill, as amended, which
would limit bonuses for VA SES employees to $2 million
in FY 2016.
A motion by Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida to favorably
report H.R. 3286, as amended, to the House of Representatives
was agreed to by voice vote.
Committee Votes
In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, no recorded votes were taken on
amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 3286, as
amended, reported to the House.
Committee Oversight Findings
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance
goals and objectives are to ensure the Secretary of Labor sets
up a program to appropriately recognize employers who hire and
retain veterans.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits
H.R. 3286, as amended, does not contain any Congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R.
3286, as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
for H.R. 3286, as amended, provided by the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, July 29, 2016.
Hon. Jeff Miller,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 3286, the Honoring
Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military
Veterans Act of 2016.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CHO staff contact is Ann E.
Futrell.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall.
Enclosure.
H.R. 3286--Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American
Military Veterans Act of 2016
HR. 3286 would require the Department of Labor (DOL) to
establish the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, within one year of
enactment, to annually recognize businesses for their efforts
to employ veterans. CBO expects that establishing and
implementing the program would require DOL staff to develop
award criteria, solicit applications for the program, review
nominations, and select winners. Award recipients would be
recognized with gold or platinum medallions based on the number
of veterans they employ and their efforts to hire and train
veterans.
Beginning in the year after the program is established
(2019), the bill would require DOL to assess fees on employers
that apply to the program to cover the complete costs of the
program. Those fees would be available without further
appropriation to operate the program. CBO expects that those
mandatory fees would cover the total costs of the program
beginning in 2019. Based on the costs of administering similar
programs and the expected number of participating companies
(about 4,000 each year), 030 estimates that DOL would collect
and spend about $1 million a year. Pay-as-you-go procedures
apply because enacting the legislation would affect direct
spending. However, because the fees would be spent on the
program, there would be no net effect on direct spending.
Enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
The costs of establishing the program in 2018 would not be
covered by the fees. CBO estimates those costs would total $1
million, for personnel costs, medallions, and administrative
supplies and would be subject to the availability of
appropriated funds.
The bill also would limit the amount of bonuses payable to
VA employees who are in the senior executive service to $2
million for 2016. Because CBO assumes enactment of the bill
near the beginning of fiscal year 2017, we estimate this
provision would have no budgetary effect.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3286 would not increase
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
H.R. 3286 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would
impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Ann E. Futrell.
The estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates regarding H.R. 3286, as amended, prepared by the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R.
3286, as amended.
Statement of Constitutional Authority
Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States
Constitution, H.R. 3286, as amended, is authorized by Congress'
power to ``provide for the common Defense and general Welfare
of the United States.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that H.R. 3286, as amended, does not
relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to
public services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to section 3(g) of H. Res. 5, 114th Cong. (2015),
the Committee finds that no provision of H.R. 3286, as amended,
establishes or reauthorizes a program of the Federal Government
known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program
that was included in any report from the Government
Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of
Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a program
identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking
Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, 114th Cong. (2015),
H.R. 3286, as amended, requires the Secretary of Labor to
prescribe regulations to establish a process for employers to
voluntarily submit information to qualify for the HIRE Vets
Medallion and allows the Secretary of Labor, by rule, to
establish additional qualifications for employers to qualify
for the HIRE Vets Medallion.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 cites the short title of H.R. 3286, as amended,
to be the ``Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing
American Military Veterans Act of 2016.''
Section 2. HIRE Vets Medallion Program
Section 2(a) would require that, no later than one year
after enactment of this bill, the Secretary of Labor shall
establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program that would allow
employers to voluntarily submit information to qualify for the
HIRE Vets Medallion. The medallion would be given to employers
based on their efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans,
and employers' work to provide community and charitable
services supporting the veteran community.
Section 2(b) would require the Secretary to establish a
process for employers to voluntarily submit information to
receive the HIRE Vets Medallion. The Secretary of Labor would
review the applications annually and would notify the President
of the United States of the companies that meet the eligibility
for this award. The President would be required to present the
HIRE Vets Medallion and corresponding certificate to award
recipients at a date that coincides with Veterans Day.
Section 2(c) would require the application period for the
program to be open from January 31--April 30 each calendar
year. The Secretary would be required to finish review of the
applications no later than August 31st of each year and would
be required to make recommendations to the President no later
than September 30th. The President would be required to notify
the applicants no later than October 11th of each year.
Section 3. Selection of recipients
Section 3(a) would require that the employer's application
for the HIRE Vets Medallion contains information needed to make
decisions about which award tier the employer merits and that
the Secretary shall verify this information.
Section 3(b) would require that, for large businesses, the
Secretary shall establish ``gold'' and ``platinum'' levels of
the HIRE Vets Medallions. In order to be eligible for the
``gold'' level, an employer must: (1) have not less than 7% of
their new hires in the previous calendar year be veterans; (2)
establish a veteran employee association or resource group; and
(3) establish a program to enhance leadership skills of veteran
employees. In order to be eligible for the ``platinum'' level,
an employer must: (1) have at least 10% of their new hires in
the previous calendar year be veterans; (2) retain 85% of
veteran employees in the previous calendar year; (3) employ a
dedicated human resources professional to support the hiring
and retention of veterans; (4) provide the monetary difference
between a veteran employee's normal salary paid by the employer
and the salary that an employee serving on active duty in the
National Guard or Reserves receives; and (5) have a tuition
assistance program to assist veteran employees' attendance in
post-secondary education. This Section would allow for small
businesses to be exempt from the salary requirement for
employees who are Guardsmen and Reservists if the business
employs 5,000 or fewer employees and employs at least one human
resources professional whose regular work duties include
supporting the hiring and retention of veterans. This Section
would also require the Secretary to establish similar awards
for small (50 employers or less) and medium (between 51 to 499
employees) sized companies.
Section 3(c) would require the Secretary to establish the
shape, form, and metallic content of each HIRE Vets Medallion.
Section 4. Display of award
Section 4(a) would authorize award recipients to publicly
display the medallion and award certificate through the end of
the calendar year following the recipient's receipt of the
award.
Section 4(b) would make it unlawful for employers to
publicly display the award as part of any advertisement that
would imply they received the award for any calendar year that
they did not.
Section 5. Application fee and funding
This Section would authorize the creation of a fund in the
Department of Treasury to pay for the program. The Secretary
would be authorized to assess a reasonable fee for applicants
of this program in order to cover the costs associated with the
program's operations.
Section 6. Report to Congress
This Section would require that, no later than two years
after enactment, the Secretary shall submit a report to
relevant Congressional Committees about the results of the
program including how many businesses have applied for and
received the award, the amount of fees collected to cover the
costs of the program, and the cost to run the program.
Section 7. Definitions
This Section lays out definitions for the bill and defines
``Employer'' as the same definition in section 4303 of title
38, U.S.C., with the exception of Federal, state, local, and
foreign governments. Additionally, it would define
``Secretary'' as the Secretary of Labor and ``Veteran'' as the
definition provided by section 101 of title 38, U.S.C.
Section 8. Limitation on awards and bonuses paid to senior executive
employees of Department of Veterans Affairs
This Section would amend section 705 of the Veterans Access
Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-146) to limit
bonuses paid to VA SES Employees to $2 million in fiscal year
2016.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
VETERANS ACCESS, CHOICE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2014
* * * * * * *
TITLE VII--OTHER VETERANS MATTERS
* * * * * * *
SEC. 705. LIMITATION ON AWARDS AND BONUSES PAID TO EMPLOYEES OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
In each of fiscal years 2015 through 2024, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the aggregate amount of
awards and bonuses paid by the Secretary in a fiscal year under
chapter 45 or 53 of title 5, United States Code, or any other
awards or bonuses authorized under such title does not exceed
$360,000,000[.] of which, during fiscal year 2016, not more
than an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 may be paid to employees
of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are members of the
Senior Executive Service.
* * * * * * *
[all]