S. 4527

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4527 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4527

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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 14, 2026

Mr. McCormick (for himself and Mr. Gallego) introduced the following 
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

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 of 2026''.

SEC. 2. 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''.

SEC. 3. 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 occupations 
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 occupations.
(b) Prominent Dissemination.--
(1) Secretary of veterans affairs.--The Secretary shall 
ensure that such emerging technologies, and such courses of 
education, industries, and occupations, are--
(A) prominently displayed on the website of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(B) promoted in transition services administered by 
the Secretary.
(2) Secretary of defense.--The Secretary of Defense shall 
ensure that such emerging technologies, and such courses of 
education, industries, and occupations, are--
(A) prominently displayed on the website of the 
Department of Defense; and
(B) promoted in transition services administered by 
the Secretary of Defense.
(3) Secretary of labor.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
ensure that such emerging technologies, and such courses of 
education, industries, and occupations, are promoted in 
transition services administered by the Secretary of Labor.
(c) Determination of Emerging Technologies.--The Secretary shall, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Labor--
(1) determine which technologies of critical importance, 
such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor 
manufacturing, shall be treated as emerging technologies for 
purposes of this section; and
(2) on a quarterly basis--
(A) update the list of industries and occupations 
identified in subsection (a)(1) as market conditions 
and demand evolve; and
(B) use the updated list in carrying out subsection 
(b).
(d) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on September 30, 2027.
(e) Critical Stakeholders Defined.--In this section, the term 
``critical stakeholders'' means persons in the private sector who have 
an interest in supporting veterans to pursue veteran 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 nonprofit 
organizations.
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