{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.countable.us/bill/photo/hr475-114/featured_gi-bill-processing-improvement-act-of-2015-1450779584.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.countable.us/bill/photo/hr475-114/featured_large_gi-bill-processing-improvement-act-of-2015-1450779584.jpg","shareable":"https://n.countable.us/share-images/bills/hr475-114.png"},"introduced_on":"2015-01-22","title_override":"Accelerating GI Bill Claims and Streamlining GI Bill Programs for Post-9/11 Veterans","summary_override":"This bill would the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to alter the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration to ensure that all claims for post-9/11 educational assistance are settled electronically whenever possible. It would also provide for rule-based processing to settle claims with minimal human intervention.

A deadline would be extended, giving the VA an extra year to disapprove education courses provided by a public higher educational institutions from the All-Volunteer Force and the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Programs. Institutions would disapproved from participating if they charge veterans living in the state higher tuition and fees than it charges in-state residents, regardless of the veterans’ state of residence.

Individual veterans could convert their educational assistance to the post-9/11 veterans’ educational assistance programs if they meet certain conditions regarding their service. Transitional rules would be established that require assistance available under a veterans’ previous program to be available under the post-9/11 program.

The VA could override individual veterans’ decisions if it is determined that the choice was against the veteran’s best interest. Educational institutions and participating veterans would be required to report enrollment changes to the VA — including interruptions or terminations.

","official_title":"To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to educational assistance, and for other purposes.","short_title":"GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015\n\nDirects the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to alter the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration to ensure that: (1) all claims for post-9/11 educational assistance are electronically adjudicated, to the maximum extent possible; and (2) rule-based processing is used to decide such claims with little human intervention.\n\nChanges from July 1, 2015, to July 1, 2016, the effective date of the requirement that the Secretary disapprove, for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force and the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance programs, courses of education provided by a public educational institution of higher education that charges veterans living in the state higher tuition and fees than it charges in-state residents, regardless of the veterans' state of residence.\n\nAllows individuals to elect to convert their educational assistance to the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program if, as of August 1, 2009, they meet...","summarized":true,"cost":19000000,"cost_commentary":"The CBO estimates that this bill would increase spending by about $191 million over the 2016-2025 period, or about $19 million per year.","impact":"Veterans using the GI Bill, public higher educational institutions, and the VA.","argument_for":"Having the VA’s Benefits Administration process GI Bill claims electronically should have been done years ago. 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Make your voice heard about the issues you care about.","page_title":"US Armed forces and Defense related Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/defense/black_defense-1429042040.svg","grey":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/defense/grey_defense-1429042040.svg","white":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/defense/white_defense-1429042040.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"military","name":"Military","slug":"military","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Military . Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"Military Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/military/black_military-1429042060.svg","grey":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/military/grey_military-1429042060.svg","white":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/military/white_military-1429042060.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"federal-agencies","name":"Federal Agencies","slug":"federal-agencies","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Federal Agencies. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"Federal Agencies Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/federal-agencies/black_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg","grey":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/federal-agencies/grey_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg","white":"https://assets.countable.us/issue/icon/federal-agencies/white_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false}],"users":[{"name":"Stephen","vote_count":532,"photos":{"large":"https://countable-us.s3.amazonaws.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","small":"https://countable-us.s3.amazonaws.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","tiny":"https://countable-us.s3.amazonaws.com/user/avatar/default-2.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/YmqY1Nzm/following","followers":"/api/users/YmqY1Nzm/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":0,"is_following":null,"influence_score":40,"influence_level":10,"follower_count":1,"following_count":0,"position_count":166,"id":"YmqY1Nzm","partner_id":null}],"bill_position":{"flagged":false,"id":"e101c335-83e8-4b06-9adf-4ff81ae659d2","argument_for":"I say yes, but streamlining them does not mean disapproving the soldiers who truly do not have a disability, just want a check","argument_against":null,"show_argument_for":true,"show_argument_against":false,"upvote_count":0,"upvotes_for_count":0,"upvotes_against_count":null,"has_upvoted":false,"endorsement_count":0,"links":{"self":"https://www.countable.us/positions/e101c335-83e8-4b06-9adf-4ff81ae659d2"},"body":"I say yes, but streamlining them does not mean disapproving the soldiers who truly do not have a disability, just want a check","stance":"yea","created_at":"2016-11-30T00:44:55.172Z","shareable_image_url":"https://n.countable.us/share-images/positions/e101c335-83e8-4b06-9adf-4ff81ae659d2.png","note_color":null,"note_text":null,"bill_id":"hr475-114","user_id":"YmqY1Nzm","endorser_ids":[]}}

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Accelerating GI Bill Claims and Streamlining GI Bill Programs for Post-9/11 Veterans