September 3, 2026
Mr. Finstad (for himself and Mr. Kennedy of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend title 38, United States Code, and title 10, United States Code, to eliminate those provisions relating to veterans educational assistance that disadvantage eligible individuals who choose to pursue programs of apprenticeship or other on-job training instead of a four-year college degree, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026
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Sec. 2. Eliminating provisions relating to veterans educational assistance that disadvantage eligible individuals who choose to pursue programs of apprenticeship or other on-job training
(a) Post-9/11 Educational Assistance
(1) Ensuring the amount of assistance for full-time program of apprenticeship or other on-job training does not deter individuals interested in such programs and training
Clause (i) of section 3313(g)(3)(B) of title 38, Unites States Code, is amended by striking a monthly housing stipend equal to—
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: a monthly housing stipend equal to the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37 for a member with dependents in pay grade E–5 residing in the military housing area that encompasses all or the majority portion of the ZIP Code area in which is located the employer at which the individual pursues such program.
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(2) Waiver of minimum attendance requirement for receipt of assistance for programs of apprenticeship and other on-job training in construction industry
Clause (iv) of such section is amended—
(A)
by striking In any month
and inserting (I) Except as provided in subclause (II), in any month
; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following new subclause:
(II)
Subclause (I) shall not apply to an individual pursuing a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training for an occupation that performs work classified in Sector 23 of the most recent publication of the North American Industry Classification System.
(b) All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program
(1) Ensuring the amount of assistance for full-time program of apprenticeship or other on-job training does not deter individuals interested in such programs and training
(A) In general
Paragraph (1) of section 3032(c) of such title is amended by striking this chapter is—
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: this chapter is 100 percent of the monthly educational assistance allowance otherwise payable to such individual under this chapter.
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(B) Conforming amendment
Paragraph (3) of such section is amended by striking at the rate of—
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: at the rate of 100 percent of a month.
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(2) Waiver of minimum attendance requirement for receipt of assistance for programs of apprenticeship and other on-job training in construction industry
Paragraph (2) of such section is amended—
(A)
by striking In any month
and inserting (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in any month
; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following new subclause:
(B)
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an individual pursuing a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training for an occupation that performs work classified in Sector 23 of the most recent publication of the North American Industry Classification System.
(c) Educational Assistance for members of the selected reserve
(1) Ensuring the amount of assistance for full-time program of apprenticeship or other on-job training does not deter individuals interested in such programs and training
(A) In general
Paragraph (1) of section 16131(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking this chapter is—
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: this chapter is 100 percent of the monthly educational assistance allowance otherwise payable to such person under this chapter.
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(B) Conforming amendment
Paragraph (3) of such section is amended by striking at the rate of—
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: at the rate of 100 percent of a month.
.
(2) Waiver of minimum attendance requirement for receipt of assistance for programs of apprenticeship and other on-job training in construction industry
Paragraph (2) of such section is amended—
(A)
by striking In any month
and inserting (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in any month
; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following new subclause:
(B)
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an individual pursuing a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training for an occupation that performs work classified in Sector 23 of the most recent publication of the North American Industry Classification System.