H.R. 4162House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

GI Bill Planning Act of 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 7:59 AM UTC

The GI Bill Planning Act of 2019 changes when service members can choose to receive education benefits under the All‑Volunteer Educational Assistance Program and extends the program’s phase‑out timeline. It moves the election window to a 90‑day period that starts 180 days after a service member begins initial training, and delays the start of benefit payments until 270 days after training begins. The act also pushes the program’s termination date out to September 30, 2029, giving it a longer lifespan.

Key Provisions

Service members must elect to receive benefits during a 90‑day window that begins 180 days after they start initial training, rather than at the time they first enter active duty.
Benefit payments will begin only after 270 days from the start of initial training, instead of immediately upon election.
The program’s phase‑out period is extended, now ending on September 30, 2029 (instead of the previously stated June 30, 1985).

Legislative Activity

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14 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

November 13, 2019

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

August 6, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

August 6, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

August 22, 2019

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

October 16, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

October 16, 2019

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

October 16, 2019

HouseFloor

Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

November 12, 2019 • 5:10 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8758-8760)

November 12, 2019 • 5:10 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4162.

November 12, 2019 • 5:10 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

November 12, 2019 • 5:23 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8774)

November 12, 2019 • 6:29 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 0 (Roll no. 610).(text: CR H8758)

View vote Passed

November 12, 2019 • 7:01 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 0 (Roll no. 610). (text: CR H8758)

View vote Passed

November 12, 2019 • 7:01 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

November 12, 2019 • 7:01 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

November 13, 2019

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

November 12, 2019 at 6:59 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

408 - 0

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued November 13, 2019

IIB

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4162

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 13, 2019

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

AN ACT

To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the period under which an election must be made for entitlement to educational assistance under the All-Volunteer Educational Assistance Program of Department of Veterans Affairs, to phase out the use of such program, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the GI Bill Planning Act of 2019.

Period for election to receive benefits under All-Volunteer Educational Assistance Program of Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

In general

Section 3011 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (c)(1), by striking Any such election shall be made at the time the individual initially enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces and inserting Any such election shall be made during the 90-day period beginning on the day that is 180 days after the date on which the individual initially enters initial training; and

(2)

in subsection (b)(1), by striking that such individual is entitled to such pay and inserting that begin after the date that is 270 days after the date on which the individual initially enters initial training.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Phase out of All-Volunteer Educational Assistance Program

Subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 3011 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 1, is further amended by striking after June 30, 1985 and inserting during the period beginning July 1, 1985, and ending September 30, 2029.

Determination of budgetary effects

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Passed the House of Representatives November 12, 2019.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk.