VET Act of 2025

This bill directs the Secretary of Labor to create a grant program to help certain members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their spouses obtain employment in the energy industry. It repeals two expired sections of law and adds a new section to title 10 of the United States Code.

Sec. 2, Establishment of grant program: The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Transition Executive Committee, must carry out a grant program for eligible entities that hire covered individuals. Covered individuals are members eligible for preseparation counseling, veterans, or their spouses. Preference goes to those involuntarily separated, with energy-related skills, living in a qualified opportunity zone, or facing barriers like disability or homelessness. Eligible entities are those primarily in energy generation, transmission, storage, distribution, or manufacturing critical equipment. Preference goes to entities in opportunity zones or small businesses. Grant funds reimburse costs for hiring, such as licensure, training, recruitment, and relocation. Maximums are $10,000 per hired individual and $500,000 per grantee per fiscal year. Grantees must report annually on fund use, retention, satisfaction, and salaries; comply with audits; and repay misused funds. The Secretary must coordinate with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to avoid duplication, promote the program, and report to Congress annually. By September 30, 2030, the Secretary must evaluate the program and recommend changes. Authorized appropriations are $60 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with no more than 15% spent on administrative costs. Definitions include critical energy equipment (batteries, solar, wind, nuclear components, etc.), homeless veteran, qualified opportunity zone, service-connected, veteran, small business, and Transition Executive Committee. The Secretary must submit initial and final coordination plans to Congress within 180 days and one year after enactment.