H.R. 913: Streamlining Aviation for Eligible Veterans Act of 2025
Sponsor
Jay Obernolte
Republican · CA-23
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Apr 9, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Why it matters
Starting August 1, 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs can approve more flight-training options for veterans with service-connected disabilities under chapter 31 rehabilitation programs.
HR913, the Streamlining Aviation for Eligible Veterans Act of 2025, is a narrow but meaningful change to veterans' benefits law. It amends section 3104(b) of title 38, United States Code, to let the Secretary of Veterans Affairs approve a rehabilitation program that includes flight training even when that training is not offered by an educational institution of higher learning for credit toward a standard college degree the veteran is seeking.
That is the core shift. Under the bill, this new authority applies to veterans with service-connected disabilities who are using chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation benefits. The bill explicitly says this can happen "notwithstanding section 3680A(b) of this title," meaning the new rule overrides that existing limitation for this specific kind of program approval.
The change is tightly targeted. It does not open flight training to every veteran or create a broad new education benefit. It applies to rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of title 38 and only to programs approved on or after August 1, 2025. In practice, that means eligible veterans could pursue non-degree flight training as part of a VA-approved path back into the workforce.
The bill also appears designed to modernize how the VA handles aviation careers. Some pilot and aviation training pipelines do not fit neatly inside a standard college degree model. By letting the VA approve those non-degree courses for chapter 31 participants with service-connected disabilities, HR913 could remove a technical barrier that has blocked veterans from using rehabilitation benefits for career-focused flight training.
What does H.R. 913 do?
Non-degree flight training allowed after August 1, 2025
The bill says the amendments apply to rehabilitation programs approved on or after August 1, 2025, allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve flight training that is not part of a college degree track.
Applies to chapter 31 veterans with service-connected disabilities
The new authority is limited to veterans with service-connected disabilities who are in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code.
Overrides section 3680A(b) restriction
The bill states that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may approve these programs "notwithstanding section 3680A(b) of this title," creating a specific legal override in title 38.
Covers flight courses outside standard college degrees
The Secretary may approve a rehabilitation program that includes a course of flight training other than one given by an educational institution of higher learning for credit toward a standard college degree the veteran is seeking.
Amends section 3104(b) of title 38
HR913 rewrites section 3104(b) of title 38 by inserting "(1)," changing the existing text to read "Except as provided under paragraph (2), to the maximum extent practicable," and then adding a new paragraph (2) with the flight-training authority.
Who benefits from H.R. 913?
Veterans with service-connected disabilities
Eligible veterans using chapter 31 rehabilitation benefits could get VA approval for non-degree flight training starting with programs approved on or after August 1, 2025.
Veterans pursuing pilot or aviation careers
Veterans seeking aviation jobs would no longer be limited to flight training offered by an educational institution of higher learning for credit toward a standard college degree.
Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation participants
People already in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of title 38 gain a new training option that can be built into an approved rehabilitation plan.
Non-college flight training providers
Flight schools and similar providers outside the standard degree system may see more eligible students if the VA begins approving their courses under the new authority in section 3104(b)(2).
Who is affected by H.R. 913?
Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA, specifically the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, gets new authority under amended section 3104(b) of title 38 and will need to review and approve eligible non-degree flight training programs.
Veterans not in chapter 31 programs
Veterans outside chapter 31 rehabilitation programs are not directly covered, because the bill is limited to rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of title 38.
Colleges and universities with aviation programs
Educational institutions of higher learning could face more competition because the bill allows approval of flight training not offered for credit toward a standard college degree.
Future chapter 31 applicants after August 1, 2025
Applicants whose rehabilitation programs are approved on or after August 1, 2025, may have access to a wider set of aviation training choices than earlier applicants.
H.R. 913 Common Questions
Can veterans use Chapter 31 benefits for non-degree flight training after August 1, 2025?
Yes. Under the SAFE Veterans Act of 2025, VA may approve Chapter 31 rehabilitation programs with non-degree flight training for eligible veterans, but only for programs approved on or after August 1, 2025 (SEC. 2).
Does HR913 let the VA approve flight school that is not part of a college degree?
Yes. According to HR913 Section 2, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may approve flight training even if it is not offered by a higher-learning institution for credit toward a standard college degree.
Which veterans qualify for flight training under the SAFE Veterans Act of 2025?
The bill is limited to veterans with service-connected disabilities who are in rehabilitation programs under Chapter 31, according to the SAFE Veterans Act of 2025 (SEC. 2).
Does the SAFE Veterans Act override 38 USC 3680A(b) for flight training?
Yes. Under the SAFE Veterans Act of 2025, the new flight-training approval authority applies notwithstanding section 3680A(b) of title 38 (SEC. 2).
Can the VA approve private flight training for disabled veterans in vocational rehab?
Yes, if the veteran has a service-connected disability and is in a Chapter 31 rehabilitation program. HR913 Section 2 allows approval of non-degree flight training outside the standard college-degree model.
Is flight training under HR913 available to all veterans?
No. Under the SAFE Veterans Act of 2025, the authority is targeted only to veterans with service-connected disabilities in Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation programs (SEC. 2).
What date does the new VA non-degree flight training rule start?
The change applies to rehabilitation programs approved on or after August 1, 2025, under HR913 Section 2.
Can a veteran get VA-approved flight training without attending a university?
Yes. According to HR913 Section 2, VA may approve flight training that is not given by an institution of higher learning for degree credit, if it is part of an eligible Chapter 31 rehab program.
Does the SAFE Veterans Act create a new general VA education benefit for flight school?
No. Under the SAFE Veterans Act of 2025, it creates a narrow approval authority within Chapter 31 rehabilitation for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities, not a broad new education benefit (SEC. 2).
What law does HR913 change to allow non-degree flight training?
HR913 amends section 3104(b) of title 38, United States Code, to add VA authority to approve certain non-degree flight training in Chapter 31 rehabilitation programs (SEC. 2).
Based on H.R. 913 bill text
HR913 Legislative Journey
House: Vote Held
Apr 9, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
Mar 11, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
House: Committee Action
Mar 6, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
House: Committee Action
Feb 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
About the Sponsor
Jay Obernolte
Republican, California's 23rd congressional district · 5 years in Congress
Committees: Science, Space, and Technology, the Budget, Energy and Commerce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (1)
This bill has 1 cosponsor: 1 Democrat. Cosponsors represent 1 state: Hawaii.
Committee Sponsors
Veterans' Affairs Committee
0 of 25 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
14 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 913 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Veterans' Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Feb 4, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Apr 9, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill page with status, text, actions, and summaries for the Streamlining Aviation for Eligible Veterans Act of 2025.
VA’s official page for the Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment program that the bill amends for eligible veterans.
Official VA guidance on flight training benefits, useful background for how VA treats aviation training programs.
Official government source for Title 38, Chapter 31, which governs vocational rehabilitation programs referenced by the bill.
Official U.S. Code page for section 3104, the specific provision HR913 amends to authorize certain non-degree flight training.
Official statutory text for section 3680A, the limitation HR913 says does not apply for these Chapter 31 flight-training approvals.
VA’s official education benefits hub, relevant because the bill affects how VA may approve training tied to veterans’ education and rehabilitation pathways.
Official VA homepage for agency-wide guidance and future implementation details related to approval of non-degree flight training programs.
H.R. 913 Bill Text
“To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve a rehabilitation program for a certain veterans with service-connected disabilities that include the pursuit of non-degree flight training programs, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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