H.R.1230 - Agriculture Grants for Veterans Education and Training Services Act; AG VETS Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1230, the AG VETS Act, aims to support veterans by establishing and enhancing farming and ranching opportunities. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to eligible entities for providing education and training services to veterans in agriculture. It authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030 for this purpose.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the AG VETS Act will create a program providing grants to various organizations for veteran agricultural training. This will likely increase the number of veterans involved in farming and ranching. It could also lead to the development of new agricultural curricula tailored to veterans' needs.
Potential Benefits
- Provides veterans with new career opportunities in agriculture.
- Supports the development of agricultural skills and knowledge among veterans.
- Strengthens the agricultural sector by bringing in a new workforce.
- Utilizes existing educational institutions and organizations to deliver training.
- May improve the mental and physical well-being of veterans through engagement with nature and agriculture.
Potential Disadvantages
- Requires non-Federal matching funds, which may be a barrier for some entities.
- The authorized appropriation may not be sufficient to meet the demand for such programs.
- Potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in the grant application and distribution process.
- Success depends on the effective implementation and oversight by the Secretary of Agriculture.
- May not address other challenges faced by veteran farmers, such as access to land and capital.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). Congress has the power to appropriate funds for programs that benefit specific groups, such as veterans, and promote agriculture. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).