Summary

Creates a Labor Department grant program that pays energy-sector employers to hire separating service members, veterans, and their spouses by reimbursing certain hiring and training costs. The program sets per-hire and per-grantee caps, gives hiring preferences (e.g., involuntary separations, relevant military experience, residence in opportunity zones, service-connected disabilities), requires reporting, audits, and coordination with Defense and Veterans Affairs programs, and authorizes $60 million per year from FY2026 through FY2031 with limits on administrative spending.

Key Points

• Creates a DOL-administered grant program to reimburse energy employers for hiring separating service members, veterans, and their spouses.
• Reimbursements capped at $10,000 per hire and $500,000 per grantee per fiscal year.
• Authorizes $60 million per year for FY2026–FY2031 and limits DOL administrative spending to 15% per year.
• Gives hiring preference for involuntary separations, relevant military experience, residence in opportunity zones, and service-connected disabilities or other barriers.
• Eligible employers are energy-sector firms, including makers/distributors of enumerated critical energy components; small businesses and employers in opportunity zones get preference.
• Requires annual grantee reporting, DOL IG/GAO audits, repayment for misuse, and coordination with Defense and VA transition programs.
• Labor must submit initial and final coordination plans within 180 days and one year of enactment, and a program evaluation to Congress by Sept 30, 2030.
• Repeals prior 10 U.S.C. provisions and adds statutory definitions for key program terms.

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