[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2987 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 862
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 2987
[Report No. 115-1066, Part I]
To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to establish the 21st
Century Conservation Service Corps to place youth and veterans in
national service positions to conserve, restore, and enhance the great
outdoors of the United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 21, 2017
Ms. McSally (for herself, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Tipton, and Mr. Grijalva)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Education and
the Workforce, Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and
Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
December 6, 2018
Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
December 6, 2018
Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce discharged
December 6, 2018
Referral to the Committees on Education and the Workforce and
Transportation and Infrastructure extended for a period ending not
later than December 28, 2018
December 28, 2018
Additional sponsors: Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. Amodei, Mr. Gianforte, Mr.
Welch, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, Ms. Hanabusa, Mrs. Radewagen, Mr.
Curbelo of Florida, Mr. Pearce, Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New
Mexico, Mr. Peterson, Ms. Esty of Connecticut, Mr. Khanna, and Mr. Sean
Patrick Maloney of New York
December 28, 2018
Committees on Education and the Workforce and Transportation and
Infrastructure discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June
21, 2017]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to establish the 21st
Century Conservation Service Corps to place youth and veterans in
national service positions to conserve, restore, and enhance the great
outdoors of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Conservation Service
Corps Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
Section 202 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 202. PURPOSES.
``The purposes of this title are--
``(1) to engage youth and veterans in the United States in
civilian national service positions to conserve, rebuild, and
enhance the outdoors, natural resources, infrastructure, and
recreation assets of the United States;
``(2) to increase public access to, and use of, public and
tribal land and water, infrastructure, and natural, cultural,
and historical resources and treasures, while spurring economic
development and outdoor recreation and addressing backlogged
maintenance on public land;
``(3) to conserve, restore, and enhance public and tribal
land and water, infrastructure, and natural, cultural, and
historical resources and treasures by carrying out high-
quality, cost-effective 21st Century Conservation Service Corps
projects;
``(4) to ensure that, in any State or territory of the
United States or on any tribal land, the activities and
expertise of Corpsmembers will be accessible to any public
organization, nonprofit organization, or tribal agency
responsible for the stewardship of land and water that is--
``(A) public;
``(B) tribal; or
``(C) private and has a direct or recognized public
benefit, in coordination with the owner of the land or
water;
``(5) to place youth and veterans in civilian national
service positions to protect, restore, and enhance the great
outdoors, natural resources, infrastructure, and recreation
assets of the United States in a cost-effective manner without
undue duplication or overlap of activities or programs carried
out by Federal agencies;
``(6) to provide youth and veterans placed in civilian
national service positions with opportunities to gain in-demand
skills, credentials, and education to prepare for, and
transition to, success in the 21st century workforce; and
``(7) to channel widespread interest among youth and
veterans in serving in civilian national service positions to
help conserve, restore, and enhance public and tribal land and
water, infrastructure, and natural, cultural, and historical
resources and treasures--
``(A) for the enjoyment and use of future
generations; and
``(B) to develop the next generation of outdoor
stewards, entrepreneurs, recreationists, and sportsmen
and sportswomen.''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 203 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993
(16 U.S.C. 1722) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
``In this title:
``(1) 21CSC.--The term `21CSC' means the 21st Century
Conservation Service Corps established by section 204(a).
``(2) 21CSC organization.--The term `21CSC organization'
means an organization or association that meets the
requirements described in section 204(d).
``(3) 21CSC project.--The term `21CSC project' means a
project that is carried out by a 21CSC organization.
``(4) Corpsmember.--The term `Corpsmember' means an
individual who is selected by a 21CSC organization to serve on
a 21CSC project.
``(5) Indian.--The term `Indian' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the National and Community Service Act
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511).
``(6) Indian youth 21st century conservation service
corps.--The term `Indian Youth 21st Century Conservation
Service Corps' means a program of a 21CSC organization that--
``(A) enrolls participants, the majority of whom
are Indians; and
``(B) is established pursuant to an agreement
between a tribal agency and a 21CSC organization for
the benefit of the members of the tribal agency.
``(7) Institution of higher education.--
``(A) In general.--The term `institution of higher
education' has the meaning given the term in section
102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1002).
``(B) Exclusion.--The term `institution of higher
education' does not include an institution outside the
United States, as described in section 102(a)(1)(C) of
that Act (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)(1)(C)).
``(8) Participating entity.--The term `participating
entity' means a Federal entity described in section 204(c)(2).
``(9) Priority project.--The term `priority project' means
a 21CSC project conducted to further 1 or more of the purposes
described in section 202 or in section 2 of the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501), including by--
``(A) reducing wildfire risk to a community,
municipal water supply, or at-risk land;
``(B) protecting a watershed;
``(C) addressing a threat to forest land or
rangeland health, including catastrophic wildfire;
``(D) addressing the impact of insect or disease
infestation or any other damaging agent on forest land,
water, or rangeland health; or
``(E) conserving, restoring, or enhancing a forest
ecosystem or an ecosystem on public, private, or tribal
land--
``(i) to improve biological diversity; or
``(ii) to enhance--
``(I) the productivity of fish and
wildlife habitat;
``(II) the recovery of a species;
or
``(III) carbon sequestration.
``(10) Resource assistant.--The term `resource assistant'
means a resource assistant selected under section 206.
``(11) State.--The term `State' means--
``(A) each of the several States of the United
States;
``(B) the District of Columbia;
``(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
``(D) the United States Virgin Islands;
``(E) Guam;
``(F) American Samoa; and
``(G) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands.
``(12) Tribal agency.--The term `tribal agency' has the
meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 101 of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511).
``(13) Tribal land or water.--The term `tribal land or
water' means any real property or water--
``(A) owned by a tribal agency;
``(B) held in trust by the United States for an
Indian or a tribal agency; or
``(C) held by an Indian or a tribal agency that is
subject to a restriction on alienation imposed by the
United States.
``(14) Veteran.--The term `veteran' has the meaning given
the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
``(15) Youth.--The term `youth' means an individual who is
not younger than age 15 and not older than age 30.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 623(i)(6) of title 40, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``any public lands (as defined in
section 203 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722))''
and inserting ``any land or water (or interest in land or water) owned
by the United States (other than Indian land)''.
SEC. 4. 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS.
Section 204 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1723)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 204. 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established the 21st Century
Conservation Service Corps, to be comprised of 21CSC organizations and
Corpsmembers, to carry out, in partnership with participating entities,
the purposes of this title.
``(b) Designation of Coordinators.--The head of each participating
entity, and the head of any bureau or subdivision of each participating
entity, shall designate a 21CSC coordinator to coordinate any activity
of the 21CSC or a 21CSC project carried out by the participating entity
or the bureau or subdivision of the participating entity.
``(c) Participating Entities.--
``(1) In general.--The 21CSC shall be implemented jointly
by the heads of the participating entities, who may support the
21CSC by carrying out the activities described in paragraph
(3).
``(2) List of participating entities.--The participating
entities shall be--
``(A) the Department of the Interior;
``(B) the Department of Agriculture;
``(C) the Department of Transportation;
``(D) the Department of Labor;
``(E) the Department of Energy;
``(F) the Department of Defense;
``(G) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
``(H) the Department of Commerce;
``(I) the Department of Education;
``(J) the Department of Housing and Urban
Development;
``(K) the Corporation for National and Community
Service;
``(L) the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Civil Works;
``(M) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
``(N) any other Federal agency designated by the
President as necessary to carry out a 21CSC project.
``(3) Support for the 21csc.--
``(A) In general.--The head of a participating
entity may provide support to the 21CSC by--
``(i) establishing standards for the 21CSC;
``(ii) establishing a process for an
organization to apply and be approved to become
a 21CSC organization;
``(iii) developing and supporting a public-
private partnership referred to in paragraph
(5)(A)(i);
``(iv) using or leveraging existing funds,
or acquiring funds and other resources, under
section 210 to support 21CSC projects through
entering into a cooperative agreement under
paragraph (5)(A)(i);
``(v) leveraging existing resources
described in section 210(b) to expand the use
of the 21CSC to meet the mission of the
participating entity;
``(vi) using technology to support 21CSC
projects; and
``(vii) collecting performance data on
21CSC projects--
``(I) to prepare the reports
referred to in subparagraph (C)(i)(I);
and
``(II) to demonstrate the impact of
the 21CSC projects.
``(B) Coordination.--
``(i) In general.--The heads of each of the
participating entities shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, coordinate with each other
or the head of any other Federal agency that is
affected by, or carrying out, an activity that
is similar to a 21CSC project--
``(I) to minimize, to the maximum
extent practicable, the duplication of
any specific project performed by any
other participating entity or Federal
agency; and
``(II) to maximize 21CSC project
completion in a cost-effective manner
by collaborating to leverage existing
resources described in section 210(b).
``(ii) Approval and data collection.--The
head of each participating entity shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, coordinate with
each other head of a participating entity--
``(I) to approve organizations as
21CSC organizations; and
``(II) to collect the data, when
practicable in coordination with a
national non-Federal 21CSC organization
coordinating entity, referred to in
items (aa) through (dd) of subparagraph
(C)(i)(I).
``(iii) Guidance.--The head of each
participating entity shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, seek guidance from--
``(I) the Corporation for National
and Community Service;
``(II) the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Labor on methods to
increase the participation of veterans
in 21CSC projects;
``(III) the Secretary of the
Interior, acting through the Assistant
Secretary for Indian Affairs, on
methods to increase the participation
of Indians in 21CSC projects;
``(IV) the Secretary of Defense on
participation for the 21CSC in the
Skillbridge program (DoD Instruction
1322.29), and on recruiting generally,
to encourage more veteran and
transitioning service member engagement
in 21CSC projects;
``(V) the Secretary of Labor and
the Secretary of Agriculture on methods
to increase rural youth engagement in
21CSC projects;
``(VI) the Secretary of Labor on
methods to increase the creation of
apprenticeships through 21CSC
organizations, private-sector employer
partnerships, and identifying career
pathways aligned with 21CSC projects;
and
``(VII) the Secretary of Education
on methods to increase the recognition
of Corpsmembers' experience with 21CSC
projects as post-secondary credit at
higher education institutions.
``(C) Reporting.--
``(i) 21CSC reports.--
``(I) Report to congress.--As soon
as practicable after the date of
enactment of the 21st Century
Conservation Service Corps Act, the
Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation for National and Community
Service, in coordination with the head
of each participating entity, shall
submit to Congress a report that
includes data, for the year covered by
the report, including--
``(aa) the number of
Corpsmembers that carried out
21CSC projects and the length
of the term of service for each
Corpsmember;
``(bb) the total amount of
funding provided by
participating entities for the
service of Corpsmembers;
``(cc) the type of service
performed by Corpsmembers and
the impact and accomplishments
of the service; and
``(dd) any other similar
data determined by the Chief
Executive Officer of the
Corporation for National and
Community Service or the head
of a participating entity to be
appropriate, including data
sufficient to determine the
effectiveness of 21CSC
organizations in carrying out
activities to achieve the
purposes of this title in a
manner that--
``(AA) is cost-
effective; and
``(BB) does not
unduly duplicate or
overlap with any other
activity or program
carried out by any
other Federal agency.
``(II) Data from participating
entities.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of the 21st
Century Conservation Service Corps Act,
and annually thereafter, the head of
each participating entity shall submit
to the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation for National and Community
Service the data described in items
(aa) through (dd) of subclause (I).
``(III) Data collection.--The Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation
for National and Community Service may
coordinate with individual 21CSC
organizations to improve the collection
of the required data described in items
(aa) through (dd) of subclause (I).
``(ii) Comptroller general reports.--
``(I) In general.--The Comptroller
General of the United States shall
prepare and submit to Congress--
``(aa) not later than 3
years after the date of
submission of the first report
under clause (i)(I), an interim
report; and
``(bb) not later than 5
years after the date of
submission of the first report
under that clause, a final
report.
``(II) Contents.--The interim and
final reports referred to in subclause
(I) shall include--
``(aa) an assessment, based
on the data described in items
(aa) through (dd) of clause
(i)(I), of the effectiveness of
21CSC organizations in
achieving the purposes of this
title in a manner that--
``(AA) is cost-
effective; and
``(BB) does not
unduly duplicate or
overlap with any other
activity or program
carried out by any
other Federal agency;
and
``(bb) recommendations on
how to more effectively manage
and carry out 21CSC projects to
achieve the purposes of this
title in the manner described
in item (aa).
``(III) Additional reports.--The
Comptroller General of the United
States may submit to Congress any
additional report that includes the
content described in subclause (II), as
the Comptroller General determines to
be necessary.
``(4) Gifts and donations.--The head of a participating
entity may accept, use, or dispose of a contribution that is a
gift or donation of money, services, or property to support the
development, implementation, and expansion of a 21CSC project,
in accordance with applicable law (including regulations).
``(5) Cooperative agreements with 21csc organizations.--
``(A) In general.--The head of each participating
entity may--
``(i) develop a public-private partnership
with a 21CSC organization by entering into a
cooperative agreement with the 21CSC
organization to support and carry out 21CSC
projects; and
``(ii) leverage existing resources
described in section 210(b) to support a
cooperative agreement.
``(B) Type of cooperative agreement.--A cooperative
agreement under this paragraph may--
``(i) be limited to an agreement for a
specific 21CSC project;
``(ii) be a broad agreement covering
multiple planned or future 21CSC projects; or
``(iii) be an agreement for a 21CSC project
to be part of a broader 21CSC initiative
carried out in partnership with--
``(I) the Federal Government;
``(II) a State government; or
``(III) a tribal agency.
``(C) Set share.--A cooperative agreement under
this paragraph shall include a provision specifying the
cost share that the 21CSC organization will provide
under section 210(c).
``(d) 21CSC Organizations.--
``(1) In general.--To be considered and approved as a 21CSC
organization, an organization shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, demonstrate the ability to meet, and provide
assurances that the organization will meet, each requirement
described in paragraphs (2) through (6).
``(2) 21CSC corpsmembers engaged by 21csc organizations.--
``(A) In general.--In addition to meeting the
requirement of subparagraph (B), any individual
selected by a 21CSC organization to carry out a 21CSC
project shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be--
``(i) a youth, notwithstanding paragraphs
(3) and (4) of section 137(a) of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12591(a)) in the case of any Corpsmember
participating in a 21CSC project supported and
carried out by the Corporation for National and
Community Service; or
``(ii) a veteran not older than age 35.
``(B) Citizenship requirement.--Any individual
selected as a Corpsmember shall be--
``(i) a citizen or national of the United
States;
``(ii) a lawful permanent resident of the
United States; or
``(iii) a citizen of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, the Federated States of
Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau and
admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant
under the terms of the applicable Compact of
Free Association with the United States.
``(C) Emphasis on diversity and inclusion.--In
selecting a Corpsmember, a 21CSC organization shall
make deliberate outreach efforts to engage an
individual who--
``(i) lives in the State or region of the
21CSC organization; and
``(ii) represents a traditionally
underserved population, including veterans,
Indians, and disadvantaged youth (as defined in
section 101 of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511)).
``(3) Compensation for participants.--A 21CSC organization
shall provide compensation to each Corpsmember that includes 1
or more of the following:
``(A) A wage.
``(B) A stipend.
``(C) A living allowance.
``(D) An educational credit that may be applied
towards a program of postsecondary education at an
institution of higher education that agrees to award
the credit for participation in a 21CSC project.
``(4) Organization of service for participants.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out a 21CSC project,
a 21CSC organization shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, organize each Corpsmember as--
``(i) a crew-based participant who--
``(I) serves together with other
crew-based participants; and
``(II) is directly supervised by a
trained and experienced crew-based
leader or conservation professional; or
``(ii) an individual or small team-based
participant who serves--
``(I) individually or in a
coordinated small team, as applicable;
``(II) under the direction of a
conservation professional; and
``(III) on an initiative that
requires specific skills and dedicated
attention.
``(B) Veteran and civilian cooperation.--A 21CSC
organization shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
encourage cooperation among veteran and civilian
Corpsmembers.
``(5) 21CSC projects.--A 21CSC organization shall carry out
a 21CSC project that includes national service, and may be a
priority project, involving--
``(A) the conservation, restoration, and
enhancement of--
``(i) a unit of the National Park System or
National Forest System;
``(ii) public or tribal land or water; or
``(iii) natural, cultural, or historical
resources or treasures;
``(B) the conservation, restoration, management,
and development of the natural resources and
infrastructure of the United States, including--
``(i) removal of invasive species;
``(ii) wildfire prevention and response;
``(iii) disaster resiliency, mitigation,
response, and recovery;
``(iv) trail development and maintenance;
``(v) coastal restoration and resiliency;
``(vi) historic preservation;
``(vii) public safety;
``(viii) energy efficiency and alternative
energy;
``(ix) water infrastructure;
``(x) construction, repair, rehabilitation,
or maintenance of--
``(I) a road;
``(II) a campground; or
``(III) any other recreation or
visitor facility or housing structure;
and
``(xi) any other related project that
furthers the purposes of this title;
``(C) the support, development, and enhancement of
outdoor recreation or urban green space for the purpose
of public access;
``(D) service that is primarily indoors, such as
service in a science, policy, or program internship,
with a clear benefit for natural, cultural, or historic
resources or treasures, which may include the provision
of interpretation and education services to--
``(i) the public; or
``(ii) a cooperating association,
educational institution, friends group, or
similar nonprofit partner organization; and
``(E) notwithstanding section 132A of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12584a), a
project described in this paragraph on private land or
water in partnership with a private entity if--
``(i) the project has a direct or
recognized public or environmental benefit; or
``(ii) the funding for the project
originated from a governmental entity,
regardless of the end payor.
``(6) 21CSC corpsmembers.--In carrying out a 21CSC project,
a 21CSC organization shall provide each Corpsmember with--
``(A) in-demand skills development, certification
and credentials, and education to prepare the
Corpsmember for success in transitioning to the 21st
century workforce;
``(B) community skill development to help the
Corpsmember--
``(i) acquire an ethic of service to others
and the United States; and
``(ii) become a more effective natural
resource and community steward; and
``(C) a greater understanding of the natural,
cultural, or historic resources or treasures of the
United States.
``(e) Corpsmember Compensation and Employment Standards.--
``(1) Corpsmember compensation standard.--
``(A) Specific wage rates.--A form of compensation
provided under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of
subsection (d)(3) shall be considered to be established
at a specific wage rate, in the same manner as the
compensation provided for a living allowance under
section 140 of the National and Community Service Act
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12594).
``(B) Compensation for certain corpsmembers.--The
compensation provided under subsection (d)(3) to a
Corpsmember who is not a participant in a 21CSC project
supported by the Corporation for National and Community
Service shall not be subject to any provision of
(including a regulation under) the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.)
relating to a wage rate, but shall be considered to be
established at a specific wage rate, in the manner
described in subparagraph (A).
``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in
subparagraph (A) applies a specific wage rate for a
living allowance that is established under section 140
of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12594) to the compensation of a Corpsmember
under subsection (d)(3).
``(2) Corpsmember employment standard.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraphs (B) and (C), in parity with section
101(30) of the National and Community Service Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511(30)), a Corpsmember shall be
considered to be a participant (as defined in section
101 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990
(42 U.S.C. 12511)), not an employee, of the 21CSC
organization for which the Corpsmember serves.
``(B) Federal employment provisions.--
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), Federal employment
provisions shall apply to a Corpsmember to the extent
that those provisions apply to a participant or crew
leader under section 199M(b) of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12655n(b)).
``(C) Child labor provisions.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A)--
``(i) the child labor provisions under
section 12 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 (29 U.S.C. 212) (including any order or
regulation issued under the authority of such
section or section 3(l) of such Act (29 U.S.C.
203(l))) shall apply to a Corpsmember and the
21CSC organization for which the Corpsmember
serves in the same manner as such provisions
apply to an employee and an employer under such
Act; and
``(ii) a violation of a section specified
in clause (i) by a 21CSC organization shall be
enforced by the Secretary of Labor in the same
manner, and subject to the same penalties under
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
201 et seq.), as a violation by an employer of
section 12 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 212).
``(3) Civil service.--An individual may be enrolled as a
Corpsmember without regard to the civil service and
classification laws, rules, or regulations.''.
SEC. 5. 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS CONSERVATION CENTERS
AND PROGRAM SUPPORT.
Section 205 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1724)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``Secretary'' each place it appears
and inserting ``head of a participating entity''; and
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``Public Lands Corps'' and inserting ``21CSC'';
and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``conservation projects'' and inserting ``21CSC
projects'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the heading, by inserting ``, Temporary
Housing, and Transportation'' after ``Logistical
Support'';
(B) in the first sentence--
(i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) Logistical support.--
``(A) In general.--The head of a participating
entity''; and
(ii) by striking ``the Corps'' and
inserting ``the 21CSC'';
(C) in the second sentence, by striking
``Logistical support'' and inserting the following:
``(B) Inclusions.--Logistical support provided
under subparagraph (A)''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Temporary housing.--The head of a participating
entity may make arrangements with another Federal agency or a
State, local government, or private organization to provide
temporary housing for Corpsmembers as needed and available.
``(3) Transportation.--The head of a participating entity
may provide transportation to and from 21CSC project sites for
Corpsmembers that reside in their own homes.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting
``The head of a participating entity''; and
(B) by striking ``the Corps for training or housing
Corps participants'' and inserting ``the 21CSC for
training or housing Corpsmembers''; and
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting ``The head of a participating entity''.
SEC. 6. RESOURCE ASSISTANTS.
Section 206 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1725)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``The
Secretary'' and inserting the following:
``(4) Preference.--The head of a participating entity'';
(B) in the third sentence, by striking ``The
Secretary'' and inserting the following:
``(3) Selection.--The head of a participating entity'';
(C) in the second sentence, by striking ``To be
eligible'' and inserting the following:
``(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible''; and
(D) by striking the first sentence and inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--The head of a participating entity may
provide individual placements of resource assistants to carry
out research or resource protection activities on behalf of the
participating entity.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Preference for the Use of 21CSC Organizations.--
``(1) In general.--If the head of a participating entity
determines that a 21CSC organization can provide appropriate
recruitment and placement services to fulfill the requirements
of this section, the head of the participating entity may
implement this section through a 21CSC organization.
``(2) Contribution to expenses.--A 21CSC organization
providing recruitment and placement services under paragraph
(1) shall contribute to the expenses of providing and
supporting resource assistants, through 1 or more private
sources of funding, at a level equal to 25 percent of the total
costs of each participant in the resource assistant program
that has been recruited and placed through the 21CSC
organization.
``(3) Annual report.--A 21CSC organization providing
recruitment and placement services under paragraph (1) shall
submit to the head of the applicable participating entity an
annual report that evaluates the scope, size, and quality of
the resource assistant program carried out by the 21CSC
organization, including a description of the value of the work
contributed by resource assistants to the mission of the
participating entity.''.
SEC. 7. ELIGIBILITY FOR NONCOMPETITIVE HIRING STATUS.
Section 207 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1726)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 207. ELIGIBILITY FOR NONCOMPETITIVE HIRING STATUS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the terms `land management agency' and `time-limited
appointment' have the meanings given those terms in section
9601 of title 5, United States Code; and
``(2) the term `qualified Corpsmember' means a Corpsmember
who is certified by a corresponding participating entity as
having successfully completed 640 hours of service with a 21CSC
organization.
``(b) Hiring.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and subsection
(c), a qualified Corpsmember shall be eligible for appointment
in the competitive service in the same manner as a Peace Corps
volunteer as prescribed in Executive Order 11103 (22 U.S.C.
2504 note; relating to Providing for the Appointment of Former
Peace Corps Volunteers to the Civilian Career Services), as
amended by Executive Order 12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 1055; relating
to the Civil Service Commission and Labor-Management in the
Federal Service).
``(2) Period.--A qualified Corpsmember shall be eligible
for an appointment under paragraph (1) during the 2-year period
beginning on the date on which the Corpsmember completes the
640 hours of service required under subsection (a)(2).
``(3) Time-limited appointment.--For purposes of section
9602 of title 5, United States Code, a qualified Corpsmember
hired by a participating entity that is a land management
agency for a time-limited appointment shall be considered to be
appointed initially under open, competitive examination.
``(c) Service Hours.--
``(1) In general.--The 640 hours of service required under
subsection (a)(2) may include service on 1 or more projects
carried out by a Corpsmember with 1 or more participating
entities during 1 or more terms of service in a 21CSC
organization.
``(2) Competitive service.--To be eligible for
noncompetitive hiring status under subsection (b), a
Corpsmember shall perform the 640 hours of service required
under subsection (a)(2)--
``(A) carrying out a project on public or tribal
land or water; or
``(B) in service with, or on a project supported in
whole or in part by, a participating entity.
``(3) Priorities.--The head of each participating entity is
encouraged, to the maximum extent practicable, to identify a
sufficient number of 21CSC projects on public or tribal land or
water that are aligned with the priorities of the participating
entity so as to facilitate the attainment of the 640 hours of
service by Corpsmembers required under subsection (a)(2).
``(4) Tracking hours.--Participating entities shall
coordinate with 21CSC organizations to identify the most
effective and efficient method for tracking and certifying the
640 hours of service required under subsection (a)(2).
``(d) Guidance.--The head of each participating entity, and any
subdivision of a participating entity, shall coordinate with the head
of each other participating entity, and subdivision of each other
participating entity, to implement and issue guidance on eligibility
for noncompetitive hiring status under subsection (b) in a uniform
manner to--
``(1) improve the efficiency and use of noncompetitive
hiring authority; and
``(2) minimize inconsistency.''.
SEC. 8. NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL AWARDS.
Section 208 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1727)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``participant in the Public Lands
Corps'' and inserting ``Corpsmember''; and
(B) by striking ``the participant'' and inserting
``the Corpsmember''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``either participants in the
Corps'' and inserting ``Corpsmembers''; and
(B) by striking ``such a participant'' and
inserting ``a Corpsmember''.
SEC. 9. NONDISPLACEMENT.
Section 209 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1728)
is amended--
(1) by striking ``Public Lands Corps'' and inserting
``21CSC''; and
(2) by striking ``qualified youth or conservation corps''
and inserting ``Corpsmember or a 21CSC organization''.
SEC. 10. FUNDING.
Section 210 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1729)
is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (c) as
subsections (d) through (f), respectively;
(2) by inserting before subsection (d) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(a) Investments.--
``(1) In general.--In addition to using the funds described
in subsections (b) and (c) to fund 21CSC projects, each 21CSC
organization shall leverage those funds by soliciting cash or
in-kind contributions from public or private sources.
``(2) Methods.--A 21CSC organization may leverage funds by
soliciting contributions using innovative strategies, such as
crowd-funding.
``(b) Existing Resources.--To fund a 21CSC project, the head of
each participating entity shall be limited to using existing funds
appropriated or allocated to the participating entity, as of the period
of implementation of the 21CSC project, under any law or authority
other than this title.
``(c) Set Cost Share.--A 21CSC organization carrying out a 21CSC
project shall provide a cost share of not less than 10 percent of the
total cost of the 21CSC project, which may include cash or in-kind
contributions from a State, local, or private source.'';
(3) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``qualified youth or conservation corps'' and
inserting ``corpsmembers or 21csc
organizations''; and
(ii) by striking the first and second
sentences; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``Public lands corps'' and inserting ``21csc'';
(ii) in the first sentence--
(I) by striking ``The Secretary is
authorized to'' and inserting ``The
head of a participating entity may'';
(II) by striking ``Public Lands
Corps'' and inserting ``21CSC''; and
(III) by striking ``the Corps'' and
inserting ``the 21CSC''; and
(iii) in the second sentence, by striking
``the Corps'' and ``the 21CSC'';
(4) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by striking
``In order'' and all that follows through ``the Secretary'' and
inserting ``To carry out the 21CSC or to support resource
assistants and Corpsmembers or 21CSC organizations under this
title, the head of a participating entity''; and
(5) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking ``section 211'' and inserting
``section 213''; and
(B) by striking ``Public Lands Corps'' and
inserting ``21CSC''.
SEC. 11. INDIAN YOUTH 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS; RULE OF
CONSTRUCTION.
The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating section 211 as section 213; and
(2) by inserting after section 210 the following:
``SEC. 211. INDIAN YOUTH 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS.
``(a) Authorization of Cooperative Agreements.--The head of a
participating entity may offer to enter into a cooperative agreement
with a tribal agency or a 21CSC organization to establish and
administer the Indian Youth 21st Century Conservation Service Corps,
which shall carry out 1 or more 21CSC projects on tribal land or water.
``(b) Guidelines.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Act, the
Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with Indian tribes, shall
issue guidelines for the management of the Indian Youth 21st Century
Conservation Service Corps, in accordance with this Act and any other
applicable Federal laws.
``SEC. 212. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
``Except where otherwise provided for in this title, the
requirements and authorities provided under this title with respect to
Corpsmembers, 21CSC organizations, and participating entities with
respect to a 21CSC project shall be in addition to any requirement or
authority provided under other Federal law with respect to
Corpsmembers, 21CSC organizations, and participating entities with
respect to the 21CSC project.''.
SEC. 12. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.
Section 121(a) of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (16 U.S.C. 1725a(a)), is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Secretary of the Interior'' and
inserting ``head of a participating entity (as defined
in section 203 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993
(16 U.S.C. 1722)) (referred to in this subsection as a
`participating entity')''; and
(B) by striking ``in paragraph (1) directly to a
position with a land managing agency of the Department
of the Interior'' and inserting ``in paragraph (2)
directly to a position with a participating entity'';
and
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``land managing
agency'' and inserting ``participating entity''.
SEC. 13. NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS.
(a) Nonprofit Capacity Building.--Section 198S(a)(4) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12653s(a)(4)) is
amended by striking ``and the District of Columbia'' and inserting
``the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana
Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States''.
(b) Compact Migrant Eligibility.--Section 137(a)(5) of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12591(a)(5)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(5) is a citizen or national of the United States or
lawful permanent resident alien of the United States, or is a
citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated
States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau and admitted to
the United States as a nonimmigrant under the terms of the
applicable Compact of Free Association with the United
States.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to any participant in a program under the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.) selected after the date
of enactment of this section.
SEC. 14. YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS.
Public Law 91-378 (commonly known as the ``Youth Conservation Corps
Act of 1970'') (16 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 102(a) (16 U.S.C. 1702(a)), by--
(A) striking ``trust territories, or'' and
inserting ``or the''; and
(B) inserting ``(or who are citizens of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States
of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau and admitted to
the United States as nonimmigrants under the terms of
the applicable Compact of Free Association with the
United States),'' after ``Puerto Rico''; and
(2) in section 104 (16 U.S.C. 1704)--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa''
and inserting ``American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ``,
possessions, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands'' and inserting ``or possessions (or the
citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the
Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of
Palau and admitted to the United States as
nonimmigrants under the terms of the applicable Compact
of Free Association with the United States)''.
Union Calendar No. 862
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 2987
[Report No. 115-1066, Part I]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to establish the 21st
Century Conservation Service Corps to place youth and veterans in
national service positions to conserve, restore, and enhance the great
outdoors of the United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2018
Committees on Education and the Workforce and Transportation and
Infrastructure discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed