HR 1612 RFSSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 26 (legislative day, March 25), 2010CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to expand the authorization of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to provide service opportunities for young Americans; help restore the nation’s natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational and scenic resources; train a new generation of public land managers and enthusiasts; and promote the value of public service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2010’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO SHORT TITLE.

SEC. 3. REFERENCE.

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Public LandsA reference in this Act to ‘the Act’ is a reference to the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.; title II of Public Law 91-378). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 34. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS ACT OF 1993.

(a) Name and Project Description Changes- The Act is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘Public Lands Corps’ each place it appears and inserting ‘Public Lands Service Corps’;(2) in the title heading, by striking ‘PUBLIC LANDS CORPS’ and inserting ‘PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in the section 204--(A) in the section2) in section 204 (16 U.S.C. 1723), in the heading, by striking ‘public lands corps’ and inserting ‘public lands service corps’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and

(B) in the heading of subsection (a), by striking ‘Public Lands Corps’ and inserting ‘Public Lands Service Corps’;

(4) in the heading of paragraph (2) of section 210(a), by striking ‘PUBLIC LANDS CORPS’ and insert(3) in section 210(a)(2) (16 U.S.C. 1729(a)(2)), in the heading, by striking ‘PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(4) by striking ‘Public Lands Corps’ each place it appears and inserting ‘Corps’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by striking ‘conservation center’ each place it appears and inserting ‘residential conservation center’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and(6 (6) by striking ‘conservation centers’ each place it appears and inserting ‘residential conservation centers’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) by striking ‘appropriate conservation project’ each place it appears and inserting ‘appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation project’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) by striking ‘appropriate conservation projects’ each place it appears (except in paragraph (1) of section 204(e) as so redesignated) and inserting ‘appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation and inserting ‘appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Findings- Section 202(a) of the Act is amended as follows:(1) In paragraph (1),(16 U.S.C. 1721(a)) of the Act, as amended by subsection (a), is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘Corps can benefit’ and inserting ‘conservation corps can benefit’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking ‘the natural and cultural’ and inserting ‘natural and cultural’.(2) B; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively, and; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) Participants in conservation corps receive meaningful trainingeducation and training, and their experience with such conservation corps provides preparation for careers in public service. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Young men and women who participate in the rehabilitation and restoration of our Nation’sthe natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic treasures of the United States will gain an increased appreciation and understanding of our public the public lands and heritage of the United States, and of the value of public service, and are likely to become life-long advocates for those values.’.(3) In paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by inserting; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by inserting ‘, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic’ after ‘Many facilities and natural’.(4) B; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) The work of conservation corps can benefit communities adjacent to public lands and facilities through renewed civic engagement and participation by corps participants and those they serve;, improved student achievement;, and restoration and rehabilitation of public assets.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Purpose- Section 202(b) (16 U.S.C. 1721(b)) of the Act is amended to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Purposes- The purposes of this Act are to--‘(1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) to introduce young men and women to public service while furthering their understanding and appreciation of the Nation’s natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources;‘(2) of the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) to facilitate training and recruitment opportunities in which service is credited as qualifying experience for careers in public land management;‘(3)the management of such resources; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) to instill in a new generation of young men and women from across the NationUnited States, including thoseyoung men and women from diverse backgrounds, the desire to seek careers in natural and cultural resource stewardship and public service by allowing them to work directly with professionals in agencies responsible for the management of the Nation’s natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources;‘(4) of the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) to perform, in a cost-effective manner, appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects where such projects where such projects are not being performed by existing employees; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) to assist State and local governments and Indian tribes in performing research and public education tasks associated with natural and cultural resources;‘(6)the conservation of natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) to expand educational opportunities on public lands and by rewarding individuals who participate in national serviceconservation corps with an increased ability to pursue higher education orand job training; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and‘(7)‘(7) to promote public understanding and appreciation of the individual missions and natural and cultural resources conservation missions and the natural and cultural resources conservation work of the participating Federal agencies through training opportunities, community service and outreach, and other appropriate means; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) to create a grant program for Indian tribes to establish the Indian Youth Service Corps so that Indian youth can benefit from carrying out projects on Indian lands that the Indian tribes and communities determine to be priorities.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Definitions- Section 203 of the Act is amended as follows:(1) By amending (16 U.S.C. 1722) of the Act is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7), (8) through (10), and (11) through (13) as paragraphs (5) through (9), (11) through (13), and (15) through (17), respectively; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) to read as followsand inserting the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) APPROPRIATE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION PROJECT- The term ‘appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation project’ means any project for the conservation, restoration, construction, or rehabilitation of natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, or scenic resources on public lands. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CONSULTING INTERN- The term ‘consulting intern’ means a consulting intern selected under section 206(a)(2). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CORPS AND PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS- The terms ‘Corps’ and ‘Public Lands Service Corps’ mean the Public Lands Service Corps established under section 204 of this title.’.

(2) By striking paragraphs (3) and (8).

(3) By redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10), (11), (12), and (13) as paragraphs (3) through (11), respectively.

(4) B(a). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) CORPS PARTICIPANT- The term ‘Corps participant’ means an individual enrolled-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) in the Corps or the Indian Youth Service Corps; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) as a resource assistant or consulting intern.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(10) INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS- The term ‘Indian Youth Service Corps’ means a qualified youth or conservation corps established under section 207 that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) enrolls individuals between the ages of 15 and 25, inclusive, a majority of whom are Indians; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) is established pursuant to a tribal resolution that describes the agreement between the Indian tribe and the qualified youth or conservation corps to operate an Indian Youth Service Corps program for the benefit of the members of the Indian tribe.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by amending paragraph (7) (as so redesignated12) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(712) PUBLIC LANDS- The term ‘public lands’ means any lands or waters or water (or interest therein) owned or administered by the United States, including those areas of coastal and ocean waters, the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, and submerged lands over which the United States exercises jurisdiction, except that such term does not include any Indian lands.’.

(5) In paragraph (8) (as so redesignated)--

(A; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by amending paragraph (13) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (A)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking ‘full-time,’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by inserting ‘on eligible service lands’ after ‘resource setting’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) by striking ‘16’ and inserting ‘15’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘and’ at the end; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(BC) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘; and’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(CD) by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) makes available for audit for each fiscal year for which the qualified youth or conservation corps receives Federal funds under this Act, all information pertaining to the expenditure of the funds, any matching funds, and participant demographics.’.(6) In paragraph (10) (as so redesignated; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) by inserting after paragraph 13 (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(14) RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION CENTERS- The term ‘residential conservation centers’ means the facilities authorized under section 205.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) in paragraph (15) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)), by striking ‘206’ and inserting ‘206(a)(1)’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) in paragraph (16) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘and’ at the end; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘; and’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) with respect to the National Marine Sanctuary System, coral reefs, and other coastal, estuarine, and marine habitats, and other lands and facilities administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Secretary of Commerce.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) By adding at the end the following:

‘(12) RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION CENTERS- The term ‘residential conservation centers’ means the facilities authorized under section 205.

‘(13) CONSULTING INTERN- The term ‘consulting intern’ means a consulting intern selected under section 206.

‘(14) PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS PARTICIPANT- The term ‘Public Lands Service Corps participant’, ‘Corps participant’ or ‘participant of the Corps’ means an individual who is enrolled in the Public Lands Service Corps pursuant to section 204(b).’.

(e) Public Lands Service Corps e) Public Lands Service Corps Program- Section 204 of the Act is amended as follows:

(1) In subsection (a)--

(A) in the heading, by adding at the end ‘Program’;

(B) by striking ‘and the Department of Agriculture a’ and inserting ‘(16 U.S.C. 1723), as amended by subsection (a), is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) and subsections (d) through (f) as subsections (c) and (d) and subsections (f) through (h), respectively; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(a) Establishment of Public Lands Service Corps- There is established in the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce a service and training program titled the’; and(C) by adding at the end the following: ‘Public Lands Service Corps. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Establishment of Corps Office; Coordinators; Liaison- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR- The Secretary of the Interior shall establish a department-level office to coordinate Public Lands Servicthe Corps activities within the Department of the Interior. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The Secretary of‘(B) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE- The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish within the U.S. Forest Service an office to coordinate Public Lands Servicthe Corps activities within that agency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The Secretary of ‘(C) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE- The Secretary of Commerce shall establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration an office to coordinate Public Lands Servicthe Corps activities within that agency. The Secretary of each department shall designate a Public Lands Service Corps coordinator for each agency within that department that administers Public Lands Serviceagency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF COORDINATORS- The Secretary shall designate a Public Lands Service Corps coordinator for each agency under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that administers Corps activities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





’.(2) B ‘(3) ESTABLISHMENT OF LIAISON- The Secretary of the Interior shall establish an Indian Youth Service Corps liaison that will-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) provide outreach to Indian tribes about opportunities for establishing Corps and Indian Youth Service Corps programs; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) coordinate with the Tribal Liaison of the Corporation for National Service to identify and establish Corps and Indian Youth Service Corps opportunities for Indian youth.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by amending subsection (bc) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Participants- The Secretary may enroll in the Public Lands Servicc) Participants- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may enroll in the Corps individuals between the ages of 16 and 25, inclusive, who are either hired by an agency under the Secretary’s jurisdictionwho are-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) hired by an agency under the jurisdiction of the Secretary to perform work authorized under this Act or who are; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) members of a qualified youth or conservation corps with which the Secretary has entered into a cooperative agreement to perform work authorized under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The Secretary may ‘(2) RESOURCE ASSISTANTS AND CONSULTING INTERNS- The Secretary may also enroll resource in the Corps resource assistants and consulting interns. All enrollees shall be considered Public Lands Service Corps participants, and may be enrolled in accordance with section 206(a). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS- To be eligible for enrollment as a Corps participant, an individual shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) be between the ages of 15 and 25, inclusive; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) satisfy the requirements of section 137(a)(5) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12591(a)(5)). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) TERMS- Each Corps participant may be enrolled in the Corps for a term of up to 24 month years of service, which may be served over more than twoa period that exceeds 2 calendar years. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The individuals may be enrolled‘(5) CIVIL SERVICE- An individual may be enrolled as a Corps participant without regard to the civil service and classification laws, rules, or regulations of the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The Secretary may‘(6) PREFERENCE- The Secretary may establish a preference for the enrollment in the Corps ofas Corps participants individuals who are economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged.’.(3) In subsection (c; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking ‘contracts and’;

(ii) by inserting ‘natural and cultural resources’ after ‘appropriate’; and

(i and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(ii) by striking ‘subsection (d)’ and inserting ‘subsection (e)’;

(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);

f)’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(B) by striking paragraph (2); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) RECRUITMENT- The Secretary shall undertakecarry out, or enter into cooperative agreements to provide, a program to attract eligible youth to the Corps by publicizing Corps opportunities through high schools, colleges, employment centers, electronic media, and other appropriate institutions orand means. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





’; and

(D) by amending paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) to read as follows:

‘(3) PREFERENCE- For purposes ofIn entering into cooperative agreements under paragraph (1) or awarding competitive grants to Indian tribes or tribally authorized organizations under section 207, the Secretary may give preference to qualified youth or conservation corps located in athat are located in specific area that havs where a substantial portion of members who are economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged to carry out projects within the area.’.

(4) By redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as subsections (e) through (g), respectively.

(5) By inserting after subsection (c.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(5) by inserting after subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Traininge) Training- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a training program based at appropriate residential conservation centers or at other suitable regional Federal or other appropriate facilities or sites to provide training for Corps participants. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The Secretary shall--‘(1 ‘(2) REQUIREMENTS- In establishing a training program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) ensure that the duration and comprehensiveness of the training program shall be commensurate with the projects Corps participants are expected to undertake; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2B) develop department-wide standards for the program that include training in-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) resource stewardship;

‘(B) ethics for those in public service;

‘(C) principles of national service;

‘(Di) resource stewardship; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(ii) health and safety; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(Eiii) ethics for individuals in public service; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) teamwork and leadership; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(Fv) interpersonal communications; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) direct each participating agencyC) direct the participating agencies within the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service in the case of the Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the case of the Department of Commerce, to develop agency-specific training guidelines to ensure that Corps participants enrolled to undertake projects for that agency are appropriately informed about matters specific to that agency, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(Ai) the history and organization of the agency; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the agency’s core values; and‘(Cii) the mission of the agency; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) any agency-specific standards for the management of natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4D) take into account training already received by Corps participants enrolled from qualified youth or conservation corps, including in the matters outlined in paragraph (2).’.(6) In subsection (e) (as so redesignated.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in the heading, by striking ‘IN GENERAL- ’ and inserting ‘USE OF CORPS; PROJECTS- ’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking ‘The Secretary may utilize the Corps or any qualified youth or conservation corps to carry out appropriate’ and inserting ‘The Secretary may use Corps participants to’ and inserting the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may use the Corps to carry out, underwith appropriate supervision and training, appropriate natural and cultural resource’; and

(ii) by striking ‘law on public lands.’ and inserting the following: ‘law. Such projects may include, but are not limited to--

‘(A) protection, restoration, or enhancement of’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(iii) by striking ‘on public lands’ and inserting on ‘on eligible service lands’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) PROJECTS- Appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects carried out under this section may include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) protecting, restoring, or enhancing ecosystem components to promote species recovery, improve biological diversity, enhance productivity and carbon sequestration, and enhance adaptability and resilience of public lands and resources in the face ofeligible service lands and resources to climate change and other natural and human disturbances; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(Bii) promoting the health of forests and publiceligible service lands, refuges, and coastal and marine areas, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) protection and restoration ofI) protecting and restoring watersheds and forest, grassland, riparian, estuarine, grassland, coral reef, intertidal, or other habitat;‘(ii) reduction of wildfire risk and mitigation ofmarine, or other habitat; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) reducing the risk of uncharacteristically severe wildfire and mitigating damage from insects, disease, and disasters; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) erosion control;‘(iv) control or removal ofIII) controlling erosion; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(IV) controlling and removing invasive, noxious, or non-native species;‘(v) restoration of native species; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(vi) projects under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-148);

Projects under this subparagraph shall be considered priority projects;

‘(C) collection ofV) restoring native species; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(iii) collecting biological, archaeological, and other scientific data, including monitoring of climatological information, species populations and movement, habitat status, and other factors;‘(Dinformation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) assisting in historical and cultural research, archival andmuseum curatorial work, oral history projects, documentary photography, and activities that support the creation of public works of art related to publiceligible service lands; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) construction, repair, rehabilitation, green building retrofitting, and maintenance ofv) constructing, repairing, rehabilitating, and maintaining roads, trails, campgrounds, and othe and other visitor facilities, employee housing, cultural and historic sites and structures, and other facilities that further the purposes of the Public Lands Service Corps.’.(B) Bis Act.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively.(C) B; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) VISITOR SERVICES- The Secretary may-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) enter into or amend an existing cooperative agreement with a cooperating association, educational instituteion, friends group, or similar nonprofit partner organization for the purpose of providing training and work experience to Corps participants in areas including, but not limited to,such as sales, office work, accounting, and management, provided that the work experience directly relates to the protection and management of the publicconservation and management of eligible service lands; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) allow Corps participants to help promote visitor safety and enjoyment of publiceligible service lands, and assist in the gathering of visitor use data. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) INTERPRETATION- The Secretary may assignpermit Corps participants to provide interpretation or education services for the public under the appropriate direction and supervision of agency personnel, including--‘(A) providingdirect and immediate supervision of an agency employee-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) to provide orientation and information services to visitors, including services for non-English speaking visitors and visitors who use American Sign Language;‘(B) assisting agency personnel; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) to assist agency employees in the delivery of interpretive or educational programs, including outdoor learning and classroom learning;‘(C) presenting programs on Federal lands or at schools, after-school programs, and youth-serving communitywhere audience size, environmental conditions, safety, or other factors make such assistance desirable; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) to present programs that relate the personal experience of the Corps participants for the purpose of promoting public awareness of the Corps, its role in public the role of the Corps in public land management agencies, and its availabilitythe availability of the Corps to potential participants; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) creatingto create nonpersonal interpretive products, such as Web website content, Junior Ranger program books, printed handouts, and audiovisual programs.’.

(D) In paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘Appropriate conservation projects’ and inserting ‘Appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects’.

(7) In subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘appropriate conservation project’ inserting ‘appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation project’.

(8) By amending the text of subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by inserting ‘involve improvements to Federal property and’ after ‘preference to those ; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(7) in subsection (g) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the matter preceding the first paragraph, by striking ‘those projects which’ and inserting ‘priority projects and other projects which’.(9) By amending the text of subsection (f)(2) (as so redesignated) to read as follows: ‘that’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) will instill in Corps participants a work ethic and a sense of public service;’.

(10) In subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘on eligible service lands’.

(11) B; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(8) by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(hi) Other Participants- The Secretary may allow volunteers from other programs administered or designated by the Secretary to participate as volunteers in projects carried out under this section on such terms as the Secretary considers appropriat. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(j) Criminal History Checks- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The requirements of section 189D(b) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12645g(b)) shall apply to each individual age 18 or older seeking-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) to become a Corps participant; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) to receive funds authorized under this Act; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) to supervise or otherwise have regular contact with Corps participants in activities authorized under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ELIGIBILITY PROHIBITION- If any of paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 189D(c) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12645g(c)(1)-(4)) apply to an individual described in paragraph (1), that individual shall not be eligible for the position or activity described in paragraph (1), unless the Secretary provides an exemption for good cause.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Residential Conservation Centers and Program Support- Section 205 of the Act is amended as follows:(1) In the section(16 U.S.C. 1724) of the Act is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘conservation’ and inserting ‘residential conservation’.(2) I; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (a)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may establish residential conservation centers for-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) such housing, food service, medical care, transportation, and other services as the Secretary deems necessary for the Public Lands Service CorpCorps participants; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the conduct of appropriate residential conservation natural and cultural resources conservation projects under this Act.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking paragraph (2) and; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(CD) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--

(i) in the text, by inserting ‘residential’ before ‘conservation centers’; and

(ii) in the heading, by inserting ‘RESIDENTIAL’ before ‘redesignated by subparagraph (C)), in the heading, by striking ‘FOR CONSERVATION CENTERS’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(D) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘with a State or’ and insertE) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by subparagraph (C)), by striking ‘a cooperative agreement with another FederalState or local government agency’ and inserting ‘another Federal agency, State, or’.(3) Ilocal government,’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (b)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘The Secretary’ and inserting the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The Secretary may EMPORARY HOUSING- The Secretary may make arrangements with another Federal agencies, States, local, and tribal governmentsy, State, local government, or private organizations to provide temporary housing for Corps participants as needed and available. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) TRANSPORTATION- In project areas where Corps participants can reasonably be expected to reside at their own homes, the Secretary may fund or provide transportation to and from project sites.’.(4) B; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (g).(5) Bf); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Facilities- The Secretary may, as an appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation project, direct Corps participants to aid in the rehabilitation or construcconstruction or rehabilitation of residential conservation center facilities, including housing. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Green Buildings- The Secretary may seek the assistance of the Secretary of Energy in identifying and using solar and other green building technologies and modular housing designs that may be adapted for residential conservation center facilities, including--

‘(1) designs from the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition; and

‘(2) logistical support, assistance, and training from Solar Decathlon participants.

‘(f) Mentors- The Secretary may recruit from programs, such as agency volunteer programs, and from agency retirees,Federal volunteer and encore service programs, and from veterans groups, military retirees, and active duty personnel, and from appropriate youth-serving organizations, such adults as may be suitable and qualified to provide training, mentoring, and crew-leading services to Corps participants.’.(6) In subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘are appropriate to carry out this title’ and inserting ‘; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (4)), by striking ‘that are appropriate’ and all that follows through the period and inserting ‘that the Secretary determines to be necessary for thea residential conservation center.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Resource Assistants and Consulting Interns- Section 206 of the Act is amended as follows:(1) In the section(16 U.S.C. 1725) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the section heading, by inserting ‘and consulting interns’ before the period.(2) In subsection (a), by striking ‘The Secretary is authorized to ; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(a) Authorization- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) RESOURCE ASSISTANTS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may provide individual placements of resource’ and inserting the following: ‘The Secretary is authorized, to assistants with any agency under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that carries out appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects to carry out research or resource protection activities on behalf of the agency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible for selection as a resource assistant, an individual shall be at least 17 years of age. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) PREFERENCE- In selecting resource assistants for placement under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give a preference to individuals who are enrolled in an institution of higher education or are recent graduates from an institution of higher education, with particular attention given to ensuring full representation of women and participants from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CONSULTING INTERNS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may provide individual placements of the following:

‘(1) Resource’.

(3) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so designated), the following:

‘(2) Cconsulting interns with any Federal land, coastal, or ocean management agency under theagency under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that carries out appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects to carry out management analysis activities on behalf of the agency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(B) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible for selection as a consulting intern, an individual must be a current enrolleeshall be enrolled in, and have completed at least one1 full year at, a graduate or professional school that has been accredited by an accrediting body that has been recognized by the Secretary of Education. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The Secretary may select consulting interns without regard to the civil service and classification laws, rules, or regulations of the United States.’.

(4) In subsection (b)--

(A) by inserting ‘or consulting interns’ before ‘through private sources’;

(B) in the second sentence, before the period, by inserting ‘; up to 15 percent may be in-kind’; and

(C) by striking ‘Resource Assistants’ and inserting ‘resource assistants or consulting interns’.

(5) By adding at the end the following:

‘(c) Cost Sharing Requirements- At the Secretary’s discretion, the requirements for cost sharing applicable to participating ‘(b) Use of Existing Nonprofit Organizations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Whenever 1 or more nonprofit organizations forcan provide appropriate recruitment and placement services to fulfill the requirements of this section, the Secretary may implement this section through such organizations. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXPENSES- Participating organizations shall contribute to the expenses of resource assistants andproviding and supporting the resource assistants or consulting interns under subsection (b) may be reduced tofrom sources of funding other than the Secretary, at a level of not less than 10 percent25 percent of the total costs (15 percent of which may be from in-kind sources) of each participant in the resource assistant or consulting intern program who has been recruited and placed through that organization. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) REPORTING- Each participating organization shall be required to submit an annual report evaluating the scope, size, and quality of the program, including the value of work contributed by the resource assistants and consulting interns, to the mission of the agency.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Technical Amendment- The Act is amended by redesignating sections 207, 208, 209, 210, and 211 through 211 (16 U.S.C. 1726 through 1730) as sections 208, 209, 210, 211, and 2129 through 213, respectively. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) GuidanceIndian Youth Service Corps- The Act is amended by inserting after section 206 (16 U.S.C. 1725) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 207. INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS.

‘(a) Authorization of Cooperative Agreements and Competitive Grants- The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with, or make competitive grants to, Indian tribes and qualified youth or conservation corps for the establishment and administration of Indian Youth Service Corps programs to carry out appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects on Indian lands. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Application- To be eligible to receive assistance under this section, an Indian tribe or a qualified youth or conservation corps shall submit to the Secretary an application in such manner and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) a description of the methods by which Indian youth will be recruited for and retained in the Indian Youth Service Corps; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) a description of the projects to be carried out by the Indian Youth Service Corps; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) a description of how the projects were identified; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) an explanation of the impact of, and the direct community benefits provided by, the proposed projects.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Guidance- The Act is amended by inserting after section 207 (as amended by subsection (i)) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 208. GUIDANCE.

‘Not later than 18 months after funds are made available for this purpose, the Secretariesto the Secretary to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidelines for the management of the Public Lands Service Corps programs for use by regional and State directors, and the supervisors of individual parks, forests, districts, sanctuaries, reserves, hatcheries, and refuges.’.(jprograms under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that are authorized under this Act.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Living Allowances and Terms of Service- Section 208 of the Act (as so redesignated) is amended--(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1726) (as redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended by striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(a) Living Allowances- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The Secretary shall ‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall provide each Corps participant with a living allowance in an amount established by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The Secretary may--‘(1 ‘(2) COST-OF-LIVING DIFFERENTIAL; TRAVEL COSTS- The Secretary may-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) apply a cost-of-living differential to such allowances; and‘(2)the living allowances established under paragraph (1); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) if the Secretary determines reimbursement to be appropriate, reimburse Corps participants for travel costs at the beginning and end of their term of service if the Secretary deems appropriate.’;(2) by amending the text of subsection (b) to read as follows: ‘Each Corp term of service of the Corps participants. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Terms of Service- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Each Corps participant shall agree to participate in the Corps for such term of service as may be established by the Secretary enrolling or selecting the individual.’;(3) in the heading of subsection (c), by adding at the end ‘. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CONSULTATIONS- With respect to the Indian Youth Service Corps, the term of service shall be established in consultation with the affected Indian tribe or tribally authorized organization. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Hiring Preference and Future Employment’; and

(4) in subsection (c)--

(A) by amending paragraphs (1) and (2) to read as follows:

‘(1) grant to a participant of the Public Lands Service Corps credit for service time in the Corps to be used as qualifying experience- The Secretary may-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(1) grant to a Corps participant credit for time served as a Corps participant, which may be used toward future Federal hiring; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) provide to a former participant of the Public LandsCorps or the Indian Youth Service Corps noncompetitive hiring status for a period of not more than two2 years after the date on which the participant’s service with the Public Lands Service Corps is complete (not counting any time spent enrolled in an academic institution or trade school)service of the candidate in the Corps or the Indian Youth Service Corps was complete, if the candidate-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) has served a minimum of 960 hours on an appropriate natural or cultural resource conservation s conservation project that included at least 120 hours through the Public Lands Service Corps or the Indian Youth Service Corps; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards for the position tofor which the candidate is applying; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





’; and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

‘(3) develop a system to provide consideration for participants who cannot meet the requirements of paragraph (2);

‘(4) provide to an individual who has successfully fulfilled the resource assistant program‘(3) provide to a former resource assistant or consulting intern noncompetitive hiring status for a period of not more than two2 years after the date on which the individual has completed an undergraduate degreeor graduate degree, respectively, from an accredited institution;‘(5) provide to an individual who has, if the candidate-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(A) successfully fulfilled the resource assistant or consulting internship program noncompetitive hiring status for a period of not more than two years after the date onrequirements; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards for the position for which the individual has completed a graduate degree from an accredited institution; and‘(6candidate is applying; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) provide, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with qualified employment agencies to provide, alumni services such as job and education counseling, referrals, verification of service, communications, and other appropriate services to participants Corps participants who have completed their Corps term of service.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(kl) National Service Educational Awards- Section 209 of the Act (as so redesignated) is amended--(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘If a’ and all that follows through ‘shall be eligible’ and inserting ‘If a Corps participant also serves in an approved national service position designated under subtitle C of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (4210 (16 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.), the Corps participant shall be eligible727) of the Act (as redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a) (as amended by subsection (a)(4)), in the first sentence-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘participant in the Corps or a resource assistant’ and inserting ‘Corps participant’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking ‘participant or resource assistant’ and inserting ‘Corps participant’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b), by striking--(A)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘either participants in the Corps or resource assistants’ and inserting ‘participants in the Corps’; and(B)Corps participants’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking ‘or a resource assistant’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(lm) Nondisplacement- Section 210 of the Act (as so redesignated) is amended to read as follows:‘SEC. 210. NONDISPLACEMENT.‘The nondisplacement requirements of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 shall be applicable to all 1 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1728) (as redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended by striking ‘activities carried out by the Public Lands Service ’ and all that follows through the period and inserting ‘Corps participants.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(mn) Funding- Section 211 of the Act (as so redesignated2 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1729) (as redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)(1)--

(A) by striking ‘appropriate conservation project’ each place it appears and inserting ‘appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation project’; and

(B) by adding at the end-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(A) in paragraph (1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in the second sentence, by striking ‘non-federal sources’ and inserting ‘sources other than the Secretary’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by inserting after the second sentence the following: ‘The Secretary may reduce to no less than 10 percent the non-Federalpay up to 90 percent of the costs of a project when the Secretary determines that itif the Secretary determines that the reduction is necessary to enable participation in the Public Lands Service Corps from a greater range of organizations or individuals.’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b)--(A) by inserting ‘program’ after ‘CorpsB) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘or Indian Youth Service Corps’ after ‘Corps’ each place it appears; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Funds Available Under National and Community Service Act- To carry out this Act, the Secretary shall be eligible to apply for and receive assistance under section 121(b) of the National and Community Service Act (42 U.S.C. 12571(b)).’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (c)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘section 211’ and inserting ‘section 213’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting ‘, consulting interns’ before ‘and qualified youth’.(nor Indian Youth Service Corps’ after ‘Corps’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(o) Authorization of Appropriations- Section 212 of the Act (as so redesignated3 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1730) (as redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(a) In General- There isare authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, of which no less than 3/4 of the sums shall be made available for healthy forests restoration priority projects under section 204(e)(1)(B)(vi)Act.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subsection (b); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(o) Limitation on Use of Funds- No person or entity who is a party to a pending lawsuit against the dispensing Secretary is eligible to receive funds authorized or made available under this Act or amendments made by this Act.

(p) Further Limitation on Use of Funds to Protect Children- No adult shall be eligible to receive funds or participate in the Public Lands Service Corps program under this Act or amendments made by this Act, if that person--

Passed the House of Representatives March 20, 2010.

Attest:

LORRAINE C. MILLER,

Clerk.