[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2609 Reported in Senate (RS)]






                                                      Calendar No. 1045
110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2609

    To establish a Global Service Fellowship Program, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

             February 7 (legislative day, February 6), 2008

  Mr. Feingold (for himself, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Casey, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
  Kerry, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
Cardin, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. Hagel) introduced 
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee 
                          on Foreign Relations

           September 23 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

 Reported by Mr. Dodd, with an amendment and an amendment to the title
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To establish a Global Service Fellowship Program, and for other 
                               purposes.

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

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Global Service Fellowship 
Program Act of 2008''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Congress makes the following findings:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said 
        that a critical component of the war on terror is changing 
        opinions and minds.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Polling data from Terror Free Tomorrow 
        indicates that nearly 60 percent of the people of Indonesia and 
        75 percent of the people of Pakistan held more favorable views 
        of the United States following humanitarian assistance after 
        their tsunami and earthquake tragedies, respectively, and these 
        changes in perception of the United States were sustained 
        beyond the initial period of aid and service.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) International volunteering opportunities are 
        effective means of addressing critical human needs, building 
        bridges across cultures, and promoting mutual 
        understanding.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Current volunteer programs, such as the Peace 
        Corps, remain an important part of Federal efforts to promote 
        volunteer service and provide related programming.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Financial limitations are a common obstacle to 
        volunteering overseas, and awarding financial fellowships would 
        reduce barriers for many individuals otherwise unable to afford 
        travel overseas.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Allowing flexibility in the duration of 
        volunteering opportunities would reduce another barrier to 
        volunteering.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) A global service fellowship program would 
        provide funding and programmatic flexibility for volunteers of 
        all backgrounds, ages, and geographical locations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) Eligible organizations willing to participate 
        in the fellowship program as sponsoring organizations would be 
        in a better position to recruit volunteers for their programs 
        overseas.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) The United States Agency for International 
        Development has taken important steps towards encouraging this 
        kind of a program through the creation of Volunteers for 
        Prosperity.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. GLOBAL SERVICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of State, in conjunction 
with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, shall establish a program to be known as the Global 
Service Fellowship Program (in this section referred to as the 
``Program''), which will be administered by the United States Agency 
for International Development.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Program is to fund 
fellowships to promote international volunteering opportunities as a 
means of building bridges across cultures, addressing critical human 
needs, and promoting mutual understanding.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Fellowships.--Grants awarded under the Program shall 
be used to fund fellowships as follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Fellowships lasting 90 days or less in 
        duration may be funded at levels of up to $2,500.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Fellowships lasting between 91 days and 180 
        days may be funded at levels up to $5,000.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Fellowships lasting between 181 days and one 
        year may be funded at levels up to $7,500.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Coordination With Sponsoring Organizations.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Fellowships funded under the 
        Program shall be coordinated and supervised by participating 
        volunteer sponsoring organizations. The sponsoring 
        organizations shall be registered with the Secretary of State 
        and shall collaborate with host country organizations in 
        developing programs that appropriately address local needs for 
        the transfer of volunteer skills, capacity building, and cross-
        cultural service organizations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Prioritization of projects.--Sponsoring 
        organizations shall recommend and prioritize fellowship 
        projects based on one or more of the following 
        objectives:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Eradication of extreme poverty in 
                conjunction with the United Nations Millennium 
                Development Goals.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Achievement of universal primary 
                education.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Promotion of gender equality and the 
                empowerment of women and families.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Reducing child mortality and improving 
                maternal health.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) Providing medical and dental health 
                care and prevention.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) Providing assistance for the elderly, 
                orphans, people with disabilities, and 
                refugees.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) Promoting environmental 
                sustainability.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (H) Providing economic and social 
                opportunities for youth in countries with growing 
                cohorts of young people.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (I) Promoting youth service by building 
                related volunteer-sector capacity in host 
                countries.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (J) Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other 
                infectious diseases.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (K) Helping to build or provide decent 
                housing.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (L) Providing disaster and humanitarian 
                response, preparedness, and reconstruction.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (M) Promoting cross-cultural exchange, 
                conflict resolution, and peace.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (N) Developing global partnerships for 
                development in the areas of economic growth, 
                microenterprise, asset development, and agricultural 
                and rural development.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (O) Advancing access to information 
                technology and strengthening civil society.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (P) Carrying out additional activities in 
                impact areas designated by the Secretary of State and 
                the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
                International Development in accordance with the 
                purposes of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Application Process.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Submission and review of applications.--
        Applicants shall submit applications for fellowships under the 
        Program to the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Selection.--The Secretary of State, in 
        consultation with the Administrator of the United States Agency 
        for International Development, shall determine the eligibility 
        of candidates and, in consultation with sponsoring 
        organizations, award and administer fellowships under the 
        Program.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Criteria.--The Secretary of State, in 
        consultation with the Administrator of the United States Agency 
        for International Development, shall develop and publish 
        criteria for fellowships in accordance with the following 
        guidelines:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Sponsoring organizations.--Applicants 
                for Global Service Fellowships must be registered with 
                qualified sponsoring organizations such as--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) nongovernmental organizations 
                        based in the United States that sponsor 
                        international volunteer service;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) faith-based organizations 
                        engaged in the delivery of nonsectarian 
                        services;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) universities and colleges 
                        operating international service learning and 
                        volunteer service programs; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) nongovernmental organizations 
                        based in the United States that collaborate 
                        with local or national host government agencies 
                        or nongovernmental organizations in promoting 
                        volunteer capacity and national and community 
                        service in impact areas designated by the 
                        Secretary of State and the Administrator of the 
                        United States Agency for International 
                        Development under subsection 
                        (d)(2)(P).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Applicants.--Applicants shall be 
                selected for Global Service Fellowships as 
                follows:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) Applicants shall have clearly 
                        defined and structured goals for their proposed 
                        fellowships, including a plan for assessing and 
                        monitoring progress toward such goals with 
                        sponsoring organizations and a basis for 
                        follow-up and review by the Secretary of State, 
                        in conjunction with the Administrator of the 
                        United States Agency for International 
                        Development.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Priority should be given to--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) applicants from 
                                households with an income that is less 
                                than 200 percent of the poverty level 
                                established pursuant to current census 
                                figures;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) applicants who have 
                                demonstrated prior community service 
                                experience;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) applicants with 
                                skills and experience suited to the 
                                specific needs of host 
                                countries;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) applicants who 
                                demonstrate a clear plan to communicate 
                                their volunteer experiences to their 
                                community upon their return; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (V) applicants whose 
                                physical residence would ensure a 
                                diverse geographical distribution of 
                                awardees across the United 
                                States.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Reporting Requirement.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Notification of awards.--The Secretary of 
        State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development shall jointly notify Members of 
        Congress of the decision to award a fellowship to their 
        constituents at least 2 business days prior to notification to 
        the awardee. Members of Congress may choose to notify the 
        constituent of the award upon receiving such 
        notification.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Project summaries.--Individuals receiving 
        Global Service Fellowships shall notify their Members of 
        Congress of their intended travel dates and provide project 
        summaries prior to their departures.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after 
        returning from their Global Service Fellowships, fellows shall 
        submit such reports as the Secretary of State, in conjunction 
        with the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development, may require, including post-
        fellowship reports prepared for their home communities, to the 
        Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States 
        Agency for International Development, and their congressional 
        representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Eligible Costs.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Funds awarded under this section 
        may be used to cover the following costs associated with Global 
        Service Fellowships:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Airfare, accommodations, and 
                transportation within the host country.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Fees assessed by sponsoring 
                organizations to defray international service program 
                costs and administrative costs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Subsistence allowance in accordance 
                with local market conditions.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Program materials and tools used for 
                service-related purposes.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) Seed funding for local service 
                projects.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) Language and cultural training and 
                other costs associated with pre-service project 
                orientation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Tuition not covered.--Funds awarded under this 
        section may not be used for tuition costs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (h) Nondiscrimination Requirements.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Selection of applicants.--The selection of 
        applicants under subsection (e) shall be without regard to 
        race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, political 
        affiliation, sexual orientation, or disability.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Sponsoring organizations.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--A sponsoring organization 
                shall not discriminate against a Global Service 
                Fellowship Program participant or applicant, a 
                beneficiary of any project in which a Global Service 
                Fellow participates, or, except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), an employee of the organization who 
                is paid with Program funds on the basis of race, 
                religion, color, national origin, sex, age, political 
                affiliation, sexual orientation, or 
                disability.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Limited exception for employees of 
                sponsoring organizations employed at time of awarding 
                of funds.--The prohibition under subparagraph (A) on 
                discrimination on the basis of religion shall not apply 
                to the employment, with assistance provided under this 
                Program, of any employee who was employed with the 
                sponsoring organization on the date that the funds were 
                awarded.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. EVALUATION AND REPORT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Evaluation of Global Service Fellowship Program.--The 
Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development, shall establish and 
implement an evaluation process for determining the effectiveness of 
the Global Service Fellowship Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2011, the Secretary 
of State, in conjunction with the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development, shall submit to Congress a report 
on the Global Service Fellowships Program established under section 3. 
The report shall describe--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the identity and location of sponsoring 
        organizations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) for each impact issue areas identified by 
        sponsoring organizations, the number of volunteer opportunities 
        and the number of related Global Service Fellowships that have 
        been funded;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the number of local volunteers recruited or 
        engaged with Global Service Fellows and their sponsoring 
        organizations or local host organizations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the locations of volunteer services;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) the effectiveness of such services based upon 
        findings of the evaluation process; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) the total numbers of applications for Global 
        Service Fellowships that have been received and accepted to the 
        Program.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. FELLOWSHIPS EXCLUDED FROM GROSS INCOME.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of 
subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to items 
specifically excluded from gross income) is amended by inserting after 
section 139A the following new section:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 139B. GLOBAL SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``Gross income does not include amounts received under the 
Global Service Fellowship Program (within the meaning of section 3 of 
the Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2008).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of such part is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 139A the following new item:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``Sec. 139B. Global Services Fellowships.''.
<DELETED>    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. REGULATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Secretary of State shall prescribe regulations to 
carry out the provisions of this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of State $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 
through 2011 for purposes of establishing and implementing the Global 
Service Fellowship Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Offset.--In order to provide an offset for amounts 
appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), the Internal Revenue Service 
shall deposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts all of the fees 
it receives for services.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Global Service Fellowship Program 
Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that a 
        critical component in our efforts to combat extremism is 
        changing opinions and minds.
            (2) Polling data from Terror Free Tomorrow indicates that 
        nearly 60 percent of the people of Indonesia and 75 percent of 
        the people of Pakistan held more favorable views of the United 
        States following humanitarian assistance after their tsunami 
        and earthquake tragedies, respectively, and these changes in 
        perception of the United States were sustained beyond the 
        initial period of aid and service.
            (3) International volunteering opportunities are effective 
        means of addressing critical human needs, building bridges 
        across cultures, and promoting mutual understanding.
            (4) Current volunteer programs, such as the Peace Corps, 
        remain an important part of Federal efforts to promote 
        volunteer service and provide related programming.
            (5) Financial limitations are a common obstacle to 
        international volunteering by Americans, and awarding financial 
        fellowships would reduce barriers for many individuals 
        otherwise unable to volunteer overseas.
            (6) Allowing flexibility in the duration of volunteering 
        opportunities would reduce another barrier to volunteering.
            (7) A global service fellowship program would provide 
        funding and programmatic flexibility for volunteers of all 
        backgrounds, ages, and geographical locations.
            (8) Eligible organizations willing to participate in the 
        fellowship program as sponsoring organizations would be in a 
        better position to recruit volunteers for their programs 
        overseas.
            (9) The United States Agency for International Development 
        has taken important steps towards encouraging this kind of a 
        program through the creation of Volunteers for Prosperity, 
        which promotes international volunteer service by skilled 
        professionals from the United States.

SEC. 3. VOLUNTEERS FOR PROSPERITY.

    (a) Establishment.--Consistent with Executive Order 13317 (68 Fed. 
Reg. 56515), the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development shall establish the Office of Volunteers for 
Prosperity.
    (b) Purpose.--The Office of Volunteers for Prosperity shall pursue 
the objectives described in section 4(d)(2), including by--
            (1) implementing the Global Service Fellowship Program 
        established under section 4;
            (2) promoting other short and long-term international 
        volunteering opportunities;
            (3) promoting, in collaboration with the Secretary of 
        State, the efforts of Global Service Fellows as part of the 
        public diplomacy efforts of the Department of State;
            (4) helping eligible United States sponsoring 
        organizations, as described in section 4(e)(3)(A), to recruit 
        and effectively manage skilled United States professionals for 
        volunteer assignments overseas; and
            (5) providing recognition for volunteers from the United 
        States who serve internationally, and the organizations 
        sponsoring them.

SEC. 4. GLOBAL SERVICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator of the United States Agency 
for International Development shall establish and administer a program 
to be known as the Global Service Fellowship Program (in this section 
referred to as the ``Program'').
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Program is to fund fellowships to 
promote international volunteering opportunities as a means of building 
bridges across cultures, addressing critical human needs, and promoting 
mutual understanding.
    (c) Fellowships.--Grants awarded under the Program shall be used to 
fund fellowships as follows:
            (1) Fellowships lasting 90 days or less in duration may be 
        funded at levels of up to $2,500.
            (2) Fellowships lasting between 91 days and 180 days may be 
        funded at levels up to $5,000.
            (3) Fellowships lasting between 181 days and one year may 
        be funded at levels up to $7,500.
    (d) Coordination With Sponsoring Organizations.--
            (1) In general.--Fellows shall undertake their volunteer 
        opportunity in coordination with an eligible volunteer 
        sponsoring organization. Such organizations shall be registered 
        with the Administrator and shall collaborate with host country 
        organizations in developing programs that appropriately address 
        local needs, maximize the transfer of skills, and build local 
        capacity.
            (2) Prioritization of projects.--Decisions to award 
        fellowships shall be prioritized according to humanitarian and 
        development goals of the United States Government, including 
        the following goals:
                    (A) Eradication of extreme poverty in conjunction 
                with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
                    (B) Achievement of universal primary education.
                    (C) Promotion of gender equality and the 
                empowerment of women and families.
                    (D) Reducing child mortality and improving maternal 
                health.
                    (E) Providing medical and dental health care and 
                prevention.
                    (F) Providing assistance for the elderly, orphans, 
                people with disabilities, and refugees.
                    (G) Promoting environmental sustainability.
                    (H) Providing economic and social opportunities for 
                youth in countries with growing cohorts of young 
                people.
                    (I) Promoting youth service by building related 
                volunteer-sector capacity in host countries.
                    (J) Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other 
                infectious diseases.
                    (K) Helping to build or provide decent housing.
                    (L) Providing disaster and humanitarian response, 
                preparedness, and reconstruction.
                    (M) Promoting cross-cultural exchange, conflict 
                resolution, and peace.
                    (N) Developing global partnerships for development 
                in the areas of economic growth, microenterprise, asset 
                development, and agricultural and rural development.
                    (O) Advancing access to information technology and 
                strengthening civil society.
    (e) Application Process.--
            (1) Submission and review of applications.--Applicants 
        shall submit applications for fellowships under the Program to 
        the Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
        Development.
            (2) Selection.--The Administrator of the United States 
        Agency for International Development shall determine the 
        eligibility of candidates and, in consultation with sponsoring 
        organizations, award and administer fellowships under the 
        Program.
            (3) Criteria.--The Administrator of the United States 
        Agency for International Development shall develop and publish 
        criteria for fellowships in accordance with the following 
        guidelines:
                    (A) Sponsoring organizations.--Applicants for 
                Global Service Fellowships must be registered with 
                qualified sponsoring organizations such as--
                            (i) nongovernmental organizations based in 
                        the United States that sponsor international 
                        volunteer service;
                            (ii) faith-based organizations engaged in 
                        the delivery of nonsectarian services;
                            (iii) universities and colleges operating 
                        international service learning and volunteer 
                        service programs; and
                            (iv) nongovernmental organizations based in 
                        the United States that collaborate with local 
                        or national host government agencies or 
                        nongovernmental organizations in promoting 
                        volunteer capacity and national and community 
                        service activities consistent with the 
                        prioritized humanitarian and development goals 
                        set forth in subsection (d)(2).
                    (B) Applicants.--Applicants shall be selected for 
                Global Service Fellowships as follows:
                            (i) Applicants shall have clearly defined 
                        and structured goals for their proposed 
                        fellowships, including a plan for assessing and 
                        monitoring progress toward such goals with 
                        sponsoring organizations and a basis for 
                        follow-up and review by the Administrator of 
                        the United States Agency for International 
                        Development.
                            (ii) Priority should be given to--
                                    (I) applicants from households with 
                                an income that is less than 200 percent 
                                of the poverty level established 
                                pursuant to current census figures;
                                    (II) applicants who have 
                                demonstrated prior community service 
                                experience;
                                    (III) applicants with skills and 
                                experience suited to the specific needs 
                                of host countries;
                                    (IV) applicants who demonstrate a 
                                clear plan to communicate their 
                                volunteer experiences to their 
                                community upon their return; and
                                    (V) applicants whose physical 
                                residence would ensure a diverse 
                                geographical distribution of awardees 
                                across the United States.
    (f) Reporting Requirement.--
            (1) Notification of awards.--The Administrator of the 
        United States Agency for International Development shall notify 
        Members of Congress of the decision to award a fellowship to 
        their constituents at least 2 business days prior to 
        notification to the awardee. Members of Congress may notify the 
        constituent of the award upon receiving such notification.
            (2) Project summaries.--Individuals receiving Global 
        Service Fellowships shall notify their Members of Congress of 
        their intended travel dates and provide project summaries prior 
        to their departures.
            (3) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after returning from 
        service abroad under the Program, fellows shall submit such 
        reports as the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development may require, including post-
        fellowship reports prepared for their home communities, to the 
        Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States 
        Agency for International Development, and their congressional 
        representatives.
    (g) Eligible Costs.--
            (1) In general.--Funds awarded under this section may be 
        used to cover the following costs associated with Global 
        Service Fellowships:
                    (A) Airfare, accommodations, and transportation 
                within the host country.
                    (B) Fees assessed by sponsoring organizations to 
                defray international service program costs and 
                administrative costs.
                    (C) Subsistence allowance in accordance with local 
                market conditions.
                    (D) Program materials and tools used for service-
                related purposes.
                    (E) Seed funding for local service projects.
                    (F) Language and cultural training and other costs 
                associated with pre-service project orientation.
            (2) Tuition not covered.--Funds awarded under this section 
        may not be used for tuition costs.
    (h) Nondiscrimination Requirements.--
            (1) Selection of applicants.--The selection of applicants 
        under subsection (e) shall be without regard to race, religion, 
        color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, sexual 
        orientation, or disability.
            (2) Sponsoring organizations.--
                    (A) In general.--A sponsoring organization shall 
                not discriminate against a Global Service Fellowship 
                Program participant or applicant, a beneficiary of any 
                project in which a Global Service Fellow participates, 
                or, except as provided in subparagraph (B), an employee 
                of the organization who is paid with assistance 
                provided under the Program on the basis of race, 
                religion, color, national origin, sex, age, political 
                affiliation, sexual orientation, or disability.
                    (B) Limited exception for employees of sponsoring 
                organizations employed at time of awarding of funds.--
                The prohibition under subparagraph (A) on 
                discrimination on the basis of religion shall not apply 
                to the employment, with assistance provided under this 
                Program, of any employee who was employed with the 
                sponsoring organization on the date that the funds were 
                awarded.

SEC. 5. EVALUATION AND REPORT.

    (a) Evaluation of Global Service Fellowship Program.--The 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development 
shall establish and implement an evaluation process for determining the 
effectiveness of the Global Service Fellowship Program.
    (b) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2011, the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development shall submit to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the Global 
Service Fellowships Program established under section 4. The report 
shall describe--
            (1) the identity and location of sponsoring organizations;
            (2) for each humanitarian or development goal identified by 
        sponsoring organizations, the number of volunteer opportunities 
        and the number of related Global Service Fellowships that have 
        been funded;
            (3) the number of volunteers recruited or engaged with 
        Global Service Fellows and their sponsoring organizations or 
        local host organizations;
            (4) the locations of volunteer services;
            (5) the effectiveness of such services based upon findings 
        of the evaluation process; and
            (6) the total numbers of applications for Global Service 
        Fellowships that have been received and accepted to the 
        Program.

SEC. 6. REGULATIONS.

    The Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development shall prescribe regulations to carry out the provisions of 
this Act.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development 
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2011 for the Office 
of Volunteers for Prosperity and the Global Service Fellowship Program.
    (b) Allocation of Funds.--Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to 
subsection (a)--
            (1) not less than 90 percent of expended amounts shall be 
        used to fund Global Service Fellowships; and
            (2) not more than 10 percent may be used for administrative 
        expenses of the Office of Volunteers for Prosperity and the 
        Global Service Fellowship Program.
            Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to establish a 
        Global Service Fellowship Program and to authorize Volunteers 
        for Prosperity, and for other purposes.''.
                                                      Calendar No. 1045

110th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2609

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

    To establish a Global Service Fellowship Program, and for other 
                               purposes.

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           September 23 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

        Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title