[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1612 Reported in House (RH)]

                                                 Union Calendar No. 177
111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1612

                      [Report No. 111-312, Part I]

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-learning opportunities on public lands, 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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 19, 2009

  Mr. Grijalva (for himself and Mr. Rahall) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in 
addition to the Committees on Agriculture and Education and Labor, 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

                            October 23, 2009

  Additional sponsors: Mr. Doggett, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Inslee, Ms. 
   Bordallo, Mr. Holt, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Snyder, Ms. Lee of 
California, Mr. Berman, Mr. Walz, Mr. Massa, Mr. Rothman of New Jersey, 
   Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Filner, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Payne, Ms. Hirono, Mr. 
  Kildee, Mr. Sablan, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Markey of Massachusetts, Mr. 
  Pierluisi, Mr. Honda, Mr. Ehlers, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. 
   Michaud, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Sestak, Mr. 
Delahunt, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Cummings, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. 
 Hinojosa, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. 
  Gutierrez, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Baca, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Price of North 
Carolina, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Rodriguez, Ms. Markey of Colorado, Mr. Hodes, 
Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Mr. Tonko, Mr. 
Connolly of Virginia, Ms. Herseth Sandlin, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. 
  Kissell, Ms. McCollum, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Dicks, Mr. Hastings of 
 Florida, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Miller of North Carolina, and Mr. Jackson of 
                                Illinois

                            October 23, 2009

    Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with amendments
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

                            October 23, 2009

Committees on Agriculture and Education and Labor 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 March 
                               19, 2009]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
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-learning opportunities on public lands, 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.


 


    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 ``Public Lands Service Corps Act of 
2009''.

SEC. 2. 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 
Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.; title II of Public Law 
91-378).

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC LANDS CORPS ACT OF 1993.

    (a) Name and Project Description Changes.--The Act is amended--
            (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'';
            (3) in the section 204--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking ``public 
                lands corps'' and inserting ``public lands service 
                corps''; 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 inserting ``Public lands 
        service corps'';
            (5) by striking ``conservation center'' each place it 
        appears and inserting ``residential conservation center''; and
            (6) 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 projects''.
    (b) Findings.--Section 202(a) of the Act is amended as follows:
            (1) In paragraph (1), by striking ``the natural and 
        cultural'' and inserting ``natural and cultural''.
            (2) By redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
        (4) and (5), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (1) 
        the following:
            ``(2) Participants in conservation corps receive meaningful 
        training and their experience with such corps provides 
        preparation for careers in public service.
            ``(3) Young men and women who participate in the 
        rehabilitation and restoration of our Nation's natural, 
        cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic 
        treasures will gain an increased appreciation and understanding 
        of our public lands and heritage, 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 ``, 
        cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic'' 
        after ``Many facilities and natural''.
            (4) By adding at the end the following:
            ``(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.''.
    (c) Purpose.--Section 202(b) of the Act is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to--
            ``(1) 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) facilitate training and recruitment opportunities in 
        which service is credited as qualifying experience for careers 
        in public land management;
            ``(3) instill in a new generation of young men and women 
        from across the Nation, including those 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) perform, in a cost-effective manner, appropriate 
        natural and cultural resources conservation projects where such 
        projects are not being performed by existing employees;
            ``(5) assist governments and Indian tribes in performing 
        research and public education tasks associated with natural and 
        cultural resources;
            ``(6) expand educational opportunities by rewarding 
        individuals who participate in national service with an 
        increased ability to pursue higher education or job training; 
        and
            ``(7) promote public understanding and appreciation of the 
        individual missions and natural and cultural resources 
        conservation work of the Federal agencies through training 
        opportunities, community service and outreach, and other 
        appropriate means.''.
    (d) Definitions.--Section 203 of the Act is amended as follows:
            (1) By amending paragraphs (1) and (2) to read as follows:
            ``(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.
            ``(2) 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) By amending paragraph (7) (as so redesignated) to read 
        as follows:
            ``(7) Public lands.--The term `public lands' means any 
        lands or waters (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) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) makes available for audit for each fiscal 
                year for which the qualified youth or conservation 
                corps receives Federal funds under this Act, 
                information pertaining to the expenditure of the funds, 
                any matching funds, and participant demographics.''.
            (6) In paragraph (10) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(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.''.
            (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 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 ``, 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: ``The 
                Secretary of the Interior shall establish a department-
                level office to coordinate Public Lands Service Corps 
                activities within the Department of the Interior. The 
                Secretary of Agriculture shall establish within the 
                U.S. Forest Service an office to coordinate Public 
                Lands Service Corps activities within that agency. The 
                Secretary of Commerce shall establish within the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration an 
                office to coordinate Public Lands Service 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 Service Corps activities.''.
            (2) By amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(b) Participants.--The Secretary may enroll in the Public Lands 
Service Corps individuals between the ages of 16 and 25, inclusive, who 
are either hired by an agency under the Secretary's jurisdiction to 
perform work authorized under this Act or who are 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. The Secretary may also enroll resource assistants and 
consulting interns. All enrollees shall be considered Public Lands 
Service Corps participants, and may be enrolled for a term of up to 24 
months of service, which may be served over more than two calendar 
years. The individuals may be enrolled without regard to the civil 
service and classification laws, rules, or regulations of the United 
States. The Secretary may establish a preference for the enrollment in 
the Corps of individuals who are economically, physically, or 
educationally disadvantaged.''.
            (3) In subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``contracts and'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``natural and cultural 
                        resources'' after ``appropriate''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``subsection (d)'' and 
                        inserting ``subsection (e)'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
                (3);
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Recruitment.--The Secretary shall undertake, 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 or means.''; and
                    (D) by amending paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) 
                to read as follows:
            ``(3) Preference.--For purposes of entering into 
        cooperative agreements under paragraph (1), the Secretary may 
        give preference to qualified youth or conservation corps 
        located in a specific area that have 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) the following:
    ``(d) Training.--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. The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) ensure that the duration and comprehensiveness of the 
        training program shall be commensurate with the projects Corps 
        participants are expected to undertake;
            ``(2) develop department-wide standards for the program 
        that include training in--
                    ``(A) resource stewardship;
                    ``(B) ethics for those in public service;
                    ``(C) principles of national service;
                    ``(D) health and safety;
                    ``(E) teamwork and leadership; and
                    ``(F) interpersonal communications;
            ``(3) direct each participating agency 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--
                    ``(A) the history and organization of the agency;
                    ``(B) the agency's core values; and
                    ``(C) any agency-specific standards for the 
                management of natural, cultural, historic, 
                archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources; and
            ``(4) 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)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) 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 carry out, under 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 
                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 of 
                climate change and other natural and human 
                disturbances;
                    ``(B) promoting the health of forests and public 
                lands, refuges, and coastal and marine areas, 
                including--
                            ``(i) protection and restoration of 
                        watersheds and forest, riparian, estuarine, 
                        grassland, coral reef, intertidal, or other 
                        habitat;
                            ``(ii) reduction of wildfire risk and 
                        mitigation of damage from insects, disease, and 
                        disasters;
                            ``(iii) erosion control;
                            ``(iv) control or removal of invasive, 
                        noxious, or non-native species; and
                            ``(v) restoration of native species;
                    ``(C) collection of biological, archaeological, and 
                other scientific data, including monitoring of 
                climatological information, species populations and 
                movement, habitat status, and other factors;
                    ``(D) assisting in historical and cultural 
                research, archival and curatorial work, oral history 
                projects, documentary photography, and activities that 
                support the creation of public works of art related to 
                public lands; and
                    ``(E) construction, repair, rehabilitation, green 
                building retrofitting, and maintenance of roads, 
                trails, campgrounds, and other facilities, employee 
                housing, cultural and historic sites and structures, 
                and facilities that further the purposes of the Public 
                Lands Service Corps.''.
                    (B) By redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
                paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively.
                    (C) By inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Visitor services.--The Secretary may--
                    ``(A) enter into or amend an existing cooperative 
                agreement with a cooperating association, educational 
                institute, 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, sales, office work, 
                accounting, and management provided that the work 
                experience directly relates to the protection and 
                management of the public lands; and
                    ``(B) allow Corps participants to help promote 
                visitor safety and enjoyment of public lands, and 
                assist in the gathering of visitor use data.
            ``(3) Interpretation.--The Secretary may assign Corps 
        participants to provide interpretation or education services 
        for the public under the appropriate direction and supervision 
        of agency personnel, including--
                    ``(A) providing orientation and information 
                services to visitors, including services for non-
                English speaking visitors and visitors who use American 
                Sign Language;
                    ``(B) assisting agency personnel 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 
                community programs that relate the personal experience 
                of the Corps participant for the purpose of promoting 
                public awareness of the Corps, its role in public land 
                management agencies, and its availability to potential 
                participants; and
                    ``(D) creating nonpersonal interpretive products, 
                such as Web site 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)(2) (as so 
        redesignated) to read as follows: ``will instill in Corps 
        participants a work ethic and a sense of public service;''.
            (9) In subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking 
        ``on eligible service lands''.
            (10) By adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) 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 appropriate.''.
    (f) Residential Conservation Centers and Program Support.--Section 
205 of the Act is amended as follows:
            (1) In the section heading, by striking ``conservation'' 
        and inserting ``residential conservation''.
            (2) In subsection (a)--
                    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may establish residential 
        conservation centers for--
                    ``(A) such housing, food service, medical care, 
                transportation, and other services as the Secretary 
                deems necessary for the Public Lands Service Corps; and
                    ``(B) the conduct of appropriate residential 
                conservation projects under this Act.'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating 
                paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), 
                respectively;
                    (C) 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 ``conservation 
                        centers''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by 
                striking ``with a State or'' and inserting ``a 
                cooperative agreement with another Federal, State, 
                or''.
            (3) In subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) The Secretary''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) The Secretary may make arrangements with other 
        Federal agencies, States, local governments, or private 
        organizations to provide temporary housing as needed and 
        available.
            ``(3) 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) By redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (g).
            (5) By inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Facilities.--The Secretary may, as an appropriate natural and 
cultural resources conservation project, direct Corps participants to 
aid in the rehabilitation or construction of residential conservation 
center facilities, including housing.
    ``(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, veterans groups, 
military retirees, 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 ``the 
        Secretary determines to be necessary for the residential 
        conservation center''.
    (g) Resource Assistants and Consulting Interns.--Section 206 of the 
Act is amended as follows:
            (1) In the section heading, by inserting ``and consulting 
        interns'' before the period.
            (2) In subsection (a), by striking ``The Secretary is 
        authorized to provide individual placements of resource'' and 
        inserting the following: ``The Secretary is authorized, to 
        provide individual placements of the following:
            ``(1) Resource''.
            (3) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so 
        designated), the following:
            ``(2) Consulting interns with any Federal land, coastal, or 
        ocean management agency under the jurisdiction of the Secretary 
        to carry out management analysis activities on behalf of the 
        agency. To be eligible for selection as a consulting intern, an 
        individual must be a current enrollee and have completed at 
        least one 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. 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 nonprofit 
organizations for the expenses of resource assistants and consulting 
interns under subsection (b) may be reduced to not less than 10 
percent.''.
    (h) Technical Amendment.--The Act is amended by redesignating 
sections 207, 208, 209, 210, and 211 as sections 208, 209, 210, 211, 
and 212, respectively.
    (i) Guidance.--The Act is amended by inserting after section 206 
the following:

``SEC. 207. GUIDANCE.

    ``Not later than 18 months after funds are made available for this 
purpose, the Secretaries 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.''.
    (j) Living Allowances and Terms of Service.--Section 208 of the Act 
(as so redesignated) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) Living Allowances.--The Secretary shall provide each Corps 
participant with a living allowance in an amount established by the 
Secretary. The Secretary may--
            ``(1) apply a cost-of-living differential to such 
        allowances; and
            ``(2) 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 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 
        ``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 toward future Federal hiring;
            ``(2) provide to a former participant of the Public Lands 
        Service Corps noncompetitive hiring status for a period of not 
        more than two 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), if the candidate--
                    ``(A) has served a minimum of 960 hours on an 
                appropriate natural or cultural resource conservation 
                project that included at least 120 hours through the 
                Public Lands Service Corps; and
                    ``(B) meets Office of Personnel Management 
                qualification standards for the position to which the 
                candidate is applying;''; 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 noncompetitive hiring 
        status for a period of not more than two years after the date 
        on which the individual has completed an undergraduate degree 
        from an accredited institution;
            ``(5) provide to an individual who has successfully 
        fulfilled the consulting internship program noncompetitive 
        hiring status for a period of not more than two years after the 
        date on which the individual has completed a graduate degree 
        from an accredited institution; and
            ``(6) provide, or enter into 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 who have completed their Corps service.''.
    (k) 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 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.), 
        the Corps participant shall be eligible''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking--
                    (A) ``either participants in the Corps or resource 
                assistants'' and inserting ``participants in the 
                Corps'' ; and
                    (B) ``or a resource assistant''.
    (l) 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 activities carried out 
by the Public Lands Service Corps participants.''.
    (m) Funding.--Section 211 of the Act (as so redesignated) is 
amended--
            (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 the following: ``The 
                Secretary may reduce to no less than 10 percent the 
                non-Federal costs of a project when the Secretary 
                determines that it is necessary to enable participation 
                in the Public Lands Service Corps from a greater range 
                of organizations.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by inserting ``program'' after ``Corps''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``, consulting interns'' before 
                ``and qualified youth''.
    (n) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 212 of the Act (as so 
redesignated) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``to the Secretary'' 
        after ``authorized to be appropriated'';
            (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``to carry out'' the 
        first place it appears and all that follows through the period 
        and inserting ``such sums as may be necessary to carry out this 
        title.'';
            (3) by striking subsection (b); and
            (4) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
            Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill 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.''.
                                                 Union Calendar No. 177

111th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 1612

                      [Report No. 111-312, Part I]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

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-learning opportunities on public lands, 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.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            October 23, 2009

    Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with amendments

                            October 23, 2009

Committees on Agriculture and Education and Labor discharged; committed 
   to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and 
                         ordered to be printed