[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3833 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3833

     To amend the National Environmental Education Act to update, 
      streamline, and modernize that Act, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 23, 2010

Mrs. Gillibrand introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
       referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To amend the National Environmental Education Act to update, 
      streamline, and modernize that Act, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Environmental Education 
Reauthorization Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND POLICY.

    Section 2 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5501) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND POLICY.

    ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            ``(1) threats to human health and environmental quality are 
        increasingly complex, involving a wide range of conventional 
        and toxic contaminants in the air and water and on the land;
            ``(2) there is growing evidence of international 
        environmental problems, such as global warming, ocean 
        pollution, and declines in species diversity, and that those 
        problems pose serious threats to human health and the 
        environment on a global scale;
            ``(3) environmental problems represent as significant a 
        threat to the quality of life and the economic vitality of 
        urban areas as they do the natural balance of rural areas;
            ``(4) to address increasingly serious problems associated 
        with pollution and global climate change, it is necessary to 
        accelerate deployment of low-carbon technologies and clean 
        sources of energy;
            ``(5) environmental education is a valuable tool to prepare 
        people in the United States to compete globally in high-growth, 
        environmentally friendly fields, such as--
                    ``(A) energy efficiency;
                    ``(B) green building design;
                    ``(C) commercial scale renewable energy;
                    ``(D) biofuels;
                    ``(E) low-emission vehicles;
                    ``(F) energy-efficient manufacturing facilities; 
                and
                    ``(G) the production of environmentally friendly 
                products;
            ``(6) effective response to complex environmental problems 
        requires understanding of the natural and built environment, 
        awareness of environmental problems and the origins of those 
        problems (including those in urban areas), and the skills to 
        solve those problems;
            ``(7) development of effective solutions to environmental 
        problems and effective implementation of environmental programs 
        requires a well-educated and trained, professional work force;
            ``(8) environmental education provides critical tools for 
        that workforce by providing citizens with the skills to 
        understand complex environmental issues so they may make 
        informed decisions in their own lives and find solutions for 
        real world challenges facing the United States as a whole;
            ``(9) business leaders increasingly believe that an 
        environmentally literate workforce is critical to the long-term 
        success of businesses in the United States;
            ``(10) environmental education helps prepare students, 
        citizens, professionals, and people from all walks of life to 
        compete for green jobs and business in an increasingly 
        competitive global economy;
            ``(11) current Federal efforts to inform and educate the 
        public concerning the natural and built environment and 
        environmental problems are not adequate;
            ``(12) existing Federal support for development and 
        training of professionals in environmental fields is not 
        sufficient;
            ``(13) the Federal Government, acting through the 
        Environmental Protection Agency, should work with local 
        educational institutions, State education agencies, Indian 
        tribes, tribal education agencies, not-for-profit educational 
        and environmental organizations, noncommercial educational 
        broadcast, cable, and Internet entities, and private sector 
        interests--
                    ``(A) to support development of curricula, special 
                projects, and other activities;
                    ``(B) to increase understanding of the natural and 
                built environment; and
                    ``(C) to improve awareness of environmental 
                problems;
            ``(14) the Federal Government, acting through the 
        coordinated efforts of Federal agencies and with the 
        Administrator, should work with local educational institutions, 
        State education agencies, Indian tribes, tribal education 
        agencies, not-for-profit educational and environmental 
        organizations, noncommercial educational broadcasting entities, 
        and private sector interests to develop programs to provide 
        increased emphasis and financial resources for the purposes 
        of--
                    ``(A) attracting students into environmental 
                engineering careers; and
                    ``(B) assisting the students in pursuing the 
                programs to complete the advanced technical education 
                required to provide effective problem-solving 
                capabilities for complex environmental issues;
            ``(15) Federal agencies, such as the Forest Service, United 
        States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau 
        of Land Management, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration, have a wide range of environmental expertise 
        and a long history of cooperation with educational institutions 
        and technology transfer that can assist in furthering the 
        purposes of this Act;
            ``(16) exposure to the natural environment is essential for 
        healthy childhood development and for the physical and 
        emotional health of children and adults; and
            ``(17) the Federal Government, acting through the 
        Administrator, should work with local educational institutions, 
        State education agencies, Indian tribes, tribal education 
        agencies, not-for-profit educational and environmental 
        organizations, and private sector interests to support 
        environmental education activities and special projects--
                    ``(A) to train, educate, and prepare citizens for 
                careers in environmentally sustainable fields that 
                promote the global transition to less polluting, 
                higher-efficiency technologies and practices;
                    ``(B) to increase understanding of the benefits of 
                exposure to the natural environment;
                    ``(C) to improve understanding of how human and 
                natural systems interact together; and
                    ``(D) to broaden awareness of environmental issues.
    ``(b) Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to establish 
and support a program of education on the environment for students, 
personnel working with students, and the general public, through 
activities in schools, institutions of higher education, related 
educational activities, the media, the public health and health care 
professional communities, and businesses, and to encourage 
postsecondary students to pursue careers relating to the 
environment.''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 3 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5502) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this Act:
            ``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the 
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            ``(2) Advisory council.--The term `Advisory Council' means 
        the National Environmental Education Advisory Council 
        established by section 9(a).
            ``(3) Agency.--The term `Agency' means the Environmental 
        Protection Agency.
            ``(4) Board of directors.--The term `Board of Directors' 
        means the Board of Directors of the Foundation.
            ``(5) Environmental education.--The term `environmental 
        education' means formal and nonformal education--
                    ``(A) regarding the relevant interrelationships 
                between dynamic environmental and human systems, and 
                which results in increasing the capacity of a student 
                for decisionmaking and stewardship regarding natural 
                and community resources;
                    ``(B) that is specifically designed to foster 
                awareness of the environment and associated problems;
                    ``(C) that conveys the knowledge and skills to 
                equip the general public to work individually and 
                collectively toward solutions to current environmental 
                problems and the prevention of new environmental 
                problems; and
                    ``(D) the primary societal goals of which include--
                            ``(i) measurable improvement in 
                        environmental quality in a manner calculated--
                                    ``(I) to foster and promote the 
                                general welfare;
                                    ``(II) to create and maintain 
                                conditions under which humans and 
                                nature can exist in productive harmony; 
                                and
                                    ``(III) to meet the social, 
                                economic, and other requirements of 
                                present and future generations of 
                                people of the United States;
                            ``(ii) the provision to the public of 
                        opportunities to acquire the knowledge, 
                        understanding of science, and skills needed to 
                        protect and improve the environment; and
                            ``(iii) the encouragement of actions that 
                        reflect stewardship of the environment by 
                        individuals, groups, and society as a whole.
            ``(6) Environmental engineering.--The term `environmental 
        engineering' means the discipline within engineering and 
        science concerned with the development and application of 
        scientific and technical solutions to protecting the aquatic 
        and atmospheric environment, including all phases of water 
        resources planning, water supply, water treatment, air 
        pollution characterization and control, remediation of 
        hazardous substances, environmental transport of contaminants 
        in surface and ground water and atmosphere, and methods for 
        assessment and control of pollution.
            ``(7) Federal agency; agency of the united states.--The 
        terms `Federal agency' and `agency of the United States' mean--
                    ``(A) any department, agency or other 
                instrumentality of the Federal Government; and
                    ``(B) any independent agency or establishment of 
                the Federal Government (including a Government 
                corporation).
            ``(8) Foundation.--The term `Foundation' means the National 
        Environmental Education Foundation established by section 10.
            ``(9) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' means--
                    ``(A) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of 
                the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
                Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)); or
                    ``(B) a tribal government or consortia with a 
                mission or resolution or charter to address education 
                or environmental issues.
            ``(10) Local educational agency.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `local educational 
                agency' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 
                of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 7801).
                    ``(B) Inclusion.--The term `local educational 
                agency' includes a tribal educational agency.
            ``(11) Noncommercial education broadcasting entities.--The 
        term `noncommercial education broadcasting entities' means any 
        noncommercial educational broadcasting station (including any 
        legal nonprofit affiliate of such a station), as defined and 
        licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.
            ``(12) Nonformal education.--The term `nonformal education' 
        means any organized educational activity outside the 
        established formal educational system, whether operating 
        separately or as an important feature of some broader activity 
        linked with community groups and other organizations.
            ``(13) Not-for-profit organization.--The term `not-for-
        profit organization' means an organization, association, or 
        institution described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
        Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 
        501(a) of that Code.
            ``(14) Program.--The term `program' means the Environmental 
        Education and Training Program established by section 5(a).
            ``(15) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Education.
            ``(16) Tribal educational agency.--The term `tribal 
        education agency' means a school or community college that is--
                    ``(A) controlled by an Indian tribe or Alaska 
                Native Village; and
                    ``(B) not administered by the Bureau of Indian 
                Affairs.''.

SEC. 4. OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

    Section 4 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5503) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 4. OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish within the 
Environmental Protection Agency an Office of Environmental Education.
    ``(b) Duties.--The Office of Environmental Education shall--
            ``(1) develop and support programs and related efforts, in 
        consultation and coordination with other Federal agencies, to 
        improve understanding of the natural and built environment, the 
        benefits of exposure to the natural environment, and the 
        relationships between humans and the environment, including the 
        global aspects of environmental problems;
            ``(2)(A) develop and support programs and related efforts 
        that educate the general public on the benefits of reducing 
        dependence on nonrenewable forms of energy, including--
                    ``(i) the benefits such a reduction may have on 
                global climate change; and
                    ``(ii) the benefits of energy conservation; and
            ``(B) promote efforts to prepare citizens for employment in 
        environmentally friendly fields that contribute to healthy 
        communities;
            ``(3) support development and the widest practicable 
        dissemination of model curricula, educational materials, and 
        training programs for elementary and secondary students and 
        other interested groups, including senior citizens in the 
        United States;
            ``(4) develop and disseminate, in cooperation with other 
        Federal agencies, not-for-profit educational and environmental 
        organizations, State agencies, Indian tribes, tribal education 
        agencies, and noncommercial educational broadcast, cable, and 
        Internet entities, environmental education publications, and 
        audio/visual and other media materials;
            ``(5) develop and support environmental education seminars, 
        training programs, teleconferences, and workshops for 
        environmental education professionals, as provided for in 
        section 5;
            ``(6) manage Federal grant assistance provided to local 
        educational agencies, institutions of higher education, other 
        not-for-profit organizations, and electronic education outreach 
        entities, including broadcast, cable, and Internet entities, 
        under sections 5 and 6;
            ``(7) ensure the operation of the environmental education 
        and training program under section 5;
            ``(8) promote research, development, and evaluation of 
        effective approaches to achieving an environmentally literate 
        population, as well as an improved environment;
            ``(9) administer the environmental fellowship programs 
        provided for in section 7;
            ``(10) administer the environmental awards program provided 
        for in section 8;
            ``(11) provide staff support to the Advisory Council 
        provided for in section 9;
            ``(12) assess, in coordination with other Federal agencies, 
        the demand for professional skills and training needed to 
        respond to current and anticipated environmental problems and 
        cooperate with appropriate institutions, organizations, and 
        agencies to develop training programs, curricula, and 
        continuing education programs for teachers, school 
        administrators, and other professionals;
            ``(13) ensure the coordination of Federal statutes and 
        programs administered by the Agency relating to environmental 
        education, consistent with the provisions and purposes of those 
        programs, and work to reduce duplication or inconsistencies 
        within those programs;
            ``(14) work with the Department of Education, the Federal 
        Interagency Committee on Education, the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration, and other Federal agencies to 
        ensure the effective coordination of programs relating to 
        environmental education, including environmental education 
        programs to encourage outdoor recreation relating to national, 
        State, and local parks, national forests, national marine 
        sanctuaries, and wildlife refuges;
            ``(15) provide information on environmental education and 
        training programs to local educational agencies, State 
        education and natural resource agencies, Indian tribes, tribal 
        education agencies, and others; and
            ``(16) otherwise provide for the implementation of this 
        Act.
    ``(c) Director.--The Office of Environmental Education shall--
            ``(1) be directed by a Director, who shall be a member of 
        the Senior Executive Service;
            ``(2) include a headquarters staff of not less than 6 full-
        time equivalent employees; and
            ``(3) be supported by at least 1 full-time equivalent 
        employee in each Agency regional office.''.

SEC. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM.

    Section 5 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5504) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established an Environmental 
Education and Training Program, the purpose of which shall be to train 
education professionals in the development and delivery of 
environmental education and training programs and studies.
    ``(b) Function and Activities.--The functions and activities of the 
program shall include, at a minimum--
            ``(1) classroom and online training in environmental 
        education and studies, including environmental sciences and 
        theory, educational methods and practices, environmental career 
        or occupational education, and topical environmental issues and 
        problems;
            ``(2) demonstration of the design and conduct of 
        environmental field studies and assessments;
            ``(3) development and dissemination of environmental 
        education programs and curriculum, including programs and 
        curriculum to meet the needs of diverse ethnic and cultural 
        groups;
            ``(4) sponsorship and management of international exchanges 
        of teachers and other educational professionals between the 
        United States, Canada, and Mexico involved in environmental 
        programs and issues;
            ``(5) maintenance or support of an electronic library of 
        environmental education materials, information, literature, and 
        technologies, with electronic as well as hard copy 
        accessibility;
            ``(6) review, evaluation, and dissemination of 
        environmental education materials, training methods, and 
        related programs;
            ``(7) sponsorship of conferences, seminars, and related 
        forums for the advancement and development of environmental 
        education and training curricula and materials, including 
        international conferences, seminars, and forums;
            ``(8) support of effective partnerships and networks, as 
        well as other education and environmental organizations, and 
        the use of distant learning technologies with such entities, to 
        leverage resources for the delivery of environmental education;
            ``(9) provision of assistance to college and university 
        faculty to incorporate environmental education in the training 
        provided to future and current teachers and to educators 
        working in informal settings;
            ``(10) development and implementation of an environmental 
        education teacher's resource and curriculum review program;
            ``(11) support of the development and implementation of a 
        professional certification program for environmental educators;
            ``(12) support of the integration of environmental 
        education into kindergarten through twelfth grade teacher pre-
        service training; and
            ``(13) such other activities as the Administrator 
        determines to be consistent with the policies of this Act, with 
        particular emphasis on developing environmental education 
        programs, workshops, and training tools that are portable and 
        can be broadly disseminated.
    ``(c) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall provide grants 
        to institutions of higher education or other institutions that 
        are not-for-profit institutions (or consortia of such 
        institutions) to operate the program required by this section.
            ``(2) Term of grant.--A grant provided to an institution of 
        higher education or consortia under paragraph (1) shall have a 
        multiyear term, as determined by the Administrator.
            ``(3) Application.--Any institution of higher education or 
        other institution (or consortia of such institutions) that is a 
        not-for-profit organization and is interested in receiving a 
        grant under this section may submit to the Administrator an 
        application in such form and containing such information as the 
        Administrator may require.
            ``(4) Criteria for provision of grants.--The Administrator 
        shall provide grants under this section on the basis of, with 
        respect to the institution or consortia under consideration--
                    ``(A) the capability to develop environmental 
                education and training programs;
                    ``(B) the capability to deliver training to a range 
                of participants and in a range of settings;
                    ``(C) the expertise of the staff in a range of 
                appropriate disciplines;
                    ``(D) the relative economic effectiveness of the 
                program in terms of the ratio of overhead costs to 
                direct services;
                    ``(E) the capability to make effective use of 
                existing national environmental education resources and 
                programs;
                    ``(F) the results of any evaluation under paragraph 
                (6); and
                    ``(G) such other factors as the Administrator 
                determines to be appropriate.
            ``(5) Prohibition on use of funds.--No funds made available 
        to carry out this section shall be used for the acquisition of 
        real property (including buildings) or the construction or 
        substantial modification of any building.
            ``(6) Review, evaluation, and termination.--The 
        Administrator shall establish procedures for--
                    ``(A) a careful and detailed review and evaluation 
                of the program to determine whether the quality of the 
                program being operated by the grantee warrants 
                continued support under this section; and
                    ``(B) the termination of a grant to operate the 
                program if the Administrator determines that the 
                quality of the program does not warrant continued 
                support.
    ``(d) Eligibility for Participation.--Individuals eligible for 
participation in the program are--
            ``(1) teachers, faculty, administrators, and related 
        support staff associated with local educational agencies, 
        colleges, and universities;
            ``(2) employees of State education, environmental 
        protection, and natural resource departments;
            ``(3) employees of Indian tribes, tribal education 
        agencies, and tribal environment and natural resource 
        departments; and
            ``(4) employees of not-for-profit organizations involved in 
        environmental education activities and issues.''.

SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS.

    Section 6 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5505) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator may enter into a cooperative 
agreement or contract, or provide financial assistance in the form of a 
grant, to support projects to design, demonstrate, or disseminate 
practices, methods, or techniques relating to environmental education 
and training.
    ``(b) Eligible Activities.--Activities eligible for grant support 
pursuant to this section shall include--
            ``(1) environmental education and training programs for--
                    ``(A) design, demonstration, or dissemination of 
                environmental curricula, including development of 
                educational tools and materials;
                    ``(B) design and demonstration of field methods, 
                practices, and techniques, including assessment of 
                environmental and ecological conditions and analysis of 
                environmental pollution problems;
                    ``(C) projects to understand and assess a specific 
                environmental issue or a specific environmental 
                problem;
                    ``(D) provision of training or related education 
                for teachers, faculty, or related personnel in a 
                specific geographical area or region; and
                    ``(E) design and demonstration of projects to 
                foster international cooperation in addressing 
                environmental issues and problems involving the United 
                States and Canada or Mexico; and
            ``(2) projects that--
                    ``(A) support environmental education research, 
                including through--
                            ``(i) the provision of assistance to 
                        Federal, State, tribal, and local officials and 
                        not-for-profit entities in applying the results 
                        of environmental education research; and
                            ``(ii) the development of improved methods 
                        and tools with wide applicability to evaluate, 
                        rate, and assess the effectiveness of 
                        environmental education;
                    ``(B) develop broad awareness about the need of 
                people in the United States for environmental education 
                by engaging businesses and business associations, 
                health care providers and related associations, and 
                other sectors to encourage the application of 
                environmental education practices and knowledge;
                    ``(C) disseminate environmental education resources 
                to formal and nonformal education organizations;
                    ``(D) provide training or related professional 
                development for formal and nonformal environmental 
                educators or related personnel;
                    ``(E) design, demonstrate, or disseminate 
                environmental curricula and encourage the adoption of 
                the curricula by educational institutions, including 
                development of environmental education tools and 
                materials;
                    ``(F) encourage the integration of environmental 
                education into science, technology, engineering, and 
                math education, after-school education, graduation, and 
                promotion requirements, service learning, and civic 
                education;
                    ``(G) design and demonstrate innovative field 
                methods, practices, and techniques that advance 
                environmental education;
                    ``(H) promote the study and use of how human and 
                natural systems interact together to address domestic 
                and international environmental problems;
                    ``(I) promote understanding of the impacts of large 
                segments of society spending increasing amounts of time 
                indoors and assess the value of exposure to the natural 
                environment on physical and mental health;
                    ``(J) improve understanding and assessment of a 
                specific environmental issue or a specific 
                environmental problem;
                    ``(K) promote the implementation of comprehensive 
                green school initiatives that seek--
                            ``(i) to produce environmentally literate 
                        students while minimizing or eliminating the 
                        environmental footprint of a school; and
                            ``(ii) to assist those students in using 
                        the built and natural environments as learning 
                        laboratories and models of best practices for 
                        local communities;
                    ``(L) foster international cooperation in 
                addressing environmental issues and problems involving 
                the United States and Canada or Mexico;
                    ``(M) encourage new, leveraged public or private 
                funding for environmental education; and
                    ``(N) support a professional network of 
                environmental education researchers.
    ``(c) Priority.--In providing grants pursuant to this section, the 
Administrator shall give priority to those proposed projects that will 
develop--
            ``(1) a new, innovative, or significantly improved 
        environmental education practice, method, or technique that is 
        likely to result in increased environmental literacy or educate 
        and train citizens in fields that promote the sustainability of 
        natural resources;
            ``(2) an environmental education practice, method, or 
        technique that--
                    ``(A) may have wide application;
                    ``(B) can be easily replicated; and
                    ``(C) can improve the systems for delivery of 
                effective environmental education at the national, 
                regional, and local levels;
            ``(3) adequate capacity within organizations for the 
        education of citizens and the use of multidisciplinary 
        approaches with respect to environmental issues;
            ``(4) an environmental education practice, method, or 
        technique that--
                    ``(A) addresses an environmental issue through 
                field-based, quantitative, qualitative, or mixed 
                methodological research;
                    ``(B) has applicability at the community level; and
                    ``(C) encourages service learning through 
                volunteerism;
            ``(5) effective national, regional, State, and tribal 
        environmental education-related organizations, consortia, and 
        alliances to educate citizens regarding how their actions, 
        individually and collectively, affect environmental quality;
            ``(6) collaboration, including sharing of resources and 
        expertise, among environmental education organizations and 
        across sectors; or
            ``(7) an environmental education practice, method, or 
        technique that addresses an environmental issue which, in the 
        judgment of the Administrator, is of a high priority.
    ``(d) Eligible Applicants.--Any local, State, or tribal agency, 
college or university, not-for-profit organization, or noncommercial 
educational broadcasting entity may submit an application to the 
Administrator in response to a solicitation published under paragraph 
(1).
    ``(e) Performance of Project.--Each project covered by an 
application approved under this section shall be performed by the 
applicant, or by a person satisfactory to the applicant and the 
Administrator.
    ``(f) Cost-sharing.--
            ``(1) Federal and non-federal shares.--Except as provided 
        in paragraph (2)--
                    ``(A) the Federal share of the cost of a project 
                funded by a grant provided under this section shall not 
                exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the project; and
                    ``(B) the non-Federal share of the cost of a 
                project described in subparagraph (A) may be provided 
                in the form of in-kind contributions and other noncash 
                support.
            ``(2) Exception.--In a case in which the Administrator 
        determines that a proposed project merits support and cannot be 
        undertaken without a higher rate of Federal support, the 
        Administrator may approve a grant under this section with a 
        matching requirement other than that specified in this 
        subsection, including a Federal share of up to 100 percent.
    ``(g) Maximum Grant Amount.--A grant provided under this section 
shall not exceed $500,000.''.

SEC. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL FELLOWSHIPS.

    Section 7 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5506) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL FELLOWSHIPS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator may enter into a cooperative 
agreement or provide financial assistance in the form of a grant to 
establish a program to provide for fellowships to postsecondary-level 
students.
    ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of a fellowship provided pursuant to 
this section shall be to provide students with an opportunity to train 
with professional staff of the Environmental Protection Agency and 
nongovernmental organizations involved in environmental issues to gain 
an understanding and appreciation of issues addressed by, and the 
skills and abilities possessed by, those staff.
    ``(c) Management.--The fellowship program shall be managed by the 
Office of Environmental Education.
    ``(d) Eligible Participants.--Individuals eligible for 
participation in the fellowship program shall be students enrolled at 
accredited colleges or universities who have successfully completed not 
less than 4 courses (or the equivalent) in environmental sciences or 
related studies, as determined by the Administrator.''.

SEC. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARDS.

    Section 8 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5507) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARDS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall provide for national 
awards recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental 
education.
    ``(b) Specific Awards.--In carrying out this section, the 
Administrator may develop and administer awards to be known as the 
`President's Environmental Youth Awards', to be given to children in 
grades kindergarten through 12 for outstanding projects to promote 
local environmental awareness.''.

SEC. 9. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.

    Section 9 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5508) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 9. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.

    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established a council, to be 
        known as the `National Environmental Education Advisory 
        Council'.
            ``(2) Membership.--The Advisory Council shall consist of up 
        to 11 individuals, appointed by the Administrator, with 
        expertise in environmental education.
            ``(3) Term.--Each member of the Advisory Council shall hold 
        office for a term of 3 years, except that--
                    ``(A) any member appointed to fill a vacancy 
                occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which 
                the predecessor of the member was appointed shall be 
                appointed for the remainder of that term; and
                    ``(B) the terms of the members first taking office, 
                as designated by the Administrator at the time of 
                appointment, shall expire as follows:
                            ``(i) 4 shall expire 3 years after the date 
                        of enactment of the National Environmental 
                        Education Reauthorization Act of 2010.
                            ``(ii) 4 shall expire 2 years after that 
                        date.
                            ``(iii) 3 shall expire 1 year after that 
                        date.
    ``(b) Duties.--The Advisory Council shall advise, consult with, and 
make recommendations to, the Administrator on matters relating to 
activities, functions, and policies, including grants, of the Agency 
under this Act.
    ``(c) Compensation of Members.--
            ``(1) Non-federal employees.--A member of the Advisory 
        Council who is not an officer or employee of the Federal 
        Government may be compensated at a rate fixed by the 
        Administrator, but not exceeding the daily equivalent of the 
        annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-15 of the 
        General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States 
        Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the 
        member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
        Advisory Council.
            ``(2) Federal employees.--A member of the Advisory Council 
        who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall 
        serve without compensation in addition to the compensation 
        received for the services of the member as an officer or 
        employee of the Federal Government.
            ``(3) Travel expenses.--A member of the Advisory Council 
        shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of 
        the member in the performance of the duties of the Advisory 
        Council.
    ``(d) Applicability of FACA.--Section 14(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory 
Council.''.

SEC. 10. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

    Section 10 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5509) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section designation and heading and 
        inserting the following:

``SEC. 10. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION.'';

            (2) in subsection (a)(1)(A)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``National 
                Environmental Education and Training Foundation'' and 
                inserting ``National Environmental Education 
                Foundation''; and
                    (B) in the second sentence, by inserting ``to work 
                cooperatively with the private sector to undertake 
                projects, programs, or initiatives that promote 
                environmental education'' after ``advanced educational 
                system'';
            (3) in subsection (b)(1)(A), in the first sentence, by 
        striking ``13 directors'' and inserting ``not fewer than 9 nor 
        more than 15 directors''; and
            (4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Conditions on Donations.--For the purposes of this section, a 
gift, devise, bequest, property (either real or personal), voluntary 
services, or any other thing of value may be accepted by the Foundation 
even if it is encumbered, restricted, or subject to beneficial 
interests of private persons if, in the judgment of the Board--
            ``(1) any current or future interest in the gift, devise, 
        bequest, property (either real or personal), voluntary 
        services, or any other thing of value is for the benefit of the 
        Foundation; and
            ``(2) any explicit or implied requirement of such a gift, 
        devise, bequest, property (either real or personal), voluntary 
        services, or any other thing of value is consistent with the 
        environmental and education goals and policies of the 
        Environmental Protection Agency and with the intents and 
        purposes of this Act.''.

SEC. 11. FUNDING.

    Section 11 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
5510) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 11. FUNDING.

    ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
        to the Administrator to carry out this Act--
                    ``(A) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 
                2011;
                    ``(B) $42,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 and 
                2013;
                    ``(C) $44,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 and 
                2015;
                    ``(D) $46,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 
                2017;
                    ``(E) $48,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 
                2019; and
                    ``(F) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 
                2021.
            ``(2) Specific use of funds.--Of the amounts made available 
        under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year for environmental 
        education activities, the Administrator shall distribute funds 
        in the following manner:
                    ``(A) Up to 30 percent for the activities of the 
                Office of Environmental Education under section 4, 
                environmental fellowships under section 7, awards under 
                section 8, and the Environmental Education Advisory 
                Council under section 9.
                    ``(B) 25 percent for the operation of the 
                environmental education and training program under 
                section 5.
                    ``(C) At least 35 percent for environmental 
                education grants under section 6.
                    ``(D) 10 percent for support of the National 
                Environmental Education Foundation under section 10.
    ``(b) Amounts for Foundation.--If the Administrator determines that 
funds provided to the Foundation will be used to carry out the purposes 
of the Foundation in a manner consistent with the goals, objectives, 
and programs of this Act, funds may be so provided--
            ``(1) to match partially or wholly the amount or value of 
        contributions (whether in currency, services, or property) made 
        to the Foundation by private persons and State, local, and 
        tribal governments; and
            ``(2) to provide administrative services under section 
        10(e).''.

SEC. 12. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Section 7(f)(2) of the National Environmental Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 5506(f)(2)) is amended by striking ``local education agency'' 
and inserting ``local educational agency''.
    (b) Section 8(e) of the National Environmental Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 5507(e)) is amended in paragraphs (1) and (3) by striking 
``local education agency'' each place it appears and inserting ``local 
educational agency''.
    (c) The table of contents of the National Environmental Education 
Act (20 U.S.C. prec. 5501) is amended by striking the items relating to 
sections 2 through 11 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 2. Findings and policy.
``Sec. 3. Definitions.
``Sec. 4. Office of Environmental Education.
``Sec. 5. Environmental Education and Training Program.
``Sec. 6. Environmental education grants.
``Sec. 7. Environmental fellowships.
``Sec. 8. Environmental education awards.
``Sec. 9. Environmental Education Advisory Council.
``Sec. 10. National Environmental Education Foundation.
``Sec. 11. Funding.''.
                                 <all>