I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 286 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 12, 2011 Mr. Al Green of Texas (for himself and Mr. Olson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Financial Services, 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 A BILL To direct the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce to create a job training program and an economic stability program to stabilize the workforce and promote economic growth in the Johnson Space Center region.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Johnson Space Center Workforce Stability Act of 2011.

2.

Job training

(a)

Program authorized

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall create a job training program to assist any affected worker in the Johnson Space Center region to transition to a new job. Such program may include a one-stop career center tailored to the needs of affected workers in the Johnson Space Center region. (b)

Duration

The job training program created under this section shall terminate 2 years after its creation.

3.

Economic stability

(a)

Cooperative agreements authorized

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce (referred to in this section as the EDA), shall enter into cooperative agreements with eligible recipients in the Johnson Space Center region to help stabilize the workforce in such region and to promote economic growth. (b)

Application

An eligible recipient that desires to receive funds under this section shall submit an application that contains a comprehensive economic adjustment strategy to the Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (c)

Uses of funds

The EDA, acting through a cooperative agreement with an eligible recipient, shall use funds authorized to carry out this section for activities to help stabilize the workforce and promote economic growth in the Johnson Space Center region, which may include— (1)providing financial and technical assistance to eligible recipients to help implement the comprehensive economic adjustment strategy, which may include efforts such as infrastructure upgrades, establishing entrepreneurial networks, and establishing skill training facilities; and (2)analyzing whether other methods for economic adjustment that have been successful in similar situations may be effective in the Johnson Space Center region, and if so, implementing such methods, which may include— (A)supporting efforts to start new technology ventures based on the specific skills of dislocated engineers; (B)providing technical assistance to guide public officials, management, and affected workers; and (C)providing additional oversight through visits to the Johnson Space Center region. (d)

Duration

The cooperative agreements entered into under this section shall be for a 2-year period.

4.

Definitions

(a)

Johnson Space Center region

The term Johnson Space Center region means the locality surrounding the Johnson Space Center that contains affected workers. (b)

Affected Worker

The term affected worker means any employee of the Johnson Space Center or any individual who works for a contractor of the Johnson Space Center whose job stability is impacted by the programmatic changes to the space exploration program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (c)

One-Stop Career Center

The term one-stop career center means a comprehensive office dedicated to helping individuals who are unemployed find new employment that offers training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services. (d)

Cooperative Agreement

The term cooperative agreement has the meaning given the term in chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code. (e)

Eligible Recipient and Comprehensive Economic Adjustment Strategy

The terms eligible recipient and comprehensive economic adjustment strategy have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3122).

5.

Authorization of Appropriations

(a)

In General

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act— (1)$40,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and (2)$40,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. (b)

Allocation

Of the amounts appropriated to carry out this Act for each fiscal year— (1)the Secretary of Labor may use not more than $10,000,000 for the job training program; and (2)the Secretary of Commerce may use not more than $30,000,000 for the economic stability program.