[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1403 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 711
115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1403

   To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to establish the 21st 
   Century Conservation Service Corps to place youth and veterans in 
national service positions to conserve, restore, and enhance the great 
         outdoors of the United States, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 21, 2017

  Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Udall, Mr. Alexander, Mr. 
Wicker, Mr. Tester, Mr. King, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Daines, and 
 Mr. Heinrich) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
       referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

                            December 4, 2018

              Reported by Ms. Murkowski, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to establish the 21st 
   Century Conservation Service Corps to place youth and veterans in 
national service positions to conserve, restore, and enhance the great 
         outdoors of the United States, 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 ``21st Century Conservation 
Service Corps Act of 2017''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. PURPOSES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 202 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1721) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 202. PURPOSES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``The purposes of this title are--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) to engage youth and veterans in the United 
        States in civilian national service positions to conserve, 
        rebuild, and enhance the outdoors, natural resources, 
        infrastructure, and recreation assets of the United 
        States;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) to increase public access to, and use of, 
        public and tribal land and water, infrastructure, and natural, 
        cultural, and historical resources and treasures, while 
        spurring economic development and outdoor recreation and 
        addressing backlogged maintenance on public land;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) to conserve, restore, and enhance public and 
        tribal land and water, infrastructure, and natural, cultural, 
        and historical resources and treasures by carrying out high-
        quality, cost-effective 21st Century Conservation Service Corps 
        projects;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) to ensure that, in any State or territory of 
        the United States or on any tribal land, the activities and 
        expertise of Corpsmembers will be accessible to any public 
        organization, nonprofit organization, or tribal agency 
        responsible for the stewardship of land and water that is--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) public;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) tribal; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) private and has a direct or 
                recognized public benefit, in coordination with the 
                owner of the land or water;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) to place youth and veterans in civilian 
        national service positions to protect, restore, and enhance the 
        great outdoors, natural resources, infrastructure, and 
        recreation assets of the United States in a cost-effective 
        manner without undue duplication or overlap of activities or 
        programs carried out by Federal agencies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) to provide youth and veterans placed in 
        civilian national service positions with opportunities to gain 
        in-demand skills, credentials, and education to prepare for, 
        and transition to, success in the 21st century workforce; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) to channel widespread interest among youth 
        and veterans in serving in civilian national service positions 
        to help conserve, restore, and enhance public and tribal land 
        and water, infrastructure, and natural, cultural, and 
        historical resources and treasures--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) for the enjoyment and use of future 
                generations; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to develop the next generation of 
                outdoor stewards, entrepreneurs, recreationists, and 
                sportsmen and sportswomen.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 203 of the Public Lands Corps Act 
of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``In this title:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) 21CSC.--The term `21CSC' means the 21st 
        Century Conservation Service Corps established by section 
        204(a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) 21CSC organization.--The term `21CSC 
        organization' means an organization or association that meets 
        the requirements described in section 204(d).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) 21CSC project.--The term `21CSC project' 
        means a project that is carried out by a 21CSC 
        organization.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Corpsmember.--The term `Corpsmember' means 
        an individual who is selected by a 21CSC organization to serve 
        on a 21CSC project.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Indian.--The term `Indian' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 101 of the National and Community 
        Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Indian youth 21st century conservation 
        service corps.--The term `Indian Youth 21st Century 
        Conservation Service Corps' means a program of a 21CSC 
        organization that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) enrolls participants, the majority 
                of whom are Indians; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) is established pursuant to an 
                agreement between a tribal agency and a 21CSC 
                organization for the benefit of the members of the 
                tribal agency.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) Institution of higher education.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The term `institution 
                of higher education' has the meaning given the term in 
                section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1002).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `institution of 
                higher education' does not include--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) an institution described in 
                        section 101(b) of the Higher Education Act of 
                        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(b)); or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) an institution outside the 
                        United States, as described in section 
                        102(a)(1)(C) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
                        1002(a)(1)(C)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) Participating entity.--The term 
        `participating entity' means a Federal entity described in 
        section 204(c)(2).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) Priority project.--The term `priority 
        project' means a 21CSC project conducted to further 1 or more 
        of the purposes described in section 202 or in section 2 of the 
        Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501), 
        including by--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) reducing wildfire risk to a 
                community, municipal water supply, or at-risk 
                land;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) protecting a watershed;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) addressing a threat to forest land 
                or rangeland health, including catastrophic 
                wildfire;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) addressing the impact of insect or 
                disease infestation or any other damaging agent on 
                forest land, water, or rangeland health; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) conserving, restoring, or enhancing 
                a forest ecosystem or an ecosystem on public, private, 
                or tribal land--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) to improve biological 
                        diversity; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) to enhance--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the productivity of 
                                fish and wildlife habitat;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the recovery of a 
                                species; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) carbon 
                                sequestration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) Resource assistant.--The term `resource 
        assistant' means a resource assistant selected under section 
        206.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(11) State.--The term `State' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) each of the several States of the 
                United States;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the District of Columbia;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto 
                Rico;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) the United States Virgin 
                Islands;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Guam;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) American Samoa; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) the Commonwealth of the Northern 
                Mariana Islands.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(12) Tribal agency.--The term `tribal agency' 
        has the meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 101 of 
        the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
        12511).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(13) Tribal land or water.--The term `tribal 
        land or water' means any real property or water--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) owned by a tribal agency;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) held in trust by the United States 
                for an Indian or a tribal agency; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) held by an Indian or a tribal agency 
                that is subject to a restriction on alienation imposed 
                by the United States.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(14) Veteran.--The term `veteran' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United 
        States Code.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(15) Youth.--The term `youth' means an 
        individual who is not younger than age 15 and not older than 
        age 30.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 623(i)(6) of title 40, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ``any public lands (as 
defined in section 203 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 
1722))'' and inserting ``any land or water (or interest in land or 
water) owned or administered by the United States (other than Indian 
land)''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 204 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1723) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 204. 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established the 21st 
Century Conservation Service Corps, to be comprised of 21CSC 
organizations and Corpsmembers, to carry out, in partnership with 
participating entities, the purposes of this title.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Designation of Coordinators.--The head of each 
participating entity, and the head of any bureau or subdivision of each 
participating entity, shall designate a 21CSC coordinator to coordinate 
any activity of the 21CSC or a 21CSC project carried out by the 
participating entity or the bureau or subdivision of the participating 
entity.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Participating Entities.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The 21CSC shall be implemented 
        jointly by the heads of the participating entities, who may 
        support the 21CSC by carrying out the activities described in 
        paragraph (3).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) List of participating entities.--The 
        participating entities shall be--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the Department of the 
                Interior;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the Department of 
                Agriculture;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) the Department of 
                Transportation;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) the Department of Labor;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) the Department of Energy;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) the Department of Defense;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(H) the Department of 
                Commerce;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(I) the Department of 
                Education;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(J) the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(K) the Corporation for National and 
                Community Service;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(L) the Office of the Assistant 
                Secretary of the Army for Civil Works;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(M) the Federal Emergency Management 
                Agency; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(N) any other Federal agency that 
                notifies the President of the intent of the Federal 
                agency to participate in and carry out a 21CSC 
                project.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Support for the 21csc.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The head of a 
                participating entity may provide support to the 21CSC 
                by--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) establishing standards for 
                        the 21CSC;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) establishing a process for 
                        an organization to apply and be approved to 
                        become a 21CSC organization;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) developing and supporting 
                        a public-private partnership referred to in 
                        paragraph (5)(A)(i);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) using or leveraging 
                        existing funds, or acquiring funds and other 
                        resources, under section 210 to support 21CSC 
                        projects through entering into a cooperative 
                        agreement under paragraph (5)(A)(i);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) leveraging existing 
                        resources described in section 210(b) to expand 
                        the use of the 21CSC to meet the mission of the 
                        participating entity;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) using technology to support 
                        21CSC projects; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) collecting performance 
                        data on 21CSC projects--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) to prepare the 
                                reports referred to in subparagraph 
                                (C)(i)(I); and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) to demonstrate the 
                                impact of the 21CSC projects.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Coordination.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The heads of 
                        each of the participating entities shall, to 
                        the maximum extent practicable, coordinate with 
                        each other or the head of any other Federal 
                        agency that is affected by, or carrying out, an 
                        activity that is similar to a 21CSC project--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) to minimize, to the 
                                maximum extent practicable, the 
                                duplication of any specific project 
                                performed by any other participating 
                                entity or Federal agency; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) to maximize 21CSC 
                                project completion in a cost-effective 
                                manner by collaborating to leverage 
                                existing resources described in section 
                                210(b).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Approval and data 
                        collection.--The head of each participating 
                        entity shall, to the maximum extent 
                        practicable, coordinate with each other head of 
                        a participating entity--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) to approve 
                                organizations as 21CSC organizations; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) to collect the data 
                                referred to in items (aa) through (dd) 
                                of subparagraph (C)(i)(I).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Guidance.--The head of 
                        each participating entity shall, to the maximum 
                        extent practicable, seek guidance from--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the Corporation for 
                                National and Community 
                                Service;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the Departments of 
                                Veterans Affairs and Labor on methods 
                                to increase the participation of 
                                veterans in 21CSC projects; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) the Secretary of 
                                the Interior, acting through the 
                                Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, 
                                on methods to increase the 
                                participation of Indians in 21CSC 
                                projects.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Reporting.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) 21CSC reports.--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) Report to 
                                congress.--As soon as practicable after 
                                the date of enactment of the 21st 
                                Century Conservation Service Corps Act 
                                of 2017, the Chief Executive Officer of 
                                the Corporation for National and 
                                Community Service, in coordination with 
                                the head of each participating entity, 
                                shall submit to Congress a report that 
                                includes data, for the year covered by 
                                the report, including--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) the number 
                                        of Corpsmembers that carried 
                                        out 21CSC projects and the 
                                        length of the term of service 
                                        for each Corpsmember;</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) the total 
                                        amount of funding provided by 
                                        participating entities for the 
                                        service of 
                                        Corpsmembers;</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(cc) the type of 
                                        service performed by 
                                        Corpsmembers and the impact and 
                                        accomplishments of the service; 
                                        and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(dd) any other 
                                        similar data determined by the 
                                        Chief Executive Officer of the 
                                        Corporation for National and 
                                        Community Service or the head 
                                        of a participating entity to be 
                                        appropriate, including data 
                                        sufficient to determine the 
                                        effectiveness of 21CSC 
                                        organizations in carrying out 
                                        activities to achieve the 
                                        purposes of this title in a 
                                        manner that--</DELETED>

                                                <DELETED>    ``(AA) is 
                                                cost-effective; 
                                                and</DELETED>

                                                <DELETED>    ``(BB) 
                                                does not unduly 
                                                duplicate or overlap 
                                                with any other activity 
                                                or program carried out 
                                                by any other Federal 
                                                agency.</DELETED>

                                <DELETED>    ``(II) Data from 
                                participating entities.--Not later than 
                                1 year after the date of enactment of 
                                the 21st Century Conservation Service 
                                Corps Act of 2017, and annually 
                                thereafter, the head of each 
                                participating entity shall submit to 
                                the Chief Executive Officer of the 
                                Corporation for National and Community 
                                Service the data described in items 
                                (aa) through (dd) of subclause 
                                (I).</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) Data collection.--
                                The Chief Executive Officer of the 
                                Corporation for National and Community 
                                Service may coordinate with individual 
                                21CSC organizations to improve the 
                                collection of the required data 
                                described in items (aa) through (dd) of 
                                subclause (I).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Comptroller general 
                        reports.--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) In general.--The 
                                Comptroller General of the United 
                                States shall prepare and submit to 
                                Congress--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) not later 
                                        than 3 years after the date of 
                                        submission of the first report 
                                        under clause (i)(I), an interim 
                                        report; and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) not later 
                                        than 5 years after the date of 
                                        submission of the first report 
                                        under that clause, a final 
                                        report.</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) Contents.--The 
                                interim and final reports referred to 
                                in subclause (I) shall include--
                                </DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) an 
                                        assessment, based on the data 
                                        described in items (aa) through 
                                        (dd) of clause (i)(I), of the 
                                        effectiveness of 21CSC 
                                        organizations in achieving the 
                                        purposes of this title in a 
                                        manner that--</DELETED>

                                                <DELETED>    ``(AA) is 
                                                cost-effective; 
                                                and</DELETED>

                                                <DELETED>    ``(BB) 
                                                does not unduly 
                                                duplicate or overlap 
                                                with any other activity 
                                                or program carried out 
                                                by any other Federal 
                                                agency; and</DELETED>

                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) 
                                        recommendations on how to more 
                                        effectively manage and carry 
                                        out 21CSC projects to achieve 
                                        the purposes of this title in 
                                        the manner described in item 
                                        (aa).</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) Additional 
                                reports.--The Comptroller General of 
                                the United States may submit to 
                                Congress any additional report that 
                                includes the content described in 
                                subclause (II), as the Comptroller 
                                General determines to be 
                                necessary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Gifts and donations.--The head of a 
        participating entity may accept, use, or dispose of a 
        contribution that is a gift or donation of money, services, or 
        property to support the development, implementation, and 
        expansion of a 21CSC project, in accordance with applicable law 
        (including regulations).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Cooperative agreements with 21csc 
        organizations.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The head of each 
                participating entity may--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) develop a public-private 
                        partnership with a 21CSC organization by 
                        entering into a cooperative agreement with the 
                        21CSC organization to support and carry out 
                        21CSC projects; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) leverage existing resources 
                        described in section 210(b) to support a 
                        cooperative agreement.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Type of cooperative agreement.--A 
                cooperative agreement under this paragraph may--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) be limited to an agreement 
                        for a specific 21CSC project;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) be a broad agreement 
                        covering multiple planned or future 21CSC 
                        projects; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) be an agreement for a 
                        21CSC project to be part of a broader 21CSC 
                        initiative carried out in partnership with--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the Federal 
                                Government;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) a State government; 
                                or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) a tribal 
                                agency.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Set share.--A cooperative agreement 
                under this paragraph shall include a provision 
                specifying the cost share that the 21CSC organization 
                will provide under section 210(c).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) 21CSC Organizations.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--To be considered and approved 
        as a 21CSC organization, an organization shall, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, demonstrate the ability to meet, and 
        provide assurances that the organization will meet, each 
        requirement described in paragraphs (2) through (6).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) 21CSC corpsmembers engaged by 21csc 
        organizations.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--In addition to meeting 
                the requirement of subparagraph (B), any individual 
                selected by a 21CSC organization to carry out a 21CSC 
                project shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) notwithstanding paragraphs 
                        (3) and (4) of section 137(a) of the National 
                        and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                        12591(a)), a youth, in the case of any 
                        Corpsmember participating in a 21CSC project 
                        supported and carried out by the Corporation 
                        for National and Community Service; 
                        or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a veteran not older than 
                        age 35.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Citizenship requirement.--Any 
                individual selected as a Corpsmember shall be--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a citizen or national of the 
                        United States; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a lawful permanent resident 
                        of the United States.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Emphasis on diversity and 
                inclusion.--In selecting a Corpsmember, a 21CSC 
                organization shall make deliberate outreach efforts to 
                engage an individual who--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) lives in the State or region 
                        of the 21CSC organization; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) represents a traditionally 
                        underserved population, including veterans, 
                        Indians, and disadvantaged youth (as defined in 
                        section 101 of the National and Community 
                        Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                        12511)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Compensation for participants.--A 21CSC 
        organization shall provide compensation to each Corpsmember 
        that includes 1 or more of the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) A wage.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) A stipend.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) A living allowance.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) An educational credit that may be 
                applied towards a program of postsecondary education at 
                an institution of higher education that agrees to award 
                the credit for participation in a 21CSC 
                project.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Organization of service for participants.--
        In carrying out a 21CSC project, a 21CSC organization shall, to 
        the maximum extent practicable, organize each Corpsmember as--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a crew-based participant who--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) serves together with other 
                        crew-based participants; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) is directly supervised by a 
                        trained and experienced crew-based leader or 
                        conservation professional; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) an individual or small team-based 
                participant who serves--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) individually or in a 
                        coordinated small team, as 
                        applicable;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) under the direction of a 
                        conservation professional; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) on an initiative that 
                        requires specific skills and dedicated 
                        attention.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) 21CSC projects.--A 21CSC organization shall 
        carry out a 21CSC project that includes national service, and 
        may be a priority project, involving--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the conservation, restoration, and 
                enhancement of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a unit of the National Park 
                        System or National Forest System;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) public or tribal land or 
                        water; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) natural, cultural, or 
                        historical resources or treasures;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the conservation, restoration, 
                management, and development of the natural resources 
                and infrastructure of the United States, including--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) removal of invasive 
                        species;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) wildfire prevention and 
                        response;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) disaster resiliency, 
                        mitigation, response, and recovery;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) trail development and 
                        maintenance;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) coastal restoration and 
                        resiliency;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) historic 
                        preservation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) public safety;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) energy efficiency and 
                        alternative energy;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ix) water 
                        infrastructure;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(x) construction, repair, 
                        rehabilitation, or maintenance of--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) a road;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) a campground; 
                                or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) any other 
                                recreation or visitor facility or 
                                housing structure; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(xi) any other related project 
                        that furthers the purposes of this 
                        title;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) the support, development, and 
                enhancement of outdoor recreation or urban green space, 
                including for the purpose of public access;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) service that is primarily indoors, 
                such as service in a science, policy, or program 
                internship, with a clear benefit for natural, cultural, 
                or historic resources or treasures, which may include 
                the provision of interpretation and education services 
                to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the public; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a cooperating association, 
                        educational institution, friends group, or 
                        similar nonprofit partner organization; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) notwithstanding section 132A of the 
                National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                12584a), a project described in this paragraph on 
                private land or water in partnership with a private 
                entity if--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the project has a direct or 
                        recognized public or environmental benefit; 
                        or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the funding for the project 
                        originated from a governmental entity, 
                        regardless of the end payor.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) 21CSC corpsmembers.--In carrying out a 21CSC 
        project, a 21CSC organization shall provide each Corpsmember 
        with--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) in-demand skills development, 
                certification and credentials, and education to prepare 
                the Corpsmember for success in transitioning to the 
                21st century workforce;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) community skill development to help 
                the Corpsmember--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) acquire an ethic of service 
                        to others and the United States; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) become a more effective 
                        natural resource and community steward; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) a greater understanding of the 
                natural, cultural, or historic resources or treasures 
                of the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Corpsmember Compensation and Employment Standards.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Corpsmember compensation standard.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Specific wage rates.--A form of 
                compensation provided under subparagraph (A), (B), or 
                (C) of subsection (d)(3) shall be considered to be 
                established at a specific wage rate, in the same manner 
                as the compensation provided for a living allowance 
                under section 140 of the National and Community Service 
                Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12594).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Compensation for certain 
                corpsmembers.--The compensation provided under 
                subsection (d)(3) to a Corpsmember who is not a 
                participant in a 21CSC project supported by the 
                Corporation for National and Community Service shall 
                not be subject to any provision of (including a 
                regulation under) the National and Community Service 
                Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.) relating to a 
                wage rate, but shall be considered to be established at 
                a specific wage rate, in the manner described in 
                subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in 
                subparagraph (A) applies a specific wage rate for a 
                living allowance that is established under section 140 
                of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 
                U.S.C. 12594) to the compensation of a Corpsmember 
                under subsection (d)(3).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Corpsmember employment standard.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraphs (B) and (C), in parity with section 
                101(30) of the National and Community Service Act of 
                1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511(30)), a Corpsmember shall be 
                considered to be a participant (as defined in section 
                101 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 
                (42 U.S.C. 12511)), not an employee, of the 21CSC 
                organization for which the Corpsmember 
                serves.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Federal employment provisions.--
                Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), Federal employment 
                provisions shall apply to a Corpsmember to the extent 
                that those provisions apply to a participant or crew 
                leader under section 199M(b) of the National and 
                Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                12655n(b)).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Child labor provisions.--
                Notwithstanding subparagraph (A)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the child labor provisions 
                        under section 12 of the Fair Labor Standards 
                        Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 212) (including any 
                        order or regulation issued under the authority 
                        of such section or section 3(l) of such Act (29 
                        U.S.C. 203(l))) shall apply to a Corpsmember 
                        and the 21CSC organization for which the 
                        Corpsmember serves in the same manner as such 
                        provisions apply to an employee and an employer 
                        under such Act; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a violation of a section 
                        specified in clause (i) by a 21CSC organization 
                        shall be enforced by the Secretary of Labor in 
                        the same manner, and subject to the same 
                        penalties under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 
                        1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), as a violation by 
                        an employer of section 12 of such Act (29 
                        U.S.C. 212).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Civil service.--An individual may be 
        enrolled as a Corpsmember without regard to the civil service 
        and classification laws, rules, or regulations.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS CONSERVATION 
              CENTERS AND PROGRAM SUPPORT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 205 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1724) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``Secretary'' each place 
                it appears and inserting ``head of a participating 
                entity''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking ``Public Lands Corps'' and inserting 
                        ``21CSC''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``conservation projects'' and 
                        inserting ``21CSC projects'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the heading, by inserting ``, 
                Temporary Housing, and Transportation'' after 
                ``Logistical Support'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in the first sentence--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' 
                        and inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Logistical support.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The head of a 
                participating entity''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``the Corps'' and 
                        inserting ``the 21CSC'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in the second sentence, by striking 
                ``Logistical support'' and inserting the 
                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Inclusions.--Logistical support 
                provided under subparagraph (A)''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Temporary housing.--The head of a 
        participating entity may make arrangements with another Federal 
        agency or a State, local government, or private organization to 
        provide temporary housing for Corpsmembers as needed and 
        available.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Transportation.--The head of a participating 
        entity may provide transportation to and from 21CSC project 
        sites for Corpsmembers that reside in their own 
        homes.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
                inserting ``The head of a participating entity''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``the Corps for training 
                or housing Corps participants'' and inserting ``the 
                21CSC for training or housing Corpsmembers''; 
                and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``The 
        Secretary'' and inserting ``The head of a participating 
        entity''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. RESOURCE ASSISTANTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 206 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1725) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the fourth sentence, by striking 
                ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Preference.--The head of a 
                participating entity'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in the third sentence, by striking 
                ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Selection.--The head of a 
                participating entity'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in the second sentence, by striking 
                ``To be eligible'' and inserting the 
                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by striking the first sentence and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The head of a 
                participating entity may provide individual placements 
                of resource assistants to carry out research or 
                resource protection activities on behalf of the 
                participating entity.''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Use of 21CSC Organizations.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--If the head of a participating 
        entity determines that a 21CSC organization can provide 
        appropriate recruitment and placement services to fulfill the 
        requirements of this section, the head of the participating 
        entity may implement this section through a 21CSC 
        organization.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Contribution to expenses.--A 21CSC 
        organization providing recruitment and placement services under 
        paragraph (1) shall contribute to the expenses of providing and 
        supporting resource assistants, through 1 or more private 
        sources of funding, at a level equal to 25 percent of the total 
        costs of each participant in the resource assistant program 
        that has been recruited and placed through the 21CSC 
        organization.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Annual report.--A 21CSC organization 
        providing recruitment and placement services under paragraph 
        (1) shall submit to the head of the applicable participating 
        entity an annual report that evaluates the scope, size, and 
        quality of the resource assistant program carried out by the 
        21CSC organization, including a description of the value of the 
        work contributed by resource assistants to the mission of the 
        participating entity.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. ELIGIBILITY FOR NONCOMPETITIVE HIRING 
              STATUS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 207 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1726) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 207. ELIGIBILITY FOR NONCOMPETITIVE HIRING 
              STATUS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the terms `land management agency' and 
        `time-limited appointment' have the meanings given those terms 
        in section 9601 of title 5, United States Code; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the term `qualified Corpsmember' means a 
        Corpsmember who is certified by a corresponding participating 
        entity as having successfully completed 640 hours of service 
        with a 21CSC organization.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Hiring.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and 
        subsection (c), a qualified Corpsmember shall be eligible for 
        appointment in the competitive service in the same manner as a 
        Peace Corps volunteer as prescribed in Executive Order 11103 
        (22 U.S.C. 2504 note; relating to Providing for the Appointment 
        of Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the Civilian Career 
        Services), as amended by Executive Order 12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 
        1055; relating to the Civil Service Commission and Labor-
        Management in the Federal Service).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Period.--A qualified Corpsmember shall be 
        eligible for an appointment under paragraph (1) during the 2-
        year period beginning on the date on which the Corpsmember 
        completes the 640 hours of service required under subsection 
        (a)(2).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Time-limited appointment.--For purposes of 
        section 9602 of title 5, United States Code, a qualified 
        Corpsmember hired by a participating entity that is a land 
        management agency for a time-limited appointment shall be 
        considered to be appointed initially under open, competitive 
        examination.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Service Hours.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The 640 hours of service 
        required under subsection (a)(2) may include service on 1 or 
        more projects carried out by a Corpsmember with 1 or more 
        participating entities during 1 or more terms of service in a 
        21CSC organization.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Competitive service.--To be eligible for 
        noncompetitive hiring status under subsection (b), a 
        Corpsmember shall perform the 640 hours of service required 
        under subsection (a)(2)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) carrying out a project on public or 
                tribal land or water; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) in service with, or on a project 
                supported in whole or in part by, a participating 
                entity.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Priorities.--The head of each participating 
        entity is encouraged, to the maximum extent practicable, to 
        identify a sufficient number of 21CSC projects on public or 
        tribal land or water that are aligned with the priorities of 
        the participating entity so as to facilitate the attainment of 
        the 640 hours of service by Corpsmembers required under 
        subsection (a)(2).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Tracking hours.--Participating entities 
        shall coordinate with 21CSC organizations to identify the most 
        effective and efficient method for tracking and certifying the 
        640 hours of service required under subsection 
        (a)(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Guidance.--The head of each participating entity, 
and any subdivision of a participating entity, shall coordinate with 
the head of each other participating entity, and subdivision of each 
other participating entity, to implement and issue guidance on 
eligibility for noncompetitive hiring status under subsection (b) in a 
uniform manner to--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) improve the efficiency and use of 
        noncompetitive hiring authority; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) minimize inconsistency.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL AWARDS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 208 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1727) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a), in the first sentence--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``participant in the 
                Public Lands Corps'' and inserting ``Corpsmember''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``the participant'' and 
                inserting ``the Corpsmember''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``either participants in 
                the Corps'' and inserting ``Corpsmembers''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``such a participant'' and 
                inserting ``a Corpsmember''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. NONDISPLACEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 209 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1728) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``Public Lands Corps'' and 
        inserting ``21CSC''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking ``qualified youth or conservation 
        corps'' and inserting ``Corpsmember or a 21CSC 
        organization''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. FUNDING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 210 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1729) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (c) 
        as subsections (d) through (f), respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting before subsection (d) the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Investments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--In addition to using the funds 
        described in subsections (b) and (c) to fund 21CSC projects, 
        each 21CSC organization shall leverage those funds by 
        soliciting cash or in-kind contributions from public or private 
        sources.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Methods.--A 21CSC organization may leverage 
        funds by soliciting contributions using innovative strategies, 
        such as crowd-funding.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Existing Resources.--To fund a 21CSC project, the 
head of each participating entity shall be limited to using existing 
funds appropriated or allocated to the participating entity, as of the 
period of implementation of the 21CSC project, under any law or 
authority other than this title.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Set Cost Share.--A 21CSC organization carrying out a 
21CSC project shall provide a cost share of not less than 10 percent of 
the total cost of the 21CSC project, which may include cash or in-kind 
contributions from a State, local, or private source.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in the paragraph heading, by 
                        striking ``qualified youth or conservation 
                        corps'' and inserting ``Corpsmembers or 21csc 
                        organizations''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking the first and 
                        second sentences; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in the paragraph heading, by 
                        striking ``Public lands corps'' and inserting 
                        ``21csc'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in the first sentence--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) by striking ``The 
                                Secretary is authorized to'' and 
                                inserting ``The head of a participating 
                                entity may'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) by striking ``Public 
                                Lands Corps'' and inserting ``21CSC''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) by striking ``the 
                                Corps'' and inserting ``the 21CSC''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) in the second sentence, by 
                        striking ``the Corps'' and ``the 
                        21CSC'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by 
        striking ``In order'' and all that follows through ``the 
        Secretary'' and inserting ``To carry out the 21CSC or to 
        support resource assistants and Corpsmembers or 21CSC 
        organizations under this title, the head of a participating 
        entity''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated)--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``section 211'' and 
                inserting ``section 213''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``Public Lands Corps'' and 
                inserting ``21CSC''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 11. INDIAN YOUTH 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS; 
              RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et 
seq.) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating section 211 as section 213; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after section 210 the 
        following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 211. INDIAN YOUTH 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE 
              CORPS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Authorization of Cooperative Agreements.--The head 
of a participating entity may offer to enter into a cooperative 
agreement with a tribal agency or a 21CSC organization to establish and 
administer the Indian Youth 21st Century Conservation Service Corps, 
which shall carry out 1 or more 21CSC projects on tribal land or 
water.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Guidelines.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Act of 
2017, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with Indian 
tribes, shall issue guidelines for the management of the Indian Youth 
21st Century Conservation Service Corps, in accordance with this Act 
and any other applicable Federal laws.</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 212. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``Except as provided in section 204(d)(2)(A)(i), the 
requirements and authorities provided under this title with respect to 
Corpsmembers, 21CSC organizations, and participating entities with 
respect to a 21CSC project shall be in addition to any requirement or 
authority provided under other Federal law with respect to 
Corpsmembers, 21CSC organizations, and participating entities with 
respect to the 21CSC project.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 12. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 121(a) of the Department of the Interior, 
Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (16 U.S.C. 
1725a(a)), is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``Secretary of the 
                Interior'' and inserting ``head of a participating 
                entity (as defined in section 203 of the Public Lands 
                Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722)) (referred to in 
                this subsection as a `participating entity')''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``in paragraph (1) 
                directly to a position with a land managing agency of 
                the Department of the Interior'' and inserting ``in 
                paragraph (2) directly to a position with a 
                participating entity''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``land 
        managing agency, such as the National Park Service Business 
        Plan Internship'' and inserting ``participating 
        entity''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Conservation Service 
Corps Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 203 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722) 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``under section 204'' and 
        inserting ``by section 204(a)(1)'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (13) as 
        paragraphs (9) through (14), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
            ``(8) Institution of higher education.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `institution of higher 
                education' has the meaning given the term in section 
                102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1002).
                    ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `institution of higher 
                education' does not include--
                            ``(i) an institution described in section 
                        101(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                        U.S.C. 1001(b)); or
                            ``(ii) an institution outside the United 
                        States, as described in section 102(a)(1)(C) of 
                        the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        1002(a)(1)(C)).'';
            (4) in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``, as follows'' and inserting ``and other 
                conservation and restoration initiatives, as follows''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) To protect, restore, or enhance marine, 
                estuarine, riverine, and coastal habitat ecosystem 
                components--
                            ``(i) to promote the recovery of threatened 
                        species, endangered species, and managed 
                        fisheries;
                            ``(ii) to restore fisheries, protected 
                        resources, and habitats impacted by oil and 
                        chemical spills and natural disasters; or
                            ``(iii) to enhance the resilience of 
                        coastal ecosystems, communities, and economies 
                        through habitat conservation.'';
            (5) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (11) (as so 
        redesignated), by striking ``individuals between the ages of 16 
        and 30, inclusive,'' and inserting ``individuals between the 
        ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger'';
            (6) in paragraph (13) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at 
                the end 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 land and facilities 
                administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration, the Secretary of Commerce.''; and
            (7) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(15) Veteran.--The term `veteran' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.''.

SEC. 3. PUBLIC LANDS CORPS PROGRAM.

    Section 204 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1723) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Establishment of Public Lands Corps.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established in the Department 
        of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the 
        Department of Commerce a corps, to be known as the `Public 
        Lands Corps'.
            ``(2) No effect on other agencies.--Nothing in this 
        subsection precludes the establishment of a public lands corps 
        by the head of a Federal department or agency other than a 
        department described in paragraph (1), in accordance with this 
        Act.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking 
                ``individuals between the ages of 16 and 30, 
                inclusive,'' and inserting ``individuals between the 
                ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, and veterans age 35 or 
                younger''; and
                    (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``section 
                137(b) of the National and Community Service Act of 
                1990'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and 
                (5) of section 137(a) of the National and Community 
                Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12591(a))''.

SEC. 4. TRANSPORTATION.

    Section 205 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1724) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Transportation.--The Secretary may provide to Corps 
participants who reside in their own homes transportation to and from 
appropriate conservation project sites.''.

SEC. 5. RESOURCE ASSISTANTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 206(a) of the Public Lands Corps Act of 
1993 (16 U.S.C. 1725(a)) is amended by striking the first sentence and 
inserting the following: ``The Secretary may provide individual 
placements of resource assistants to carry out research or resource 
protection activities on behalf of the Secretary.''.
    (b) Direct Hire Authority.--Section 121(a) of the Department of the 
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 
(16 U.S.C. 1725a), is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``Secretary of the Interior'' and 
                inserting ``Secretary (as defined in section 203 of the 
                Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722))'';
                    (B) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting 
                ``paragraph (2)''; and
                    (C) by striking ``with a land managing agency of 
                the Department of the Interior''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``with a land managing 
        agency'' and inserting ``with the Secretary (as so defined)''.

SEC. 6. COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS.

    Section 207 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1726) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
        ``compensation and terms of service'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
        (c) and (d), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) Educational Credit.--The Secretary may provide a Corps 
participant with an educational credit that may be applied towards a 
program of postsecondary education at an institution of higher 
education that agrees to award the credit for participation in the 
Corps.'';
            (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) by striking ``Each participant'' and inserting 
                the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Each participant''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Indian youth service corps.--With respect to the 
        Indian Youth Service Corps established under section 210, the 
        Secretary shall establish the term of service of participants 
        in consultation with the affected Indian tribe.'';
            (5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
                the subparagraphs appropriately;
                    (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
                redesignated), by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Time-limited appointment.--For purposes of section 
        9602 of title 5, United States Code, a former member of the 
        Corps hired by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(B) for a time-
        limited appointment shall be considered to be appointed 
        initially under open, competitive examination.''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Applicability to Qualified Youth or Conservation Corps.--The 
hiring and compensation standards described in this section shall apply 
to any individual participating in an appropriate conservation project 
through a qualified youth or conservation corps, including an 
individual placed through a contract or cooperative agreement, as 
approved by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 7. REPORTING AND DATA COLLECTION.

    Title II of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et 
seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 209 through 211 as sections 
        211 through 213, respectively;
            (2) by inserting after section 208 the following:

``SEC. 209. REPORTING AND DATA COLLECTION.

    ``(a) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Act, and annually 
thereafter, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National 
and Community Service, in coordination with the Secretaries, shall 
submit to Congress a report that includes data on the Corps, 
including--
            ``(1) the number of participants enrolled in the Corps and 
        the length of the term of service for each participant;
            ``(2) the projects carried out by Corps participants, 
        categorized by type of project and Federal agency;
            ``(3) the total amount and sources of funding provided for 
        the service of participants;
            ``(4) the type of service performed by participants and the 
        impact and accomplishments of the service; and
            ``(5) any other similar data determined to be appropriate 
        by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National 
        and Community Service or the Secretaries.
    ``(b) Data.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Act, and annually 
thereafter, the Secretaries shall submit to the Chief Executive Officer 
of the Corporation for National and Community Service the data 
described in subsection (a).
    ``(c) Data Collection.--The Chief Executive Officer of the 
Corporation for National and Community Service may coordinate with 
qualified youth or conservation corps to improve the collection of the 
required data described in subsection (a).
    ``(d) Coordination.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretaries shall, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, coordinate with each other to carry out 
        activities authorized under this Act, including--
                    ``(A) the data collection and reporting 
                requirements of this section; and
                    ``(B) implementing and issuing guidance on 
                eligibility for noncompetitive hiring status under 
                section 207(d).
            ``(2) Designation of coordinators.--The Secretary shall 
        designate a coordinator to coordinate and serve as the primary 
        point of contact for any activity of the Corps carried out by 
        the Secretary.''; and
            (3) in subsection (c) of section 212 (as so redesignated), 
        by striking ``211'' and inserting ``213''.

SEC. 8. INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS.

    Title II of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et 
seq.) (as amended by section 7) is amended by inserting after section 
209 the following:

``SEC. 210. INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS.

    ``(a) In General.--There is established within the Public Lands 
Corps a program to be known as the `Indian Youth Service Corps' that--
            ``(1) enrolls participants between the ages of 16 and 30, 
        inclusive, and veterans age 35 or younger, a majority of whom 
        are Indians;
            ``(2) is established pursuant to an agreement between an 
        Indian tribe and a qualified youth or conservation corps for 
        the benefit of the members of the Indian tribe; and
            ``(3) carries out appropriate conservation projects on 
        eligible service land.
    ``(b) Authorization of Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may 
enter into cooperative agreements with Indian tribes and qualified 
youth or conservation corps for the establishment and administration of 
the Indian Youth Service Corps.
    ``(c) Guidelines.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Act, the 
Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with Indian tribes, shall 
issue guidelines for the management of the Indian Youth Service Corps, 
in accordance with this Act and any other applicable Federal laws.''.
                                                       Calendar No. 711

115th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1403

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

   To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to establish the 21st 
   Century Conservation Service Corps to place youth and veterans in 
national service positions to conserve, restore, and enhance the great 
         outdoors of the United States, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            December 4, 2018

                       Reported with an amendment