[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5783 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 5783

To establish and carry out a comprehensive, nationwide, energy-related 
            industries jobs program, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 28, 2023

 Ms. Blunt Rochester (for herself, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Mullin, 
Mr. Bowman, Ms. Ross, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Crockett, Mr. 
 Cardenas, Mr. Ivey, Mr. Peters, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. 
  Lee of Pennsylvania, and Ms. Kuster) introduced the following bill; 
   which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish and carry out a comprehensive, nationwide, energy-related 
            industries jobs program, 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 ``Blue Collar and Green Collar Jobs 
Development Act''.

SEC. 2. ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for 
such purpose, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education, shall establish and 
carry out a comprehensive, nationwide program to improve education and 
training for occupations in energy-related industries to increase the 
number of skilled workers trained for such occupations.
    (b) Direct Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program established 
        under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy may provide--
                    (A) financial assistance awards, technical 
                assistance, and other assistance the Secretary 
                determines appropriate, to educational institutions and 
                covered organizations and programs, including those 
                serving unemployed energy workers; and
                    (B) eligible opportunities at the Department of 
                Energy, including at the Department of Energy national 
                laboratories.
            (2) Training programs.--The Secretary of Energy may only 
        provide financial assistance for training programs under 
        paragraph (1)(A) that have been approved by the Secretary of 
        Labor.
            (3) Distribution.--Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary 
        of Energy shall distribute assistance described in paragraph 
        (1) in a manner proportional to the needs of energy-related 
        industries and demand for occupations in energy-related 
        industries, consistent with information developed under 
        subsection (e).
    (c) Priority.--In carrying out the program established under 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall--
            (1) prioritize the education and training of individuals 
        from disadvantaged communities for in-demand occupations in 
        energy-related industries, including by providing eligible 
        opportunities and employment at the Department of Energy, 
        including at the Department of Energy national laboratories; 
        and
            (2) in providing research grants and technical assistance 
        to educational institutions, give priority to minority-serving 
        institutions.
    (d) Collaboration and Outreach.--In carrying out the program 
established under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall--
            (1) collaborate with--
                    (A) State workforce development boards and local 
                workforce development boards, to maximize program 
                efficiency;
                    (B) educational institutions and covered 
                organizations and programs;
                    (C) energy-related industries and covered 
                organizations and programs to increase the 
                opportunities for, and enrollment of, students and 
                other candidates, including students of minority-
                serving institutions and unemployed energy workers, to 
                participate in industry eligible opportunities; and
                    (D) Federal-State Regional Commissions, including 
                the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Delta Regional 
                Authority, the Denali Commission, the Northern Border 
                Regional Commission, and the Southeast Crescent 
                Regional Commission; and
            (2) conduct outreach activities to--
                    (A) encourage individuals from disadvantaged 
                communities and unemployed energy workers to enter into 
                the STEM fields; and
                    (B) encourage and foster collaboration, 
                mentorships, and partnerships among energy-related 
                industries, and covered organizations and programs, 
                that provide effective training programs for in-demand 
                occupations in energy-related industries and 
                educational institutions that seek to establish these 
                types of programs in order to share best practices and 
                approaches that best suit local, State, and national 
                needs.
    (e) Clearinghouse.--
            (1) Establishment.--In carrying out the program established 
        under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy, in collaboration 
        with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 
        Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary 
        of Commerce, the Director of the Bureau of the Census, and 
        energy-related industries, shall establish a publicly 
        accessible clearinghouse to--
                    (A) develop, maintain, and update information and 
                other resources, by State and by region, on--
                            (i) the current and future workforce needs 
                        of energy-related industries, and occupations 
                        in energy-related industries, including 
                        identification of in-demand occupations in 
                        energy-related industries; and
                            (ii) training programs for such in-demand 
                        occupations (including training programs 
                        provided by a provider of training services on 
                        any list described in section 122(d) of the 
                        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
                        U.S.C. 3152(d))), which meet the guidelines 
                        prescribed under paragraph (3); and
                    (B) act as a resource for educational institutions 
                and covered organizations and programs that would like 
                to develop and implement the training programs 
                described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
            (2) Use of existing resources.--
                    (A) Modification of existing online resource.--In a 
                case in which the Secretary of Energy determines that 
                the modification of an existing online resource of the 
                Department of Labor or the Department of Education 
                would be an efficient and effective means of carrying 
                out the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
                of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Energy may--
                            (i) request that the Secretary of Labor or 
                        the Secretary of Education, as appropriate, 
                        make such modification; and
                            (ii) if such modification is made, elect 
                        not to establish the clearinghouse under 
                        paragraph (1).
                    (B) Informational resources.--In establishing and 
                maintaining the clearinghouse under paragraph (1) or 
                modifying the online resource under subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary of Energy shall, to the greatest extent 
                practicable, utilize existing resources and information 
                made available to the Secretary by the Commissioner of 
                the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Secretary of Labor, 
                the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce, 
                and the Director of the Bureau of the Census.
            (3) Guidelines.--The Secretary of Energy, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Labor, shall prescribe guidelines for the 
        training programs described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), which 
        shall be similar to the requirements for providers of training 
        services described in section 122(b) of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(b)).
            (4) Report.--The Secretary of Energy shall annually 
        publish, on a publicly accessible website of the Department of 
        Energy, a report on the information and other resources 
        developed, maintained, and updated on the clearinghouse 
        established under paragraph (1) or the online resource modified 
        under paragraph (2)(A).
    (f) Guidelines To Develop Skills for an Energy Industry 
Workforce.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program established 
        under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy, in collaboration 
        with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce, the 
        Secretary of Labor, and the National Science Foundation, shall 
        develop voluntary guidelines or best practices for educational 
        institutions to help provide students with the skills necessary 
        for in-demand occupations in energy-related industries, 
        including in-demand occupations in--
                    (A) the energy efficiency industry, including in-
                demand occupations in energy efficiency (including 
                architecture, design, and construction of new energy 
                efficient buildings), conservation, weatherization, 
                retrofitting, inspecting, auditing, and software 
                development;
                    (B) the renewable energy industry, including in-
                demand occupations in the development, engineering, 
                manufacturing, and production of energy from renewable 
                energy sources (such as solar, hydropower, wind, and 
                geothermal energy);
                    (C) the community energy resiliency industry, 
                including in-demand occupations in the installation of 
                rooftop solar, in battery storage, and in microgrid 
                technologies;
                    (D) the fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry;
                    (E) the advanced automotive technology industry, 
                including in-demand occupations relating to electric 
                vehicle batteries, connectivity and automation, and 
                advanced combustion engines;
                    (F) the manufacturing industry, including in-demand 
                occupations as operations technicians, in operations 
                and design in additive manufacturing, 3-D printing, and 
                advanced composites and advanced aluminum and other 
                metal alloys, and in industrial energy efficiency 
                management systems, including power electronics, and 
                other innovative technologies;
                    (G) the chemical manufacturing industry, including 
                in-demand occupations in construction (such as welders, 
                pipefitters, and tool and die makers), as instrument 
                and electrical technicians, machinists, chemical 
                process operators, engineers, quality and safety 
                professionals, and reliability engineers;
                    (H) the electric utility and gas utility 
                industries, including in-demand occupations in smart 
                grid technology, cybersecurity management, and the 
                generation, transmission, and distribution of 
                electricity and natural gas, such as electricians and 
                utility dispatchers, technicians, operators, 
                lineworkers, engineers, scientists, and information 
                technology specialists;
                    (I) the alternative fuels industry, including in-
                demand occupations in biofuel and bioproducts 
                development and production;
                    (J) the pipeline industry, including in-demand 
                occupations in pipeline construction and maintenance 
                and occupations as engineers and technical advisors;
                    (K) the nuclear energy industry, including in-
                demand occupations as scientists, engineers, 
                technicians, mathematicians, and security personnel;
                    (L) the oil and gas industry, including in-demand 
                occupations as scientists, engineers, technicians, 
                mathematicians, petrochemical engineers, and 
                geologists; and
                    (M) the coal industry, including in-demand 
                occupations as coal miners, engineers, developers and 
                manufacturers of state-of-the-art coal facilities, 
                technology vendors, coal transportation workers and 
                operators, and mining equipment vendors.
            (2) Input.--The Secretary of Energy shall solicit input 
        from energy-related industries in developing guidelines or best 
        practices under paragraph (1).
            (3) Energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.--The 
        guidelines or best practices developed under paragraph (1) 
        shall include grade-specific guidelines for elementary schools 
        and secondary schools for teaching energy efficiency 
        technology, architecture, design, and construction of new 
        energy-efficient buildings and building energy retrofits, 
        manufacturing efficiency technology, community energy 
        resiliency, and conservation initiatives.
            (4) STEM education.--The guidelines or best practices 
        developed under paragraph (1) shall promote STEM education in 
        educational institutions as it relates to in-demand occupations 
        in energy-related industries listed under such paragraph.
            (5) Prohibition.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed to authorize the Secretary of Energy or any other 
        officer or employee of the Federal Government to require or 
        coerce a State or educational institution to adopt or carry out 
        the guidelines or best practices developed under paragraph (1).
    (g) 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board.--If the Secretary 
of Energy has approved a strategy developed by the 21st Century Energy 
Workforce Advisory Board established under section 40211 of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 18744), the Secretary 
shall, to the extent the Secretary determines practicable and 
appropriate, carry out the program established under subsection (a) in 
accordance with such strategy.
    (h) Consolidation.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary of 
Energy shall, to avoid duplication of efforts, carry out the Equity in 
Energy Initiative of the Department of Energy, the Minority Educational 
Institution Student Partnership Program of the Department of Energy, 
and any other program of the Department of Energy that the Secretary 
determines appropriate, through the program established under 
subsection (a).
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2024 through 2028.

SEC. 3. ENERGY WORKFORCE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of 
        appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Labor, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall establish and 
        carry out a program to provide grants to eligible entities to 
        pay the eligible wages of, and eligible payments for, 
        individuals during the period that such individuals are 
        receiving training to work for an eligible business.
            (2) Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Energy and eligible businesses, shall 
        establish guidelines that identify--
                    (A) criteria for determining--
                            (i) wages that are eligible for purposes of 
                        the program under paragraph (1); and
                            (ii) payments that are eligible for 
                        purposes of the program under paragraph (1), 
                        including payments that cover--
                                    (I) the costs of training that 
                                individuals receive under the program; 
                                and
                                    (II) the costs of services that are 
                                necessary to enable the individuals to 
                                receive such training; and
                    (B) training that is eligible for purposes of the 
                program under paragraph (1), which shall include any 
                applicable training services described in section 
                134(c)(3)(D) of the Workforce Innovation and 
                Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)(D)).
    (b) Use of Grants.--
            (1) Eligible wages.--An eligible entity receiving a grant 
        under subsection (a) that is (or includes) an eligible business 
        with--
                    (A) 20 or fewer employees may use such grant to pay 
                up to 45 percent of the eligible wages of individuals 
                for the duration of the applicable training for such 
                individuals;
                    (B) 21 to 99 employees may use such grant to pay up 
                to 37.5 percent of the eligible wages of individuals 
                for the duration of the applicable training for such 
                individuals; and
                    (C) 100 employees or more may use such grant to pay 
                up to 25 percent of the eligible wages of individuals 
                for the duration of the applicable training for such 
                individuals.
            (2) Eligible payments.--An eligible entity may use a grant 
        provided under the program established under subsection (a) to 
        pay up to 100 percent of the eligible payments for individuals 
        for the duration of the applicable training for such 
        individuals.
    (c) Priority for Targeted Communities.--In providing grants under 
the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary of Labor, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall give priority to an 
eligible entity that--
            (1) recruits or selects for training, or trains 
        individuals, who are--
                    (A) from the community that the eligible entity 
                serves; and
                    (B)(i) from disadvantaged communities;
                    (ii) individuals with barriers to employment; or
                    (iii) unemployed energy workers; and
            (2) will provide individuals receiving training with the 
        opportunity to obtain or retain employment at an eligible 
        business.
    (d) Limit.--An eligible entity may not receive more than $100,000 
under the program established under subsection (a) per fiscal year.
    (e) Report.--The Secretary of Labor shall submit to Congress, 
annually for each year the program established under subsection (a) is 
carried out, a report on such program, including--
            (1) an assessment of such program for the previous year, 
        including the number of jobs filled by individuals trained 
        pursuant to such program; and
            (2) recommendations on how to improve such program.
    (f) Integration of Services for Tribes.--If the Secretary of the 
Interior has approved a plan for an Indian Tribe in accordance with 
section 8 of the Indian Employment, Training, and Related Services Act 
of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3407), and such Indian Tribe is part of a Tribal 
consortium that receives a grant from the program established under 
subsection (a), such Indian Tribe may elect to integrate the grant, in 
whole or in part, in accordance with section 4 of the Indian 
Employment, Training, and Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 
3403), if all Indian Tribes in such Tribal consortium agree to such 
integration and the Secretary determines that such integration will not 
produce an inequitable result for any Indian Tribe in such Tribal 
consortium.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2024 through 2028.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Apprenticeship.--The term ``apprenticeship'' means an 
        apprenticeship registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 
        (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act; 50 Stat. 
        664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
            (2) Covered organizations and programs.--The term ``covered 
        organizations and programs'' means local workforce development 
        boards, State workforce development boards, Indian tribes, 
        Tribal organizations, Tribal consortia, nonprofit 
        organizations, qualified youth or conservation corps, labor 
        organizations, pre-apprenticeship programs, and apprenticeship 
        programs.
            (3) Disadvantaged community.--The term ``disadvantaged 
        community'' means a community that the Secretary of Energy 
        determines, based on appropriate data, indices, and screening 
        tools, is economically, socially, or environmentally 
        disadvantaged.
            (4) Educational institution.--The term ``educational 
        institution'' means an elementary school, secondary school, 
        local educational agency, State educational agency, or 
        institution of higher education.
            (5) Elementary school and secondary school.--The terms 
        ``elementary school'', ``local educational agency'', 
        ``secondary school'', and ``State educational agency'' have the 
        meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (6) Eligible business.--The term ``eligible business'' 
        means a business that provides services related to--
                    (A) renewable electric energy generation, including 
                solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and other 
                renewable electric energy generation technologies;
                    (B) energy efficiency, including energy-efficient 
                lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, 
                air source heat pumps, advanced building materials, 
                insulation and air sealing, and other high-efficiency 
                products and services, including auditing and 
                inspection, architecture, design, and construction of 
                new energy efficient buildings and building energy 
                retrofits;
                    (C) grid modernization or energy storage, including 
                smart grid, microgrid and other distributed energy 
                solutions, demand response management, and home energy 
                management technology;
                    (D) advanced fossil energy technology, including--
                            (i) advanced resource development;
                            (ii) carbon capture, storage, and use;
                            (iii) low-carbon power systems;
                            (iv) efficiency improvements that 
                        substantially reduce emissions; and
                            (v) direct air capture;
                    (E) nuclear energy, including research, 
                development, demonstration, and commercial application 
                relating to nuclear energy;
                    (F) cybersecurity for the energy sector, including 
                infrastructure, emergency planning, coordination, 
                response, and restoration;
                    (G) alternative fuels, including biofuel and 
                bioproduct development and production;
                    (H) advanced automotive technology, including 
                electric vehicle batteries, connectivity and 
                automation, advanced fueling or charging stations, and 
                advanced combustion engines; or
                    (I) fuel cell and hybrid fuel cell generation.
            (7) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) an eligible small business; or
                    (B) an partnership between or among--
                            (i) an eligible business; and
                            (ii) one or more of the following:
                                    (I) A labor organization or joint 
                                labor-management organization with 
                                experience working in energy-related 
                                industries.
                                    (II) A nonprofit organization 
                                dedicated to helping individuals gain 
                                employment in energy-related 
                                industries.
                                    (III) A community college or 
                                technical college with experience in 
                                providing training for individuals 
                                seeking employment in energy-related 
                                industries.
                                    (IV) A qualified youth or 
                                conservation corps.
                                    (V) A State development board or 
                                local workforce development board.
                                    (VI) An Indian Tribe, Tribal 
                                organization, or Tribal consortium.
                                    (VII) An industry or sector 
                                partnership relating to energy-related 
                                industries.
            (8) Eligible opportunity.--The term ``eligible 
        opportunity'' means a paid--
                    (A) internship;
                    (B) fellowship;
                    (C) apprenticeship; or
                    (D) another work-based learning opportunity.
            (9) Eligible payment.--The term ``eligible payment'' means 
        a payment that meets the criteria identified pursuant to the 
        guidelines established under section 3(a)(2).
            (10) Eligible small business.--The term ``eligible small 
        business'' means an eligible business with 75 or less 
        employees.
            (11) Eligible wage.--The term ``eligible wage'' means a 
        wage that meet the criteria identified pursuant to the 
        guidelines established under section 3(a)(2).
            (12) Energy-related industry.--The term ``energy-related 
        industry'' includes the energy efficiency industry, renewable 
        energy industry, community energy resiliency industry, fuel 
        cell and hydrogen energy industry, advanced automotive 
        technology industry, chemical manufacturing industry, electric 
        utility industry, gas utility industry, alternative fuels 
        industry, pipeline industry, nuclear energy industry, oil and 
        gas industry, vehicle fueling and charging industry, and coal 
        industry.
            (13) In-demand occupation.--The term ``in-demand 
        occupation'' has the meaning given the term ``in-demand 
        industry sector or occupation'' in section 3(23)(A)(ii) of the 
        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3102(23)(A)(ii)).
            (14) Indian tribe and tribal organization.--The terms 
        ``Indian Tribe'' and ``Tribal organization'' have the meanings 
        given such terms in subsections (e) and (l) of section 4 of the 
        Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
        U.S.C. 5304).
            (15) Individual with a barrier to employment.--The term 
        ``individual with a barrier to employment'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (16) Industry or sector partnership.--The term ``industry 
        or sector partnership'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
        U.S.C. 3102).
            (17) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1002), except that such term does not include 
        institutions described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of subsection 
        (a)(1) of such section 102.
            (18) Labor organization.--The term ``labor organization'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the National 
        Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152).
            (19) Local workforce development board.--The term ``local 
        workforce development board'' means a local board, as defined 
        in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
        (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (20) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
        serving institution'' means an institution of higher education 
        that is of one of the following:
                    (A) A Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in 
                section 502(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1101a(a))).
                    (B) A Tribal College or University (as defined in 
                section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1059c(b))).
                    (C) An Alaska Native-serving institution (as 
                defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))).
                    (D) A Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as 
                defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))).
                    (E) A Predominantly Black Institution (as defined 
                in section 318(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 1059e(b))).
                    (F) A Native American-serving nontribal institution 
                (as defined in section 319(b) of the Higher Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059f(b))).
                    (G) An Asian American and Native American Pacific 
                Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 
                320(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1059g(b))).
                    (H) A part B institution (as defined in section 322 
                of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061)).
            (21) Pre-apprenticeship program.--The term pre-
        apprenticeship program means a program designed to prepare 
        individuals to enter and succeed in an apprenticeship, and 
        includes each of the following elements:
                    (A) Training and curriculum that aligns with the 
                skill needs of employers in the economy of the State or 
                region involved.
                    (B) Access to educational and career counseling and 
                other supportive services, directly or indirectly.
                    (C) Hands-on, meaningful learning activities that 
                are connected to education and training activities, 
                such as exploring career options, and understanding how 
                the skills acquired through coursework can be applied 
                toward a future career.
                    (D) Opportunities to attain at least one industry-
                recognized credential.
                    (E) A partnership with one or more apprenticeship 
                programs that assists in placing individuals who 
                complete the pre-apprenticeship program in a 
                apprenticeship program.
            (22) Qualified youth or conservation corps.--The term 
        ``qualified youth or conservation corps'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 203(11) of the Public Lands Corps Act of 
        1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722(11)).
            (23) State workforce development board.--The term ``State 
        workforce development board'' means a State board, as defined 
        in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
        (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (24) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics.
            (25) Work-based learning.--The term ``work-based learning'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Carl D. 
        Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 
        2302).
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