[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3081-S3083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 1386. Mr. FRANKEN (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr.
Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
to provide for a right to an administrative appeal relating to adverse
determinations of tax-exempt status of certain organizations; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. __. COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO CAREER FUND.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Community College to Career Fund Act''.
(b) Community College to Career Fund.--Title I of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``Subtitle F--Community College to Career Fund
``SEC. 199. COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
PROGRAM.
``(a) Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated under
section 199D(a)(1), the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary
of Education, in accordance with the interagency agreement
described in section 199E, shall award competitive grants to
eligible entities described in subsection (b) for the purpose
of developing, offering, improving, or providing educational
or career training programs for workers.
``(b) Eligible Entity.--
``(1) Partnerships with employers or an employer or
industry partnership.--
``(A) General definition.--For purposes of this section, an
`eligible entity' means any of the entities described in
subparagraph (B) (or a consortium of any of such entities) in
partnership with employers or an employer or industry
partnership representing multiple employers.
``(B) Description of entities.--The entities described in
this subparagraph are--
``(i) a community college;
``(ii) a 4-year public institution of higher education (as
defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) that offers 2-year degrees, and that
will use funds provided under this section for activities at
the certificate and associate degree levels;
``(iii) a Tribal College or University (as defined in
section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c(b))); or
``(iv) a private or nonprofit, 2-year institution of higher
education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) in the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of
Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.
``(2) Additional partners.--
``(A) Authorization of additional partners.--In addition to
partnering with employers or an employer or industry
partnership representing multiple employers as described in
paragraph (1)(A), an entity described in paragraph (1) may
include in the partnership described in paragraph (1) 1 or
more of the organizations described in subparagraph (B). An
eligible entity that includes 1 or more such organizations
shall collaborate with the State or local board in the area
served by the eligible entity.
``(B) Organizations.--The organizations described in this
subparagraph are as follows:
``(i) An adult education provider or institution of higher
education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).
``(ii) A community-based organization.
``(iii) A joint labor-management partnership.
``(iv) A State or local board.
``(v) Any other organization that the Secretaries consider
appropriate.
``(c) Educational or Career Training Program.--For purposes
of this section, the Governor of the State in which at least
1 of the entities described in subsection (b)(1)(B) of an
eligible entity is located shall establish criteria for an
educational or career training program leading to a
recognized postsecondary credential for which an eligible
entity submits a grant proposal under subsection (d).
``(d) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant
under this section shall submit an application containing a
grant proposal to the Secretaries at such time and containing
such information as the Secretaries determine is required,
including a detailed description of--
``(1) the specific educational or career training program
for which the grant proposal is submitted and how the program
meets the criteria established under subsection (e),
including the manner in which the grant will be used to
develop, offer, improve, or provide the educational or career
training program;
``(2) the extent to which the program will meet the
educational or career training needs of workers in the area
served by the eligible entity;
``(3) the extent to which the program will meet the needs
of employers in the area for skilled workers in in-demand
industry sectors and occupations;
``(4) the extent to which the program described fits within
any overall strategic plan developed by the eligible entity;
``(5) any previous experience of the eligible entity in
providing educational or career training programs, the
absence of which shall not automatically disqualify an
eligible institution from receiving a grant under this
section; and
``(6) in the case of a project that involves an educational
or career training program that leads to a recognized
postsecondary credential described in subsection (f), how the
program leading to the credential meets the criteria
described in subsection (c).
``(e) Criteria for Award.--
``(1) In general.--Grants under this section shall be
awarded based on criteria established by the Secretaries,
that include the following:
``(A) A determination of the merits of the grant proposal
submitted by the eligible entity involved to develop, offer,
improve, or provide an educational or career training program
to be made available to workers.
``(B) An assessment of the likely employment opportunities
available in the area to individuals who complete an
educational or career training program that the eligible
entity proposes to develop, offer, improve, or provide.
``(C) An assessment of prior demand for training programs
by individuals eligible for training and served by the
eligible entity, as well as availability and capacity of
existing (as of the date of the assessment) training programs
to meet future demand for training programs.
``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretaries shall give priority to eligible entities that--
``(A) include a partnership, with employers or an employer
or industry partnership, that--
``(i) pays a portion of the costs of educational or career
training programs; or
``(ii) agrees to hire individuals who have attained a
recognized postsecondary credential resulting from the
educational or career training program of the eligible
entity;
``(B) enter into a partnership with a labor organization or
labor-management training program to provide, through the
program, technical expertise for occupationally specific
education necessary for a recognized postsecondary credential
leading to a skilled occupation in an in-demand industry
sector;
``(C) are focused on serving individuals with barriers to
employment, low-income, non-traditional students, students
who are dislocated workers, students who are veterans, or
students who are long-term unemployed;
``(D) include community colleges serving areas with high
unemployment rates, including rural areas;
``(E) are eligible entities that include an institution of
higher education eligible for assistance under title III or V
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.;
20 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); and
``(F) include a partnership, with employers or an employer
or industry partnership, that increases domestic production
of goods, such as advanced manufacturing or production of
clean energy technology.
``(f) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this section
shall be used for one or more of the following:
``(1) The development, offering, improvement, or provision
of educational or career training programs, that provide
relevant job
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training for skilled occupations that will meet the needs of
employers in in-demand industry sectors, and which may
include registered apprenticeship programs, on-the-job
training programs, and programs that support employers in
upgrading the skills of their workforce.
``(2) The development and implementation of policies and
programs to expand opportunities for students to earn a
recognized postsecondary credential, including a degree, in
in-demand industry sectors and occupations, including by--
``(A) facilitating the transfer of academic credits between
institutions of higher education, including the transfer of
academic credits for courses in the same field of study;
``(B) expanding articulation agreements and policies that
guarantee transfers between such institutions, including
through common course numbering and use of a general core
curriculum; and
``(C) developing or enhancing student support services
programs.
``(3) The creation of workforce programs that provide a
sequence of education and occupational training that leads to
a recognized postsecondary credential, including a degree,
including programs that--
``(A) blend basic skills and occupational training;
``(B) facilitate means of transitioning participants from
non-credit occupational, basic skills, or developmental
coursework to for-credit coursework within and across
institutions;
``(C) build or enhance linkages, including the development
of dual enrollment programs and early college high schools,
between secondary education or adult education programs
(including programs established under the Carl D. Perkins
Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et
seq.) and title II of this Act);
``(D) are innovative programs designed to increase the
provision of training for students, including students who
are members of the National Guard or Reserves, to enter
skilled occupations in in-demand industry sectors; and
``(E) support paid internships that will allow students to
simultaneously earn credit for work-based learning and gain
relevant employment experience in an in-demand industry
sector or occupation, which shall include opportunities that
transition individuals into employment.
``(4) The support of regional or national in-demand
industry sectors to develop skills consortia that will
identify pressing workforce needs and develop solutions such
as--
``(A) standardizing industry certifications;
``(B) developing new training technologies; and
``(C) collaborating with industry employers to define and
describe how specific skills lead to particular jobs and
career opportunities.
``SEC. 199A. PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE AND PAY-FOR-SUCCESS JOB
TRAINING PROJECTS.
``(a) Award Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated
under section 199D(a)(2), the Secretaries, in accordance with
the interagency agreement described in section 199E, shall
award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities
described in subsection (b) who achieve specific performance
outcomes and criteria agreed to by the Secretaries under
subsection (c) to carry out job training projects. Projects
funded by grants under this section shall be referred to as
either Pay-for-Performance or Pay-for-Success projects, as
set forth in subsection (b).
``(b) Eligible Entity.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an entity shall be a State or local
organization (which may be a local workforce organization) in
partnership with an entity such as a community college or
other training provider, who--
``(1) in the case of an entity seeking to carry out a Pay-
for-Performance project, agrees to be reimbursed under the
grant primarily on the basis of achievement of specified
performance outcomes and criteria agreed to by the
Secretaries under subsection (c); or
``(2) in the case of an entity seeking to carry out a Pay-
for-Success project--
``(A) enters into a partnership with an investor, such as a
philanthropic organization that provides funding for a
specific project to address a clear and measurable job
training need in the area to be served under the grant; and
``(B) agrees to be reimbursed under the grant only if the
project achieves specified performance outcomes and criteria
agreed to by the Secretaries under subsection (c).
``(c) Performance Outcomes and Criteria.--Not later than 6
months after the date of enactment of this subtitle, the
Secretaries shall establish and publish specific performance
measures, which include performance outcomes and criteria,
for the initial qualification and reimbursement of eligible
entities to receive a grant under this section. At a minimum,
to receive such a grant, an eligible entity shall--
``(1) identify a particular program area and client
population that is not achieving optimal outcomes;
``(2) provide evidence that the proposed strategy for the
job training project would achieve better outcomes;
``(3) clearly articulate and quantify the improved outcomes
of such new approach;
``(4) for a Pay-for-Success project, specify a monetary
value that would need to be paid to obtain such outcomes and
explain the basis for such value;
``(5) identify data that would be required to evaluate
whether outcomes are being achieved for a target population
and a comparison group;
``(6) identify estimated savings that would result from the
improved outcomes, including to other programs or units of
government;
``(7) demonstrate the capacity to collect required data,
track outcomes, and validate those outcomes; and
``(8) specify how the entity will meet any other criteria
the Secretaries may require.
``(d) Period of Availability for Pay-for-Success
Projects.--Funds appropriated to carry out Pay-for-Success
projects pursuant to section 199D(a)(2) shall, upon
obligation, remain available for disbursement until expended,
notwithstanding section 1552 of title 31, United States Code,
and, if later deobligated, in whole or in part, be available
until expended under additional Pay-for-Success grants under
this section.
``SEC. 199B. BRING JOBS BACK TO AMERICA GRANTS.
``(a) Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated under
section 199D(a)(3), the Secretaries, in accordance with the
interagency agreement described in section 199E, shall award
grants to State or local governments for job training and
recruiting activities that can quickly provide businesses
with skilled workers in order to encourage businesses to
relocate to or remain in areas served by such governments.
The Secretaries shall coordinate activities with the
Secretary of Commerce in carrying out this section.
``(b) Purpose and Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under
this section may be used by a State or local government to
issue subgrants, using procedures established by the
Secretaries, to eligible entities, including those described
in section 199(b), to assist such eligible entities in
providing job training necessary to provide skilled workers
for businesses that have relocated or are considering
relocating operations outside the United States, and may
instead relocate to or remain in the areas served by such
governments, and in conducting recruiting activities.
``(c) Application.--A State or local government seeking a
grant under the program established under subsection (a)
shall submit an application to the Secretaries in such manner
and containing such information as the Secretaries may
require. At a minimum, each application shall include--
``(1) a description of the eligible entity the State or
local government proposes to assist in providing job training
or recruiting activities;
``(2) a description of the proposed or existing business
facility involved, including the number of jobs relating to
such facility and the average wage or salary of those jobs;
and
``(3) a description of any other resources that the State
has committed to assisting such business in locating such
facility, including tax incentives provided, bonding
authority exercised, and land granted.
``(d) Criteria.--The Secretaries shall award grants under
this section to the State and local governments that--
``(1) the Secretaries determine are most likely to succeed,
with such a grant, in assisting an eligible entity in
providing the job training and recruiting necessary to cause
a business to relocate to or remain in an area served by such
government;
``(2) will fund job training and recruiting programs that
will result in the greatest number and quality of jobs;
``(3) have committed State or other resources, to the
extent of their ability as determined by the Secretaries, to
assist a business to relocate to or remain in an area served
by such government; and
``(4) have met such other criteria as the Secretaries
consider appropriate, including criteria relating to
marketing plans, and benefits for ongoing area or State
strategies for economic development and job growth.
``SEC. 199C. GRANTS FOR ENTREPRENEUR AND SMALL BUSINESS
STARTUP TRAINING.
``(a) Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated under
section 199D(a)(4), the Secretaries, in accordance with the
interagency agreement described in section 199E, shall award
grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities
described in subsection (b) to provide training in starting a
small business and entrepreneurship. The Secretaries shall
coordinate activities with the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration in carrying out this section,
including coordinating the development of criteria and
selection of proposals.
``(b) Eligible Entity.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
`eligible entity' means an entity described in section
199(b)(1)(B) (or a consortium of any of such entities) in
partnership with at least 1 local or regional economic
development entity described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Additional partners.--Local or regional economic
development entities described in this paragraph are the
following:
``(A) Small business development centers.
``(B) Women's business centers.
``(C) Regional innovation clusters.
``(D) Local accelerators or incubators.
``(E) State or local economic development agencies.
``(c) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant
under this section shall submit an application containing a
grant proposal in such manner and containing such information
as the Secretaries and the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration
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shall require. Such information shall include a description
of the manner in which small business and entrepreneurship
training (including education) will be provided, the role of
partners in the arrangement involved, and the manner in which
the proposal will integrate local economic development
resources and partner with local economic development
entities.
``(d) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this section
shall be used to provide training in starting a small
business and entrepreneurship, including through online
courses, intensive seminars, and comprehensive courses.
``SEC. 199D. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be
appropriated--
``(1) such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
program established by section 199;
``(2) such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
program established by section 199A;
``(3) such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
program established by section 199B; and
``(4) such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
program established by section 199C.
``(b) Recipient.--For each amount appropriated under
paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a), 50 percent
shall be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor and 50
percent shall be appropriated to the Secretary of Education.
``(c) Administrative Cost.--Not more than 5 percent of the
amounts made available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4)
of subsection (a) may be used by the Secretaries to
administer the program described in that paragraph, including
providing technical assistance and carrying out evaluations
for the program described in that paragraph.
``(d) Period of Availability.--Except as provided in
section 199A(d), the funds appropriated pursuant to
subsection (a) for a fiscal year shall be available for
Federal obligation for that fiscal year and the succeeding 2
fiscal years.
``SEC. 199E. INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary
of Education shall jointly develop policies for the
administration of this subtitle in accordance with such terms
as the Secretaries shall set forth in an interagency
agreement. Such interagency agreement, at a minimum, shall
include a description of the respective roles and
responsibilities of the Secretaries in carrying out this
subtitle (both jointly and separately), including--
``(1) how the funds available under this subtitle will be
obligated and disbursed and compliance with applicable laws
(including regulations) will be ensured, as well as how the
grantees will be selected and monitored;
``(2) how evaluations and research will be conducted on the
effectiveness of grants awarded under this subtitle in
addressing the education and employment needs of workers, and
employers;
``(3) how technical assistance will be provided to
applicants and grant recipients;
``(4) how information will be disseminated, including
through electronic means, on best practices and effective
strategies and service delivery models for activities carried
out under this subtitle; and
``(5) how policies and processes critical to the successful
achievement of the education, training, and employment goals
of this subtitle will be established.
``(b) Transfer Authority.--The Secretary of Labor and the
Secretary of Education shall have the authority to transfer
funds between the Department of Labor and the Department of
Education to carry out this subtitle in accordance with the
agreement described in subsection (a). The Secretary of Labor
and the Secretary of Education shall have the ability to
transfer funds to the Secretary of Commerce and the
Administrator of the Small Business Administration to carry
out sections 199B and 199C, respectively.
``(c) Reports.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of
Education shall jointly develop and submit a biennial report
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce
of the House of Representatives, describing the activities
carried out under this subtitle and the outcomes of such
activities.
``SEC. 199F. DEFINITIONS.
``For purposes of this subtitle:
``(1) Community college.--The term `community college' has
the meaning given the term `junior or community college' in
section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1058(f)).
``(2) Nontraditional student.--The term `nontraditional
student' has the meaning given the term in section 803(j) of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161c(j)).
``(3) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term
`recognized postsecondary credential' means a credential
consisting of--
``(A) an industry-recognized certificate;
``(B) a certificate of completion of 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.); or
``(C) an associate or baccalaureate degree.
``(4) Secretaries.--The term `Secretaries' means the
Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended by
inserting after the items relating to subtitle E of title I
the following:
``Subtitle F--Community College to Career Fund
``Sec. 199. Community college and industry partnerships program.
``Sec. 199A. Pay-for-Performance and Pay-for-Success job training
projects.
``Sec. 199B. Bring jobs back to America grants.
``Sec. 199C. Grants for entrepreneur and small business startup
training.
``Sec. 199D. Authorization of appropriations.
``Sec. 199E. Interagency agreement.
``Sec. 199F. Definitions.''.
______