[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 360 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 360
To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to expand the authorization
of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to
provide service opportunities for young Americans; help restore the
nation's natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational and
scenic resources; train a new generation of public land managers and
enthusiasts; and promote the value of public service.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 14, 2013
Mr. Udall of New Mexico (for himself, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Begich, Mrs.
Boxer, and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to expand the authorization
of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to
provide service opportunities for young Americans; help restore the
nation's natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational and
scenic resources; train a new generation of public land managers and
enthusiasts; and promote the value of public service.
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 ``Public Lands Service Corps Act of
2013''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO SHORT TITLE.
Section 201 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1701
note; 107 Stat. 848) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES.
``(a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the `Public Lands
Service Corps Act of 1993'.
``(b) References.--Any reference contained in any law, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the `Public
Lands Corps Act of 1993' shall be considered to be a reference to the
`Public Lands Service Corps Act of 1993'.''.
SEC. 3. REFERENCE.
A reference in this Act to ``the Act'' is a reference to the Public
Lands Service Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.; title II of
Public Law 91-378).
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS ACT OF 1993.
(a) Name and Project Description Changes.--The Act is amended--
(1) in the title heading, by striking ``PUBLIC LANDS
CORPS'' and inserting ``PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS'';
(2) in section 204 (16 U.S.C. 1723), in the heading, by
striking ``public lands corps'' and inserting ``public lands
service corps'';
(3) in section 210(a)(2) (16 U.S.C. 1729(a)(2)), in the
heading, by striking ``Public lands'';
(4) by striking ``Public Lands Corps'' each place it
appears and inserting ``Corps'';
(5) by striking ``conservation center'' each place it
appears and inserting ``residential conservation center'';
(6) by striking ``conservation centers'' each place it
appears and inserting ``residential conservation centers'';
(7) by striking ``appropriate conservation project'' each
place it appears and inserting ``appropriate natural and
cultural resources conservation project''; and
(8) by striking ``appropriate conservation projects'' each
place it appears and inserting ``appropriate natural and
cultural resources conservation projects''.
(b) Findings.--Section 202(a) (16 U.S.C. 1721(a)) of the Act, as
amended by subsection (a), is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Corps can benefit'' and inserting
``conservation corps can benefit''; and
(B) by striking ``the natural and cultural'' and
inserting ``natural and cultural'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Participants in conservation corps receive meaningful
education and training, and their experience with conservation
corps provides preparation for careers in public service.
``(3) Young men and women who participate in the
rehabilitation and restoration of the natural, cultural,
historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic treasures of
the United States will gain an increased appreciation and
understanding of the public lands and heritage of the United
States, and of the value of public service, and are likely to
become life-long advocates for those values.'';
(4) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by
inserting ``, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational,
and scenic'' after ``Many facilities and natural''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) The work of conservation corps can benefit
communities adjacent to public lands and facilities through
renewed civic engagement and participation by corps
participants and those they serve, improved student
achievement, and restoration and rehabilitation of public
assets.''.
(c) Purpose.--Section 202(b) (16 U.S.C. 1721(b)) of the Act is
amended to read as follows:
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
``(1) to introduce young men and women to public service
while furthering their understanding and appreciation of the
natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and
scenic resources of the United States;
``(2) to facilitate training and recruitment opportunities
in which service is credited as qualifying experience for
careers in the management of such resources;
``(3) to instill in a new generation of young men and women
from across the United States, including young men and women
from diverse backgrounds, the desire to seek careers in
resource stewardship and public service by allowing them to
work directly with professionals in agencies responsible for
the management of the natural, cultural, historic,
archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources of the
United States;
``(4) to perform, in a cost-effective manner, appropriate
natural and cultural resources conservation projects where such
projects are not being performed by existing employees;
``(5) to assist State and local governments and Indian
tribes in performing research and public education tasks
associated with the conservation of natural, cultural,
historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources;
``(6) to expand educational opportunities on public lands
and by rewarding individuals who participate in conservation
corps with an increased ability to pursue higher education and
job training;
``(7) to promote public understanding and appreciation of
the missions and the natural and cultural resources
conservation work of the participating Federal agencies through
training opportunities, community service and outreach, and
other appropriate means; and
``(8) to create a grant program for Indian tribes to
establish the Indian Youth Service Corps so that Indian youth
can benefit from carrying out projects on Indian lands that the
Indian tribes and communities determine to be priorities.''.
(d) Definitions.--Section 203 (16 U.S.C. 1722) of the Act is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7), (8)
through (10), and (11) through (13) as paragraphs (5) through
(9), (11) through (13), and (15) through (17), respectively;
(2) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the
following:
``(1) Appropriate natural and cultural resources
conservation project.--The term `appropriate natural and
cultural resources conservation project' means any project for
the conservation, restoration, construction, or rehabilitation
of natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational,
or scenic resources.
``(2) Consulting intern.--The term `consulting intern'
means a consulting intern selected under section 206(a)(2).
``(3) Corps and public lands service corps.--The terms
`Corps' and `Public Lands Service Corps' mean the Public Lands
Service Corps established under section 204(a).
``(4) Corps participant.--The term `Corps participant'
means an individual enrolled--
``(A) in the Corps or the Indian Youth Service
Corps; or
``(B) as a resource assistant or consulting
intern.'';
(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(10) Indian youth service corps.--The term `Indian Youth
Service Corps' means a qualified youth or conservation corps
established under section 207 that--
``(A) enrolls individuals between the ages of 15
and 25, inclusive, a majority of whom are Indians; and
``(B) is established pursuant to a tribal
resolution that describes the agreement between the
Indian tribe and the qualified youth or conservation
corps to operate an Indian Youth Service Corps program
for the benefit of the members of the Indian tribe.'';
(4) by amending paragraph (12) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) to read as follows:
``(12) Public lands.--The term `public lands' means any
land or water (or interest therein) owned or administered by
the United States, including those areas of coastal and ocean
waters, the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, and
submerged lands over which the United States exercises
jurisdiction, except that such term does not include Indian
lands.'';
(5) by amending paragraph (13) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) as follows:
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``full-time,'';
(ii) by inserting ``on eligible service
lands'' after ``resource setting''; and
(iii) by striking ``16'' and inserting
``15'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) makes available for audit for each fiscal
year for which the qualified youth or conservation
corps receives Federal funds under this Act, all
information pertaining to the expenditure of the funds,
any matching funds, and participant demographics.'';
(6) by inserting after paragraph 13 (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(14) Residential conservation centers.--The term
`residential conservation centers' means the facilities
authorized under section 205.'';
(7) in paragraph (15) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)),
by striking ``206'' and inserting ``206(a)(1)''; and
(8) in paragraph (16) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
(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 lands and facilities
administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Secretary of Commerce.''.
(e) Public Lands Service Corps Program.--Section 204 of the Act (16
U.S.C. 1723), as amended by subsection (a), is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) and
subsections (d) through (f) as subsections (c) and (d) and
subsections (f) through (h), respectively;
(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) Establishment of Public Lands Service Corps.--There is
established in the Department of the Interior, the Department of
Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce a Public Lands Service
Corps.
``(b) Establishment of Corps Office; Coordinators; Liaison.--
``(1) Establishment of offices.--
``(A) Department of the interior.--The Secretary of
the Interior shall establish a department-level office
to coordinate the Corps activities within the
Department of the Interior.
``(B) Department of agriculture.--The Secretary of
Agriculture shall establish within the Forest Service
an office to coordinate the Corps activities within
that agency.
``(C) Department of commerce.--The Secretary of
Commerce shall establish within the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration an office to coordinate
the Corps activities within that agency.
``(2) Establishment of coordinators.--The Secretary shall
designate a Public Lands Service Corps coordinator for each
agency under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that administers
Corps activities.
``(3) Establishment of liaison.--The Secretary of the
Interior shall establish an Indian Youth Service Corps liaison
that will--
``(A) provide outreach to Indian tribes about
opportunities for establishing Corps and Indian Youth
Service Corps programs; and
``(B) coordinate with the Tribal Liaison of the
Corporation for National Service to identify and
establish Corps and Indian Youth Service Corps
opportunities for Indian youth.'';
(3) by amending subsection (c) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) to read as follows:
``(c) Participants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may enroll in the Corps
individuals who are--
``(A) hired by an agency under the jurisdiction of
the Secretary to perform work authorized under this
Act; or
``(B) members of a qualified youth or conservation
corps with which the Secretary has entered into a
cooperative agreement to perform work authorized under
this Act.
``(2) Resource assistants and consulting interns.--The
Secretary may also enroll in the Corps resource assistants and
consulting interns in accordance with section 206(a).
``(3) Eligibility requirements.--To be eligible for
enrollment as a Corps participant, an individual shall--
``(A) be between the ages of 15 and 25, inclusive;
and
``(B) satisfy the requirements of section 137(a)(5)
of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12591(a)(5)).
``(4) Terms.--Each Corps participant may be enrolled in the
Corps for a term of up to 2 years of service, which may be
served over a period that exceeds 2 calendar years.
``(5) Civil service.--An individual may be enrolled as a
Corps participant without regard to the civil service and
classification laws, rules, or regulations of the United
States.
``(6) Preference.--The Secretary may establish a preference
for the enrollment as Corps participants individuals who are
economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged.'';
(4) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``contracts and''; and
(ii) by striking ``subsection (d)'' and
inserting ``subsection (f)'';
(B) by striking paragraph (2); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Recruitment.--The Secretary shall carry out, or enter
into cooperative agreements to provide, a program to attract
eligible youth to the Corps by publicizing Corps opportunities
through high schools, colleges, employment centers, electronic
media, and other appropriate institutions and means.
``(3) Preference.--In entering into cooperative agreements
under paragraph (1) or awarding competitive grants to Indian
tribes or tribally authorized organizations under section 207,
the Secretary may give preference to qualified youth or
conservation corps that are located in specific areas where a
substantial portion of members are economically, physically, or
educationally disadvantaged.'';
(5) by inserting after subsection (d) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(e) Training.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a training
program based at appropriate residential conservation centers
or at other suitable regional Federal or other appropriate
facilities or sites to provide training for Corps participants.
``(2) Requirements.--In establishing a training program
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
``(A) ensure that the duration and
comprehensiveness of the training program shall be
commensurate with the projects Corps participants are
expected to undertake;
``(B) develop department-wide standards for the
program that include training in--
``(i) resource stewardship;
``(ii) health and safety;
``(iii) ethics for individuals in public
service;
``(iv) teamwork and leadership; and
``(v) interpersonal communications;
``(C) direct the participating agencies within the
Department of the Interior, the Forest Service in the
case of the Department of Agriculture, and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the case of
the Department of Commerce, to develop agency-specific
training guidelines to ensure that Corps participants
are appropriately informed about matters specific to
that agency, including--
``(i) the history and organization of the
agency;
``(ii) the mission of the agency; and
``(iii) any agency-specific standards for
the management of natural, cultural, historic,
archaeological, recreational, and scenic
resources; and
``(D) take into account training already received
by Corps participants enrolled from qualified youth or
conservation corps.'';
(6) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``In
general.--'' and inserting ``Use of corps;
projects.--'';
(ii) by striking ``The Secretary may
utilize the Corps or any qualified youth or
conservation corps to carry out'' and inserting
the following:
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may use the Corps
to carry out, with appropriate supervision and
training,'';
(iii) by striking ``on public lands'' and
inserting on ``on eligible service lands''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Projects.--Appropriate natural and cultural
resources conservation projects carried out under this
section may include--
``(i) protecting, restoring, or enhancing
ecosystem components to promote species
recovery, improve biological diversity, enhance
productivity and carbon sequestration, and
enhance adaptability and resilience of eligible
service lands and resources to climate change
and other natural and human disturbances;
``(ii) promoting the health of eligible
service lands, including--
``(I) protecting and restoring
watersheds and forest, grassland,
riparian, estuarine, marine, or other
habitat;
``(II) reducing the risk of
uncharacteristically severe wildfire
and mitigating damage from insects,
disease, and disasters;
``(III) controlling erosion;
``(IV) controlling and removing
invasive, noxious, or nonnative
species; and
``(V) restoring native species;
``(iii) collecting biological,
archaeological, and other scientific data,
including climatological information, species
populations and movement, habitat status, and
other information;
``(iv) assisting in historical and cultural
research, museum curatorial work, oral history
projects, documentary photography, and
activities that support the creation of public
works of art related to eligible service lands;
and
``(v) constructing, repairing,
rehabilitating, and maintaining roads, trails,
campgrounds and other visitor facilities,
employee housing, cultural and historic sites
and structures, and other facilities that
further the purposes of this Act.'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as
paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Visitor services.--The Secretary may--
``(A) enter into or amend an existing cooperative
agreement with a cooperating association, educational
institution, friends group, or similar nonprofit
partner organization for the purpose of providing
training and work experience to Corps participants in
areas such as sales, office work, accounting, and
management, provided that the work experience directly
relates to the conservation and management of eligible
service lands; and
``(B) allow Corps participants to help promote
visitor safety and enjoyment of eligible service lands,
and assist in the gathering of visitor use data.
``(3) Interpretation.--The Secretary may permit Corps
participants to provide interpretation or education services
for the public under the direct and immediate supervision of an
agency employee--
``(A) to provide orientation and information
services to visitors;
``(B) to assist agency employees in the delivery of
interpretive or educational programs where audience
size, environmental conditions, safety, or other
factors make such assistance desirable;
``(C) to present programs that relate the personal
experience of the Corps participants for the purpose of
promoting public awareness of the Corps, the role of
the Corps in public land management agencies, and the
availability of the Corps to potential participants;
and
``(D) to create nonpersonal interpretive products,
such as website content, Junior Ranger program books,
printed handouts, and audiovisual programs.'';
(7) in subsection (g) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
(A) in the matter preceding the first paragraph, by
striking ``those projects which'' and inserting
``priority projects and other projects that''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) will instill in Corps participants a work ethic and a
sense of public service;''; and
(8) by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Other Participants.--The Secretary may allow volunteers from
other programs administered or designated by the Secretary to
participate as volunteers in projects carried out under this section.
``(j) Criminal History Checks.--
``(1) In general.--The requirements of section 189D(b) of
the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12645g(b)) shall apply to each individual age 18 or older
seeking--
``(A) to become a Corps participant;
``(B) to receive funds authorized under this Act;
or
``(C) to supervise or otherwise have regular
contact with Corps participants in activities
authorized under this Act.
``(2) Eligibility prohibition.--If any of paragraphs (1)
through (4) of section 189D(c) of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12645g(c)(1)-(4)) apply to an
individual described in paragraph (1), that individual shall
not be eligible for the position or activity described in
paragraph (1), unless the Secretary provides an exemption for
good cause.''.
(f) Residential Conservation Centers and Program Support.--Section
205 (16 U.S.C. 1724) of the Act is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``conservation''
and inserting ``residential conservation'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may establish residential
conservation centers for--
``(A) such housing, food service, medical care,
transportation, and other services as the Secretary
deems necessary for Corps participants; and
``(B) the conduct of appropriate natural and
cultural resources conservation projects under this
Act.'';
(B) by striking paragraph (2);
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as
paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively;
(D) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated by
subparagraph (C)), in the heading, by striking ``for
conservation centers''; and
(E) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by
subparagraph (C)), by striking ``a State or local
government agency'' and inserting ``another Federal
agency, State, local government,'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Temporary housing.--The Secretary may make
arrangements with another Federal agency, State, local
government, or private organization to provide temporary
housing for Corps participants as needed and available.
``(3) Transportation.--In project areas where Corps
participants can reasonably be expected to reside at their own
homes, the Secretary may fund or provide transportation to and
from project sites.'';
(4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f);
(5) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Facilities.--The Secretary may, as an appropriate natural and
cultural resources conservation project, direct Corps participants to
aid in the construction or rehabilitation of residential conservation
center facilities, including housing.
``(e) Mentors.--The Secretary may recruit from programs, such as
Federal volunteer and encore service programs, and from veterans
groups, military retirees, and active duty personnel, such adults as
may be suitable and qualified to provide training, mentoring, and crew-
leading services to Corps participants.''; and
(6) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (4)),
by striking ``that are appropriate'' and all that follows
through the period and inserting ``that the Secretary
determines to be necessary for a residential conservation
center.''.
(g) Resource Assistants and Consulting Interns.--Section 206 of the
Act (16 U.S.C. 1725) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and consulting
interns'' before the period;
(2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the
following:
``(a) Authorization.--
``(1) Resource assistants.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may provide
individual placements of resource assistants with any
agency under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that
carries out appropriate natural and cultural resources
conservation projects to carry out research or resource
protection activities on behalf of the agency.
``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible for selection as
a resource assistant, an individual shall be at least
17 years of age.
``(C) Preference.--In selecting resource assistants
for placement under this paragraph, the Secretary shall
give a preference to individuals who are enrolled in an
institution of higher education or are recent graduates
from an institution of higher education, with
particular attention given to ensuring full
representation of women and participants from
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-
serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges and
Universities.
``(2) Consulting interns.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may provide
individual placements of consulting interns with any
agency under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that
carries out appropriate natural and cultural resources
conservation projects to carry out management analysis
activities on behalf of the agency.
``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible for selection as
a consulting intern, an individual shall be enrolled
in, and have completed at least 1 full year at, a
graduate or professional school that has been
accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the
Secretary of Education.
``(b) Use of Existing Nonprofit Organizations.--
``(1) In general.--Whenever 1 or more nonprofit
organizations can provide appropriate recruitment and placement
services to fulfill the requirements of this section, the
Secretary may implement this section through such
organizations.
``(2) Expenses.--Participating organizations shall
contribute to the expenses of providing and supporting the
resource assistants or consulting interns from sources of
funding other than the Secretary, at a level of not less than
25 percent of the total costs (15 percent of which may be from
in-kind sources) of each participant in the resource assistant
or consulting intern program who has been recruited and placed
through that organization.
``(3) Reporting.--Each participating organization shall be
required to submit an annual report evaluating the scope, size,
and quality of the program, including the value of work
contributed by the resource assistants and consulting interns,
to the mission of the agency.''.
(h) Technical Amendment.--The Act is amended by redesignating
sections 207 through 211 (16 U.S.C. 1726 through 1730) as sections 209
through 213, respectively.
(i) Indian Youth Service Corps.--The Act is amended by inserting
after section 206 (16 U.S.C. 1725) the following:
``SEC. 207. INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS.
``(a) Authorization of Cooperative Agreements and Competitive
Grants.--The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative
agreements with, or make competitive grants to, Indian tribes and
qualified youth or conservation corps for the establishment and
administration of Indian Youth Service Corps programs to carry out
appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects on
Indian lands.
``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive assistance under this
section, an Indian tribe or a qualified youth or conservation corps
shall submit to the Secretary an application in such manner and
containing such information as the Secretary may require, including--
``(1) a description of the methods by which Indian youth
will be recruited for and retained in the Indian Youth Service
Corps;
``(2) a description of the projects to be carried out by
the Indian Youth Service Corps;
``(3) a description of how the projects were identified;
and
``(4) an explanation of the impact of, and the direct
community benefits provided by, the proposed projects.''.
(j) Guidance.--The Act is amended by inserting after section 207
(as amended by subsection (i)) the following:
``SEC. 208. GUIDANCE.
``Not later than 18 months after funds are made available to the
Secretary to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidelines
for the management of programs under the jurisdiction of the Secretary
that are authorized under this Act.''.
(k) Living Allowances and Terms of Service.--Section 209 of the Act
(16 U.S.C. 1726) (as redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended by
striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting the following:
``(a) Living Allowances.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide each Corps
participant with a living allowance in an amount established by
the Secretary.
``(2) Travel costs.--The Secretary may reimburse Corps
participants for travel costs at the beginning and end of the
term of service of the Corps participants.
``(b) Terms of Service.--
``(1) In general.--Each Corps participant shall agree to
participate for such term of service as may be established by
the Secretary.
``(2) Consultations.--With respect to the Indian Youth
Service Corps, the term of service shall be established in
consultation with the affected Indian tribe or tribally
authorized organization.
``(c) Hiring Preference and Future Employment.--The Secretary may--
``(1) grant to a Corps participant credit for time served
as a Corps participant, which may be used toward future Federal
hiring;
``(2) provide to a former participant of the Corps or the
Indian Youth Service Corps noncompetitive hiring status for a
period of not more than 2 years after the date on which the
service of the candidate in the Corps or the Indian Youth
Service Corps was complete, if the candidate--
``(A) has served a minimum of 960 hours on an
appropriate natural or cultural resources conservation
project that included at least 120 hours through the
Corps or the Indian Youth Service Corps; and
``(B) meets Office of Personnel Management
qualification standards for the position for which the
candidate is applying;
``(3) provide to a former resource assistant or consulting
intern noncompetitive hiring status for a period of not more
than 2 years after the date on which the individual has
completed an undergraduate or graduate degree, respectively,
from an accredited institution, if the candidate--
``(A) successfully fulfilled the resource assistant
or consulting intern program requirements; and
``(B) meets Office of Personnel Management
qualification standards for the position for which the
candidate is applying; and
``(4) provide, or enter into contracts or cooperative
agreements with qualified employment agencies to provide,
alumni services such as job and education counseling,
referrals, verification of service, communications, and other
appropriate services to Corps participants who have completed
the term of service.''.
(l) National Service Educational Awards.--Section 210 (16 U.S.C.
1727) of the Act (as redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) (as amended by subsection (a)(4)), in
the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``participant in the Corps or a
resource assistant'' and inserting ``Corps
participant''; and
(B) by striking ``participant or resource
assistant'' and inserting ``Corps participant''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``either participants in the Corps
or resource assistants'' and inserting ``Corps
participants''; and
(B) by striking ``or a resource assistant''.
(m) Nondisplacement.--Section 211 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1728) (as
redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended by striking ``activities
carried out'' and all that follows through the period and inserting
``Corps participants.''.
(n) Funding.--Section 212 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1729) (as
redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the second sentence, by striking
``non-federal sources'' and inserting ``sources
other than the Secretary''; and
(ii) by inserting after the second sentence
the following: ``The Secretary may pay up to 90
percent of the costs of a project if the
Secretary determines that the reduction is
necessary to enable participation from a
greater range of organizations or
individuals.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or Indian
Youth Service Corps'' after ``Corps'' each place it
appears;
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Funds Available Under National and Community Service Act.--To
carry out this Act, the Secretary shall be eligible to apply for and
receive assistance under section 121(b) of the National and Community
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 12571(b)).''; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``section 211'' and inserting
``section 213''; and
(B) by inserting ``or Indian Youth Service Corps''
after ``Corps''.
(o) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 213 of the Act (16
U.S.C. 1730) (as redesignated by subsection (h)) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``year'' and all that
follows through the period and inserting ``year.'';
(2) by striking subsection (b); and
(3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
<all>