[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2432 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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115th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2432
To amend the charter of the Future Farmers of America, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 15, 2018
Mr. Young (for himself, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Lankford, and Mr. Jones)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the charter of the Future Farmers of America, 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 ``National FFA Organization's Federal
Charter Amendments Act''.
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION.
Section 70901 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION.
Section 70902 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs
(7) and (8), respectively;
(3) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), (6), and (7);
(4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (11);
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs
(12) and (13), respectively;
(6) by inserting before paragraph (7), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), the following:
``(1) to be an integral component of instruction in
agricultural education, including instruction relating to
agriculture, food, and natural resources;
``(2) to advance comprehensive agricultural education in
the United States, including in public schools, by supporting
contextual classroom and laboratory instruction and work-based
experiential learning;
``(3) to prepare students for successful entry into
productive careers in fields relating to agriculture, food, and
natural resources, including by connecting students to relevant
postsecondary educational pathways and focusing on the complete
delivery of classroom and laboratory instruction, work-based
experiential learning, and leadership development;
``(4) to be a resource and support organization that does
not select, control, or supervise State association, local
chapter, or individual member activities;
``(5) to develop educational materials, programs, services,
and events as a service to State and local agricultural
education agencies;
``(6) to seek and promote inclusion and diversity in its
membership, leadership, and staff to reflect the belief of the
FFA in the value of all human beings;'';
(7) in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``composed of students and former
students of vocational agriculture in public schools
qualifying for Federal reimbursement under the Smith-
Hughes Vocational Education Act (20 U.S.C. 11-15, 16-
28''; and
(B) by inserting ``as such chapters and
associations carry out agricultural education programs
that are approved by States, territories, or
possessions'' after ``United States'';
(8) in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``to develop'' and inserting ``to
build'';
(B) by striking ``train for useful citizenship, and
foster patriotism, and thereby'' and inserting ``and'';
and
(C) by striking ``aggressive rural and'' and
inserting ``assertive'';
(9) by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), the following:
``(9) to increase awareness of the global and technological
importance of agriculture, food, and natural resources, and the
way agriculture contributes to our well-being;
``(10) to promote the intelligent choice and establishment
of a career in fields relating to agriculture, food, and
natural resources;'';
(10) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``to procure for and distribute to
State'' and inserting ``to make available to State'';
(B) by inserting ``, programs, services,'' before
``and equipment''; and
(C) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting
``FFA'';
(11) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (5),
by striking ``State boards for vocational'' and inserting
``State boards and officials for career and technical''; and
(12) in paragraph (13), as redesignated by paragraph (5),
by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
Section 70903 of title 36, United States Code is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting
``FFA''; and
(B) by striking ``as provided in the bylaws'' and
inserting ``as provided in the constitution or bylaws
of the FFA''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Voting.--Except as provided in this chapter, the voting
rights of members and the election process are as provided in the
constitution or bylaws of the FFA.''.
SEC. 5. GOVERNING BODY.
Section 70904 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``corporation''
and inserting ``FFA'' each place the term appears;
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and
inserting the following:
``(2) The board--
``(A) shall consist of--
``(i) the Secretary of Education, or the
Secretary of Education's designee who has
experience in agricultural education, the FFA,
or career and technical education; and
``(ii) other individuals--
``(I) representing the fields of
education, agriculture, food, and
natural resources; or
``(II) with experience working
closely with the FFA; and
``(B) shall not include any individual who is a
current employee of the National FFA Organization.
``(3) The number of directors, terms of office of the
directors, and the method of selecting the directors, are as
provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA.''; and
(C) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking
``bylaws'' and inserting ``constitution or
bylaws of the FFA''; and
(ii) in the third sentence, by striking
``chairman'' and inserting ``chair'';
(2) by striking subsection (b); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Officers.--The officers of the FFA, the terms of officers,
and the election of officers, are as provided in the constitution or
bylaws of the FFA, except that such officers shall include--
``(1) a national advisor;
``(2) an executive secretary; and
``(3) a treasurer.
``(c) Governing Committee.--
``(1) The board may designate a governing committee. The
terms and method of selecting the governing committee members
are as provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA,
except that all members of the governing committee shall be
members of the board of directors and at all times the
governing committee shall be comprised of not less than 3
individuals.
``(2) When the board is not in session, the governing
committee has the powers of the board subject to the board's
direction and may authorize the seal of the FFA to be affixed
to all papers that require it.''.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL STUDENT OFFICERS.
Section 70905 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by
striking subsections (a) through (d) and inserting the following:
``(a) Composition.--There shall be not less than 6 national student
officers of the FFA, which shall include not less than 4 national
student officer vice presidents, as provided in the constitution or
bylaws of the FFA.
``(b) Election.--
``(1) The national student officers of the FFA, except
student officer vice-presidents, shall be elected annually by a
majority vote of official delegates assembled at the annual
convention. Elections for not less than 4 national student
officer vice presidents shall be based upon regional
representation as further detailed in the constitution or
bylaws of the FFA.
``(2) The voting rights of delegates and the process of
electing the national student officers shall be as provided in
the constitution or bylaws of the FFA.''.
SEC. 7. POWERS.
Section 70906 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``corporate'';
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(4) in paragraph (6), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(5) by amending paragraph (8) to read as follows:
``(8) use FFA funds to give prizes, awards, loans, and
grants to deserving members, chapters, and associations to
carry out the purposes of the FFA;'';
(6) by amending paragraph (9) to read as follows:
``(9) produce publications, websites, and other media;'';
(7) in paragraph (10)--
(A) by striking ``procure for and distribute to
State'' and inserting ``make available to State''; and
(B) by striking ``Future Farmers of America'' and
inserting ``FFA''; and
(8) in paragraph (12), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 8. NAME, SEALS, EMBLEMS, AND BADGES.
Section 70907 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'' each
place the term appears;
(2) by striking ``name'' and inserting ``names'';
(3) by striking ```Future Farmers of America''' and
inserting ```Future Farmers of America' and `National FFA
Organization,'''; and
(4) by inserting ``education'' before ``membership''.
SEC. 9. RESTRICTIONS.
Section 70908 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation or a
director, officer, or member as such'' and inserting ``FFA or a
director, officer, or member acting on behalf of the FFA'';
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'' each place the term appears; and
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
(B) by striking ``Directors who vote for or assent
to making a loan to a director, officer, or employee,
and officers who participate in making the loan, are
jointly and severally liable to the corporation for the
amount of the loan until it is repaid.''.
SEC. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.
Section 70909 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``SEC. 70909. RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.
``(a) In General.--On request of the board of directors, the FFA
may collaborate with Federal agencies, including the Department of
Education and the Department of Agriculture on matters of mutual
interest and benefit.
``(b) Agency Assistance.--Those Federal agencies may make
personnel, services, and facilities available to administer or assist
in the administration of the activities of the FFA.
``(c) Agency Compensation.--Personnel of the Federal agencies may
not receive compensation from the FFA for their services, except that
travel and other legitimate expenses as defined by the Federal agencies
and approved by the board may be paid.
``(d) Cooperation With State Boards.--The Federal agencies also may
cooperate with State boards and other organizations for career and
technical education to assist in the promotion of activities of the
FFA.''.
SEC. 11. HEADQUARTERS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE.
Section 70910 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``of the corporation shall be in the District of Columbia.
However, the activities of the corporation are not confined to the
District of Columbia but'' and inserting ``of the FFA shall be as
provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA. The activities of
the FFA''.
SEC. 12. RECORDS AND INSPECTION.
Section 709011 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``corporation''
and inserting ``FFA''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``entitled to
vote''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 13. SERVICE OF PROCESS.
Section 70912 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``District of Columbia'' and
inserting ``In General'';
(B) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting
``FFA'' each place the term appears;
(C) by striking ``in the District of Columbia''
before ``to receive''; and
(D) by striking ``Designation of the agent shall be
filed in the office of the clerk of the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting
``FFA'' each place the term appears; and
(B) by inserting ``of the FFA'' after ``association
or chapter''.
SEC. 14. LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF OFFICERS OR AGENTS.
Section 70913 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 15. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS IN DISSOLUTION OR FINAL LIQUIDATION.
Section 70914 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
(2) by striking ``vocational agriculture'' and inserting
``agricultural education''.
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