PUBLIC LAW 109–420—DEC. 20, 2006

INTERAGENCY AEROSPACE REVITALIZATION

TASK FORCE

120 STAT. 2886 PUBLIC LAW 109–420—DEC. 20, 2006

Public Law 109–420

109th Congress

An Act

To establish an interagency aerospace revitalization task force to develop a national

strategy for aerospace workforce recruitment, training, and cultivation.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) The aerospace industry generates nearly 15 percent

of the gross domestic product of the United States, supports

approximately 11,000,000 jobs in the United States, and leads

the United States economy in net exports.

(2) The aerospace industry contributes directly to the economic and national security of the United States through military, space, air transport, and information technology applications.

(3) A skilled and educated workforce represents the most

valuable asset of the United States economy.

(4) In 2004, total employment in the aerospace industry

fell to its lowest point in 50 years.

(5) 27 percent of the aerospace manufacturing workforce

will become eligible for retirement by 2008.

(6) Students in the United States rank near the bottom

of the leading industrialized countries of the world in mathematics and science test performance.

(7) To ensure the stability of high-skilled jobs and the

global competitiveness of the domestic aerospace industry, the

United States requires coordinated Federal Government policies

to sustain and expand the science, mathematics, engineering,

and manufacturing workforce.

SEC. 2. INTERAGENCY AEROSPACE REVITALIZATION TASK FORCE.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a task force to be

known as the ‘‘Interagency Aerospace Revitalization Task Force’’

(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’).

(b) DUTIES.—The Task Force shall develop a strategy for the

Federal Government for aerospace workforce development,

including strategies for—

(1) maximizing cooperation among departments and agencies of the Federal Government and the use of resources of

the Federal Government in fulfilling demand for a skilled

workforce across all vocational classifications;

(2) developing integrated Federal Government policies to

promote and monitor public and private sector programs for

Dec. 20, 2006

[H.R. 758]

PUBLIC LAW 109–420—DEC. 20, 2006 120 STAT. 2887

science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and skilled

trades education and training; and

(3) establishing partnerships with industry, organized

labor, academia, and State and local governments to—

(A) collect and disseminate information on occupational

requirements and projected employment openings; and

(B) coordinate appropriate agency resources, including

grants, loans, and scholarships, for the advancement of

workforce education, training, and certification programs.

(c) MEMBERSHIP.—

(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Task Force shall be

composed of 11 members who shall be appointed as follows:

(A) One member shall be the Assistant Secretary of

Labor for Employment and Training.

(B) One member shall be a representative of the

Department of Commerce and shall be appointed by the

Secretary of Commerce.

(C) One member shall be a representative of the

Department of Defense and shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense.

(D) One member shall be a representative of the

Department of Homeland Security and shall be appointed

by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(E) One member shall be a representative of the

Department of Education and shall be appointed by the

Secretary of Education.

(F) One member shall be a representative of the

Department of Transportation and shall be appointed by

the Secretary of Transportation.

(G) One member shall be a representative of the

Department of Energy and shall be appointed by the Secretary of Energy.

(H) One member shall be a representative of the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

and shall be appointed by the Administrator of NASA.

(I) One member shall be a representative of the

National Science Foundation (NSF) and shall be appointed

by the Director of the NSF.

(J) Two members shall be appointed by the President.

(2) CHAIRPERSON.—The Assistant Secretary of Labor for

Employment and Training shall serve as the chairperson of

the Task Force.

(3) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—Each member shall be

appointed to the Task Force not later than 90 days after the

date of the enactment of this Act.

(4) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Task Force shall be

filled in the manner in which the original appointment was

made.

(5) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION.—Members of the Task

Force may not receive pay, allowances, or benefits by reason

of their service on the Task Force.

(d) MEETINGS.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force shall meet at the call

of the Chairperson.

(2) FREQUENCY.—The Task Force shall meet not less than

two times each year.

President.

120 STAT. 2888 PUBLIC LAW 109–420—DEC. 20, 2006

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 758:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:

Vol. 151 (2005): Oct. 25, considered and passed House.

Vol. 152 (2006): Dec. 6, considered and passed Senate.

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(3) QUORUM.—6 members of the Task Force shall constitute

a quorum.

(e) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than one year after the date

of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for four

years, the Task Force shall submit to Congress, and make available

to the public, a report detailing the activities of the Task Force

and containing the findings, strategies, recommendations, policies,

and initiatives developed pursuant to the duties of the Task Force

under subsection (b).

(f) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate on the date

of the submission of the final report under subsection (e).

Approved December 20, 2006.