H. R. 439 

One Hundred Sixteenth Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE FIRST SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, 

the third day of January, two thousand and nineteen 

An Act 

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; 
H. R. 439—2 

‘‘(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(a) of title 36, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘corporation’’ and inserting ‘‘FFA’’; and 

(2) by striking ‘‘as provided in the bylaws’’ and inserting 

‘‘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— 
H. R. 439—3 

‘‘(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. 

‘‘(3) The board shall designate to such committee— 

‘‘(A) the chair of the board; 

‘‘(B) the executive secretary of the board; and 

‘‘(C) the treasurer of the board.’’. 

SEC. 6. NATIONAL STUDENT OFFICERS. 

Section 70905 of title 36, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: 

‘‘(a) COMPOSITION.—There shall be not less than 6 national 

student officers of the FFA, including a student president, 4 student 

vice presidents (each representing regions as provided in the constitution or bylaws of the corporation), and a student secretary.’’; 

(2) by striking subsection (b); 

(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 

(b) and (c), respectively; and 

(4) in subsection (b), as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘, 

except that’’ and all that follows through ‘‘(20 U.S.C. 11–15, 

16–28)’’. 
H. R. 439—4 

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, local FFA chapters, and State FFA 

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), in the first sentence, by striking 

‘‘corporation’’ and inserting ‘‘FFA’’. 

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. 
H. R. 439—5 

‘‘(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 70911 of title 36, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)— 

(A) 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 
H. R. 439—6 

(2) by striking ‘‘vocational agriculture’’ and inserting ‘‘agricultural education’’. 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.