I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5114 
To establish the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps to place youth 
and veterans in the United States in national service positions to protect, 
restore, and enhance the great outdoors of the United States, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 28, 2016 
Ms. MCSALLY (for herself, Mr. MOULTON, Mr. NEWHOUSE, Mr. GIBSON, and 
Mr. HUFFMAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To establish the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps 
to place youth and veterans in the United States in 
national service positions to protect, restore, and enhance 
the great outdoors of the United States, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘21st Century Con-
servation Service Corps Act of 2016’’. 
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SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to engage youth and vet-
erans in the United States in national service positions 
to protect, restore, and enhance the outdoors of the United 
States, including to— 
(1) channel widespread interest among youth 
and veterans in the United States in serving in na-
tional service positions to help protect, restore, en-
hance, and increase public access to and use of na-
tional parks, public and tribal land or water, and 
natural, cultural, and historical resources and treas-
ures for the enjoyment and use of future generations 
while spurring economic development and outdoor 
recreation by carrying out high-quality, cost-effective 
21CSC projects; 
(2) ensure that, in any State, tribal land or 
water, or territory of the United States, the activi-
ties and expertise of 21CSC participants will be ac-
cessible to public organizations, nonprofit organiza-
tions, and tribal agencies responsible for the stew-
ardship of public land or water, private land or 
water (with a direct or recognized public benefit and 
in coordination with the owner of such land or 
water), or tribal land or water; and 
(3) place youth and veterans in national service 
positions to protect, restore, and enhance the great 
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outdoors of the United States, through collaborative 
efforts involving relevant Federal departments and 
Federal agencies to minimize undue duplication, le-
verage existing resources, and maximize project com-
pletion in a cost-effective manner. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) 21CSC ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘21CSC 
organization’’ means an organization that is ap-
proved by a participating entity for participation in 
the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. 
(2) 21CSC PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘‘21CSC 
participant’’ means an individual who is selected by 
a 21CSC organization to serve on a 21CSC project. 
(3) 21CSC 
PROJECT.—The term ‘‘21CSC 
project’’ means a project that is carried out by a 
21CSC organization. 
(4) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), except 
that such term shall not include— 
(A) an institution outside the United 
States, as described in subsection (a)(1)(C) of 
such section; and 
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(B) an institution described in section 
101(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1001(b)). 
(5) PARTICIPATING ENTITY.—The term ‘‘par-
ticipating entity’’ means a Federal entity headed by 
an officer described in any of paragraphs (1) 
through (13) of section 5(b). 
(6) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of 
the several States of the United States, the District 
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands. 
(7) TRIBAL AGENCY.—The term ‘‘tribal agen-
cy’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ 
in section 101 of the National and Community Serv-
ice Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511). 
(8) TRIBAL LAND OR WATER.—The term ‘‘trib-
al land or water’’ means any real property or water 
owned by a tribal agency, any real property or water 
held in trust by the United States for an Indian (for 
the purpose of this paragraph, as defined in such 
section) or tribal agency, and any real property or 
water held by an Indian or tribal agency that is sub-
ject to restrictions on alienation imposed by the 
United States. 
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(9) VETERAN.—The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(10) YOUTH.—The term ‘‘youth’’ means an in-
dividual who is not younger than age 15 and not 
older than age 28. 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHING THE 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION 
SERVICE CORPS. 
There is established a 21st Century Conservation 
Service Corps (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘21CSC’’), 
consisting of 21CSC organizations and 21CSC partici-
pants and in partnership with the participating entities, 
to carry out the purpose of this Act. 
SEC. 5. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The 21CSC shall be implemented 
jointly by the participating entities, which shall have the 
authority to support the 21CSC by carrying out the activi-
ties described in subsection (c). 
(b) LIST OF ENTITIES.—The participating entities 
shall be the entities headed by each of the following offi-
cers: 
(1) The Secretary of the Interior. 
(2) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
(3) The Secretary of Transportation. 
(4) The Secretary of Labor. 
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(5) The Secretary of Energy. 
(6) The Secretary of Defense. 
(7) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(8) The Secretary of Commerce. 
(9) The Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency. 
(10) The Chair of the Council on Environ-
mental Quality. 
(11) The Chief Executive Officer of the Cor-
poration for National and Community Service. 
(12) The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil 
Works). 
(13) The head of any other Federal agency des-
ignated by the President as necessary to serve as a 
participating entity. 
(c) SUPPORTING THE 21CSC.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The participating entities 
may support the 21CSC by— 
(A) establishing standards for the 21CSC; 
(B) establishing a process for organiza-
tions to apply and be approved to become 
21CSC organizations; 
(C) developing and supporting the public- 
private partnerships described in subsection 
(e)(1); 
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(D) using or leveraging existing funding or 
acquiring funding and other resources under 
section 7 to support 21CSC projects through 
the cooperative agreements described in sub-
section (e); 
(E) leveraging existing resources described 
in section 7(b) to expand the use of the 21CSC 
to meet the missions of such entities; 
(F) utilizing technology to support 21CSC 
projects; and 
(G) collecting performance data on 21CSC 
projects to prepare the reports required by 
paragraph (3)(A) and demonstrate the impact 
of such projects. 
(2) COORDINATION TO MINIMIZE UNDUE DUPLI-
CATION AND MAXIMIZE PROJECT COMPLETION IN A 
COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER.— 
(A) COORDINATION
WITH
FEDERAL
DE-
PARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.—The participating 
entities shall coordinate with each other and 
with Federal departments and Federal agencies, 
affected by or engaging in activities that are 
similar to 21CSC projects, to— 
(i) minimize to the greatest extent 
possible any undue duplication with spe-
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cific project activities performed by the 
Federal departments and Federal agencies 
described in this subparagraph; and 
(ii) maximize project completion in a 
cost-effective manner by collaborating to 
leverage existing resources described in 
section 7(b). 
(B) COORDINATION
AMONG
ENTITIES.— 
Each participating entity shall, when feasible, 
coordinate activities with other participating en-
tities to approve 21CSC organizations and col-
lect the data required by paragraph 3(A). 
(C) GUIDANCE.—The participating entities 
shall, when practicable, seek guidance from— 
(i) the Corporation for National and 
Community Service, which has extensive 
experience in developing and administering 
national service programs; and 
(ii) the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs on ways to increase participation of 
veterans in 21CSC projects. 
(3) REPORTING.— 
(A) 21CSC REPORTS.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this 
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Act, and annually thereafter, all partici-
pating entities shall submit the required 
data described in clause (ii) to the Cor-
poration for National and Community 
Service. 
(ii) REQUIRED DATA.—The Corpora-
tion for National and Community Service, 
in coordination with the participating enti-
ties, shall prepare and submit an annual 
report to Congress that includes required 
data, for the year covered by the report, 
consisting of— 
(I) the number of 21CSC partici-
pants engaging in 21CSC projects and 
the length of the term of service for 
each participant; 
(II) the total amount of funding 
provided by participating entities for 
such service; 
(III) the type of service per-
formed by 21CSC participants and 
the impact and accomplishments of 
such service; and 
(IV) other similar data deter-
mined to be appropriate by the Cor-
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poration for National and Community 
Service and the participating entities, 
including data sufficient to determine 
the effectiveness of 21CSC organiza-
tions in carrying out activities to 
achieve the purpose of this Act in a 
manner that is cost-effective and does 
not unduly duplicate or overlap with 
other activities or programs carried 
out by Federal departments and Fed-
eral agencies. 
(iii) DATA
COLLECTION.—The Cor-
poration for National and Community 
Service may coordinate with 21CSC orga-
nizations to collect the required data de-
scribed in clause (ii). 
(B) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORTS.— 
The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall prepare and submit to Congress an in-
terim report, not later than 1 year after the 
date of submission of the first report under 
subparagraph (A)(ii), and a final report, not 
later than 3 years after such date of submis-
sion, that includes— 
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(i) an assessment, based on the data 
described in subparagraph (A)(ii), of the 
effectiveness of 21CSC organizations in 
achieving the purpose of this Act in a man-
ner that is cost-effective and does not un-
duly duplicate or overlap with other activi-
ties or programs carried out by Federal de-
partments and Federal agencies; and 
(ii) recommendations on how to more 
effectively manage and carry out 21CSC 
projects to achieve the purpose of this Act 
in the manner described in clause (i). 
(C) ADDITIONAL
REPORTS.—The Comp-
troller General of the United States may pre-
pare and submit to Congress additional reports 
including the content described in subparagraph 
(B) as the Comptroller General determines nec-
essary. 
(d) GIFTS AND DONATIONS.—The participating enti-
ties may accept, use, and dispose of contributions that are 
gifts or donations of money, services, or property to sup-
port the development, implementation, and expansion of 
21CSC projects, in accordance with applicable laws, in-
cluding regulations. 
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(e) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH 21CSC ORGA-
NIZATIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each participating entity 
shall have the authority to— 
(A) develop public-private partnerships 
with 21CSC organizations by entering into co-
operative agreements with such organizations to 
support and carry out 21CSC projects; and 
(B) leverage existing resources described in 
section 7(b) to support such cooperative agree-
ments. 
(2) TYPE
OF
COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENT.—A 
cooperative agreement under this subsection may 
be— 
(A) limited to an agreement for a specific 
21CSC project; 
(B) a broad agreement covering multiple 
planned or future 21CSC projects; or 
(C) an agreement for a 21CSC project to 
be part of a broader conservation service corps 
initiative carried out in partnership with a Fed-
eral or State government or a tribal agency. 
(3) SET
SHARE.—A cooperative agreement 
under this subsection shall include provisions speci-
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fying the share that the 21CSC organization will 
provide under section 7(c). 
SEC. 6. 21CSC ORGANIZATIONS AND 21CSC PROJECTS. 
(a) 21CSC ORGANIZATIONS.—To be approved as a 
21CSC organization, an organization seeking approval 
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, demonstrate the 
capability to meet, and provide an assurance that the or-
ganization will meet, each requirement under subsection 
(b). 
(b) 21CSC PROJECTS.— 
(1) 21CSC PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED BY 21CSC 
ORGANIZATIONS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out a 
21CSC project, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, a 21CSC organization shall select indi-
viduals to be 21CSC participants who, in addi-
tion to meeting the requirements of subpara-
graph (B), are— 
(i) youth, notwithstanding the require-
ments under paragraphs (3) and (4) of 
section 137(a) of the National and Com-
munity Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12591(a)) for any 21CSC participant par-
ticipating in a 21CSC project supported 
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and carried out by the Corporation for Na-
tional and Community Service; or 
(ii) veterans not older than age 35. 
(B) CITIZENSHIP
REQUIREMENT.—To be 
selected as a 21CSC participant, an individual 
shall be— 
(i) a citizen or national of the United 
States; or 
(ii) a lawful permanent resident alien 
of the United States. 
(C) EMPHASIS ON DIVERSITY AND INCLU-
SION.—In selecting 21CSC participants, the or-
ganization shall make deliberate outreach ef-
forts to engage traditionally underserved popu-
lations, including veterans and disadvantaged 
youth (as defined in section 101 of the National 
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12511)). 
(2) COMPENSATION
FOR
PARTICIPANTS.—The 
organization shall provide compensation to each 
21CSC participant that shall include 1 or more of 
the following: 
(A) A wage. 
(B) A stipend. 
(C) A living allowance. 
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(III) on initiatives that require 
specific skills and dedicated attention. 
(B) VETERAN
AND
CIVILIAN
COOPERA-
TION.—The organization shall, to the extent 
practicable, encourage cooperation among vet-
eran and civilian 21CSC participants. 
(4) 21CSC PROJECTS.—The organization shall 
carry out a 21CSC project that includes national 
service involving— 
(A) protecting, restoring, and enhancing 
national parks, public and tribal land or water, 
and natural, cultural, and historical resources 
and treasures; 
(B) supporting outdoor recreation and 
urban green spaces; 
(C) restoring and safeguarding the natural 
resources of the United States, such as through 
trail maintenance, removal of invasive species, 
wildfire prevention, historic preservation, and 
disaster relief; or 
(D) service that is primarily indoors, such 
as service in science, policy, or program intern-
ships, with a clear benefit for natural, cultural, 
or historic resources or treasures. 
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(5) 21CSC PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES.—In car-
rying out a 21CSC project, the organization shall 
provide 21CSC participants with— 
(A) job skill development to prepare such 
participants for success in the 21st century 
workforce; 
(B) community skill development to help 
such participants acquire an ethic of service to 
others and become more effective resource and 
community stewards; and 
(C) a greater understanding of the natural, 
cultural, or historic resources or treasures in 
the United States. 
(c) EXCLUSION FROM PREVAILING WAGE AND HOUR 
LAWS.— 
(1) PREVAILING WAGE AND HOURS LAWS.—Any 
form of compensation, including stipends, provided 
to 21CSC participants under subsection (b)(2) shall 
not be subject to the requirements of prevailing 
wage laws under subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 
40, United States Code. 
(2) NONEMPLOYEE STATUS.—A 21CSC partici-
pant shall not be considered— 
(A) an employee of the 21CSC organiza-
tion that selected such participant to serve on 
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a 21CSC project under this Act, in the same 
manner as a participant is excluded under sec-
tion 101(30) of the National and Community 
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511(30)); or 
(B) a Federal employee, and shall not be 
subject to the provisions of law relating to Fed-
eral employment, except that such provisions 
shall apply to any 21CSC participant to the ex-
tent provided for a participant or crew leader 
under section 199M(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
12655n(b)). 
(d) ELIGIBILITY FOR NONCOMPETITIVE HIRING STA-
TUS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—A qualified individual de-
scribed in paragraph (2) shall be eligible for appoint-
ment in the competitive service in the same manner 
as Peace Corps volunteers as prescribed in Executive 
Order 11103 (22 U.S.C. 2504 note; relating to Pro-
viding for the Appointment of Former Peace Corps 
Volunteers to the Civilian Career Services), as 
amended by Executive Order 12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 
1055; relating to the Civil Service Commission and 
Labor-Management in the Federal Service). 
(2) QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL.—A qualified indi-
vidual described in this subsection is an individual 
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who is certified by the corresponding participating 
entities as having successfully completed 1 or more 
terms of service, as determined by an agreement be-
tween the 21CSC organization and the 21CSC par-
ticipant, that, in total, are not less than 640 hours. 
(3) PERIOD.—A qualified individual described 
in paragraph (2) shall be eligible for an appointment 
under paragraph (1) during the 2-year period begin-
ning on the date on which such individual completes 
1 or more terms of service, as determined under 
paragraph (2), that, in total, are not less than 640 
hours. 
SEC. 7. FUNDING. 
(a) INVESTMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to using funding 
provided under subsections (b) and (c), to fund 
21CSC projects, each 21CSC organization shall le-
verage the funds provided under such subsections by 
soliciting in-cash or in-kind contributions from pub-
lic or private sources. 
(2) METHODS.—To leverage the funds under 
paragraph (1), each 21CSC organization may solicit 
contributions by using innovative strategies, such as 
crowd-funding. 
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(b) EXISTING RESOURCES.—In addition to using 
funding provided under subsections (a) and (c), to fund 
a 21CSC project, each participating entity shall be limited 
to using existing resources that have been appropriated 
or allocated to such participating entity, as of the period 
of implementation of such 21CSC project, under laws and 
authorities other than this Act. 
(c) SET SHARE.—A 21CSC organization conducting 
a 21CSC project shall provide a share of not less than 
10 percent of the total cost of such project. The organiza-
tion may provide the share in cash or in kind from State, 
local, or private sources. 
SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 
Except as provided in section 6(b)(1)(A)(i), the re-
quirements and authorities provided under this Act for 
21CSC participants, 21CSC organizations, and partici-
pating entities with respect to a 21CSC project shall be 
in addition to the requirements and authorities provided 
under other Federal law for such participants, organiza-
tions, and entities with respect to that project. 
Æ 
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