A bill to provide training and technical assistance to Native Americans who are interested in commercial vehicle driving careers.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Commercial Driving 
Training and Technical Assistance Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) despite the availability of abundant natural resources 
        on land under the jurisdiction of Indian tribes and the 
        existence of a rich cultural legacy that accords great value to 
        self-determination, self-reliance, and independence, Native 
        Americans suffer higher rates of unemployment, poverty, poor 
        health, substandard housing, and associated social problems 
        than any other group in the United States;
            (2) the United States has an obligation to assist Native 
        American communities in the establishment of appropriate 
        economic and political conditions;
            (3) the economic success and material well-being of Indian 
        communities depend on the combined efforts of the Federal 
        Government, tribal governments, the private sector, and 
        individuals;
            (4) commercial vehicle driving programs are currently 
        offered at several tribal colleges and universities;
            (5) the American Trucking Association reports that at least 
        until 2005, the trucking industry will need to hire 403,000 
        truck drivers each year to fill vacant positions;
            (6) according to the Federal Government Occupational 
        Handbook, the commercial vehicle driving industry is expected 
        to expand at the average rate of expansion for all occupations 
        through the year 2008 because of economic growth and an 
        increase in the quantity of freight carried by trucks; and
            (7) a career in commercial vehicle driving offers a 
        competitive salary, employment benefits, job security, and a 
        profession.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to foster and promote job creation and economic 
        opportunities for Native Americans; and
            (2) to provide education, technical, and training 
        assistance to Native Americans who are interested in commercial 
        vehicle driving careers.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Commercial vehicle driving.--The term ``commercial 
        vehicle driving'' means the driving of--
                    (A) a vehicle that is a tractor-trailer truck; or
                    (B) any other vehicle (such as a bus or a vehicle 
                used for the purpose of construction) the driving of 
                which requires a commercial license.
            (2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
            (3) Native american.--The term ``Native American'' means an 
        individual who is a member of--
                    (A) an Indian tribe; or
                    (B) any people or culture that is indigenous to the 
                United States, as determined by the Secretary.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Labor.

SEC. 4. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVING TRAINING PROGRAM.

    (a) Grants.--The Secretary may provide grants, on a competitive 
basis, to entities described in subsection (b) to support programs 
providing training and certificates leading to the licensing of Native 
Americans with respect to commercial vehicle driving.
    (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
subsection (a), an entity shall--
            (1) be a tribal college or university (as defined in 
        section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
        1059(b)(3)); and
            (2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
        such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
        the Secretary may require.
    (c) Priority.--In providing grants under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall give priority to grant applications that--
            (1) propose training that exceeds proposed minimum 
        standards for training tractor-trailer drivers of the 
        Department of Transportation;
            (2) propose training that exceeds the entry level truck 
        driver certification standards set by the Professional Truck 
        Driver Institute; and
            (3) propose an education partnership with a private 
        trucking firm, trucking association, or similar entity in order 
        to ensure the effectiveness of the grant program under this 
        section.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.

            Passed the Senate September 17, 2002.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
107th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1344

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

 To provide training and technical assistance to Native Americans who 
         are interested in commercial vehicle driving careers.

Summary: Native American Commercial Driving Training and Technical Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award grants to eligible entities (tribal colleges and universities) to support commercial vehicle (tractor-trailer truck) driving training programs.Requires the Secretary to give priority to grant applications that propose: (1) training that exceeds proposed minimum standards for training tractor-trailer drivers of the Department of Transportation; (2) training that exceeds the entry level truck driver certification standards set by the Professional Truck Driver Institute; and (3) education partnerships with private trucking firms, trucking associations, or similar entities.Authorizes appropriations.