REVIVE the CCC Act
Bill: S.2414 | Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. (D-PA)
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Restore Environmental Vitality and Improve Volatile Economy by the Civilian Conservation Corps Act or the REVIVE the CCC Act
This bill permits AmeriCorps to establish the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to address unemployment and environmental conservation and requires the Department of Agriculture to establish an agricultural workforce development program to incentivize apprenticeships in agriculture.
The CCC must make grants to local host entities to allow those entities to select applicants to participate in conservation-related service projects. Local entities eligible for grants include, among others, state and local offices, nonprofit organizations, sponsors of apprenticeship programs, and individual farmers. A prospective CCC member must apply for placement with an approved local host for a service position hosted by that local entity. Applicants selected are considered CCC members but are not considered employees of the local host.
The local host must provide CCC members with an allowance of $15 per hour of service and must provide a basic healthcare plan to full-time members. A CCC member who completes a term of service with a local host may be eligible to receive an award of up to $5,000 from AmeriCorps towards the costs of an apprenticeship program. These awards and allowances are not considered income for purposes of federal income taxation.
The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to establish an agricultural workforce development program to encourage agricultural businesses to employ apprentices by reimbursing up to 50% of apprenticeship costs.

To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a 
 national service program that provides conservation opportunities on 
           public and private lands, 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 ``Restore Environmental Vitality and 
Improve Volatile Economy by the Civilian Conservation Corps Act'' or 
the ``REVIVE the CCC Act''.

SEC. 2. CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle E of title I of the National and 
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by striking the heading for subtitle E and inserting 
        the following:

                      ``Subtitle E--National Corps

           ``CHAPTER 1--NATIONAL CIVILIAN COMMUNITY CORPS'';

        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

                ``CHAPTER 2--CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS

``SEC. 166. CIVILIAN CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this chapter are--
            ``(1) to help relieve the widespread distress and 
        unemployment in the United States;
            ``(2) to train and support career advancement, leading to 
        long-term employment opportunities;
            ``(3) to provide for the restoration of depleted natural 
        resources in the United States;
            ``(4) to conserve and improve community natural resources;
            ``(5) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester 
        carbon; and
            ``(6) to enhance climate change adaptation and resilience.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this chapter:
            ``(1) Corporation.--The term `Corporation' means the 
        Corporation (as defined in section 101), or a partner described 
        in subsection (d), to the extent provided in the memorandum 
        referred to in subsection (d).
            ``(2) Corps.--The term `Corps' means the Civilian 
        Conservation Corps established under subsection (c).
            ``(3) Eligible host entity.--The term `eligible host 
        entity' means an organization, entity, or individual that--
                    ``(A) administers the program at the local level; 
                and
                    ``(B) supervises Corps members in partnership and 
                coordination with the Corporation, including the 
                relevant partnering Federal agency specified in the 
                memorandum for the issue area addressed by the program 
                at the local level.
            ``(4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the same meaning given 
        such term in sections 101(a) and 102(a)(1) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a), 1002(a)(1)).
            ``(5) Partnering federal agency.--The term `partnering 
        Federal agency' means a Federal agency described in subsection 
        (d)(1).
            ``(6) Program.--The term `program' means the Civilian 
        Conservation program established under subsection (c).
            ``(7) State coordinating agency.--The term `State 
        coordinating agency' means an agency in a State--
                    ``(A) that is selected by the State to coordinate, 
                subject to the memorandum described in subsection (d), 
                the implementation of activities under this chapter at 
                eligible worksites in the State, including providing 
                services through State agencies and coordinating access 
                to training (including technical instruction) and 
                educational resources for Corps members;
                    ``(B) may be a State department of environmental 
                protection, natural resources, or agriculture, or other 
                department or commission (as determined by the 
                Corporation); and
                    ``(C) that coordinates and partners with Tribal 
                agencies (such as Tribal departments of environmental 
                protection, natural resources, or agriculture) 
                regarding the implementation of activities under this 
                chapter at eligible worksites associated with a Tribe 
                (including for the provision of services through Tribal 
                agencies), if the Corporation determines such 
                coordination and partnership is relevant for the State.
    ``(c) Establishment of Civilian Conservation Corps and Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Corps.--The Corporation (as defined in 
                section 101) may establish a Civilian Conservation 
                Corps.
                    ``(B) Program.--The Corporation (as defined in 
                subsection (b)) may establish and administer a Civilian 
                Conservation program, to place unemployed and 
                underemployed citizens of the United States in service 
                positions related to conservation, including 
                conservation of private and public lands.
            ``(2) Conservation service positions.--The program shall 
        provide conservation service positions, and training (including 
        technical instruction) and education related to such service 
        positions, in order to support--
                    ``(A) the protection, enhancement, and restoration 
                of natural resources;
                    ``(B) climate change mitigation and adaptation;
                    ``(C) investment in future generations of farmers, 
                foresters, ranchers, conservationists, and other 
                stewards of the Nation's shared natural resources;
                    ``(D) the establishment, improvement, and 
                rehabilitation of public outdoor recreation amenities 
                and infrastructure; or
                    ``(E) the reduction of environmental health 
                disparities in communities of color, low-income 
                communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities, 
                that are experiencing disproportionate exposure to 
                environmental harms and risks.
    ``(d) Administration.--The program shall be administered, as 
specified in a memorandum of understanding, by the Corporation (as 
defined in section 101), in partnership with--
            ``(1) applicable Federal agencies with the relevant issue 
        area expertise and standards, such as the Department of 
        Agriculture and the Department of the Interior; and
            ``(2) applicable State or Tribal agencies with the relevant 
        issue area expertise and standards, such as the State or Tribal 
        agencies with jurisdiction over agriculture, natural resources, 
        or environmental protection.
    ``(e) Grants to Eligible Host Entities.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the 
        Corporation shall make grants to entities that own, operate, 
        manage, or support work on eligible worksites, to serve as 
        eligible host entities, and to administer the program at the 
        local level.
            ``(2) Waiver of cost sharing requirement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In the event of a covered 
                project carried out by an eligible host entity to which 
                the cost sharing requirement under section 212(a)(1) of 
                the Public Land Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 
                1729(a)(1)) would otherwise apply, notwithstanding that 
                requirement, a grant under this subsection, combined 
                with funds received under an Act described in 
                subparagraph (B), may be used to fund costs of the 
                project greater than 75 percent of the cost of such 
                project.
                    ``(B) Covered project.--In this paragraph, the term 
                `covered project' means a project carried out pursuant 
                to--
                            ``(i) title I of the Act entitled `An Act 
                        to establish a pilot program in the Departments 
                        of the Interior and Agriculture designated as 
                        the Youth Conservation Corps, and for other 
                        purposes', approved August 13, 1970 (commonly 
                        known as the `Youth Conservation Corps Act of 
                        1970'; 16 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or
                            ``(ii) the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 
                        (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.).
    ``(f) Eligible Host Entities and Worksites.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        subsection (e) and become an eligible host entity, an entity 
        shall own, operate, manage, or support work on an eligible 
        worksite for a Corps project.
            ``(2) Entities.--Entities eligible to receive such a grant 
        and become an eligible host entity may include--
                    ``(A) the board in charge of a local conservation 
                district;
                    ``(B) a State or local office of the Cooperative 
                Extension System or an equivalent Tribal office;
                    ``(C) an individual farmer;
                    ``(D) a nonprofit organization, farmer membership 
                organization, or other agriculture group, with 
                conservation expertise, that can place a Corps member 
                on an individual farm;
                    ``(E) a State or Tribal agency with jurisdiction 
                over agriculture or natural resources;
                    ``(F) the trustee of a land trust;
                    ``(G) a forest or environmental consultant;
                    ``(H) the sponsor of an apprenticeship program that 
                has been registered by the Department of Labor, a State 
                office of apprenticeship, or an equivalent Tribal 
                office;
                    ``(I) an entity that hosts a Corps member under a 
                service program, including--
                            ``(i) a program authorized under--
                                    ``(I) this Act, including the 
                                Healthy Futures Corps described in 
                                section 122;
                                    ``(II) title I of the Act entitled 
                                `An Act to establish a pilot program in 
                                the Departments of the Interior and 
                                Agriculture designated as the Youth 
                                Conservation Corps, and for other 
                                purposes', approved August 13, 1970 
                                (commonly known as the `Youth 
                                Conservation Corps Act of 1970'; 16 
                                U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or
                                    ``(III) the Public Lands Corps Act 
                                of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.);
                            ``(ii) a program of the Indian Youth 
                        Service Corps authorized under section 210 of 
                        the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 
                        1727b); and
                            ``(iii) a program of the Urban Youth Corps 
                        authorized under section 106 of the National 
                        and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (42 
                        U.S.C. 12656);
                    ``(J) a local agriculture, conservation, watershed, 
                or wildlife nonprofit organization;
                    ``(K) a State or Tribal park or forest foundation; 
                and
                    ``(L) another appropriate entity, as determined by 
                the Corporation.
            ``(3) Worksites.--
                    ``(A) Public or certain private land.--
                            ``(i) In general.--An eligible worksite 
                        shall be located on public land or on private 
                        land determined to be eligible under clause 
                        (ii).
                            ``(ii) Eligibility on private lands.--In 
                        the case of a proposed worksite located on 
                        private land, the Corporation, in consultation 
                        with the partnering Federal agencies described 
                        in subsection (d)(1), shall determine whether 
                        the site is an eligible worksite for purposes 
                        of this paragraph by determining the adequacy 
                        of the public conservation benefit of the 
                        related Corps project. In determining the 
                        adequacy of that benefit, the Corporation may 
                        consider, among other factors, the project's 
                        ability to address core State, Tribal, or local 
                        conservation objectives such as addressing land 
                        conservation priorities, promoting climate 
                        resiliency, fulfilling watershed plans, 
                        establishing stream buffers, restoring critical 
                        wildlife habitat, or promoting agricultural 
                        best management practices.
                            ``(iii) Worksite predominantly located on 
                        private land.--A proposed worksite that is 
                        predominantly located on private land will be 
                        treated as a proposed worksite located on 
                        private land for purposes of clause (ii).
                    ``(B) Eligibility of proposed worksite in 
                environmental justice area.--In the case of a proposed 
                worksite located in an environmental justice area 
                identified under subsection (j), the Corporation shall 
                determine whether the site is an eligible worksite 
                under this subsection by determining--
                            ``(i) the benefits of the related Corps 
                        project for the health of the community living 
                        in the environmental justice area, and whether 
                        those benefits are equitably distributed within 
                        such community, including the ability of the 
                        project to--
                                    ``(I) effect reductions in 
                                hazardous air pollutants;
                                    ``(II) improve water quality, 
                                access, and affordability;
                                    ``(III) increase access to green 
                                space and outdoor recreation; or
                                    ``(IV) expand access to and 
                                affordability of healthy food; and
                            ``(ii) whether the proposed host entity can 
                        demonstrate there was a meaningful public 
                        involvement process in the development of the 
                        proposed Corps project.
    ``(g) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--In order for an entity described in 
        subsection (f) to be eligible to receive a grant under 
        subsection (e) for a Corps project, an entity shall submit an 
        application to the Corporation at such time, in such manner, 
        and containing such information as the Corporation may require, 
        including--
                    ``(A) information describing the Corps project to 
                be carried out at the entity's eligible worksite;
                    ``(B)(i) information describing any contracts or 
                agreements, with the State in which the entity is 
                located or Indian tribe with which the entity is 
                associated, that will be necessary to enter into under 
                paragraph (3), in conjunction with the project; and
                    ``(ii) an assurance that the entity will carry out 
                the project in cooperation with agencies who receive 
                such a contract or agreement;
                    ``(C) whether such entity is seeking a waiver under 
                subsection (e)(2)(B) of the cost sharing requirement 
                under section 212 of the Public Land Corps Act of 1993 
                (16 U.S.C. 1729);
                    ``(D) certification by the relevant State 
                coordinating agency that the State coordinating 
                agency--
                            ``(i) will provide services through 
                        agencies, and other functions described in 
                        paragraph (3)(A), in accordance with a contract 
                        or agreement entered into under paragraph (3); 
                        and
                            ``(ii) will facilitate coordination between 
                        eligible host entities in the State for purpose 
                        of prioritizing participants as described in 
                        subsection (h)(4);
                    ``(E) certification by the relevant State 
                Commission that the State Commission has established an 
                Environmental Equity Resource Center under subsection 
                (j); and
                    ``(F) as relevant, certification by the State or 
                Tribal agency to provide the access and resources, 
                described in paragraph (3)(B).
            ``(2) Geographic distribution of grants.--The Corporation 
        shall distribute grants in a geographically balanced manner 
        across the country and regions of the country.
            ``(3) Contracts and arrangements with states or indian 
        tribes.--
                    ``(A) In general.--On the approval of an 
                application for an eligible host entity, the eligible 
                host entity shall enter into such contracts or 
                agreements with the State coordinating agency as may be 
                necessary to carry out this section, including to 
                arrange for the provision of services through State or 
                Tribal agencies (which may be through providing access 
                and resources under subparagraph (B)).
                    ``(B) Farmer eligible host entity.--On the approval 
                of an application for an eligible host entity that is 
                an individual farmer in a State or associated with an 
                Indian tribe, the Corporation shall notify the State or 
                Tribal agency with jurisdiction over agriculture, which 
                shall provide access to and resources for training and 
                apprenticeships, including from organizations and 
                farmer groups in the State or associated with the 
                Indian tribe, to support and provide coordination 
                between such farmer host entities in the State or 
                associated with an Indian tribe.
    ``(h) Eligible Corps Members.--
            ``(1) Eligibility.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to participate in 
                and hold a service position in the Corps, an individual 
                shall be an unemployed or underemployed individual.
                    ``(B) Eligibility for subprograms.--Within the 
                program, there shall be specific subprograms for--
                            ``(i) recent graduates, as described in 
                        paragraph (2); and
                            ``(ii) returning citizens, as described in 
                        paragraph (3).
            ``(2) Recent graduates.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The program shall have 
                subprograms targeted to support, through service 
                positions and training (including technical 
                instruction) and education related to the service 
                positions in the program--
                            ``(i) individuals who have--
                                    ``(I) graduated from an institution 
                                of higher education within the 4 months 
                                prior to beginning a term of service in 
                                the program; and
                                    ``(II) have been unemployed or 
                                underemployed during that time; and
                            ``(ii) individuals who have--
                                    ``(I) graduated high school within 
                                the 4 months prior to beginning a term 
                                of service in the program; and
                                    ``(II) have been unemployed or 
                                underemployed during that time.
            ``(3) Returning citizens (including justice-involved 
        youth).--
                    ``(A) Returning citizen.--The term `returning 
                citizen' means a citizen who, within the 2 years prior 
                to beginning a term of service in the program, returned 
                from incarceration in a correctional institution or was 
                subject to the juvenile or adult justice system.
                    ``(B) Subprogram.--The program shall include an 
                earn-while-you-learn career pathway subprogram for 
                returning citizens (including justice-involved youth) 
                to provide an accessible pathway into long-term careers 
                in the conservation workforce.
                    ``(C) Workforce preparation.--The eligible host 
                entity shall ensure that the subprogram described in 
                subparagraph (B) includes--
                            ``(i) on-the-job-training and mentoring 
                        from expert practitioners in conservation;
                            ``(ii) continuing education courses; and
                            ``(iii) credit towards a postsecondary 
                        degree or certificate granted by an institution 
                        of higher education.
            ``(4) Underserved participants.--Each eligible host entity 
        that receives a grant under subsection (e) shall, through 
        coordination with other eligible host entities in the State of 
        such eligible host entity facilitated by the State coordinating 
        agency--
                    ``(A) prioritize participants from underserved 
                communities, including participants--
                            ``(i) from communities of racial and ethnic 
                        minorities;
                            ``(ii) from low-income communities;
                            ``(iii) from Tribal and indigenous 
                        communities; and
                            ``(iv) who are individuals with 
                        disabilities; and
                    ``(B) prioritize participants residing in an 
                environmental justice area (identified under subsection 
                (j)) near a proposed worksite.
            ``(5) Service positions.--
                    ``(A) Project objectives and service positions.--
                            ``(i) Locally established objectives and 
                        service positions.--Each eligible host entity 
                        that receives a grant under this section shall 
                        establish project objectives, position-specific 
                        criteria, and service position descriptions for 
                        a Corps project, in order to ensure that the 
                        project is locally led and addresses specific 
                        local needs.
                            ``(ii) Templates and materials.--The 
                        Corporation shall provide project templates and 
                        materials to support the establishment of the 
                        objectives, criteria, and descriptions.
                    ``(B) Service position application process.--
                            ``(i) Materials.--The eligible host entity 
                        shall make the project objectives, position-
                        specific criteria, and service position 
                        descriptions available to individuals seeking 
                        to apply for service positions in the Corps 
                        project at the entity's worksite.
                            ``(ii) Application.--To be eligible to 
                        obtain a service position at the worksite, an 
                        individual shall submit an application to the 
                        eligible host entity and obtain approval of the 
                        application. An individual with an approved 
                        application shall be considered to be a Corps 
                        member for purposes of this section.
                    ``(C) Apprenticeships as service positions.--
                Service positions under this section may include--
                            ``(i) an apprenticeship registered under 
                        the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as 
                        the `National Apprenticeship Act'; 50 Stat. 
                        664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.); and
                            ``(ii) a preapprenticeship designed to lead 
                        to an apprenticeship described in clause (i).
    ``(i) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible host entity that receives a 
        grant under subsection (e) shall use the grant funds to 
        provide, for each Corps member at the worksite--
                    ``(A) a service position in which the Corps member 
                will carry out a service activity described in 
                paragraph (2), an allowance under paragraph (4) for 
                such service, and (on approval of an application) an 
                apprenticeship award under paragraph (5) at the 
                successful completion of that service; and
                    ``(B) training (including technical instruction) 
                and education related to the service position and 
                described in paragraph (3)(A), an allowance under 
                paragraph (4) for such training, technical instruction, 
                and education, and connections and educational 
                opportunities described in paragraph (3)(B).
            ``(2) Service activities.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The service activities referred 
                to in paragraph (1)(A) shall include--
                            ``(i) for service positions with respect to 
                        preserving or restoring public land (whether 
                        Federal, State, Tribal, or local)--
                                    ``(I) restoration of forest 
                                ecosystems, and reforestation or tree 
                                planting;
                                    ``(II) hazardous fuel treatments 
                                for the purpose of mitigating the risk 
                                of, or suppressing, wildfires in the 
                                western United States;
                                    ``(III) management of terrestrial 
                                and aquatic invasive species;
                                    ``(IV) watershed restoration and 
                                wetlands management;
                                    ``(V) coastal and inland ecosystem 
                                restoration;
                                    ``(VI) prescribed burning;
                                    ``(VII) park and infrastructure 
                                maintenance;
                                    ``(VIII) facility expansion;
                                    ``(IX) recreation and trail work;
                                    ``(X) public outreach and 
                                education;
                                    ``(XI) pollinator habitat 
                                establishment and management;
                                    ``(XII) accessibility improvement;
                                    ``(XIII) flood hazard mitigation;
                                    ``(XIV) road reconstruction and 
                                maintenance;
                                    ``(XV) maintenance or restoration 
                                of the native habitats of species 
                                listed as endangered species under the 
                                Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
                                U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and other habitat 
                                restoration; and
                                    ``(XVI) provision of wildlife 
                                crossing programs;
                            ``(ii) for service positions with respect 
                        to agriculture--
                                    ``(I) riparian buffer establishment 
                                and maintenance;
                                    ``(II) grazing management;
                                    ``(III) pollinator habitat 
                                establishment and management;
                                    ``(IV) integrated pest management;
                                    ``(V) prescribed burning;
                                    ``(VI) prairie strip establishment;
                                    ``(VII) grassland restoration;
                                    ``(VIII) soil health management;
                                    ``(IX) silvopasture;
                                    ``(X) on-farm infrastructure 
                                development, construction, or repair, 
                                that results in environmental benefits; 
                                and
                                    ``(XI) other agricultural practices 
                                with significant environmental 
                                benefits;
                            ``(iii) for service positions with respect 
                        to restoration and remediation of natural 
                        resources--
                                    ``(I) abandoned mine land 
                                reclamation;
                                    ``(II) land and water quality 
                                restoration;
                                    ``(III) tree planting and carrying 
                                out other low-tech treatments; and
                                    ``(IV) plugging orphan oil and gas 
                                wells;
                            ``(iv) for service positions with respect 
                        to urban and rural community resilience and 
                        sustainability--
                                    ``(I) community greening;
                                    ``(II) promoting urban agriculture;
                                    ``(III) promoting community 
                                gardens;
                                    ``(IV) local food economy 
                                development;
                                    ``(V) heat island mitigation;
                                    ``(VI) establishing and maintaining 
                                pedestrian pathways;
                                    ``(VII) establishing and 
                                maintaining greenways and trails;
                                    ``(VIII) hazard mitigation;
                                    ``(IX) water resources development;
                                    ``(X) establishing and maintaining 
                                community solar projects; and
                                    ``(XI) promoting energy efficiency 
                                through retrofitting; and
                            ``(v) for service positions with respect to 
                        administration and monitoring--
                                    ``(I) administrative activities to 
                                support the work at local conservation 
                                districts;
                                    ``(II) project coordination and 
                                management;
                                    ``(III) water quality monitoring;
                                    ``(IV) support of State or Tribal 
                                agencies;
                                    ``(V) support of land trusts and 
                                conservancies;
                                    ``(VI) support of local park and 
                                recreation offices;
                                    ``(VII) support of community and 
                                environmental justice organizations; 
                                and
                                    ``(VIII) volunteer coordination.
                    ``(B) Funding for agricultural conservation 
                practices.--
                            ``(i) In general.--An eligible host entity 
                        that receives a grant under subsection (e) may 
                        use the funds to support the implementation of 
                        an agricultural conservation practice for which 
                        funding is provided through a program of the 
                        Department of Agriculture and that is carried 
                        out at the applicable worksite if the sum of 
                        the amount of funding received through that 
                        program and the amount of the grant under 
                        subsection (e) is not greater than the total 
                        cost of materials, labor, and income forgone 
                        from conservation practice adoption associated 
                        with the implementation of that practice.
                            ``(ii) Priority.--In providing grants under 
                        subsection (e) for projects that support the 
                        implementation of agricultural conservation 
                        practices described in clause (i), the 
                        Corporation shall give priority to projects 
                        carried out on farming operations managed by 
                        beginning farmers or ranchers or socially 
                        disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
                            ``(iii) Specialized crews.--A State, local, 
                        or Tribal agency may host a specialized 
                        conservation crew to support the implementation 
                        of agricultural conservation practices 
                        described in clause (i), including fencing, 
                        tree planting buffer installation, or other 
                        practices approved by the Natural Resources 
                        Conservation Service of the Department of 
                        Agriculture across multiple farming operations 
                        in a region.
                    ``(C) Nutrient reduction and agricultural 
                conservation practices.--Service activities described 
                in subparagraph (A) relating to agriculture or forestry 
                that are carried out using funds from a grant under 
                subsection (e) may be used to support Federal, State, 
                Tribal, and local efforts to achieve nutrient reduction 
                in impaired waterways.
            ``(3) Training and education.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The eligible host entity shall 
                arrange for the provision of training (including 
                technical instruction and development of skills such as 
                time management, conflict resolution, goal development, 
                and resume writing) and education opportunities, 
                including workforce investment activities as defined in 
                section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
                Act (29 U.S.C. 3102), that are related to the service 
                position, for each participant at the worksite and 
                specific to the specific training needs of each 
                participant. If the entity provides on-site training 
                (including technical instruction or skills development) 
                or education, the entity shall provide training 
                (including technical instruction or skills development) 
                or education, respectively, that utilizes the skills 
                and expertise of experienced conservationists and 
                professionals, including training (including technical 
                instruction or skills development) or education by--
                            ``(i) established farmers;
                            ``(ii)(I) institutions of higher education;
                            ``(II) the State system of higher 
                        education;
                            ``(III) land-grant colleges and 
                        universities (as defined in section 1404 of the 
                        National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
                        Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
                            ``(IV) community colleges;
                            ``(V) Historically Black Colleges and 
                        Universities (as defined by the term `part B 
                        institution' under section 322 of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061));
                            ``(VI) Hispanic-serving institutions (as 
                        defined in section 502(a) of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)));
                            ``(VII) Tribal Colleges or Universities (as 
                        defined in section 316(b) of such Act (20 
                        U.S.C. 1059c(b)));
                            ``(VIII) Asian American and Native American 
                        Pacific Islander-serving institutions (as 
                        defined in section 320(b) of such Act (20 
                        U.S.C. 1059g(b)); and
                            ``(IX) area career and technical education 
                        schools, as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. 
                        Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
                        2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302);
                            ``(iii) offices of the Cooperative 
                        Extension System;
                            ``(iv) State and Tribal agencies with 
                        jurisdiction over agriculture or natural 
                        resources; or
                            ``(v) nonprofit organizations with 
                        conservation expertise and training capacity.
                    ``(B) Post-participation opportunities.--The 
                eligible host entity shall ensure that each participant 
                at the worksite receiving training (including technical 
                instruction) and education is--
                            ``(i) connected to labor organizations, 
                        nonprofit organizations, State and Tribal 
                        agencies, and small businesses, for future job 
                        opportunities following the term of service of 
                        the participant; and
                            ``(ii) provided with further educational 
                        opportunities throughout the term of service of 
                        the participant, and after the term of service 
                        of the participant has concluded.
                    ``(C) Corps member employment standard.--A 
                participant shall be considered to be a participant (as 
                defined in section 101 of the National and Community 
                Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511)) of the eligible 
                host entity for which the participant serves.
            ``(4) Corps member allowance and benefits.--
                    ``(A) Allowance.--The eligible host entity shall 
                provide to a participant, as an allowance, $15 for each 
                hour of service in a service position and $15 for each 
                hour of training (including technical instruction) and 
                education under paragraph (3)(A).
                    ``(B) Health insurance.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The eligible host entity 
                        shall provide or make available a basic health 
                        care policy for each full-time participant in a 
                        service position, if the participant is not 
                        otherwise covered by a health care policy. The 
                        Corporation shall establish minimum standards 
                        that all plans must meet in order to qualify 
                        for payment under this section, any 
                        circumstances in which an alternative health 
                        care policy may be substituted for the basic 
                        health care policy, and mechanisms to prohibit 
                        participants from dropping existing coverage.
                            ``(ii) Option.--The eligible host entity 
                        may elect to provide from its own funds or make 
                        available a health care policy for participants 
                        that does not meet all of the standards 
                        established by the Corporation if the fair 
                        market value of such policy is equal to or 
                        greater than the fair market value of a plan 
                        that meets the minimum standards established by 
                        the Corporation, and is consistent with other 
                        applicable laws.
                    ``(C) Other benefits.--An eligible host entity may 
                provide to a participant funds to be used for 
                transportation, child care, mental health services, and 
                other support for such participants. 
            ``(5) Apprenticeship award.--
                    ``(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term 
                `apprenticeship' means--
                            ``(i) an apprenticeship registered under 
                        the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as 
                        the `National Apprenticeship Act'; 50 Stat. 
                        664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.); and
                            ``(ii) a preapprenticeship designed to lead 
                        to an apprenticeship described in clause (i).
                    ``(B) Notification.--Not later than 30 days after a 
                participant completes a term of service in a service 
                position under this subsection, the corresponding 
                eligible host entity shall inform the Corporation. On 
                determining that a participant has completed that term 
                of service, the Corporation shall notify the 
                participant of the determination, and the opportunity 
                to apply for an apprenticeship award under this 
                paragraph.
                    ``(C) Application.--Not later than 12 months after 
                receiving that notification, a participant that seeks 
                an apprenticeship award under this paragraph shall 
                submit an application to the Corporation at such time, 
                in such manner, and containing such information as the 
                Corporation may require, including--
                            ``(i) information demonstrating the goods 
                        or services to be acquired for the 
                        apprenticeship, and their cost; and
                            ``(ii) information establishing that the 
                        goods or services are described in section 472 
                        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        1087ll).
                    ``(D) Award.--On approving an application under 
                subparagraph (C), the Corporation shall make an award, 
                in an apprenticeship amount supported by the 
                application but not more than $5,000, for the 
                participant. The Corporation shall make the award to 
                the participant.
            ``(6) Conservation technical assistance.--Of the funds 
        appropriated under subsection (l), the Corporation shall set 
        aside 1 percent which shall be used for conservation technical 
        assistance (as defined in section 10 of the Soil Conservation 
        and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590j)) to support the 
        implementation of a Corps project on private land, and when 
        relevant, adjacent public land related to the project.
            ``(7) Administration.--Not more than 10 percent of a grant 
        awarded under this section may be used for costs of 
        administration, including hiring and paying staff, purchasing 
        and leasing vehicles, acquiring equipment, and carrying out 
        other related activities to support the work of participants.
    ``(j) Environmental Justice.--
            ``(1) Environmental equity resource center.--A State 
        Commission that wishes to allow eligible host entities in the 
        State, or associated with a related Indian tribe, to receive 
        grants under subsection (c) shall establish an Environmental 
        Equity Resource Center for purposes of--
                    ``(A) screening for and identifying for purposes of 
                this section environmental justice areas as described 
                in paragraph (3);
                    ``(B) establishing a board as described in 
                paragraph (2); and
                    ``(C) providing technical assistance for eligible 
                host entities with worksites in environmental justice 
                areas (as identified under this subsection), including 
                by conducting outreach, providing coordination, 
                building capacity, and supporting implementation of 
                projects at such worksites.
            ``(2) Community advisory board.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An Environmental Equity Resource 
                Center established under paragraph (1) shall establish 
                a community advisory board for an area in which a Corps 
                project is occurring composed of representatives of--
                            ``(i) relevant local public health 
                        organizations;
                            ``(ii) relevant local workforce development 
                        boards (defined individually as a local board 
                        in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
                        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)) within the 
                        State of the Environmental Equity Resource 
                        Center and the State workforce development 
                        board (defined individually as a State board in 
                        such section) of such State;
                            ``(iii) relevant environmental and 
                        environmental justice organizations;
                            ``(iv) relevant labor organizations;
                            ``(v) relevant Indian tribes;
                            ``(vi) community members in an area in 
                        which a Corps project is occurring; and
                            ``(vii) other organizations or individuals 
                        as determined relevant by the Environmental 
                        Equity Resource Center.
                    ``(B) Duties.--The community advisory board 
                established under this paragraph shall--
                            ``(i) ensure community engagement, 
                        transparency, and accountability in carrying 
                        out each stage of a project receiving funds 
                        under this section; and
                            ``(ii) track, evaluate, and report progress 
                        on clear and meaningful indicators related to 
                        the benefits of the project as described in 
                        subsection (f)(3)(B)(i) and other relevant 
                        factors.
            ``(3) Identification of environmental justice areas.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this section, 
                the Environmental Equity Resource Center established by 
                the State Commission under paragraph (1) shall, in 
                accordance with subparagraph (B) or (C), identify 
                environmental justice areas.
                    ``(B) Identification in states with environmental 
                justice standards.--For States with environmental 
                justice standards under State law, the Environmental 
                Equity Resource Center in such State shall identify 
                environmental justice areas based on the State 
                standards and the totality of the factors listed in 
                subparagraph (C) (with the factor in each clause 
                weighing in favor of the area being an environmental 
                justice area).
                    ``(C) Identification in states without 
                environmental justice standards.--For States without 
                environmental justice standards under State law, the 
                Environmental Equity Resource Center in such State 
                shall identify environmental justice areas based on the 
                totality of the following factors (with the factor in 
                each clause weighing in favor of the area being an 
                environmental justice area):
                            ``(i) An area in the State that has a 
                        predominately minority, low-income, or Tribal 
                        or indigenous population.
                            ``(ii) An area in the State that has a 
                        disproportionate exposure to an environmental 
                        hazard or the cumulative effect of 
                        environmental hazards, including hazards in the 
                        EJSCREEN environmental indicators (or any 
                        corresponding similar indicators) developed by 
                        the Environmental Protection Agency.
                            ``(iii) An area in the State that has 
                        disproportionate vulnerability to an 
                        environmental hazard or the cumulative effect 
                        of environmental hazards, including an area 
                        that meets EJSCREEN demographic indicators (or 
                        any corresponding similar indicators) developed 
                        by the Environmental Protection Agency.
                            ``(iv) An area in the State with high rates 
                        of asthma prevalence and incidence.
                            ``(v) An area in the State within which 
                        drinking water has been contaminated with lead 
                        or perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl 
                        substances.
                            ``(vi) An area in the State with an 
                        additional demographic or environmental factor 
                        that the Environmental Equity Resource Center 
                        determines to be appropriate in identifying an 
                        area as an environmental justice area for the 
                        purpose of Corps projects.
                    ``(D) Interference with state environmental justice 
                areas.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as 
                limiting a State from identifying, using factors under 
                this paragraph or otherwise, an area as an 
                environmental justice area for purposes other than 
                under this section.
    ``(k) Use of Steel, Iron, and Manufactured Goods Produced in the 
United States.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), grant funds 
        awarded under this section to an eligible host entity may be 
        obligated for a project if the steel, iron, and manufactured 
        goods used for such project are produced only in the United 
        States.
            ``(2) Exceptions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), 
                paragraph (1) shall not apply in any case, or category 
                of cases, in which the eligible host entity overseeing 
                a project finds that--
                            ``(i) applying paragraph (1) would be 
                        inconsistent with the public interest;
                            ``(ii) the steel, iron, or manufactured 
                        goods needed for such project are not produced 
                        in the United States in sufficient and 
                        reasonably available quantities or in a 
                        satisfactory quality; or
                            ``(iii) use of steel, iron, or manufactured 
                        goods produced in the United States will 
                        increase the cost of the overall project by 
                        more than 25 percent.
                    ``(B) Waiver request.--If the Corporation or a 
                partnering Federal agency receives a request by an 
                eligible host entity for a waiver under this section 
                for an exception listed in subparagraph (A), the head 
                of the Corporation or partnering Federal agency 
                (referred to in this subparagraph as the `agency head') 
                shall make available to the public a copy of the 
                request and information available to the head of such 
                Federal agency concerning the request, and shall allow 
                for public input on the request for at least 15 days 
                prior to making a finding based on the request. The 
                agency head shall make the request and accompanying 
                information available by electronic means, including on 
                the official public internet site of the Federal agency 
                involved.
            ``(3) International agreements.--The requirements under 
        this subsection shall be applied in a manner consistent with 
        the obligations of the United States under international 
        agreements.
            ``(4) Applicability.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        supersede or preempt any existing (as of the date of enactment 
        of this section) requirement to buy or use goods produced only 
        in the United States, to the extent such requirement is more 
        strict than this subsection.
    ``(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for 
        each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025.
            ``(2) Duration of availability.--Amounts appropriated 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available until 
        expended.

``SEC. 167. CORPORATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Corporation (as 
defined in section 101) the Corporation Advisory Council (referred to 
in this section as the `Council').
    ``(b) Membership.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The Chief Executive Officer shall 
        appoint members of the Council from the groups described in 
        paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Composition.--The Council shall be composed of 
        representatives from--
                    ``(A) eligible host entities (as defined in section 
                166); and
                    ``(B) labor organizations.
    ``(c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--Members shall be appointed 
for the life of the Council. Any vacancy in the Council shall not 
affect the powers of the Council, but shall be filled in the same 
manner as the original appointment was made.
    ``(d) Duties.--
            ``(1) Study.--The Council shall study--
                    ``(A) the operation of the Corporation (as defined 
                in section 166);
                    ``(B) the impact of grants awarded under section 
                166; and
                    ``(C) the outcome of participants in the program 
                created under section 166.
            ``(2) Report.--The Council shall prepare annual reports on 
        the issues considered under paragraph (1) and submit such 
        reports to the Corporation (as defined in section 101).
    ``(e) Personnel.--
            ``(1) Travel expenses.--The members of the Council shall 
        not receive compensation for the performance of services for 
        the Council, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including 
        per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for 
        employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 
        5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular 
        places of business in the performance of services for the 
        Council. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United 
        States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and 
        uncompensated services of members of the Council.
            ``(2) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal 
        Government employee may be detailed to the Council without 
        reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or 
        loss of civil service status or privilege.
    ``(f) Permanent Council.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        to the Council for each fiscal year such sums as may be 
        necessary to carry out this section.
            ``(2) Availability.--Any sums appropriated under the 
        authorization contained in this subsection shall remain 
        available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.''.
    (b) Excluding Corps Member Allowance and Awards From Gross 
Income.--
            (1) In general.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of 
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after 
        section 112 the following new section:

``SEC. 113. AMOUNTS RECEIVED FROM CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS.

    ``In the case of an individual, gross income shall not include any 
amount received under a civilian conservation corps allowance or award 
under paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 166(i) of the National and 
Community Service Act of 1990.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for part III 
        of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
        1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
        112 the following new item:

``Sec. 113. Amounts received from Civilian Conservation Corps.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) References.--Sections 151 (in the first sentence), 
        152(a), 159(c)(1)(C), 163(a), 164, and 165 (in the matter 
        preceding paragraph (1)) of the National and Community Service 
        Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12611, 12612(a), 12619(c)(1)(C), 
        12623(a), 12624, and 12625) are amended by striking ``this 
        subtitle'' and inserting ``this chapter''.
            (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents for the 
        National and Community Service Act of 1990 is amended in the 
        items relating to subtitle E of title I--
                    (A) by striking the item relating to the heading 
                for subtitle E and inserting the following:

                      ``Subtitle E--National Corps

           ``Chapter 1--National Civilian Community Corps'';

                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:

                ``Chapter 2--Civilian Conservation Corps

``Sec. 166. Civilian Conservation program.
``Sec. 167. Corporation Advisory Council.''.

SEC. 3. ON-FARM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Apprentice.--The term ``apprentice'' means an 
        individual in an apprenticeship registered under the Act of 
        August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National 
        Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 
        et seq.).
            (2) Apprenticeship costs.--The term ``apprenticeship 
        costs'' means the actual costs incurred by an agricultural 
        business in employing an apprentice through the program, 
        including--
                    (A) wages paid to the apprentice (not including 
                allowances that are funded through the Civilian 
                Conservation Corps established under section 166 of the 
                National and Community Service Act of 1990, as added by 
                section 2 of this Act);
                    (B) a reasonable allocation of fixed overhead 
                expenses relating to the apprenticeship under the 
                program; and
                    (C) incidental costs directly relating to the 
                apprenticeship under the program.
            (3) Program.--The term ``program'' means the agricultural 
        workforce development program established under subsection (b).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
    (b) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to 
establish an agricultural workforce development program to provide 
incentives for agricultural businesses to employ apprentices, including 
employing participants in or applicants for the Civilian Conservation 
Corps established under section 166 of the National and Community 
Service Act of 1990, through partial reimbursement of the 
apprenticeship costs.
    (c) Requirements.--In the regulations promulgated under subsection 
(b), the Secretary shall specify, at a minimum--
            (1) the criteria for selecting an agricultural business for 
        participation in the program, which shall include--
                    (A) the ability of the agricultural business to 
                effectively supervise an apprentice; and
                    (B) the opportunity for an apprentice to obtain 
                meaningful work experience through the apprenticeship;
            (2) the process and timeline for selecting agricultural 
        businesses and apprentices that are qualified to participate in 
        the program;
            (3) the accounting requirements for tracking apprenticeship 
        costs under the program; and
            (4) the process for an agricultural business to seek 
        reimbursements for apprenticeship costs under the program.
    (d) Reimbursements.--Under the program, the Secretary shall 
reimburse an agricultural business in an amount equal to not more than 
50 percent of apprenticeship costs.
    (e) Limitation.--An agricultural business may not be reimbursed 
under the program for the apprenticeship costs of more than 3 
apprentices for any 1 fiscal year.
    (f) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
change the status of an individual participating in the Civilian 
Conservation Corps established under section 101(30)(B) of the National 
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511(30)(B)) for purposes 
of chapter 2 of subtitle E of title I of that Act, as added by section 
2 of this Act.

SEC. 4. SKILLED TRADE NONDISPLACEMENT.

    Section 177(b)(3)(A) of the National and Community Service Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12637(b)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ``employee.'' 
and inserting ``employee, including any employee whose duties require 
that employee to have passed a trade examination in the skilled 
trades.''.
                                 <all>