21st Century Transportation Workforce Development Act
Bill: H.R.2697 | Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. (D-RI)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
21st Century Transportation Workforce Development Act
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a task force on developing a 21st-century surface transportation workforce.
The task force must develop and submit recommendations and strategies for DOT to
The task force shall terminate upon submitting to Congress a report containing the recommendations and strategies.

To establish a task force on developing a 21st century surface 
           transportation workforce, 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 ``21st Century Transportation 
Workforce Development Act''.

SEC. 2. TASK FORCE ON DEVELOPING A 21ST CENTURY SURFACE TRANSPORTATION 
              WORKFORCE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a task 
force on developing a 21st century surface transportation workforce (in 
this section referred to as the ``Task Force'').
    (b) Duties.--Not later than 12 months after the establishment of 
the Task Force under subsection (a), the Task Force shall develop and 
submit to the Secretary recommendations and strategies for the 
Department of Transportation to--
            (1) evaluate the current and future state of the surface 
        transportation workforce, including projected job needs in the 
        surface transportation sector;
            (2) identify factors influencing individuals pursuing 
        careers in surface transportation, including barriers to 
        attracting individuals into the surface transportation 
        workforce;
            (3) address barriers to retaining individuals in surface 
        transportation careers;
            (4) identify and address potential impacts of emerging 
        technologies on the surface transportation workforce;
            (5) increase access for vulnerable or underrepresented 
        populations, including women and minorities, to high-skill, in-
        demand surface transportation careers;
            (6) facilitate and encourage elementary, secondary, and 
        post-secondary students in the United States to pursue careers 
        in the surface transportation sector; and
            (7) identify and develop pathways for students and 
        individuals to secure pre-apprenticeships, registered 
        apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities in 
        the surface transportation sector of the United States.
    (c) Considerations.--In developing recommendations and strategies 
under subsection (b), the Task Force shall--
            (1) identify factors that influence whether young people 
        and underrepresented populations, including women and 
        minorities, pursue careers in surface transportation;
            (2) consider how the Department of Transportation, 
        businesses, industry, labor, educators, and other stakeholders 
        can coordinate efforts to support qualified individuals in 
        pursuing careers in the surface transportation sector;
            (3) identify methods of enhancing surface transportation 
        pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships, job skills 
        training, mentorship, education, and outreach programs that are 
        exclusive to young people in the United States; and
            (4) identify potential sources of funding, including grants 
        and scholarships, that may be used to support young people and 
        other qualified individuals in pursuing careers in the surface 
        transportation sector.
    (d) Consultation.--In developing the recommendations and strategies 
required under subsection (b), the Task Force may consult with--
            (1) local educational agencies (as such term is defined in 
        section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) and institutions of higher education (as 
        such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)); and
            (2) State workforce development boards.
    (e) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the submission of the 
recommendations and strategies under subsection (b), the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works of the Senate a report containing such recommendations and 
strategies.
    (f) Composition of Task Force.--The Secretary shall appoint members 
to the Task Force whose diverse background and expertise allow such 
members to contribute balanced points of view and ideas in carrying out 
this section, comprised of equal representation from each of the 
following:
            (1) Industries in the surface transportation sector.
            (2) Surface transportation sector labor organizations.
            (3) Such other surface transportation stakeholders and 
        experts as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (g) Period of Appointment.--Members shall be appointed to the Task 
Force for the duration of the existence of the Task Force.
    (h) Compensation.--Task Force members shall serve without 
compensation.
    (i) Sunset.--The Task Force shall terminate upon the submission of 
the report required under subsection (e).
    (j) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Pre-apprenticeship.--The term ``pre-apprenticeship'' 
        means a training model or program that prepares individuals for 
        acceptance into a registered apprenticeship and has a 
        demonstrated partnership with 1 or more registered 
        apprenticeships.
            (2) Registered apprenticeship.--The term ``registered 
        apprenticeship'' means an apprenticeship program registered 
        under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.; 
        commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''), that 
        satisfies the requirements of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code 
        of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2020).
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