Title: National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act
This bill revises the charter of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America). Such revisions include (1) making it a purpose of the organization to be an integral component of agricultural education, and (2) removing the Secretary of Education as the chair of the National FFA Board of Directors.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 439 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 439

 To amend the charter of the Future Farmers of America, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 10, 2019

Mr. Langevin (for himself and Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania) introduced 
    the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the charter of the Future Farmers of America, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National FFA Organization's Federal 
Charter Amendments Act''.

SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION.

    Section 70901 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``corporation'' and 
        inserting ``FFA''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation'' and 
        inserting ``FFA''.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION.

    Section 70902 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs 
        (7) and (8), respectively;
            (3) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), (6), and (7);
            (4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (11);
            (5) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs 
        (12) and (13), respectively;
            (6) by inserting before paragraph (7), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), the following:
            ``(1) to be an integral component of instruction in 
        agricultural education, including instruction relating to 
        agriculture, food, and natural resources;
            ``(2) to advance comprehensive agricultural education in 
        the United States, including in public schools, by supporting 
        contextual classroom and laboratory instruction and work-based 
        experiential learning;
            ``(3) to prepare students for successful entry into 
        productive careers in fields relating to agriculture, food, and 
        natural resources, including by connecting students to relevant 
        postsecondary educational pathways and focusing on the complete 
        delivery of classroom and laboratory instruction, work-based 
        experiential learning, and leadership development;
            ``(4) to be a resource and support organization that does 
        not select, control, or supervise State association, local 
        chapter, or individual member activities;
            ``(5) to develop educational materials, programs, services, 
        and events as a service to State and local agricultural 
        education agencies;
            ``(6) to seek and promote inclusion and diversity in its 
        membership, leadership, and staff to reflect the belief of the 
        FFA in the value of all human beings;'';
            (7) in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``composed of students and former 
                students of vocational agriculture in public schools 
                qualifying for Federal reimbursement under the Smith-
                Hughes Vocational Education Act (20 U.S.C. 11-15, 16-
                28''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``as such chapters and 
                associations carry out agricultural education programs 
                that are approved by States, territories, or 
                possessions'' after ``United States'';
            (8) in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``to develop'' and inserting ``to 
                build'';
                    (B) by striking ``train for useful citizenship, and 
                foster patriotism, and thereby'' and inserting ``and''; 
                and
                    (C) by striking ``aggressive rural and'' and 
                inserting ``assertive'';
            (9) by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), the following:
            ``(9) to increase awareness of the global and technological 
        importance of agriculture, food, and natural resources, and the 
        way agriculture contributes to our well-being;
            ``(10) to promote the intelligent choice and establishment 
        of a career in fields relating to agriculture, food, and 
        natural resources;'';
            (10) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``to procure for and distribute to 
                State'' and inserting ``to make available to State'';
                    (B) by inserting ``, programs, services,'' before 
                ``and equipment''; and
                    (C) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting 
                ``FFA'';
            (11) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (5), 
        by striking ``State boards for vocational'' and inserting 
        ``State boards and officials for career and technical''; and
            (12) in paragraph (13), as redesignated by paragraph (5), 
        by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

    Section 70903(a) of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
            (2) by striking ``as provided in the bylaws'' and inserting 
        ``as provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA''.

SEC. 5. GOVERNING BODY.

    Section 70904 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``corporation'' 
                and inserting ``FFA'' each place the term appears;
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(2) The board--
                    ``(A) shall consist of--
                            ``(i) the Secretary of Education, or the 
                        Secretary of Education's designee who has 
                        experience in agricultural education, the FFA, 
                        or career and technical education; and
                            ``(ii) other individuals--
                                    ``(I) representing the fields of 
                                education, agriculture, food, and 
                                natural resources; or
                                    ``(II) with experience working 
                                closely with the FFA; and
                    ``(B) shall not include any individual who is a 
                current employee of the National FFA Organization.
            ``(3) The number of directors, terms of office of the 
        directors, and the method of selecting the directors, are as 
        provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) in the first sentence, by striking 
                        ``bylaws'' and inserting ``constitution or 
                        bylaws of the FFA''; and
                            (ii) in the third sentence, by striking 
                        ``chairman'' and inserting ``chair'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b); and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) Officers.--The officers of the FFA, the terms of officers, 
and the election of officers, are as provided in the constitution or 
bylaws of the FFA, except that such officers shall include--
            ``(1) a national advisor;
            ``(2) an executive secretary; and
            ``(3) a treasurer.
    ``(c) Governing Committee.--
            ``(1) The board may designate a governing committee. The 
        terms and method of selecting the governing committee members 
        are as provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA, 
        except that all members of the governing committee shall be 
        members of the board of directors and at all times the 
        governing committee shall be comprised of not less than 3 
        individuals.
            ``(2) When the board is not in session, the governing 
        committee has the powers of the board subject to the board's 
        direction and may authorize the seal of the FFA to be affixed 
        to all papers that require it.
            ``(3) The board shall designate to such committee--
                    ``(A) the chair of the board;
                    ``(B) the executive secretary of the board; and
                    ``(C) the treasurer of the board.''.

SEC. 6. NATIONAL STUDENT OFFICERS.

    Section 70905 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) Composition.--There shall be not less than 6 national student 
officers of the FFA, including a student president, 4 student vice 
presidents (each representing regions as provided in the constitution 
or bylaws of the corporation), and a student secretary.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (b) and (c), respectively; and
            (4) in subsection (b), as so redesignated, by striking ``, 
        except that'' and all that follows through ``(20 U.S.C. 11-15, 
        16-28)''.

SEC. 7. POWERS.

    Section 70906 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``corporate'';
            (3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``corporation'' and 
        inserting ``FFA'';
            (4) in paragraph (6), by striking ``corporation'' and 
        inserting ``FFA'';
            (5) by amending paragraph (8) to read as follows:
            ``(8) use FFA funds to give prizes, awards, loans, and 
        grants to deserving members, local FFA chapters, and State FFA 
        associations to carry out the purposes of the FFA;'';
            (6) by amending paragraph (9) to read as follows:
            ``(9) produce publications, websites, and other media;'';
            (7) in paragraph (10)--
                    (A) by striking ``procure for and distribute to 
                State'' and inserting ``make available to State''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Future Farmers of America'' and 
                inserting ``FFA''; and
            (8) in paragraph (12), by striking ``corporation'' and 
        inserting ``FFA''.

SEC. 8. NAME, SEALS, EMBLEMS, AND BADGES.

    Section 70907 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'' each 
        place the term appears;
            (2) by striking ``name'' and inserting ``names'';
            (3) by striking ```Future Farmers of America''' and 
        inserting ```Future Farmers of America' and `National FFA 
        Organization,'''; and
            (4) by inserting ``education'' before ``membership''.

SEC. 9. RESTRICTIONS.

    Section 70908 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``corporation'' and 
        inserting ``FFA'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation or a 
        director, officer, or member as such'' and inserting ``FFA or a 
        director, officer, or member acting on behalf of the FFA'';
            (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``corporation'' and 
        inserting ``FFA'' each place the term appears; and
            (4) in subsection (d), in the first sentence, by striking 
        ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.

SEC. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    Section 70909 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:

``SEC. 70909. RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    ``(a) In General.--On request of the board of directors, the FFA 
may collaborate with Federal agencies, including the Department of 
Education and the Department of Agriculture on matters of mutual 
interest and benefit.
    ``(b) Agency Assistance.--Those Federal agencies may make 
personnel, services, and facilities available to administer or assist 
in the administration of the activities of the FFA.
    ``(c) Agency Compensation.--Personnel of the Federal agencies may 
not receive compensation from the FFA for their services, except that 
travel and other legitimate expenses as defined by the Federal agencies 
and approved by the board may be paid.
    ``(d) Cooperation With State Boards.--The Federal agencies also may 
cooperate with State boards and other organizations for career and 
technical education to assist in the promotion of activities of the 
FFA.''.

SEC. 11. HEADQUARTERS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE.

    Section 70910 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``of the corporation shall be in the District of Columbia. 
However, the activities of the corporation are not confined to the 
District of Columbia but'' and inserting ``of the FFA shall be as 
provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA. The activities of 
the FFA''.

SEC. 12. RECORDS AND INSPECTION.

    Section 70911 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting 
                ``FFA''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``entitled to 
                vote''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation'' and 
        inserting ``FFA''.

SEC. 13. SERVICE OF PROCESS.

    Section 70912 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``District of Columbia'' and 
                inserting ``In General'';
                    (B) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting 
                ``FFA'' each place the term appears;
                    (C) by striking ``in the District of Columbia'' 
                before ``to receive''; and
                    (D) by striking ``Designation of the agent shall be 
                filed in the office of the clerk of the United States 
                District Court for the District of Columbia''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting 
                ``FFA'' each place the term appears; and
                    (B) by inserting ``of the FFA'' after ``association 
                or chapter''.

SEC. 14. LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF OFFICERS OR AGENTS.

    Section 70913 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.

SEC. 15. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS IN DISSOLUTION OR FINAL LIQUIDATION.

    Section 70914 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
            (2) by striking ``vocational agriculture'' and inserting 
        ``agricultural education''.
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