Title: The Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act
This bill establishes a Civilian Climate Corps Program and generally revises benefits provided to national service program participants.
The bill establishes a Civilian Climate Corps to operate (1) a national climate service program; and (2) a national climate service grant program to help communities respond to climate change and transition to a clean economy, including through reducing carbon emissions.
The bill also provides for allowances for participants in certain national service programs, including the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program and the National Civilian Community Corps.
The bill expands the exclusion from gross income, for income tax purposes, to exclude amounts received as educational awards or benefits and income attributable to discharges of student loan debt under the National and Community Service Act of 1990.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2670 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2670

To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a 
 Civilian Climate Corps to help communities respond to climate change 
       and transition to a clean economy, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 20, 2021

Ms. Ocasio-Cortez (for herself, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Meng, Mr. Bowman, Mr. 
Jones, Ms. Norton, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Pocan, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of 
  New York, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. 
  Carson, Ms. Omar, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Wilson of 
Florida, and Mr. Larson of Connecticut) introduced the following bill; 
  which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in 
    addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a 
 Civilian Climate Corps to help communities respond to climate change 
       and transition to a clean economy, 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 ``The Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs 
and Justice Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The effects of climate change include extreme heat, 
        drought, intensified storms and hurricanes, rising sea level, 
        ocean acidification, intensifying wildfires, and other natural 
        disasters.
            (2) These natural disasters exert profound impacts on the 
        lives and livelihoods of all individuals, but some communities, 
        particularly low-income communities and communities of color, 
        are disproportionately exposed and vulnerable to climate 
        impacts and pollution.
            (3) To stem the worst effects of climate change, the global 
        economy must completely decarbonize and remain carbon negative 
        thereafter, which requires a domestic economy-wide transition 
        to a clean and sustainable economy within a rapid timeframe.
            (4) Such a transition requires a massive labor mobilization 
        and the development of a diverse, inclusive, and skilled 
        workforce. Historically underserved communities must equitably 
        receive the resources they need to effectively mitigate and 
        adapt to climate change, and displaced or unemployed workers 
        require retraining and support.
            (5) Millions of people face unemployment and barriers to 
        opportunity, especially in low-income rural, urban, and tribal 
        environments. These challenges have been exacerbated by the 
        COVID-19 crisis, which also disproportionately affected low-
        income people and young people of color, who currently face 
        unemployment at rates double the national average.
            (6) An existing network of national, State, tribal, and 
        local service and conservation corps can be rapidly scaled and 
        supplemented to mobilize labor, provide job opportunities and 
        career training, and help establish the workforce necessary to 
        accomplish the transition to a clean and just economy.
            (7) Corps positions provide hands-on work experience, 
        income, and job training for unemployed individuals in the 
        United States, as well as leadership skills, an opportunity for 
        community service, and an understanding of environmental 
        stewardship.
            (8) The Corporation for National and Community Service has 
        the ability to recruit, select, fund, and oversee 1,500,000 
        members of service corps by 2025 to complete important projects 
        across the entire country to help address the climate crisis.
            (9) Unsatisfactory wages and working conditions, and 
        employers' refusal to respect workers' rights to organize and 
        collectively bargain, lead to labor disputes, which threaten to 
        frustrate or delay the urgent mobilization necessary to address 
        climate change. Such disputes are prevented or minimized when 
        the law effectively protects the right of workers to receive 
        fair compensation and benefits, to form or join unions, to 
        collectively bargain over the terms and conditions of 
        employment, and to engage in other concerted activities for 
        mutual aid or protection.

SEC. 3. CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 12501 et seq.) is amended by inserting after subtitle J of title 
I the following new subtitle:

                  ``Subtitle K--Civilian Climate Corps

``SEC. 199O. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this subtitle to--
            ``(1) add to and increase the scale of the existing network 
        of service programs to complete clean energy, climate 
        resilience, conservation, environmental remediation, and 
        sustainable infrastructure projects necessary to respond to and 
        solve the climate crisis, while providing education, workforce 
        development, and career pathways to participants, with a focus 
        on historically underserved communities; and
            ``(2) authorize the operation of, support for, and 
        assistance to service programs that meet national and community 
        needs related to climate change, clean energy, and 
        environmental justice.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this subtitle:
            ``(1) Indian country.--The term `Indian country' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 1151 of title 18, United 
        States Code.
            ``(2) Under-resourced community of need.--The term `under-
        resourced community of need' means--
                    ``(A) a community with significant representation 
                of communities of color, low-income communities, or 
                tribal and indigenous communities, that experiences, or 
                is at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse 
                human health or environmental effects, as compared to 
                other communities;
                    ``(B) communities in Indian country;
                    ``(C) a community facing economic transition, 
                deindustrialization, and historic underinvestment; or
                    ``(D) a community with a high rate of poverty or 
                unemployment, as determined by the Director in 
                consultation with the advisory board established in 
                section 199X (referred to in this subtitle as the 
                `advisory board') and appropriate Federal resources 
                identifying environmental justice communities.

``SEC. 199P. ESTABLISHMENT OF A CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Corporation shall establish the Civilian 
Climate Corps to carry out the purpose of this subtitle.
    ``(b) Program Components.--The Civilian Climate Corps authorized by 
subsection (a) shall operate two program components:
            ``(1) A national climate service program described in 
        section 199Q, for which 66 percent of the funds appropriated to 
        carry out this subtitle shall be made available for operation 
        and administrative expenses.
            ``(2) A national climate service grant program described in 
        section 199R, for which 34 percent of the funds appropriated to 
        carry out this subtitle shall be made available for operation 
        and administrative expenses.

``SEC. 199Q. NATIONAL CLIMATE SERVICE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--Under the national climate service program 
component of the Civilian Climate Corps established by section 199P, 
participants shall work in teams on Civilian Climate Corps projects.
    ``(b) Eligible Participants.--An individual shall be eligible for 
selection for the national climate service program if the individual 
is, or will be, at least 17 years of age on or before December 31 of 
the calendar year in which the individual enrolls in the program, 
regardless of immigration status.
    ``(c) Diverse Background of Participants; Gender Representation.--
            ``(1) In general.--In selecting individuals for the 
        national climate service program, the Director appointed 
        pursuant to section 199X(c)(1) (referred to in this subtitle as 
        the `Director') shall ensure that eligible participants are 
        from economically, geographically, and ethnically diverse 
        backgrounds. The Director shall take appropriate steps to 
        recruit and select participants such that not less than 50 
        percent of participants are from under-resourced communities of 
        need.
            ``(2) Service in communities of origin.--To the extent 
        practicable, the Director shall ensure that participants are 
        provided opportunities to perform service in their communities 
        of origin if desired.
            ``(3) Gender representation.--To the greatest extent 
        practicable, the Director shall ensure inclusion and 
        representation of all genders among participants.
            ``(4) Rural representation.--To the greatest extent 
        practicable, the Director shall ensure inclusion and 
        representation of participants from counties with a population 
        of less than 50,000 residents.
    ``(d) Period of Participation.--Individuals desiring to participate 
in the national service program shall enter into an agreement with the 
Director to participate in the Civilian Climate Corps for a period of 
not less than nine months and not more than one year, as specified by 
the Director. Individuals may renew the agreement for not more than one 
additional such period, with any number of years between periods of 
service.
    ``(e) Director.--Upon the establishment of the Civilian Climate 
Corps, the Civilian Climate Corps national climate service program 
shall be under the direction of the Director.
    ``(f) Membership in Civilian Climate Corps.--
            ``(1) Selection of members.--The Director or the Director's 
        designee shall select individuals for participation within the 
        national climate service program, which shall grant the 
        individual membership within the Civilian Climate Corps.
            ``(2) Application for membership.--To be selected to become 
        a member of the Civilian Climate Corps through the national 
        climate service program, an individual shall submit an 
        application to the Director or to any other office as the 
        Director may designate, at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Director shall require. At a 
        minimum, the application shall contain sufficient information 
        to enable the Director, or the campus director of the 
        appropriate campus, to determine whether selection of the 
        applicant for membership in the Civilian Climate Corps is 
        appropriate.
            ``(3) Team leaders.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director may select 
                individuals with prior supervisory or service 
                experience to be team leaders within units in the 
                Civilian Climate Corps national climate service 
                program, to perform service that includes leading and 
                supervising teams of Civilian Climate Corps members.
                    ``(B) Rights and benefits.--A team leader shall be 
                provided the same rights and benefits applicable to 
                other Civilian Climate Corps members, except that the 
                Director may increase the limitation on the amount of 
                the living allowance under section 199S(b) for a team 
                leader.
    ``(g) Organization of National Climate Service Program Into 
Units.--
            ``(1) Units.--The national climate service program shall be 
        divided into units by the Director or Director's designee. Each 
        Civilian Climate Corps member shall be assigned to a unit.
            ``(2) Unit leaders.--The leader of each unit shall be 
        selected by the Director. The designated leader shall accompany 
        the unit throughout the period of agreed service of the members 
        of the unit.
    ``(h) Campuses.--
            ``(1) Units may be assigned to campuses.--The units of the 
        national climate service program may be grouped together as 
        appropriate in campuses for operational, support, and, when 
        necessary, boarding purposes. The Civilian Climate Corps campus 
        for a unit shall be in a facility or central location 
        established as the operational headquarters for the unit. When 
        necessary and appropriate, Civilian Climate Corps members may 
        be housed in the campuses or provided housing vouchers and 
        support in cases where boarding is not possible.
            ``(2) Campus director.--There shall be a campus director 
        for each campus. The campus director is the head of the campus, 
        and preference shall be given to hiring directors that are 
        members of the community in which a campus is situated.
            ``(3) Facilities.--Upon the establishment of the program, 
        the Director shall identify Federal facilities in consultation 
        with the General Services Agency and the advisory board under 
        section 199X that may be used, in whole or in part, by the 
        national climate service program. Eligible facilities shall 
        include existing campuses operated by the Corporation and other 
        programs.
            ``(4) Eligible site for a campus.--A campus may be located 
        in a facility described in paragraph (3) or in another facility 
        that the Director determines is appropriate.
    ``(i) Environmental Justice Requirement.--The Director shall ensure 
that not less than 50 percent of Civilian Climate Corps labor and 
investment under this section supports climate service projects that 
are based in under-resourced communities of need, of which, not less 
than 10 percent of such funds for under-resourced communities of need 
shall support projects that are based in Indian country.
    ``(j) Standards of Conduct.--The campus director of each campus 
shall establish and enforce standards of conduct to promote healthy and 
productive conditions in the campus and a spirit of service.
    ``(k) Coordination With Local Entities and Institutions.--The 
Director shall ensure that Civilian Climate Corps activities carried 
out under the national climate service program under this section are--
            ``(1) planned, and if appropriate, carried out, in 
        conjunction and coordination with the activities of the 
        Civilian Climate Corps Partners receiving grants from the 
        national climate service grant program, or other entities 
        performing activities that satisfy the goals of climate service 
        projects as described in section 199T;
            ``(2) planned and implemented in a manner that incorporates 
        local knowledge and planning wherever practicable, 
        incorporating broad-based input and partnership with the 
        community served, local community-based agencies, and local 
        labor organizations; and
            ``(3) planned and implemented in a manner that assists in 
        the development of new programs that may become Civilian 
        Climate Corps Partner programs in the local area where 
        activities are carried out, if local Civilian Climate Corps 
        Partner programs do not exist.
    ``(l) Prevailing Wage Requirement for Contractors or 
Subcontractors.--Any contractor or subcontractor entering into a 
service contract in connection with a project carried out under this 
section shall--
            ``(1) be treated as a Federal contractor or subcontractor 
        for purposes of chapter 67 of title 41, United states Code; and
            ``(2) pay each class of employee employed by the contractor 
        or subcontractor wages and fringe benefits at rates in 
        accordance with prevailing rates for the class in the locality, 
        or, where a collective bargaining agreement covers the 
        employee, in accordance with the rates provided for in the 
        agreement, including prospective wage increases provided for in 
        the agreement.
    ``(m) Labor Policies for Entities Working With the National Climate 
Service Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The national climate service program 
        shall--
                    ``(A) enter into agreements and cooperation only 
                with entities that pledge to remain neutral in labor 
                organizing efforts among employees who participate in 
                activities related to the agreement or cooperation with 
                the Civilian Climate Corps; and
                    ``(B) enter into agreements and cooperation only 
                with entities that recognize for collective bargaining 
                purposes, and commit to collectively bargain with, any 
                labor organization that has a written majority 
                authorization among employees who participate in 
                activities related to the agreement or cooperation with 
                the Civilian Climate Corps.
            ``(2) Written majority authorization.--In this subsection, 
        the term `written majority authorization' means writings signed 
        and dated by a majority of employees in any appropriate unit in 
        the form of authorization cards, petitions, or other suitable 
        written evidence to designate a labor organization as the 
        representative of such employees for the purpose of collective 
        bargaining.
    ``(n) Tribal Sovereignty.--The Director shall ensure that Civilian 
Climate Corps activities carried out under the national climate service 
program that affect individuals in Indian country are carried out in a 
manner that ensures that--
            ``(1) the sovereignty of Indian tribes and their 
        conservation efforts are maintained; and
            ``(2) the national climate service program operates in 
        consultation with the affected individuals in Indian country.
    ``(o) Buy American.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Director shall ensure that--
            ``(1) the materials used to carry out projects under this 
        section are substantially manufactured, mined, and produced in 
        the United States in accordance with chapter 83 of title 41, 
        United States Code (commonly known as the `Buy American Act'); 
        and
            ``(2) when food and other agriculture commodities are 
        procured for activities carried out under this section, at 
        least 25 percent shall be grown and processed within 250 miles 
        of consumption, with a priority for procuring food produced and 
        processed by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and 
        small businesses.

``SEC. 199R. NATIONAL CLIMATE SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Eligible Recipients.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director may provide grants under 
        this section to States, subdivisions of States, territories, 
        Indian tribes, public or private nonprofit organizations, labor 
        organizations, Federal agencies, or institutions of higher 
        education.
            ``(2) Qualified youth service or conservation corps.--
        Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in accordance 
        with subsection (h), a qualified youth service or conservation 
        corps program that receives funds under subtitle C of this Act 
        may apply for a grant under this section while that entity is a 
        recipient of a grant under subtitle C, and may receive a grant 
        under this section after that entity terminates the grant under 
        subtitle C.
    ``(b) Grants and Subgrants Permitted.--The Corporation may provide 
grants to entities in subsection (a) for the purpose of assisting the 
recipients of the grants--
            ``(1) to carry out a full-time service project described in 
        section 199T; and
            ``(2) to make subgrants in support of other entities so 
        long as those other entities use the grant funds to carry out a 
        full-time service project described in section 199T.
    ``(c) Agreements With Federal Agencies.--At the discretion of the 
Director, the Corporation may enter into an interagency agreement, 
including a grant agreement, with another Federal agency to support a 
service project described in section 199T that is carried out or 
otherwise supported by the agency that fulfils the project 
requirements.
    ``(d) Grantees To Be Partners.--Entities receiving funds through 
grants or interagency agreements under this section shall be considered 
Civilian Climate Corps Partners.
    ``(e) Participants To Be Members.--Individuals selected to perform 
service projects implemented by the Civilian Climate Corps Partners 
shall be members of the Civilian Climate Corps.
    ``(f) Provision of Authorized Benefits.--The Director shall ensure 
that the Corporation provides participants in a program under this 
section with the benefits described in subsections (b), (d), and (f) of 
section 199S. Each Civilian Climate Corps Partner administering a 
program under this section shall provide participants in that program 
with the benefits described in section 199S other than those described 
in subsections (b), (d), and (f) of section 199S.
    ``(g) No Matching Fund Requirements.--The Corporation may provide 
100 percent of the cost of carrying out a program that receives 
assistance under this section, whether the assistance is provided 
directly to a Civilian Climate Corps Partner or as a subgrant from the 
Civilian Climate Corps Partner.
    ``(h) Limitation on Same Entity Receiving Multiple Grants.--Unless 
specifically authorized by law, the Corporation may not provide a grant 
under this section to an entity that is simultaneously receiving 
another grant authorized under the national service laws.
    ``(i) Program Assistance.--The Corporation may provide planning, 
operational, or replication assistance to a qualified applicant that 
submits an application under this section in the same manner as 
described in section 124.
    ``(j) Environmental Justice Requirement.--The Director shall ensure 
that not less than 50 percent of the funds made available to carry out 
this section (including funds for grants allotted to States and grants 
awarded to other entities) support climate service projects that are 
based in under-resourced communities of need, of which not less than 10 
percent of such funds for under-resourced communities of need shall 
support projects that are based in Indian country.
    ``(k) Distribution of Funds.--
            ``(1) Allotment to states.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall reserve 30 
                percent of the funds made available to carry out this 
                section to allot funds in accordance with this 
                subsection.
                    ``(B) Indian tribe.--The Corporation shall reserve 
                5 percent of the funds made available to carry out this 
                subsection to award grants to Indian tribes.
                    ``(C) Allotment amounts.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), 
                        of the total amounts made available to carry 
                        out this subsection, and not reserved under 
                        subparagraph (B) for a fiscal year, the 
                        Corporation shall allot to each State that has 
                        an approved application an amount that bears 
                        the same ratio to such total amounts for that 
                        fiscal year as the population of the State 
                        bears to the total population of all States.
                            ``(ii) Minimum amount.--Notwithstanding 
                        clause (i), the minimum grant made available to 
                        each State with an approved application for 
                        each fiscal year shall be $600,000.
            ``(2) Competitive grants.--Of the funds made available to 
        carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Corporation shall 
        reserve 70 percent for grants awarded on a competitive basis to 
        States, subdivisions of States, territories, Indian tribes, 
        public or private nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, 
        Federal agencies, and institutions of higher education.
            ``(3) Application required.--The Corporation shall make an 
        allotment of assistance or award a competitive grant to a 
        recipient under this subsection only pursuant to an application 
        submitted by a State or other applicant under subsection (n).
    ``(l) Availability of Funds.--The Director shall ensure that the 
number of individuals selected to perform each service project 
implemented by a Civilian Climate Corps Partner does not exceed--
            ``(1) the amount of funding available to the applicable 
        Climate Corps Partner to support the project, including the 
        provision of benefits for each such individual; and
            ``(2) the amount of funding available to the Corporation to 
        support and provide benefits to those individuals.
    ``(m) Authority for Fixed-Amount Grants.--The Corporation may 
provide assistance in the form of fixed-amount grants under this 
section in an amount determined by the Corporation in the same manner 
and under the same terms and conditions as fixed-amount grants under 
section 129(l).
    ``(n) Application for Assistance.--To be eligible to receive 
assistance under this section, a State, territory, subdivision of a 
State, Indian tribe, public or private nonprofit organization, 
institution of higher education, Federal agency, or labor organization 
shall prepare and submit to the Director an application at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may 
reasonably require, including--
            ``(1) the types of permissible application material 
        described in section 130(b), except that paragraph (11) of such 
        subsection shall not apply;
            ``(2) the required application information described in 
        subsection (c) and (d) of section 130;
            ``(3) information describing how the applicant proposes to 
        address the goals of the grant program under this section and 
        the project requirements; and
            ``(4) an assurance that the Civilian Climate Corps program 
        carried out by the applicant using assistance provided under 
        this section and any program supported by a grant made by the 
        applicant using such assistance will--
                    ``(A) provide participants with the training, 
                skills, and knowledge necessary for the projects that 
                participants are called upon to perform, and that such 
                training may realistically lead to local employment in 
                similar fields after the completion of the program;
                    ``(B) provide support services to participants, 
                such as the provision of appropriate information and 
                support to those participants transitioning to other 
                educational and career opportunities and those who are 
                seeking to earn the equivalent of a high school 
                diploma;
                    ``(C) coordinate with the Director to fulfil the 
                training and career development requirements described 
                in section 199U;
                    ``(D) provide in the design, recruitment, and 
                operation of the program for broad-based input from--
                            ``(i) the community served and potential 
                        participants in the program; and
                            ``(ii) community-based agencies with a 
                        demonstrated record of experience in providing 
                        services and local labor organizations 
                        representing employees of service sponsors, if 
                        these entities exist in the area to be served 
                        by the program;
                    ``(E) ensure that any benefits provided by the 
                program meet the minimum requirements set forth in 
                section 199S, and ensure, through coordination with the 
                Director, that all members of the Civilian Climate 
                Corps receive all such benefits;
                    ``(F) refrain from interfering in the employee-
                management relations of Civilian Climate Corps members 
                in accordance with section 199W(d) or the compensation 
                of such members under subsections (b), (d), and (f) of 
                section 199S;
                    ``(G) apply evaluation and performance goals 
                methods equivalent to those in section 131(d); and
                    ``(H) remain neutral with respect to the exercise 
                of the right to organize and collectively bargain by 
                Civilian Climate Corps members.
    ``(o) Consideration of Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall apply the criteria 
        described in paragraphs (3) and (4) in determining whether to 
        approve an application submitted under subsection (n) and 
        provide assistance under this section to the applicant.
            ``(2) Application to subgrants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State or other entity that 
                uses assistance provided under this section to support 
                programs selected on a competitive basis to receive a 
                share of the assistance shall use the criteria 
                described in paragraphs (3) and (4) when considering an 
                application submitted by such program.
                    ``(B) Certification.--The application of the State 
                or other entity under subsection (n) shall contain a 
                certification that the State or other entity used these 
                criteria in the selection of programs to receive 
                assistance, a description of the positions into which 
                participants will be placed using such assistance, 
                including descriptions of specific tasks to be 
                performed by such participants, and descriptions of the 
                minimum qualifications that individuals shall meet to 
                become participants in such programs.
            ``(3) Assistance criteria.--The criteria required to be 
        applied in evaluating applications submitted under subsection 
        (n) are--
                    ``(A) the criteria described in section 133(c);
                    ``(B) how the program will carry out activities 
                described in section 199T; and
                    ``(C) the extent to which the program is equipped 
                to deliver the benefits and training required under 
                this subtitle.
            ``(4) Apprenticeship priority.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In awarding grants under this 
                section on a competitive basis the Director shall give 
                priority to applications from entities that--
                            ``(i) provide pre-apprenticeship 
                        opportunities for participants that result in 
                        positions in apprenticeships registered with 
                        the Department of Labor or the State 
                        apprenticeship agency; or
                            ``(ii) provide, as part of Civilian Climate 
                        Corps programming, apprenticeships registered 
                        with the Department of Labor or the State 
                        apprenticeship agency.
                    ``(B) Additional priority.--In the case of entities 
                described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the Director shall 
                give an additional priority to entities that will--
                            ``(i) impose utilization requirements for 
                        apprenticeships 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.) on the 
                        eligible projects; and
                            ``(ii) comply with the apprentice to 
                        journey worker ratios established for such 
                        apprenticeships by the Department of Labor or 
                        the State apprenticeship agency, as applicable.
            ``(5) Allocation to historically black colleges and 
        universities.--In awarding grants under this section on a 
        competitive basis to institutions of higher education, the 
        Director shall ensure that of all funds under this section that 
        are awarded to institutions of higher education, not less than 
        10 percent of those funds shall be awarded to Historically 
        Black Colleges and Universities (which shall be defined as 
        institutions that are part B institutions under section 322 of 
        the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
            ``(6) Other considerations.--
                    ``(A) Geographic diversity.--The Director shall 
                ensure that recipients of assistance provided under 
                this section are geographically diverse and represent 
                urban and rural locales, with a focus on under-
                resourced communities of need.
                    ``(B) Age limits.--The Director shall ensure that 
                not less than 50 percent of the Civilian Climate Corps 
                Partners have no upper age limits for participation.
                    ``(C) Rejection of state applicants.--Section 
                133(g) shall apply with respect to an application 
                submitted by a State Commission under this section for 
                funds described in subsection (k). The amount of any 
                State's allotment under subsection (k) for a fiscal 
                year that the Corporation determines will not be 
                provided for that fiscal year may be used by the 
                Corporation to--
                            ``(i) make grants (and provide benefits in 
                        connection with such grants) to other 
                        community-based entities under this section 
                        that propose to carry out Civilian Climate 
                        Corps programs in such State or territory; and
                            ``(ii) make reallotments to other States or 
                        territories with approved applications 
                        submitted under subsection (n), from the 
                        allotment funds not used to make grants as 
                        described in clause (i).
                    ``(D) Gender representation.--To the greatest 
                extent practicable, the Director shall ensure inclusion 
                and representation of all genders among participants.
                    ``(E) Tribal sovereignty.--The Director shall 
                ensure that Civilian Climate Corps activities carried 
                out under this section that affect individuals in 
                Indian country are carried out in a manner that ensures 
                that--
                            ``(i) the sovereignty of Indian tribes and 
                        their conservation efforts are maintained; and
                            ``(ii) the activities are carried out in 
                        consultation with the affected individuals in 
                        Indian country.
    ``(p) Selection of Partner Corps Members.--The recruitment and 
selection of an individual to serve in a climate service project of a 
Civilian Climate Corps Partner shall be conducted by the entity to 
which the assistance is provided under subsection (a).
    ``(q) Recruitment and Placement.--The Director and each State 
Commission shall establish a system to recruit participants in a 
climate service project of a Civilian Climate Corps Partner entity and 
to assist in placement, and shall coordinate with other programs in the 
Corporation to take advantage of existing systems as much as possible. 
The Director and State Commissions shall disseminate information 
regarding available positions through cooperation with secondary 
schools, institutions of higher education, employment service offices, 
State vocational rehabilitation agencies, and language organizations.
    ``(r) Full-Time Service.--An individual serving in a climate 
service project of a Civilian Climate Corps Partner Corps entity--
            ``(1) shall agree to participate in the program sponsoring 
        the position for a term of service that is equal to not less 
        than 1,700 hours during a period of not more 10 to 12 months, 
        as determined by the Partner Corps entity; and
            ``(2) may serve in 2 terms of service, which do not need to 
        be consecutive terms.

``SEC. 199S. BENEFITS FOR CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS MEMBERS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director shall provide for members of the 
Civilian Climate Corps to receive benefits authorized by this section.
    ``(b) Living Allowance.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall provide a living 
        allowance to members of the Civilian Climate Corps for the 
        period during which such members are engaged in training or any 
        activity on a Civilian Climate Corps project. Subject to 
        paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) and the duty to bargain under 
        section 199W(d), the Director shall establish the amount of the 
        allowance, except that in no event shall such allowance be less 
        than the equivalent of $15 per hour.
            ``(2) Increase.--The amount of the allowance described in 
        paragraph (1) shall increase yearly by the annual percentage 
        increase, if any, in the median hourly wage of all employees, 
        as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
            ``(3) Work as laborer or mechanic.--Notwithstanding 
        paragraphs (1) and (2), in the case of a member who is engaged 
        in construction, alteration, or repair work as a laborer or 
        mechanic under a Civilian Climate Corps project, the Director 
        shall also establish the amount of the allowance of such member 
        at the greater of--
                    ``(A) the amount that would otherwise apply under 
                paragraphs (1) and (2); or
                    ``(B) any amount not less than the equivalent of 
                the prevailing wage rate in the locality in which the 
                member is engaged in such project, as determined by the 
                Secretary of Labor, in accordance with subchapter IV of 
                chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code.
            ``(4) Work as a member furnishing services.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) 
                and (2), a member of the Civilian Climate Corps who is 
                not subject to paragraph (3) and who is engaged in 
                furnishing services through a project of the Civilian 
                Climate Corps, including such a member who is a routine 
                operations worker or routine maintenance worker, shall 
                (subject to subparagraph (B)) be paid an allowance and 
                receive fringe benefits that are not less than the 
                equivalent of the minimum wage and fringe benefits 
                established in accordance with chapter 67 of title 41, 
                United States Code (commonly known as the `Service 
                Contract Act').
                    ``(B) Requirement.--In the case the allowance 
                required under subparagraph (A) is less than the amount 
                that would otherwise apply under paragraphs (1) and 
                (2), the allowance of a member described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall be not less than the amount that 
                would otherwise apply under such paragraphs.
                    ``(C) Authority.--With respect to this paragraph, 
                the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and 
                functions set forth in chapter 67 of title 41, United 
                States Code.
    ``(c) Other Authorized Benefits.--While active as members of the 
Civilian Climate Corps, members shall be provided the following 
benefits when necessary to complete Corps activity, as the Director 
determines appropriate:
            ``(1) Allowances for travel expenses, personal expenses, 
        and other expenses.
            ``(2) Quarters.
            ``(3) Subsistence.
            ``(4) Transportation.
            ``(5) Equipment.
            ``(6) Uniforms.
            ``(7) Supplies.
            ``(8) Other services determined by the Director to be 
        consistent with the purposes of the Program.
    ``(d) Health Care.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each member of the Civilian Climate 
        Corps shall be entitled to the health care benefit described in 
        paragraph (2) for the duration of the participant's terms of 
        service, as long as the member does not receive an equivalent 
        benefit from a different source.
            ``(2) Health care benefit.--The health care benefit 
        described in this subsection is an amount equal to the annual 
        premium for a gold level health plan for the member and any of 
        the member's dependents purchased on the American Health 
        Benefit Exchange in the member's State of residence, provided 
        the member purchases a plan on the American Health Benefit 
        Exchange.
    ``(e) Supportive Services.--Each member of the Civilian Climate 
Corps shall be provided with child care services, counseling services, 
and other supportive services when needed, as the Director determines 
appropriate.
    ``(f) Educational Benefits.--
            ``(1) In general.--Upon completion of a term of service 
        with the Civilian Climate Corps, a member shall be entitled to 
        receive an amount equal to not more than $25,000 for each term 
        of service, which the member shall apply to--
                    ``(A) tuition and related expenses at an 
                institution of higher education as defined in section 
                102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1002); or
                    ``(B) the repayment of a qualified student loan as 
                defined in section 148(b)(7).
            ``(2) No eligibility for subtitle d award.--A Civilian 
        Climate Corps member shall not be eligible for the national 
        service educational award described in subtitle D.

``SEC. 199T. SERVICE PROJECTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The service projects carried out by the national 
climate service program and recipients of grants from the national 
climate service grant program shall help communities respond to climate 
change and transition to a clean economy, through one or more of the 
following activities:
            ``(1) Reducing carbon emissions, which may include--
                    ``(A) weatherizing and retrofitting residential and 
                non-residential buildings for energy efficiency and 
                electrification and participating in the construction 
                of new net-zero buildings;
                    ``(B) maintenance and operation of energy-efficient 
                and net zero buildings and properties;
                    ``(C) building energy-efficient affordable housing 
                units;
                    ``(D) conducting energy audits;
                    ``(E) recommending ways for households to improve 
                energy efficiency;
                    ``(F) installing and upgrading public transit and 
                electric vehicle infrastructure; and
                    ``(G) installing clean energy infrastructure in 
                homes and small businesses, on farms, and in 
                communities.
            ``(2) Enabling a coordinated transition to renewable 
        energy, which may include--
                    ``(A) advising on climate and energy policy;
                    ``(B) providing clean energy-related services; and
                    ``(C) expanding broadband access and adoption.
            ``(3) Building healthier and pollution-free communities, 
        which may include--
                    ``(A) working with schools and youth programs to 
                educate students and youth about ways to reduce home 
                energy use and improve the environment;
                    ``(B) assisting in the development of local 
                recycling and composting programs;
                    ``(C) renewing and rehabilitating public and tribal 
                lands and trails owned or maintained by the Federal 
                Government, an Indian tribe, a State, a municipal or 
                local government, or any formal partners of those 
                entities;
                    ``(D) improving air quality or other pollution 
                monitoring networks;
                    ``(E) remediation of the effects of toxins and 
                other hazardous pollution, including lead exposure in 
                drinking water and the home;
                    ``(F) building and maintaining green stormwater 
                management infrastructure;
                    ``(G) creating and expanding local and regional 
                food systems; and
                    ``(H) developing farm to institution distribution 
                models to make schools, hospitals, and other 
                institutions healthier and more food resilient.
            ``(4) Mitigating the effects of disasters and other trends 
        related to climate change, which may include--
                    ``(A) performing community resilience assessments;
                    ``(B) collecting and analyzing data related to 
                climate change and disasters;
                    ``(C) advising and planning for community 
                resilience and adaptation;
                    ``(D) building and maintaining resilient 
                infrastructure;
                    ``(E) conducting prescribed burns or engaging in 
                reforestation activity;
                    ``(F) supporting the activities of local emergency 
                management agencies and programs; and
                    ``(G) advising and supporting farmers and ranchers 
                in the implementation of management practices that 
                account for climate change.
            ``(5) Preparing communities for disaster, which may 
        include--
                    ``(A) organizing community-based resiliency 
                coalitions and working groups;
                    ``(B) providing disaster preparedness or community 
                emergency response team training to community-based 
                organizations and residents, including for animals in 
                disasters;
                    ``(C) providing education on climate change, 
                disaster, and resilience at community-based 
                organizations and schools; and
                    ``(D) developing community climate resilience hub 
                infrastructure.
            ``(6) Recovering from disasters, which may include--
                    ``(A) clearing debris;
                    ``(B) repairing and rebuilding homes and buildings;
                    ``(C) replanting locally adapted native trees and 
                plants;
                    ``(D) restoring habitat;
                    ``(E) stabilizing shorelines and hillsides; and
                    ``(F) remediating and reclaiming devastated land 
                left by extractive industries.
            ``(7) Developing and implementing conservation projects 
        with climate benefits that are proven using the best available 
        science, which may include--
                    ``(A) conserving, protecting, and restoring 
                habitat, especially habitat to threatened, endangered, 
                and at-risk species;
                    ``(B) stabilizing shorelines or riparian areas 
                using green infrastructure such as native wetlands;
                    ``(C) removing invasive species and planting 
                locally adapted native species;
                    ``(D) collecting, storing, and propagating native 
                seeds and plant materials;
                    ``(E) removing hazardous fuels within one-quarter 
                mile of dwellings and homes or one-quarter mile around 
                delineated communities;
                    ``(F) planting and maintaining urban, tribal, and 
                rural forests, trees, native grasslands, and natural 
                areas;
                    ``(G) developing urban farms and gardens;
                    ``(H) reforestation of native forest ecosystems, 
                afforestation, and other projects to achieve 
                demonstrable carbon sinks;
                    ``(I) reclaiming unneeded roads and tracks and 
                restoring affected lands to natural conditions;
                    ``(J) restoring and managing wildlife corridors and 
                habitat connectivity for native species, including 
                building wildlife crossings and removing barriers to 
                wildlife movement; and
                    ``(K) assisting farmers and ranchers in a 
                transition to more regenerative farming and ranching 
                systems.
            ``(8) Additional projects to reduce greenhouse gas 
        emissions to keep temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius above 
        pre-industrialized levels, tackle pollution to promote 
        environmental justice, and build community prosperity and 
        resilience in the face of the climate crisis and economic 
        transitions, as determined by the Director and in consultation 
        with the Advisory Board.
    ``(b) Permanent Improvement to Real Property Permitted.--The 
service projects carried out by the national climate service program 
and recipients of grants from the national climate service grant 
program are permitted to expend funds under this subtitle that make 
permanent improvement to real property not owned by the United States 
Government, as long as labor for that improvement is undertaken by 
Civilian Climate Corps members.

``SEC. 199U. TRAINING.

    ``(a) Common Curriculum.--Each member of the Civilian Climate Corps 
shall be provided with between two and six weeks of training that 
includes a comprehensive service-leaning curriculum designed to promote 
team building, leadership, citizenship, and environmental stewardship. 
The Director shall consult with the advisory board to ensure that, to 
the extent practicable, training is consistent for each member of the 
Civilian Climate Corps.
    ``(b) Advanced Service Training.--Members of the Civilian Climate 
Corps shall receive advanced training in basic, project-specific skills 
that the members will use in performing their community service 
projects.
    ``(c) Training Part of Service.--Time undertaken in training shall 
be considered part of the service performed by members of the Civilian 
Climate Corps, and the living allowance authorized in section 199S(b) 
shall incorporate training hours into wage calculations.
    ``(d) Career and Technical Education.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each member of the Civilian Climate 
        Corps shall be provided with at least 4 weeks of training to 
        improve job prospects in the clean economy workforce.
            ``(2) Focus.--Training may be separate or alongside Corps 
        activities, and may include a focus on energy conservation, 
        environmental stewardship or conservation, infrastructure 
        improvement, sustainable urban and rural development, climate 
        resiliency needs, or other appropriate topics. Training should 
        include opportunities to earn professional certificates, 
        wherever practicable. Training may also include professional 
        development, such as resume and cover letter writing, 
        networking, and personal financial management.
            ``(3) Follow up services and data collection.--
                    ``(A) Services.--Following the termination of 
                service, members of the Civilian Climate Corps who do 
                not enroll as full-time students shall receive between 
                9 and 12 months of follow-up services to encourage 
                career progression, in a manner determined by the 
                Director.
                    ``(B) Data collection.--The Director shall collect 
                information about the career progression of former 
                members of the Civilian Climate Corps.
            ``(4) Consultation.--The Director shall consult with the 
        advisory board to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to 
        make training specific to local workforce and labor market 
        needs, including coordination and partnerships with other 
        entities including local labor groups and career and technical 
        education schools, and that academic credit may be received 
        where possible.
            ``(5) Pre-apprenticeship pipeline.--The Director shall 
        consult with the advisory board to ensure that entities 
        receiving funds under this subtitle prioritize the formation of 
        relationships with local apprenticeship programs and the 
        creation of pre-apprenticeship pipelines.
    ``(e) Coordination With Other Entities.--The Civilian Climate Corps 
may provide, either directly or through grants, contracts, or 
cooperative agreements, the advanced service training referred to in 
subsection (b) and the career and technical education training referred 
to in subsection (c) in coordination with career and technical 
education schools, community colleges, labor groups, other employment 
and training providers, existing service programs, other qualified 
individual, or organizations with expertise in training individuals, 
including disadvantaged individuals, in the skills described in such 
subsection.

``SEC. 199V. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    ``(a) Supervision.--The Chief Executive Officer shall monitor and 
supervise the Civilian Climate Corps authorized to be established under 
section 199P. In carrying out this section, the Chief Executive Officer 
shall--
            ``(1) approve such guidelines, including those recommended 
        by the advisory board, for design, selection of members, 
        operation of the national climate service program, and 
        distribution of grants to Civilian Climate Corps Partners;
            ``(2) evaluate the progress of the Civilian Climate Corps, 
        including programs carried out by the Partner Corps entities, 
        in accomplishing the purpose set forth in section 199O; and
            ``(3) carry out any other activities determined appropriate 
        by the advisory board.
    ``(b) Monitoring and Coordination.--The Chief Executive Officer 
shall--
            ``(1) monitor the overall operation of the Civilian Climate 
        Corps;
            ``(2) coordinate the activities of the Corps with other 
        service and grant programs administered by the Corporation; and
            ``(3) carry out any other activities determined appropriate 
        by the advisory board.
    ``(c) Staff.--
            ``(1) Director.--
                    ``(A) Appointment.--Upon establishment of the 
                Program, the Chief Executive Officer shall appoint a 
                Director.
                    ``(B) Duties.--The Director shall--
                            ``(i) design, develop, and administer the 
                        Civilian Climate Corps;
                            ``(ii) be responsible for managing daily 
                        operations of the national climate service 
                        program and national climate service grant 
                        program; and
                            ``(iii) report to the Chief Executive 
                        Officer.
            ``(2) Authority to employ staff.--The Director may employ 
        such staff as is necessary to carry out this subtitle using 
        funds available for this subtitle or generally available to the 
        Corporation for the employment of staff. The Director shall, to 
        the maximum extent practicable, utilize in staff positions 
        personnel who are detailed from departments and agencies of the 
        Federal Government and, to the extent the Director considers 
        appropriate, shall request and accept detail of personnel from 
        such departments and agencies in order to do so.
    ``(d) Labor Relations.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Employer and employee status.--The Civilian 
                Climate Corps shall be the employer of its members, and 
                such members shall be the employees of the Civilian 
                Climate Corps, for purposes under this subsection of 
                organizing a labor organization, collective bargaining, 
                and other employee-management relations.
                    ``(B) Director responsibilities.--To the extent 
                practicable, the Director shall ensure, in consultation 
                with the Civilian Climate Corps Advisory Board 
                established under section 199X, that all members of the 
                Civilian Climate Corps are provided the opportunity to 
                join a labor organization, as applicable, during the 
                term of their service. Such a labor organization shall, 
                to the greatest extent practicable, be local and 
                relevant to the service provided by such members.
                    ``(C) Employee-management relations provisions.--
                With respect to employee-management relations of the 
                Civilian Climate Corps and its members, the following 
                shall apply:
                            ``(i) Employee-management relations shall, 
                        to the extent not inconsistent with the 
                        provisions in this subtitle, be subject to the 
                        provisions that apply to the employee-
                        management relations of the United States 
                        Postal Service and its employees under part II 
                        of title 39, United States Code.
                            ``(ii) The Civilian Climate Corps shall 
                        remain neutral in any labor organization 
                        organizing effort.
                            ``(iii) The Civilian Climate Corps shall 
                        recognize for collective bargaining purposes, 
                        and shall collectively bargain with, any labor 
                        organization that has a written majority 
                        authorization of a unit encompassing all 
                        members of the Civilian Climate Corps or any 
                        other unit determined appropriate by the 
                        National Labor Relations Board.
                            ``(iv) Members of the Civilian Climate 
                        Corps shall have the right to strike, and the 
                        Civilian Climate Corps shall not discharge, 
                        discipline, or permanently replace members for 
                        striking.
            ``(2) Commencement of collective bargaining.--Not later 
        than 10 days after receiving a written request for collective 
        bargaining from a labor organization that has been newly 
        recognized or certified as a representative under section 9(a) 
        of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(a)) of 
        members of the Civilian Climate Corps, or within such further 
        period as the parties agree upon, the parties shall meet and 
        commence to bargain collectively and shall make every 
        reasonable effort to conclude and sign a collective bargaining 
        agreement.
            ``(3) Mediation and conciliation for failure to reach a 
        collective bargaining agreement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the parties have failed to 
                reach an agreement before the date that is 90 days 
                after the date on which bargaining is commenced under 
                paragraph (2), or any later date agreed upon by both 
                parties, either party may notify the Director of the 
                Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of the 
                existence of a dispute and request mediation.
                    ``(B) Federal mediation and conciliation service.--
                Whenever a request is received under subparagraph (A), 
                the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
                Service shall promptly communicate with the parties and 
                use best efforts, by mediation and conciliation, to 
                bring them to agreement.
            ``(4) Tripartite arbitration panel.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the Director of the Federal 
                Mediation and Conciliation Service is not able to bring 
                the parties to agreement by mediation or conciliation 
                before the date that is 30 days after the date on which 
                such mediation or conciliation is commenced, or any 
                later date agreed upon by both parties, the Director of 
                the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall 
                refer the dispute to a tripartite arbitration panel 
                established in accordance with such regulations as may 
                be prescribed by the Director of the Federal Mediation 
                and Conciliation Service, with one member selected by 
                the labor organization, one member selected by the 
                Civilian Climate Corps, and one neutral member mutually 
                agreed to by the parties.
                    ``(B) Dispute settlement.--A majority of the 
                tripartite arbitration panel shall render a decision 
                settling the dispute and such decision shall be binding 
                upon the parties for a period of 2 years, unless 
                amended during such period by written consent of the 
                parties. Such decision shall be based on--
                            ``(i) the financial status and prospects of 
                        the Civilian Climate Corps;
                            ``(ii) the size and type of the operations 
                        and business of the Civilian Climate Corps;
                            ``(iii) the cost of living of members of 
                        the Civilian Climate Corps;
                            ``(iv) the ability of members of the 
                        Civilian Climate Corps to sustain themselves, 
                        their families, and their dependents on the 
                        wages and benefits they earn from the Civilian 
                        Climate Corps; and
                            ``(v) the wages and benefits that 7 other 
                        employers engaged in similar activities as the 
                        Civilian Climate Corps provide their employees.
            ``(5) Prohibition on subcontracting for certain purposes.--
        The Civilian Climate Corps, and any recipient of funding under 
        section 199R, may not engage in subcontracting for the purpose 
        of circumventing the terms of a collective bargaining agreement 
        with respect to wages, benefits, or working conditions.
            ``(6) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Parties.--The term `parties' means--
                            ``(i) a labor organization that is newly 
                        recognized or certified as a representative 
                        under section 9(a) of the National Labor 
                        Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(a)) of members of 
                        the Civilian Climate Corps; and
                            ``(ii) the Civilian Climate Corps.
                    ``(B) Written majority authorization.--The term 
                `written majority authorization' means writings signed 
                and dated by a majority of members of the Civilian 
                Climate Corps in a unit described in paragraph 
                (1)(C)(iii) in the form of authorization cards, 
                petitions, or other suitable written evidence to 
                designate a labor organization as the representative of 
                such members for the purpose of collective bargaining.

``SEC. 199W. STATUS OF CORPS MEMBERS AND CORPS PERSONNEL UNDER FEDERAL 
              LAW.

    ``(a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, 
members of the Civilian Climate Corps shall not, by reason of their 
status as such members, be considered Federal employees or be subject 
to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment.
    ``(b) Work-Related Injuries.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of subchapter I of chapter 
        81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to the compensation 
        of Federal employees for work injuries, participants in active 
        service in the national climate service program under section 
        199Q shall be considered as employees of the United States 
        within the meaning of the term `employee', as defined in 
        section 8101 of such title.
            ``(2) Special rule.--In the application of the provisions 
        of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, 
        to a person referred to in paragraph (1), the person shall not 
        be considered to be in the performance of duty while absent 
        from the person's assigned post of duty unless the absence is 
        authorized in accordance with procedures prescribed by the 
        Director.
    ``(c) Tort Claims Procedure.--A participant in active service in 
the national climate service program under section 199Q shall be 
considered an employee of the United States for purposes of chapter 171 
of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims liability and 
procedure.
    ``(d) Labor Relations.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Employer and employee status.--The Civilian 
                Climate Corps shall be the employer of its members, and 
                such members shall be the employees of the Civilian 
                Climate Corps, for purposes under this subsection of 
                organizing a labor organization, collective bargaining, 
                and other employee-management relations.
                    ``(B) Director responsibilities.--To the extent 
                practicable, the Director shall ensure, in consultation 
                with the Civilian Climate Corps Advisory Board 
                established under section 199X, that all members of the 
                Civilian Climate Corps are provided the opportunity to 
                join a labor organization, as applicable, during the 
                term of their service. Such a labor organization shall, 
                to the greatest extent practicable, be local and 
                relevant to the service provided by such members.
                    ``(C) Employee-management relations provisions.--
                With respect to employee-management relations of the 
                Civilian Climate Corps and its members, the following 
                shall apply:
                            ``(i) Employee-management relations shall, 
                        to the extent not inconsistent with the 
                        provisions in this subtitle, be subject to the 
                        provisions that apply to the employee-
                        management relations of the United States 
                        Postal Service and its employees under part II 
                        of title 39, United States Code.
                            ``(ii) The Civilian Climate Corps shall 
                        remain neutral in any labor organization 
                        organizing effort.
                            ``(iii) The Civilian Climate Corps shall 
                        recognize for collective bargaining purposes, 
                        and shall collectively bargain with, any labor 
                        organization that has a written majority 
                        authorization of a unit encompassing all 
                        members of the Civilian Climate Corps or any 
                        other unit determined appropriate by the 
                        National Labor Relations Board.
                            ``(iv) Members of the Civilian Climate 
                        Corps shall have the right to strike, and the 
                        Civilian Climate Corps shall not discharge, 
                        discipline, or permanently replace members for 
                        striking.
            ``(2) Commencement of collective bargaining.--Not later 
        than 10 days after receiving a written request for collective 
        bargaining from a labor organization that has been newly 
        recognized or certified as a representative under section 9(a) 
        of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(a)) of 
        members of the Civilian Climate Corps, or within such further 
        period as the parties agree upon, the parties shall meet and 
        commence to bargain collectively and shall make every 
        reasonable effort to conclude and sign a collective bargaining 
        agreement.
            ``(3) Mediation and conciliation for failure to reach a 
        collective bargaining agreement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the parties have failed to 
                reach an agreement before the date that is 90 days 
                after the date on which bargaining is commenced under 
                paragraph (2), or any later date agreed upon by both 
                parties, either party may notify the Director of the 
                Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of the 
                existence of a dispute and request mediation.
                    ``(B) Federal mediation and conciliation service.--
                Whenever a request is received under subparagraph (A), 
                the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
                Service shall promptly communicate with the parties and 
                use best efforts, by mediation and conciliation, to 
                bring them to agreement.
            ``(4) Tripartite arbitration panel.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the Director of the Federal 
                Mediation and Conciliation Service is not able to bring 
                the parties to agreement by mediation or conciliation 
                before the date that is 30 days after the date on which 
                such mediation or conciliation is commenced, or any 
                later date agreed upon by both parties, the Director of 
                the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall 
                refer the dispute to a tripartite arbitration panel 
                established in accordance with such regulations as may 
                be prescribed by the Director of the Federal Mediation 
                and Conciliation Service, with one member selected by 
                the labor organization, one member selected by the 
                Civilian Climate Corps, and one neutral member mutually 
                agreed to by the parties.
                    ``(B) Dispute settlement.--A majority of the 
                tripartite arbitration panel shall render a decision 
                settling the dispute and such decision shall be binding 
                upon the parties for a period of 2 years, unless 
                amended during such period by written consent of the 
                parties. Such decision shall be based on--
                            ``(i) the financial status and prospects of 
                        the Civilian Climate Corps;
                            ``(ii) the size and type of the operations 
                        and business of the Civilian Climate Corps;
                            ``(iii) the cost of living of members of 
                        the Civilian Climate Corps;
                            ``(iv) the ability of members of the 
                        Civilian Climate Corps to sustain themselves, 
                        their families, and their dependents on the 
                        wages and benefits they earn from the Civilian 
                        Climate Corps; and
                            ``(v) the wages and benefits that 7 other 
                        employers engaged in similar activities as the 
                        Civilian Climate Corps provide their employees.
            ``(5) Prohibition on subcontracting for certain purposes.--
        The Civilian Climate Corps, and any recipient of funding under 
        section 199R, may not engage in subcontracting for the purpose 
        of circumventing the terms of a collective bargaining agreement 
        with respect to wages, benefits, or working conditions.
            ``(6) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Parties.--The term `parties' means--
                            ``(i) a labor organization that is newly 
                        recognized or certified as a representative 
                        under section 9(a) of the National Labor 
                        Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(a)) of members of 
                        the Civilian Climate Corps; and
                            ``(ii) the Civilian Climate Corps.
                    ``(B) Written majority authorization.--The term 
                `written majority authorization' means writings signed 
                and dated by a majority of members of the Civilian 
                Climate Corps in a unit described in paragraph 
                (1)(C)(iii) in the form of authorization cards, 
                petitions, or other suitable written evidence to 
                designate a labor organization as the representative of 
                such members for the purpose of collective bargaining.

``SEC. 199X. ADVISORY BOARD.

    ``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--There shall be established a 
Civilian Climate Corps Advisory Board to advise the Director concerning 
the administration of this subtitle and to assist the Corps in 
achieving the goals of section 199O. The Advisory Board members shall 
help coordinate activities with the national climate service program 
and national climate service grant program as appropriate, including 
training coordination and capacity building for grant applications.
    ``(b) Membership.--The Advisory Board shall be composed of the 
following members:
            ``(1) The Secretary of Labor.
            ``(2) Representatives from at least 2 labor organizations.
            ``(3) The Secretary of Energy.
            ``(4) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
        Agency.
            ``(5) At least two individuals appointed by the Director 
        from among persons representative of community organizations in 
        under-resourced communities of need.
            ``(6) At least one representative from a Indian tribe or 
        indigenous community.
            ``(7) At least two individuals appointed by the Director 
        from among persons representative of leadership in 
        organizations representing communities of color.
            ``(8) The Secretary of Transportation.
            ``(9) The Chief of the Forest Service.
            ``(10) The Secretary of the Interior.
            ``(11) The Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
            ``(12) The Secretary of Agriculture.
            ``(13) The Secretary of Education.
            ``(14) The Secretary of Defense.
            ``(15) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
            ``(16) The Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
            ``(17) The Secretary of Commerce.
            ``(18) The Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
        Management Agency.
            ``(19) The Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration.
            ``(20) The Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts.
            ``(21) Individuals appointed by the Director from among 
        persons who are broadly representative of educational 
        institutions, voluntary organizations, public and private 
        organizations, youth, scientific experts, and environmental 
        justice organizations.
            ``(22) The Chief Executive Officer.
    ``(c) Duties.--
            ``(1) Oversee effective program implementation.--The 
        advisory board shall oversee effective implementation of the 
        Civilian Climate Corps in accordance with the Climate Corps 
        roadmap under section 199Y, which shall include--
                    ``(A) collecting data and reporting on Corps 
                activity based on the benchmarks for success determined 
                in section 199Y(b)(4);
                    ``(B) ensuring that resources are distributed to 
                advance the program's principles of equity and 
                environmental justice;
                    ``(C) expanding on and providing resources for 
                grantee training, expertise development, and grant 
                application capacity building in under-resourced 
                communities of need;
                    ``(D) liaising with Federal agencies to coordinate 
                grants to fulfil needs for Civilian Climate Corps 
                labor; and
                    ``(E) ensuring unity of message and purpose across 
                the Civilian Climate Corps, including with Civilian 
                Climate Corps Partners.
            ``(2) Organize green careers opportunities.--The advisory 
        board shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in organizing 
        and making available career development resources for the 
        career and technical education component of the Civilian 
        Climate Corps, in partnership and cooperation with appropriate 
        Federal agencies, educational institutions, and labor 
        organizations, which shall--
                    ``(A) support the development of apprenticeship and 
                pre-apprenticeship corps programs as a priority of the 
                Civilian Climate Corps;
                    ``(B) coordinate and organize career training and 
                financial support opportunities for members of the 
                Civilian Climate Corps to enter into green career 
                pathways;
                    ``(C) help expand apprenticeship programs and find 
                pathways into union jobs for Corps participants;
                    ``(D) mobilize and provide access to support and 
                retraining for workers displaced by the fossil fuel 
                industry who participate in Corps programs; and
                    ``(E) create an easy-to-use website and other tools 
                for the use of Civilian Climate Corps in career and 
                technical education and planning.

``SEC. 199Y. PLAN FOR CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS.

    ``(a) Roadmap for the Civilian Climate Corps.--The Chief Executive 
Officer shall, with guidance from the advisory board, establish a 
roadmap for the Civilian Climate Corps program (referred to in this 
section as the `Climate Corps roadmap').
    ``(b) Contents of Plan.--The Climate Corps roadmap shall include 
the following:
            ``(1) A plan to--
                    ``(A) establish the number of positions in the 
                national climate service program of the Civilian 
                Climate Corps as--
                            ``(i) 50,000 for the fiscal year 2021;
                            ``(ii) 100,000 for the fiscal year 2022;
                            ``(iii) 175,000 for the fiscal year 2023;
                            ``(iv) 275,000 for the fiscal year 2024; 
                        and
                            ``(v) 400,000 for the fiscal year 2025;
                    ``(B) establish the number of positions in the 
                national climate service grant program of the Civilian 
                Climate Corps as--
                            ``(i) 25,000 for the fiscal year 2021;
                            ``(ii) 50,000 for the fiscal year 2022;
                            ``(iii) 85,000 for the fiscal year 2023;
                            ``(iv) 140,000 for the fiscal year 2024; 
                        and
                            ``(v) 200,000 for the fiscal year 2025; and
                    ``(C) maintain the requirements for serving under-
                resourced communities of need in accordance with this 
                subtitle.
            ``(2) The identification of Federal programs and agencies 
        that can engage the labor of the Civilian Climate Corps and 
        facilitate partnerships and funding relationships.
            ``(3) Principles of equity and environmental justice to 
        guide the work of the Civilian Climate Corps.
            ``(4) Benchmarks for the success of the Civilian Climate 
        Corps.
            ``(5) Identification of under-resourced communities of 
        need, defined as regions and communities most in need of 
        Civilian Climate Corps labor and workforce development.
            ``(6) Identification and cataloging of funding streams for 
        Partners Corps entities.
            ``(7) Identifying and cataloging of resources for grantee 
        training, expertise development, and grant application capacity 
        building for under-resourced communities of need.
            ``(8) Cataloging work already being done towards climate 
        resiliency and clean economy transitions to ensure Civilian 
        Climate Corps efforts are additive and not duplicative.
            ``(9) A plan to increase the participation of opportunity 
        youth in the Civilian Climate Corps (defined as `out-of-school 
        youth' under section 129(a)(1)(B) of the Workforce Innovation 
        and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(1)(B)).
    ``(c) Implementation.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations and quality service opportunities, the Corporation shall 
implement the Climate Corps roadmap, including establishing the 
positions described in subsection (b)(1).''.

SEC. 4. PRIORITIZING AND SUPPORTING CLIMATE RESPONSE.

    (a) Priorities.--
            (1) Americorps state and national.--Section 122(f) of the 
        National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12572(f)) 
        is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by adding at the 
                        end the following: ``The Corporation shall 
                        include, in the national service priorities, 
                        the priorities described in paragraph (5).''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by adding at the 
                        end the following: ``Each State shall include, 
                        in the State priorities, the priorities 
                        described in paragraph (5).''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Climate projects.--The priorities established under 
        paragraph (1) for national service programs shall provide that 
        the Corporation and the States, as appropriate, shall give 
        priority to entities submitting applications that propose 
        activities directly related to the response to the climate 
        crisis and transition to a clean economy, as described in 
        section 199T.''.
            (2) Americorps nccc.--Section 157(b)(1) of the National and 
        Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12617(b)(1)) is 
        amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Priority projects.--For fiscal years 2021 
                through 2030, the Corporation shall give priority to 
                entities submitting applications for projects under 
                this subtitle in the same manner as the Corporation 
                gives priority to entities submitting applications for 
                national service programs under section 122(f)(5).''.
            (3) Americorps vista.--Section 109 of the Domestic 
        Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4960) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following: ``For fiscal years 2021 
        through 2030, the Corporation shall give priority to entities 
        submitting applications for projects or programs under this 
        part in the same manner as the Corporation gives priority to 
        entities submitting applications for national service programs 
        under section 122(f)(5) of the National and Community Service 
        Act of 1990.''.
    (b) Allowances.--
            (1) Domestic volunteer service act of 1973.--Section 
        105(a)(1)(B) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 
        U.S.C. 4955(a)(1)(B))) is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
                    ``(B)(i) The Director shall set the subsistence 
                allowance for volunteers under this paragraph for each 
                fiscal year so that--
                            ``(I) the minimum allowance is not less 
                        than an amount equal to the equivalent of $15 
                        per hour over the course of service; and
                            ``(II) the average subsistence allowance, 
                        excluding allowances for Hawaii, Guam, American 
                        Samoa, and Alaska, is not less than 10 percent 
                        greater than the amount described in subclause 
                        (I).
                    ``(ii) A stipend or allowance under this section or 
                an allowance under section 140 of the National and 
                Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12594) shall 
                not be increased, unless the funds appropriated for 
                carrying out this part or subtitle C of the National 
                and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et 
                seq.), respectively, are sufficient to increase for the 
                fiscal year involved the number of participants to 
                serve under this part or that subtitle C, respectively, 
                so that such number is greater than the number of such 
                participants so serving during the preceding fiscal 
                year.''.
            (2) National and community service act of 1990.--Section 
        158(b) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 
        U.S.C. 12618(b)) is amended, in the second sentence, by 
        striking ``any amount not in excess of the amount equal to 100 
        percent of the poverty line that is applicable to a family of 
        two (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget and 
        revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the 
        Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2))'' and 
        inserting ``any amount not less than the equivalent of $15 per 
        hour over the course of service and not in excess of the 
        equivalent of $30 per hour over the course of service.''.
            (3) National service educational awards.--Section 147(a) of 
        the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
        12603(a)) is amended by inserting ``twice'' before ``the 
        maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant''.
    (c) Matching Funds.--Section 121(e)(1) of the National and 
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571(e)(1)) is amended by 
striking ``75 percent'' and inserting ``100 percent''.

SEC. 5. SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Funding for the Civilian Climate Corps.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
        carry out subtitle K of the National and Community Service Act 
        of 1990, as added by section 3 of this Act, (excluding the 
        benefits described in paragraphs (2) and (3)), $70,000,000,000 
        for fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
            (2) Funding for educational benefits.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated for the educational benefits described in 
        section 199S of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, 
        as added by section 3, $37,500,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 
        through 2025.
            (3) Funding for health care benefits.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated for the health care benefits described in 
        section 199S of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, 
        as added by section 3, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 
        years 2021 through 2025.
    (b) Americorps State and National; Educational Awards.--Section 
501(a)(2) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12681(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``each of fiscal years 2010 through 
2014'' and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
inserting ``fiscal years 2021 through 2025, in addition to any amount 
appropriated before the date of enactment of the Civilian Climate Corps 
Act, additional amounts of--
                    ``(A) $5,000,000,000, to provide financial 
                assistance under subtitle C of title I; and
                    ``(B) $3,000,000,000, to provide national service 
                educational awards under subtitle D of title I for the 
                total of the number of participants described in 
                section 121(f)(1) for fiscal years 2020 through 
                2023.''.
    (c) Administration by the Corporation and State Commissions.--
Section 501(a)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12681(a)(5)) is amended in 
subparagraph (A), by striking ``such sums as may be necessary for each 
of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.'' and inserting ``in addition to any 
amount appropriated before the date of enactment of the Civilian 
Climate Corps Act, an additional amount of $5,000,000,000 for fiscal 
years 2021 through 2025.''.
    (d) Americorps NCCC.--Section 501(a)(3)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
12681(a)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ``such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.'' and inserting ``in 
addition to any amount appropriated before the date of enactment of the 
Civilian Climate Corps Act, an additional amount of $1,000,000,000 for 
fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''.
    (e) Americorps Vista.--Section 501 of the Domestic Volunteer 
Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5081) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``$100,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2010 and such sums as may be necessary for each of 
        the fiscal years 2011 through 2014.'' and inserting ``, in 
        addition to any amount appropriated before the date of 
        enactment of the Civilian Climate Corps Act, an additional 
        amount of $1,000,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''; 
        and
            (2) in subsection (d), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``, except that any amount authorized to be appropriated under 
        an amendment made by the Civilian Climate Corps Act shall 
        remain available for obligation through fiscal year 2025.''.

SEC. 6. EXCLUSION FROM GROSS INCOME OF NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL 
              AWARDS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 117(c) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B),
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
        and inserting a comma, and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(D) subtitle D of title I of the National and 
                Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.) 
                as an educational award, or
                    ``(E) subtitle K of title I of such Act as an 
                educational benefit.''.
    (b) Exclusion of Discharge of Student Loan Debt.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (4) of section 108(f) of such 
        Code is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``received under'' and inserting 
                ``received--
                    ``(A) under'', and
                    (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
                ``, or
                    ``(B) under subtitle D of title I of the National 
                and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et 
                seq.) as an and educational award or under subtitle K 
                of title I of such Act as an educational benefit.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--The heading for paragraph (4) of 
        section 108(f) of such Code is amended by striking ``under 
        national health service corps loan repayment program and 
        certain state loan repayment programs'' and inserting ``under 
        certain loan repayment programs''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this 
Act.
                                 <all>