,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hgdf ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,november #ab1 #bjbj,mr4 ,rush introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,agriculture1 ,energy and ,commerce1 and ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish a ,restore ,employment in ,natural and ,environmental ,work ,conservation ,corps in the ,department of the ,interior and the ,department of ,agriculture1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,restore ,employment in ,natural and ,environmental ,work ,conservation ,corps ,act or the ,,renew ,conservation ,corps ,act4 #b4 ,findings and purposes 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 as a result of the ,coronavirus ,disease #bjai 7,,covid-#ai7 pandemic1 more than #dj1jjj1jjj people in the ,united ,states have filed claims for unemployment benefits since ,march #bjbj1 which is a level of unemployment not seen since the ,great ,depression2 7#b7 investments in fish1 wildlife1 and habitat restoration and outdoor recreation infrastructure generate as many as #cc jobs per #a1jjj1jjj invested1 as demonstrated by the ,american ,recovery and ,reinvestment ,act of #bjji 7,public ,law #aaa-e2 #abc ,stat4 #aae72 7#c7 the outdoor recreation economy-- 7,a7 generates #hhg1jjj1jjj1jjj in economic activity each year1 which is #b4b percent of the gross domestic product of the ,united ,states1 according to the ,bureau of ,economic ,analysis2 and 7,b7 was one of the fastest growing sectors of the ,united ,states economy before the ,coronavirus ,disease #bjai 7,,covid-#ai7 pandemic2 7#d7 the ,federal ,government and ,state and local governments and agencies have many shovel-ready projects and green infrastructure maintenance backlog projects that would improve the quality of life1 outdoor experiences1 and access to outdoor recreation opportunities of people of the ,united ,states on completion of the projects2 7#e7 many facilities and natural resources located on dedicated conservation land are in disrepair or degraded and in need of labor-intensive rehabilitation1 restoration1 and enhancement work that cannot be carried out at existing staffing levels2 7#f7 enhancing and maintaining environmentally and recreationally important land and waters through the participation of unemployed individuals in the ,united ,states in a conservation corps could-- 7,a7 provide critical employment1 education1 and skill development opportunities to the individuals2 7,b7 prepare the individuals for permanent jobs in the conservation field2 and 7,c7 benefit the economy and environment of the ,united ,states2 and 7#g7 existing networks of conservation corps are in place but need additional resources in order to scale up the activities of the conservation corps to meet growing deferred maintenance needs on public land4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to employ1 during the #e-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act1 a total of #a1jjj1jjj people in the ,united ,states in dedicated conservation land projects to support the growing backlog of deferred conservation land projects2 7#b7 to expose ,participants to public service while furthering the understanding and appreciation of the ,participants of the natural and cultural resources of the ,united ,states2 7#c7 to stimulate interest among ,participants in conservation careers by exposing the ,participants to conservation professionals in land management agencies2 and 7#d7 to build on the existing network of conservation corps organizations working across the ,united ,states while providing for expanded participation in urban centers4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,corps ,the term ,corps means the ,restore ,employment in ,natural and ,environmental ,work ,conservation ,corps established by section #d7;a74 7#b7 ,council ,the term ,council means the ,national ,council on the ,restore ,employment in ,natural and ,environmental ,work ,conservation ,corps established under section #f7;a74 7#c7 ,eligible ,local ,agency ,the term eligible local agency means a unit of local government1 land trust1 or similar conservation nonprofit organization4 7#d7 ,eligible participant ,the term eligible participant means an individual who-- 7,a7 is #af years of age or older at the time the individual begins the term of service as a ,participant2 and 7,b7 is a citizen or national of the ,united ,states or lawful permanent resident alien of the ,united ,states4 7#e7 ,eligible project ,the term eligible project means any of the following3 7,a7 ,a project to plant trees4 7,b7 ,a project for the restoration and management of wildlife habitat4 7,c7 ,a project to control invasive species4 7,d7 ,a project for the conduct of prescribed burns4 7,e7 ,a project for the restoration of streams1 wetlands1 and other aquatic ecosystems4 7,f7 ,a project to monitor water quality in streams and lakes4 7,g7 ,a project to assist with the conduct of fish and wildlife surveys4 7,h7 ,a project for the construction or maintenance of trails1 bridges1 campgrounds1 picnic shelters1 or other recreational amenities for use by the public4 7,i7 ,a project for the construction or maintenance of parks and playgrounds4 7,j7 ,a project to restore brownfield sites 7as defined in section #aja of the ,comprehensive ,environmental ,response1 ,compensation1 and ,liability ,act of #aihj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ifja77 in urban areas4 7,k7 ,a project to construct rain gardens1 grass waterways1 pollinator gardens1 or green schoolyards4 7,l7 ,a project for the development of urban gardens and farms4 7,m7 ,a project to plant native grasslands4 7,n7 ,a project to provide environmental interpretation or outdoor education4 7,o7 ,any other project determined to be appropriate by the ,secretaries4 7#f7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term ,indian tribe in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#g7 ,participant ,the term ,participant means an eligible participant enrolled in the ,corps4 7#h7 ,program partner ,the term ,program partner means-- 7,a7 a ,state or ,indian ,tribe administering a program for eligible projects or a grant program under subsection 7a7 or 7b7 of section #e1 as applicable2 and 7,b7 an eligible local agency carrying out eligible projects under section #e7;a77#c77;,b74 7#i7 ,secretaries ,the term ,secretaries means the ,secretary of ,agriculture and the ,secretary of the ,interior1 acting jointly4 7#aj7 ,state ,the term ,state means each of the several ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 and any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states4 #d4 ,restore ,employment in ,natural and ,environmental ,work ,conservation ,corps 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,department of the ,interior and the ,department of ,agriculture the ,restore ,employment in ,natural and ,environmental ,work ,conservation ,corps program under which ,participants shall carry out-- 7#a7 eligible projects administered by the ,secretaries under this section2 and 7#b7 eligible projects administered by ,program partners under subsection 7a7 or 7b7 of section #e4 7b7 ,participants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,corps shall consist of-- 7,a7 eligible participants who are enrolled in the ,corps by the ,secretaries2 and 7,b7 eligible participants who are enrolled in the ,corps by ,program partners4 7#b7 ,requirement ,in enrolling eligible participants in the ,corps under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretaries and ,program partners shall ensure that ,participants reflect the demographics of the area in which the ,participants are carrying out an eligible project4 7c7 ,terms and compensation 7#a7 ,term ,participants shall serve for a term of at least #ab weeks1 but not more than #a year4 7#b7 ,compensation 7,a7 ,wages ,participants shall be compensated at a wage rate that is appropriate for the type of work performed by the ,participant1 but not less than #ae per hour 7to be increased each year based on increases in the ,consumer ,price ,index for the year74 7,b7 ,educational assistance ,if a ,participant completes at least #a year of service in the ,corps1 ,participants shall be eligible for-- 7i7 an educational credit that may be applied toward a program of postsecondary education at an institution of higher education that agrees to award the credit for participation in the ,corps2 and 7ii7 not more than #e1ejj in tuition assistance to the ,participant for purposes of continuing education4 7d7 ,training2 apprenticeships ,the ,secretaries and ,program partners shall-- 7#a7 ensure that ,participants are provided at least #b weeks of training during each term of the applicable ,participant2 and 7#b7 provide curricula to ,participants that improve the future job prospects of ,participants1 including through making available to ,participants registered apprenticeships and other professional licenses or certifications4 #e4 ,state1 tribal1 and local funding program for eligible projects 7a7 ,apportionment to ,states 7#a7 ,in general ,for each fiscal year1 subject to paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 of the amounts made available for apportionment to the ,states for that fiscal year under section #g7b71 the ,secretaries shall apportion-- 7,a7 #ffb_/c percent among ,states based on the proportion that-- 7i7 the number of unemployed individuals in each ,state1 as determined based on the most recent data available2 bears to 7ii7 the total number of unemployed individuals in all ,states as so determined2 and 7,b7 #cca_/c percent among ,states based on the proportion that-- 7i7 the population of each ,state2 bears to 7ii7 the population of all ,states4 7#b7 ,minimum apportionment ,no ,state shall receive an apportionment under paragraph 7#a7 for a fiscal year in an amount less than #db1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,use of funds ,of the amounts apportioned to a ,state under this subsection for a fiscal year-- 7,a7 #ej percent shall be used by the ,state to administer a program for the conduct of eligible projects by ,participants enrolled in the program by the ,states2 and 7,b7 #ej percent shall be used by the ,state to administer a grant program in the ,state under which the ,state provides grants to eligible local agencies in the ,state for the conduct of eligible projects by ,participants enrolled by the eligible local agencies4 7b7 ,tribal program ,for each fiscal year1 the ,secretaries shall apportion1 in accordance with a formula established by the ,secretaries1 amounts made available under section #g7c7 to ,indian ,tribes to administer a program for the conduct of eligible projects by ,participants enrolled in the program by the ,indian ,tribe4 7c7 ,use of funds ,of the amounts provided to a ,program partner for the conduct of eligible projects under this section1 the ,program partner-- 7#a7 may use not more than #bj percent for administrative costs of administering and carrying out eligible projects 7including costs of recruiting and hiring individuals to carry out eligible projects72 7#b7 may use not more than #ad percent to provide continuing education to individuals administering or carrying out eligible projects2 7#c7 may use not more than #h percent for the cost of equipment and supplies for eligible projects2 and 7#d7 shall use the remainder of the amounts for the costs of salaries of individuals administering or carrying out eligible projects4 7d7 ,reallocation ,any funds made available to a ,state or ,indian ,tribe under subsection 7a7 or 7b7 that are not obligated by the ,state or ,indian ,tribe at the end of the third fiscal year beginning after the fiscal year during which the funds were made available shall be withdrawn from the ,state or ,indian ,tribe and reallocated by the ,secretaries to other ,states and ,indian ,tribes on the basis of need1 as determined by the ,secretaries1 and in amounts that the ,secretaries determine would best accomplish the purposes described in section #b7;b74 #f4 ,national ,council on the ,restore ,employment in ,natural and ,environmental ,work ,conservation ,corps 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of the ,interior1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 the ,secretary of ,commerce1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,chair of the ,council on ,environmental ,quality1 the ,director of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 the ,chief ,executive ,officer of the ,corporation for ,national and ,community ,service1 and the ,assistant ,secretary of the ,army for ,civil ,works1 through the execution of a memorandum of understanding1 shall establish a ,national ,council on the ,restore ,employment in ,natural and ,environmental ,work ,conservation ,corps4 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,council shall be composed of-- 7,a7 the ,director of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs2 7,b7 the ,director of the ,bureau of ,land ,management2 7,c7 the ,commissioner of ,reclamation2 7,d7 the ,chief of the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service2 7,e7 the ,director of the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service2 7,f7 the ,director of the ,national ,park ,service2 7,g7 the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration2 7,h7 the ,director of the ,office of ,surface ,mining ,reclamation and ,enforcement2 7,i7 the ,chief of ,engineers2 7,j7 the ,chief of the ,forest ,service2 7,k7 the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management2 7,l7 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency2 7,m7 the ,chair of the ,council on ,environmental ,quality2 7,n7 the ,chief ,executive ,officer of the ,corporation for ,national and ,community ,service2 and 7,o7 other members that the signatories to the memorandum of understanding under subsection 7a7 determine to be appropriate for membership on the ,council1 including-- 7i7 the ,secretary of ,labor2 7ii7 the ,secretary of ,education2 7iii7 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services2 7iv7 the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 7v7 the ,secretary of ,transportation2 and 7vi7 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#b7 ,chair 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,council shall select a ,chair of the ,council from among the members of the ,council described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,m7 of paragraph 7#a74 7,b7 ,term ,the ,chair of the ,council shall serve for a term of #a year4 7c7 ,annual meeting ,the ,chair of the ,council shall convene annual meetings of the ,council during which the ,council shall conduct an assessment of-- 7#a7 the ,corps2 and 7#b7 eligible projects carried out by the ,corps4 #g4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act #ee1hjj1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe1 of which-- 7#a7 #cg4e percent shall be made available to the ,secretaries to carry out eligible projects under section #d7;a77#a72 7#b7 #eg4e percent shall be made available to the ,secretaries for apportionment to ,states under section #e7;a72 and 7#c7 #e percent shall be made available to the ,secretaries for apportionment to ,indian ,tribes under section #e7;b74