[DOCID: f:hr539.110] From the House Reports Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] 110th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 110-539 ====================================================================== PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL (H.R. 2857) TO REAUTHORIZE AND REFORM THE NATIONAL SERVICE LAWS _______ March 4, 2008.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed _______ Ms. Matsui, from the Committee on Rules, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H. Res. 1015] The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration House Resolution 1015, by a nonrecord vote, report the same to the House with the recommendation that the resolution be adopted. SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2857, the Generations Invigorating, Volunteerism and Education GIVE Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute except for clause 10 of rule XXI. This waiver does not affect the point of order available under clause 9 of rule XXI (regarding earmark disclosure). The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in this report. The amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in this report, may be offered only by a Member designated in this report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in this report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. EXPLANATION OF WAIVERS Although the rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill (except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI) and waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute (except clause 10 of rule XXI), the Committee is not aware of any points of order. The waivers of all points of order are prophylactic. SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER (Summaries derived from information provided by sponsors.) 1. McCarthy (NY): The Manager's amendment makes various technical changes and clarifications to H.R. 2857, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act. The amendment includes the following key changes: Makes various technical changes to Learn and Serve America (Subtitle B); Clarifies matching requirements of AmeriCorps State/National (Subtitle C); Strengthens Senior Corps by phasing in competition for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) by 2013 and creating incentive grants to encourage high performance among the Senior Corps programs with a priority for RSVP programs; and Provides New Service Initiatives including a new national service pilot program to support individuals seeking to do service for small, eligible entities and a Silver Scholarship program for individuals 55 years of age and older who perform 600 hours of service. Expands scope to include community colleges serving predominantly minority student populations. Gives priority to areas which the President has declared to be major disaster areas. (10 minutes) 2. McKeon (CA): The amendment would require the Corporation to establish priorities for programs funded under the national service laws for programs that recruit veterans into service opportunities, promote community-based efforts to meet the needs of military families while a family member is deployed, and promote community-based efforts to meet the needs of military families when a member of the family returns from a deployment. The amendment also would require the Corporation to annually report to Congress on the number and percentage of national service positions eligible for the education award that are filled by veterans, and to establish annual goals for increasing those numbers and percentages. (10 minutes) 3. Matsui (CA)/Shays (CT): The amendment would integrate two competitive funding streams and seek to improve collaboration between state and national entities. (10 minutes) 4. McDermott (WA)/Farr (CA)/Shays (CT): The amendment would establish a temporary Congressional Commission on Civic Service within the Legislative Branch. The Commission would be tasked with making recommendations to Congress about how to improve opportunities for public service. (10 minutes) 5. English (PA): The amendment would add a section at end of bill that it is the Sense of Congress that the Corporation for National and Community Service should make the maximum effort possible to coordinate the recruiting and assignment procedures of their various programs to allow senior citizens and their grandchildren to share volunteer opportunities and/or be assigned to the same geographic areas during their period of service. (10 minutes) 6. English (PA): The amendment would add a section to bill that it is the Sense of Congress that the Corporation for National and Community Service should make the maximum effort possible to coordinate with the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide opportunities for young people enrolled in NACS programs to collect oral histories from senior citizens in the communities where they serve. (10 minutes) 7. English (PA): The amendment would require the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service to coordinate with veterans' organizations serving veterans with disabilities to provide opportunities for young people enrolled in existing NACS programs to serve as drivers in the DAV Transportation 1Network on a full-time, part-time, or as- needed basis. (10 minutes) 8. Sutton (OH): The amendment would require the Corporation for National and Community Service to consider whether an area has a mortgage foreclosure rate greater than the national average when considering applications from States and other eligible entities. (10 minutes) 9. Sutton (OH): The amendment would require the Corporation for National and Community Service to conduct a study to identify specific areas of need for displaced workers and how existing programs and activities carried out under the national service laws can better serve displaced workers and communities affected by plant closings and job losses. The amendment also would require the Corporation to develop and carry out a pilot program based on the findings of the study. (10 minutes) 10. Flake (AZ): The amendment would strike the ``summer of service'' grant program and reduce the authorized amount designated for the program. (10 minutes) 11. Inslee (WA)/Sarbanes (MD): The amendment would add an Energy Conservation Corps, which would seek to address the nation's energy and transportation infrastructure needs while providing work and service opportunities. (10 minutes) TEXT OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER 1. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative McCarthy of New York, or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes Page 8, line 14, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 11, line 7, strike ``and''. Page 11, after line 7, insert the following: (10) in paragraph (28)(B) (as so redesignated)-- (A) by striking ``602'' and inserting ``602(3)''; and (B) by striking ``1401'' and inserting ``1401(3)''; and Page 11, line 8, redesignate (10) as (11). Page 15, line 20, add ``and'' at the end. Page 16, line 11, strike ``; and'' and insert a period. Page 16, strike line 12 and all that follows through page 18, line 21. Page 22, after line 22, insert the following: ``(d) Minimum Amount.--For any fiscal year for which amounts appropriated for this part exceed $43,000,000, the minimum allotment to each State (as defined in section 101) under this section shall be $65,000.''. Page 22, line 25, through page 23, line 1, strike ``or an allotment of approved summer of service positions under section 111(a)(5)(D)''. Page 23, after line 14, insert the following: ``(2) information about the criteria the State educational agency, Territory, or Indian tribe will use to evaluate and grant approval to applications submitted under subsection (c), including an assurance that the State educational agency, Territory, or Indian tribe will comply with the requirement in section 114(a);''. Page 23, line 15, redesignate (2) as (3). Page 24, line 11, redesignate (3) as (4). Page 25, line 15, add ``and'' at the end. Page 25, line 17, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 26, strike lines 5 through 11. Page 26, on each of lines 20, 22, and 23, strike ``State'' and insert ``State, Territory, or Indian tribe''. Page 27, line 1, strike ``State'' and insert ``State, Territory, or Indian tribe''. Page 28, strike lines 12 through 15 and insert the following: ``(1) In general.--The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a program for which assistance is provided under this part-- ``(A) for new grants, may not exceed 80 percent of the total cost for the first year of the grant, 65 percent for the second year, and 50 percent for each remaining year; and ``(B) for continuing grants, may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the program.''. Page 31, line 19, strike ``and'' the first place such term appears. Page 31, line 20, insert before the period at the end the following: ``, and community colleges serving predominantly minority populations''. Page 31, line 24, through page 32, line 1, strike ``a grant is made'' and insert ``assistance is provided''. Page 36, lines 18 through 19, strike ``a public or private nonprofit organization,'' and insert ``or a public or private nonprofit organization (including grant-making entities), a public or private elementary or secondary school, a local educational agency,''. Page 37, line 2, insert a comma after ``post-secondary''. Page 37, lines 16 through 17, strike ``senior centers and communities, schools, libraries, and other'' and insert ``in senior centers and communities, in schools, in libraries, and in other''. Page 38, line 6, strike ``and''. Page 38, after line 6, insert the following: ``(8) establish or implement summer of service programs during the summer months, including the cost of recruitment, training, and placement of service- learning coordinators-- ``(A) for youth who will be enrolled in any grade from grade 6 through grade 12 at the end of the summer concerned; ``(B) for community-based service-learning projects that-- ``(i) shall-- ``(I) meet unmet human, educational, environmental (including energy conservation and stewardship), emergency and disaster preparedness, and public service needs; and ``(II) be intensive, structured, supervised, and designed to produce identifiable improvements to the community; and ``(ii) may include the extension of academic year service-learning programs into the summer months; ``(C) under which any student who completes 100 hours of service in an approved summer of service position, as certified through a process determined by the Corporation through regulations consistent with section 138(f), shall be eligible for a summer of service educational award of not more than $500 (or, at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer, not more than $1,000 in the case of a participant who is economically disadvantaged) from funds deposited in the National Service Trust and distributed by the Corporation as described in section 148; and ``(D) subject to the limitation that a student may not receive more than 2 summer of service educational awards from funds deposited in the National Service Trust; and''. Page 38, line 7, redesignate (8) as (9). Page 40, lines 12 through 13, strike ``50 percent of the total cost of the program'' and insert ``75 percent of the total cost of the program in the first year of the grant and 50 percent of the total cost of the program in the remaining years of the grant, including if the grant is extended for a fourth year''. Page 42, strike lines 24 through 25 and insert the following: (ii) by striking ``Federal share of the cost'' and inserting ``Corporation share of the cost, including member living allowances, employment-related taxes, health care coverage, and worker's compensation and other necessary operation costs,''; Page 43, strike lines 1 through 4. Page 43, lines 5 and 8, redesignate (iv) and (v) as (iii) and (iv), respectively. Page 45, line 11, strike ``to the Congress'' and insert ``to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate''. Page 49, line 6, insert after ``services'' the following: ``, provision of supportive services to direct mentoring service organizations (in the case of a partnership), or''. Page 53, strike lines 13 through 16 and insert the following: ``(2) Matching requirement.--In making grants to a State under this subsection, the Corporation shall require the State to provide matching funds of $1 from non-Federal sources for every $1 provided by the Corporation. ``(3) Alternative.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Chief Executive Officer may permit a State that demonstrates hardship or a new State Commission to use an alternative match as follows:''. Page 57, line 14, before the period at the end insert ``, or 0.5 percent of the amount allocated for the State formula under this section, whichever is greater''. Page 62, after line 11, insert the following: ``SEC. 129B. PILOT AUTHORITY FOR MEMBER-SELECTED NATIONAL SERVICE POSITIONS. ``(a) Authority.-- ``(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under this subtitle and consistent with the restriction in subsection (b), the Corporation may provide fixed amount grants on a competitive basis to up to 10 State Commissions to support member-selected approved national service positions. ``(2) Limitation.--The Corporation shall award grants under paragraph (1) to support not more than 500 approved national service positions among the participating States. ``(b) Limits on Corporation Grant Funds.-- ``(1) In general.--Grants awarded under subsection (a)(1) shall not exceed $600 per individual enrolled in an approved national service position under this section. ``(2) Use of grant funds.--Grants received by State Commissions under subsection (a)(1)-- ``(A) shall not be distributed to organizations receiving participants with approved national service positions under this section; and ``(B) may-- ``(i) be used for oversight activities and mechanisms for the service sites as determined by the State Commission or the Corporation, which may include site visits; ``(ii) be used for activities to augment the experience of AmeriCorps participants in approved national service positions under this section, including activities to engage such participants in networking opportunities with other AmeriCorps participants; and ``(iii) be used for recruitment or training activities for participants in approved national service positions under this section. ``(c) State Commission Application.-- ``(1) In general.--A State Commission desiring to receive a grant under subsection (a)(1) shall submit an application to the Corporation at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Corporation shall determine appropriate. ``(2) Approval.--The Corporation shall approve each application under paragraph (1) in accordance with section 130(d). ``(d) Selection of Participants.-- ``(1) Applicants.--Participants desiring to receive an approved national service position under this section shall submit an application to the State Commission at such time and in such manner as the State Commission determines appropriate. The application shall contain-- ``(A) a position description that includes-- ``(i) the unmet human, educational, public safety, or environmental need or needs that will be met by the participant; and ``(ii) a description of the activities and responsibilities that will be carried out by the participant; ``(B) a description of the organization operating the service site where the applicant intends to complete the service described in subparagraph (A); ``(C) a description of the support that will be provided by the organization to the participant to complete the activities described in subparagraph (A); ``(D) the evidence of community support for the activities described in subparagraph (A); ``(E) a certification from the organization operating the service site that the organization is accepting the participant to perform the service outlined in subparagraph (A); ``(F) a certification from the organization operating the service site that the organization satisfies qualification criteria established by the Corporation or the State Commission, including standards relating to organizational capacity, financial management, and programmatic oversight; and ``(G) any other information that the Corporation and the State Commission deems necessary. ``(2) Residency.--A participant may apply for approved national service positions under this section in States other than the State in which the participant resides. ``(e) Organization Requirements.--The Corporation and the State Commissions shall ensure that the organizations receiving participants with approved national service positions under this section-- ``(1) maintain not more than 5 full-time staff and not more than 5 part-time staff; and ``(2) are not duplicating service provided by an existing AmeriCorps grantee in the same community; and ``(3) are located in a community where no Intermediary AmeriCorps grants recipient is operating; and ``(4) have not applied to receive assistance under this subtitle. ``(f) Failure to Comply.--If an organization receiving a participant with an approved national service position under this section fails to comply with terms and conditions established by the State Commission and the Corporation-- ``(1) the organization shall not be eligible to receive such a participant, or receive an AmeriCorps grant under section 121, for not less than 5 years; and ``(2) the State Commission shall have the right to remove such a participant from the organization and relocate that individual to another site. ``(g) Receipt of Financial Assistance.--An organization that receives participants with approved national service positions under this section shall not be considered a recipient of Federal financial assistance based on receiving such participants. ``(h) Definition.--For the purpose of this section, the term `Intermediary AmeriCorps grants recipient' means any organization that serves as a conduit between the Corporation and other unaffiliated organizations operating service sites. Page 72, line 11, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 72, strike line 15 and all that follows through page 73, line 3 and insert the following: SEC. 1403. DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNT OF NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL AWARDS. Section 147 (42 U.S.C. 12603) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) by striking ``a value, for each of not more than 2 of such terms of service, equal to 90 percent of--'' and inserting ``a value of-- '' ; and (B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following: ``(1) $4,825, for fiscal year 2008; ``(2) $4,925, for fiscal year 2009; ``(3) $5,025, for fiscal year 2010; ``(4) $5,125, for fiscal year 2011; and ``(5) $5,225, for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter.''; and (2) in subsection (b), by inserting after ``for each of not more than 2 of such terms of service'' the following: ``in the period of one year''. Page 73, line 20, strike ``111(a)(5)(D)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)(C)''. Page 74, line 4, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 75, line 16, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 76, line 2, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 77, line 2, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 78, line 16, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 80, line 2, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 82, line 5, strike ``to Congress'' and insert ``to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate''. Page 83, line 8, strike ``111(a)(5)'' and insert ``118(c)(8)''. Page 87, line 17, strike ``The Director'' and all that follows through ``goal.'' on line 24 and insert ``The Director shall take appropriate steps, including through collaboration with the Office of Outreach and Recruitment, to increase the percentage of participants in the program who are disadvantaged youth toward 50 percent of all participants by year 2010. The Director shall report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate annually on such efforts, any challenges faced, and the annual participation rates of disadvantaged youth in the program.''. Page 88, lines 6 through 7, strike ``Demonstration''. Page 88, lines 24 through 25, strike ``Demonstration''. Page 92, line 1, strike ``striking by''. Page 93, strike lines 17 through 22 and insert the following: (3) by amending subsection (c)(2) to read as follows: ``(2) Coordination with other entities.--Members of the cadre may provide, either directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, the advanced service training referred to in subsection (b)(1) in coordination with vocational or technical schools, other employment and training providers, existing youth service programs, other qualified individuals, or organizations with expertise in training youth, including disadvantaged youth, in the skill areas described in such subsection.''. Page 94, line 8, after ``conservation'' insert a comma. Page 97, strike lines 19 through 21 and insert the following: (iii) in subparagraph (C)-- (I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``the Director'' and inserting ``the Chief Executive Officer''; (II) in clause (iii) by striking ``and'' at the end; (III) by redesignating clause (iv) as (v); and (IV) by inserting after clause (iii) the following: ``(iv) give consideration to retired and other former law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency personnel, and other individuals with backgrounds in disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery; and''; and Page 98, line 22, add ``and'' at the end. Page 103, strike lines 24 through 25. Page 104, lines 1 and 4, redesignate (2) and (3) as (1) and (2), respectively. Page 107, line 24, strike ``(g) through (k)'' and insert ``(h) through (l)''. Page 108, after line 10, insert the following: ``(g) State Plan for Baby Boomer and Older Adult Volunteer and Paid Service.-- ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, to be eligible to receive a grant or allotment under subtitle B or C or to receive a distribution of approved national service positions under subtitle C, a State must work with appropriate State agencies and private entities to develop a comprehensive State plan for volunteer and paid service by members of the Baby Boom generation and older adults. ``(2) Matters included.--The State plan shall include-- ``(A) recommendations for public policy initiatives, including how to best tap the population of members of the Baby Boom generation and older adults as sources of social capital and as ways to address community needs; ``(B) recommendations to the State unit on aging on-- ``(i) a marketing outreach plan to businesses; ``(ii) outreach to non-profit organizations; ``(iii) the State's Department of Education; and ``(iv) other State agencies; and ``(C) recommendations for civic engagement and multigenerational activities, such as-- ``(i) early childhood education, family literacy, and after school programs; ``(ii) respite services for older adults and caregivers; and ``(iii) transitions for members of the Baby Boom generation and older adults to purposeful work in their post career lives. ``(3) Knowledge incorporated.--The State plan shall incorporate the current knowledge base regarding-- ``(A) the economic impact of older workers' roles in the economy; ``(B) the social impact of older workers' roles in the community; and ``(C) the health and social benefits of active engagement for members of the Baby Boom generation and older adults. ``(4) Publication.--The State plan must be made public and be transmitted to the Chief Executive Officer.''; and Page 108, line 11, strike ``(j)(1)'' and insert ``(k)(1)''. Page 108, line 13, strike ``; and'' and insert a period. Page 108, strike line 14 and all that follows through page 110, line 13. Page 110, line 23, strike ``various''. Page 111, line 5, strike ``grantees'' and insert ``each grantee''. Page 112, line 12, strike ``to which'' and insert ``with which''. Page 112, line 13, insert a comma after ``services''. Page 112, line 14, strike ``of the program and its impact, for such programs'' and insert ``and the impact of such programs''. Page 113, line 6, insert ``under this section'' before the period at the end. Page 114, line 25, strike ``Congress'' and insert ``the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate''. Page 115, line 20, strike ``Congress and the committees of jurisdiction'' and insert ``the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate''. Page 117, line 5, strike ``Congress'' and insert ``the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate''. Page 118, line 1, strike ``to work to''. Page 118, line 2, insert ``, taking into consideration challenges that programs in underserved rural or urban areas may face'' before the semicolon. Page 118, line 3, strike ``assist'' and insert ``aid''. Page 118, line 5, after ``acquiring'' insert ``and leveraging''. Page 118, lines 5 through 7, strike ``that could replace assistance received under the national service laws''. Page 122, line 25, strike ``to Congress'' and insert ``to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate''. Page 124, line 11, strike ``to Congress'' and insert ``to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate''. Page 126, line 22, strike the period at the end and insert ``; and''. Page 126, after line 22, insert the following: (3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows: ``(g) Recruitment and Public Awareness Functions.--The Chief Executive Officer shall assign or hire, as necessary, such additional national, regional, and State personnel to carry out such recruiting and public awareness functions of the Office of Outreach and Recruitment to ensure that such functions are carried out in a timely and effective manner. The Chief Executive Officer shall give priority in the hiring of such additional personnel to individuals who have formerly served as volunteers in the programs carried out under the national service laws or similar programs, and to individuals who have specialized experience in the recruitment of volunteers.''. Page 129, line 25, after ``local education agencies,'' insert ``institutions of higher education,''. Page 130, after line 7, insert the following: ``(3) to collaborate with organizations with demonstrated expertise in supporting and accommodating individuals with disabilities, including institutions of higher education, to identify and implement methods of recruitment to increase the number of participants with disabilities in the programs receiving assistance under the national service laws;''. Page 130, lines 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24, redesignate (3) through (7) as (4) through (8), respectively. Page 131, lines 4, 7, and 9, redesignate (8) through (10) as (9) through (11), respectively. Page 132, strike line 9 and all that follows through page 133, line 19, and insert the following: SEC. 1707. STUDY TO EXAMINE AND INCREASE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS AND VETERANS PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS UNDER THE NATIONAL SERVICE LAWS AND TO DEVELOP PILOT PROGRAM. Subtitle G of title I is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 196C. STUDY TO EXAMINE AND INCREASE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS AND VETERANS PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS UNDER THE NATIONAL SERVICE LAWS AND TO DEVELOP PILOT PROGRAM. ``(a) Planning Study.--The Corporation for National and Community Service shall conduct a study to identify-- ``(1) specific areas of need for veterans; ``(2) how existing programs and activities carried out under the national service laws could better serve veterans and veterans service organizations; ``(3) gaps in service to veterans; ``(4) prospects for better coordination of services; ``(5) prospects for better utilization of veterans as resources and volunteers; and ``(6) methods for ensuring the efficient financial organization of services directed towards veterans. ``(b) Consultation.--The study shall be carried out in consultation with veterans' service organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, State veterans agencies, the Department of Defense, and other individuals and entities the Corporation considers appropriate. ``(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the results of the planning study required by subsection (a), together with a plan for implementation of a pilot program using promising strategies and approaches for better targeting and serving veterans. ``(d) Pilot Program.--From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Corporation shall develop and carry out a pilot program based on the findings in the report submitted under subsection (c). ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.''. Page 134, line 23, strike ``subsections (p) and (q);'' and insert ``subsection (p); and''. Page 134, strike line 24 and all that follows through page 135, line 2, and insert the following: (10) by redesignating subsections (q), (r), and (s) as (g), (h), and (i), respectively. Page 138, after line 6, insert the following: ``(5) Silver scholarship programs.--A Silver Scholarship program for citizens age 55 and older to complete no less than 600 hours of service in a year meeting unmet human, educational, public safety, or environmental needs and receive a $1000 education award, provided that-- ``(A) the Corporation establishes criteria for the types of the service required to be performed to receive such award; and ``(B) the citizen uses such award in accordance with sections 146(c), 146(d), and 148(c).''. Page 138, lines 7 and 21, redesignate (5) and (6) as (6) and (7), respectively. Page 139, line 3, redesignate (7) as (8). Page 139, after line 13, insert the following: ``(2) Matching funds.-- ``(A) In general.--The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a program for which a grant is made under this part may not exceed 76 percent of the total cost of the program in the first year and may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the program for the remaining years of the grant, including if the grant is extended for 1 year. ``(B) Non-federal contribution.--In providing for the remaining share of the cost of carrying out such a program, each recipient of a grant under this part-- ``(i) shall provide for such share through a payment in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services; and ``(ii) may provide for such share through State sources or local sources, including private funds or donated services.''. Page 139, line 14, redesignate (2) as (3). Page 139, line 14, strike ``Encouragement'' and insert ``Collaboration encouraged''. Page 139, line 18, redesignate (3) as (4). Page 139, line 23, after ``strategies'' insert a comma. Page 140, strike line 19 and all that follows through page 141, line 9. Page 141, lines 13 through 14, strike ``the Corporation requires, and in such manner as''. Page 147, line 5, strike the semicolon and insert the following: ``. Such activities may utilize funding from the reservation of funds to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities as described in section 129(k);''. Page 147, line 12, insert before the semicolon the following: ``, including providing such training and technical assistance to programs receiving assistance under section 201 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973''. Page 148, line 24, strike ``2008,'' and all that follows through the semicolon on page 149, line 4, and insert ``2008;''. Page 149, line 10, strike ``63.75'' and insert ``60''. Page 149, line 16, strike ``11.25'' and insert ``15''. Page 149, after line 18, insert the following: ``(C) Summer of service.--Of the amount appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, up to $10,000,000 shall be for summer of service grants and up to $10,000,000 shall be deposited in the National Service Trust to support summer of service educational awards, consistent with section 118(c)(8).''. Page 151, after line 3, insert the following: ``(D) Priority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, in obligating the amounts made available pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subparagraph (C), priority shall be given to programs carried out in areas for which the President has declared the existence of a major disaster, in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), as a consequence of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.''. Page 156, line 17, strike ``recruitment and''. Page 156, after line 19, insert the following: (i) in subparagraph (A)-- (I) strike ``related to the recruitment and'' and insert ``related to the''; (II) strike ``in conjunction with the recruitment and'' and insert ``in conjunction with the''; and (III) strike ``1993. Upon'' and all that follows through the period at the end and insert ``1993.''; Page 156, lines 20 and 24, redesignate (i) and (ii) as (ii) and (iii), respectively. Page 160, after line 17, insert the following: ``(1) In the re-entry and re-integration of formerly incarcerated youth and adults into society, including life skills training, employment training, counseling, educational training, and educational counseling.''. Page 160, lines 18 and 23, redesignate (1) and (2) as (2) and (3), respectively. Page 161, lines 7, 12, and 18, redesignate (3), (4), and (5) as (4), (5), and (6), respectively. Page 169, strike line 5 and all that follows through page 170, line 11, and insert the following: ``(e) Competitive Grant Awards Required.-- ``(1) In general.--Effective for fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter, each grant or contract awarded under this section in such a year shall be-- ``(A) awarded for a period of 3 years; and ``(B) awarded through a competitive process. ``(2) Elements of competitive process.--The competitive process required by paragraph (1)(B)-- ``(A) shall include the use of a peer review panel, including members with expertise in senior service and aging; ``(B) shall ensure that-- ``(i) the resulting grants (or contracts) support no less than the volunteer service years of the previous grant (or contract) cycle in a given geographic service area; ``(ii) the resulting grants (or contracts) maintain a similar program distribution; and ``(iii) every effort is made to minimize the disruption to volunteers; and ``(C) shall include the performance measures, outcomes, and other criteria established under subsection (f). ``(3) Establishment of competitive process.--The Corporation shall establish and make available the competitive process required by paragraph (1)(B) no later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection. The Corporation shall consult with the program directors of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program during development and implementation of the competitive process. ``(f) Evaluation Process Required.-- ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 412, and effective beginning 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, each grant or contract under this section that expires in fiscal year 2010, 2011, and 2012 shall be subject to an evaluation process. The evaluation process shall be carried out, to the maximum extent practicable, in fiscal year 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. ``(2) Elements of evaluation process.--The evaluation process required by paragraph (1)-- ``(A) shall include performance measures, outcomes, and other criteria; and ``(B) shall evaluate the extent to which the recipient of the grant or contract meets or exceeds such performance measures, outcomes, and other criteria. ``(3) Establishment of evaluation process.--The Corporation shall, in collaboration and consultation with program directors of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, establish and make available the evaluation process required by paragraph (1), including the performance measures, outcomes, and other criteria required by paragraph (2)(A), with particular attention to the different needs of rural and urban programs. The processes shall be established and made available, including notification of the available training and technical assistance, no later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection. ``(4) Effect of failing to meet performance measures.--If the evaluation process determines that the recipient has failed to meet or exceed the performance measures, outcomes, and other criteria established under this subsection, the grant or contract shall not be renewed. Any successor grant or contract shall be awarded through the competitive process described in subsection (e)(1). ``(5) Special rule.--The Corporation may continue to fund a program which has failed to meet or exceed the performance measures, outcomes, and other criteria established under this subsection for up to 12 months if competition does not result in a successor grant or contract for such program, in order to minimize the disruption to volunteers and disruption of services. In such a case, outreach shall be conducted and a new competition shall be established. The previous recipient shall remain eligible for the new competition. ``(6) Performance measures.-- ``(A) In general.--The performance measures, outcomes, and other criteria established under this subsection may be updated or modified as necessary, in consultation with program directors for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, but no earlier than fiscal year 2013. ``(B) Operational problems.--Effective for fiscal years before fiscal year 2013, the Corporation may, after consulting with program directors of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, determine that a performance measure, outcome, or criterion established under this subsection is operationally problematic, and may, in consultation with program directors of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and after notifying the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate-- ``(i) eliminate the use of that performance measure, outcome, or criterion; or ``(ii) modify that performance measure, outcome, or criterion as necessary to render it no longer operationally problematic. ``(g) Online Resource Guide.--The Corporation shall develop and disseminate an online resource guide for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, which shall include, but not be limited to-- ``(1) examples of high performing programs; ``(2) corrective actions for underperforming programs; and ``(3) examples of meaningful outcome-based performance measures that capture a program's mission and priorities. ``(h) Report to Congress.--The Corporation shall submit, by 2012, to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on-- ``(1) the number of programs that did not meet or exceed the established performance measures, outcomes, and other criteria established under subsection (f); ``(2) the number of new grants awarded; ``(3) the challenges to the implementation of evaluation and competition, including but not limited to geographic distribution and the minimization of disruption to volunteers; and ``(4) how the current program geographic distribution affects recruitment for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.''. Page 176, line 18, strike ``family management skills'' and all that follows through ``children'' on line 23 and insert ``and family management skills''. Page 180, strike line 8 and all that follows through page 181, line 19, and insert the following: SEC. 2210. AUTHORITY OF DIRECTOR. Section 231 (42 U.S.C. 5028) is amended-- (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: ``(a) In General.-- ``(1) Activities authorized.--The Director is authorized to-- ``(A) make grants to or enter into contracts with public or nonprofit organizations, including organizations funded under part A, B, or C, for the purposes of demonstrating innovative activities involving older Americans as volunteers; and ``(B) make incentive grants under subsection (d). ``(2) Support of volunteers.--The Director may support under this part both volunteers receiving stipends and volunteers not receiving stipends.''; (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)(A)''; (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``activities;'' and inserting ``activities described in section 225(b) and carried out through programs described in parts A, B, and C;''; and (C) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following: ``(2) programs that support older Americans in aging in place while augmenting the capacity of members of a community to serve each other through reciprocal service centers, service credit banking, community economic scripts, barter services, timebanking, and other similar programs where services are exchanged and not paid for; or ``(3) grants to non-profit organizations to establish sites or programs to-- ``(A) assist retiring or retired individuals in locating opportunities for-- ``(i) public service roles, including through paid or volunteer service; ``(ii) participating in life-planning programs, including financial planning and issues revolving around health and wellness; and ``(iii) continuing education, including leadership development, health and wellness, and technological literacy; and ``(B) connect retiring or retired individuals with members of the community to serve as leaders and mentors in life planning, relationships, employment counseling, education counseling, and other areas of expertise as developed by the retiring or retired adults.''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(c) Priority.--For purposes of subsection (b)(2), priority shall be given to-- ``(1) programs with established experience in carrying out such a program and engaging the entire community in service exchange; ``(2) programs with the capacity to connect to similar programs throughout a city or region to augment the available services to older Americans and for members of the community to serve each other; ``(3) programs seeking to establish in an area where needs of older Americans are left unmet and older Americans are unable to consider aging in place without such service exchange in place; and ``(4) programs that integrate participants in or collaborate with service-learning programs, AmeriCorps State and National programs, the VISTA program, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Foster Grandparents program, and the Senior Companion programs, and programs described in section 411 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3032). ``(d) Incentive Grants.--The incentive grants referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) are incentive grants to programs receiving assistance under this title, subject to the following: ``(1) Such grants (which may be fixed-amount grants) shall be grants in an amount equal to $300 per volunteer enrolled in the program, except that such amount shall be reduced as necessary to meet the goals of this section. ``(2) Such a grant shall be awarded to a program only if the program-- ``(A) exceeds performance measures established under section 179 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990; ``(B) provides non-Federal matching funds in an amount that is not less than 50 percent of the amount received by the program under this title; ``(C) enrolls more than 50 percent of the volunteers in outcome-based service programs with measurable objectives meeting community needs, as determined by the Corporation; and ``(D) enrolls more volunteers from among members of the Baby Boom generation, as defined in section 101 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, than were enrolled in the program during the previous fiscal year. ``(3) For each such grant, the Corporation shall require the recipient to provide matching funds of 70 cents from non-Federal sources for every $1 provided under the grant. ``(4) Such a grant shall be awarded to a program only if the program submits, at such time and in such manner as the Corporation may reasonably require, an application that contains-- ``(A) a demonstration that the program has met the requirements of paragraph (2); ``(B) if applicable, a plan for innovative programs as described in paragraph (6)(B)(ii); ``(C) a sustainability plan that describes how the program will maintain the activities described in paragraph (6) when the grant terminates; and ``(D) other information that the Corporation may require. ``(5) Such grants shall be awarded for a period of 3 years, except that the grant shall be reviewed by the Corporation at the end of the first and second fiscal years and revoked if the Corporation finds that the program has failed to continue to meet the requirements of paragraph (2) for those fiscal years. ``(6) Such grants-- ``(A) shall be used to increase the number of volunteers in outcome-based service with measurable objectives meeting community needs as determined by the Corporation; and ``(B) may be used-- ``(i) for activities for which the program is authorized to receive assistance under this title; and ``(ii) for innovative programs focused on the Baby Boom generation, as defined in section 101 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, that have been accepted by the Corporation through the application process in paragraph (4) and are outcome-based programs with measurable objectives meeting community needs as determined by the Corporation. ``(7) The Director shall, in making such grants, give high priority to programs receiving assistance under section 201.''. Page 191, after line 19, insert the following: (c) Exception.--Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to the amendments made by this Act to section 201 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5001). Any changes pursuant to those amendments apply as specified in those amendments. ---------- 2. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative McKeon of California, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes Page 50, strike lines 21 through 23 and insert the following: (5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated), in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection (b) or (d) of''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(C) Priority for veterans.--Priorities established under subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall include priorities for programs that-- ``(i) recruit veterans, particularly returning veterans, into service opportunities; ``(ii) promote community-based efforts to meet the unique needs of military families while a member of the family is deployed; and ``(iii) promote community-based efforts to meet the unique needs of military families when a member of the family returns from a deployment.''; and Page 64, strike line 23 and all that follows through page 65, line 10, and insert the following: (3) in subsection (d), in paragraph (2)-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), strike ``the Corporation may include--'' and insert ``the Corporation--''; and (B) by striking subparagraphs (A) through (G) and inserting the following: ``(A) shall include national service programs that-- ``(i) recruit veterans, particularly returning veterans, into service opportunities; ``(ii) promote community-based efforts to meet the unique needs of military families while a member of the family is deployed; and ``(iii) promote community-based efforts to meet the unique needs of military families when a member of the family returns from a deployment; and ``(B) may include-- ``(i) national service programs that conform to the national service priorities in effect under section 122(d); ``(ii) innovative national service programs; ``(iii) national service programs that are well established in one or more States at the time of the application and are proposed to be expanded to additional States using assistance provided under section 121; ``(iv) grant programs in support of other national service programs if the grant programs are to be conducted by nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated and extensive expertise in the provision of services to meet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs; and ``(v) professional corps programs described in section 122(a)(8).''. Page 85, after line 3, insert the following new section: SEC. 1406. REPORT ON VETERANS SERVING IN APPROVED NATIONAL SERVICE POSITIONS. Subtitle D of title I (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 150. REPORT ON VETERANS SERVING IN APPROVED NATIONAL SERVICE POSITIONS. ``(a) In General.--The Corporation shall report annually to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate the number and percentage of veterans serving in approved national service positions. ``(b) Annual Goals.--In the report described in subsection (a), the Corporation shall outline strategies and goals for increasing the number and percentage of veterans serving in approved national service positions each year, including strategies being undertaken to recruit veterans to serve in such positions, and include an evaluation of progress in meeting such goals.''. ---------- 3. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Matsui of California, or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes Page 56, strike lines 8 through 12 and insert the following: ``(c) Allotment for Competitive Grants.--Of the funds allocated by the Corporation for provision of assistance under section 121(a) for a fiscal year and subject to section 133(d)(3), the Corporation shall reserve up to 62.7 percent for grants awarded on a competitive basis to States for national service programs and to nonprofit organizations seeking to operate a national service program in 2 or more States.''. Page 56, strike lines 13 through 17. In such section 129, as proposed to be added by such section 1306, strike subsection (d) and redesignate subsections (e) through (k) as (d) through (j), respectively. Page 56, line 18, redesignate (e) as (d). Page 57, line 6, strike ``37.5 percent'' and insert ``35.3 percent''. Page 57, line 15, redesignate (f) as (e). Page 58, lines 7 and 12, redesignate (g) and (h) as (f) and (g), respectively. Page 59, lines 1 and 20, redesignate (i) and (j) as (h) and (i), respectively. Page 63, line 3, strike ``and'' at the end. Page 63, line 5, add ``and'' at the end. Page 63, after line 5, add the following: (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) In the case of a nonprofit organization operating programs in 2 or more States, a description of the manner and extent to which the State Commissions of each State in which the nonprofit organization intends to operate were consulted and the nature of the consultation.''. Page 64, after line 13, add the following: SEC. 1308A. NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAM ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS. Section 131(c)(3) (42 U.S.C. 12583(c)(3)) is amended to read as follows: ``(3) in the case of a program that is not funded through a State, including programs operated by nonprofit organizations seeking to operate a national service program in 2 or more States-- ``(A) consult with and coordinate with the State Commission for the State in which the program operates; and ``(B) obtain written confirmation from the State Commission that the applicant seeking assistance under this Act has consulted with and coordinated with the State Commission when seeking to operate a program in that State.''. Page 64, line 21, strike ``and'' at the end. Page 65, line 10, strike the period at the end and insert ``; and''. Page 65, after line 10, add the following: (3) by amending subsection (d)(3) to read as follows: ``(3) Additional priority.--In making a competitive distribution under section 129(c), the Corporation-- ``(A) shall solicit and consider the view of a State Commission regarding any application for assistance to operate a national service program within the State; and ``(B) may give priority to a national service program that is-- ``(i) proposed in an application submitted by a State Commission; and ``(ii) not one of the types proposed in paragraph (2), if the State Commission provides an adequate explanation of the reasons why it should not be a priority of such State to carry out any of such types of programs in the State.''. ---------- 4. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative McDermott of Washington, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes At the end of the bill, add the following new title: TITLE VI--CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON CIVIC SERVICE SEC. 6101. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act''. SEC. 6102. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) The social fabric of the United States is stronger if individuals in the United States are committed to protecting and serving our Nation by utilizing national service and volunteerism to overcome our civic challenges. (2) A more engaged civic society will strengthen the Nation by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to work on solutions to some of our Nation's major challenges. (3) Despite declines in civic health in the past 30 years, national service and volunteerism among the Nation's youth are increasing, and existing national service and volunteer programs greatly enhance opportunities for youth to engage in civic activity. (4) In addition to the benefits received by nonprofit organizations and society as a whole, volunteering and national service provide a variety of personal benefits and satisfaction and can lead to new paths of civic engagement, responsibility, and upward mobility. SEC. 6103. ESTABLISHMENT. There is established in the legislative branch a commission to be known as the ``Congressional Commission on Civic Service'' (in this title referred to as the ``Commission''). SEC. 6104. DUTIES. (a) General Purpose.--The purpose of the Commission is to gather and analyze information in order to make recommendations to Congress to-- (1) improve the ability of individuals in the United States to serve others and, by doing so, to enhance our Nation and the global community; (2) train leaders in public service organizations to better utilize individuals committed to national service and volunteerism as they manage human and fiscal resources; (3) identify and offer solutions to the barriers that make it difficult for some individuals in the United States to volunteer or perform national service; and (4) build on the foundation of service and volunteer opportunities that are currently available. (b) Specific Topics.--In carrying out its general purpose under subsection (a), the Commission shall address and analyze the following specific topics: (1) The level of understanding about the current Federal, State, and local volunteer programs and opportunities for service among individuals in the United States. (2) The issues that deter volunteerism and national service, particularly among young people, and how the identified issues can be overcome. (3) Whether there is an appropriate role for Federal, State, and local governments in overcoming the issues that deter volunteerism and national service and, if appropriate, how to expand the relationships and partnerships between different levels of government in promoting volunteerism and national service. (4) Whether existing databases are effective in matching community needs to would-be volunteers and service providers. (5) The effect on the Nation, on those who serve, and on the families of those who serve, if all individuals in the United States were expected to perform national service or were required to perform a certain amount of national service. (6) Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. (7) The need for a public service academy, a 4-year institution that offers a federally funded undergraduate education with a focus on training future public sector leaders. (8) The means to develop awareness of national service and volunteer opportunities at a young age by creating, expanding, and promoting service options for primary and secondary school students and by raising awareness of existing incentives. (9) The effectiveness of establishing a training program on college campuses to recruit and educate college students for national service. (10) The effect on United States diplomacy and foreign policy interests of expanding service opportunities abroad, such as the Peace Corps, and the degree of need and capacity abroad for an expansion. (11) The constraints that service providers, nonprofit organizations, and State and local agencies face in utilizing federally funded volunteer programs, and how these constraints can be overcome. (12) Whether current Federal volunteer programs are suited to address the special skills and needs of senior volunteers, and if not, how these programs can be improved such that the Federal government can effectively promote service among the ``baby boomer'' generation. (c) Methodology.-- (1) Public hearings.--The Commission shall conduct public hearings in various locations around the United States. (2) Regular and frequent consultation.--The Commission shall regularly and frequently consult with an advisory panel of Members of Congress appointed for such purpose by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Senate. SEC. 6105. MEMBERSHIP. (a) Number and Appointment.-- (1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 8 members appointed as follows: (A) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (B) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. (C) 2 members appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate. (D) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. (2) Qualifications.--The members of the Commission shall consist of individuals who are of recognized standing and distinction in the areas of international public service, national public service, service- learning, local service, business, or academia. (3) Deadline for appointment.--The members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this title. (4) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time of the appointment. (b) Terms.-- (1) In general.--The members of the Commission shall serve for the life of the Commission. (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the duties of the Commission but any such vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. (c) Compensation.-- (1) Rates of pay; travel expenses.--Each member shall serve without pay, except that each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Prohibition of compensation of federal employees.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any member of the Commission who is a full-time officer or employee of the United States may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits because of service on the Commission. (d) Meeting Requirements.-- (1) Frequency.-- (A) Quarterly meetings.--The Commission shall meet at least quarterly. (B) Additional meetings.--In addition to quarterly meetings, the Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members. (2) Quorum.--5 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings. (3) Meeting by telephone or other appropriate technology.--Members of the Commission are permitted to meet using telephones or other suitable telecommunications technologies provided that all members of the Commission can fully communicate with all other members simultaneously. SEC. 6106. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS. (a) Director.-- (1) Appointment.--The Commission shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the Chairperson with the approval of the Commission. (2) Credentials.--The Director shall have credentials related to international public service, national public service, service-learning, or local service. (3) Salary.--The Director shall be paid at a rate determined by the Chairperson with the approval of the Commission, except that the rate may not exceed the rate of basic pay for GS-15 of the General Schedule. (b) Staff.--With the approval of the Chairperson, the Director may appoint and fix the pay of additional qualified personnel as the Director considers appropriate. (c) Experts and Consultants.--With the approval of the Commission, the Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay for GS-15 of the General Schedule. (d) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the Commission, Chairperson, or Director, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this title. SEC. 6107. POWERS OF COMMISSION. (a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this title, hold public hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. (b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this section. (c) Obtaining Official Data.--Upon request of the Chairperson, the head of any department or agency shall furnish information to the Commission that the Commission deems necessary to enable it to carry out this title. (d) Physical Facilities and Equipment.--The Architect of the Capitol, in consultation with the appropriate entities in the legislative branch, shall locate and provide suitable facilities and equipment for the operation of the Commission on a nonreimbursable basis. (e) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the Commission, the Architect of the Capitol and the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission on a nonreimbursable basis such administrative support services as the Commission may request in order for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this title. SEC. 6108. REPORTS. (a) Interim Report.--The Commission shall submit an interim report on its activities to Congress not later than 20 months after the date of the enactment of this title. (b) Final Report.-- (1) Deadline.--The Commission shall submit a final report on its activities to Congress not later than 120 days after the submission of the interim report under subsection (a). (2) Contents.--The final report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for proposed legislation. SEC. 6109. TERMINATION. The Commission shall terminate not later than 30 days after submitting its final report under section 6108(b)(1). ---------- 5. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative English of Pennsylvania, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes At the end of the bill, insert the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly): TITLE VI--SENSE OF CONGRESS SEC. 6101. SENSE OF CONGRESS. It is the Sense of Congress that the Corporation for National and Community Service should make the maximum effort possible to coordinate the recruiting and assignment procedures of their various programs to allow senior citizens and their grandchildren to share volunteer opportunities and/or be assigned to the same geographic areas during their period of service. ---------- 6. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative English of Pennsylvania, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes At the end of the bill, insert the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly): TITLE VI--SENSE OF CONGRESS SEC. 6101. SENSE OF CONGRESS. It is the Sense of Congress that the Corporation for National and Community Service should make the maximum effort possible to coordinate with the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide opportunities for young people enrolled in NACS programs to collect oral histories from senior citizens in the communities where they serve. ---------- 7. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative English of Pennsylvania, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes Page 133, after line 19, insert the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly): SEC. 1708. COORDINATION WITH VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS SERVING VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES. The Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service shall coordinate with veterans organizations serving veterans with disabilities to provide opportunities for young people enrolled in existing NACS programs to provide transportation services on a full-time, part-time, or as-needed basis. ---------- 8. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Sutton of Ohio, or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes Page 64, after line 16, insert the following: (2) in subsection (c)(6), insert after subparagraph (E) the following: ``(F) Areas that have a mortgage foreclosure rate greater than the national average mortgage foreclosure rate for the most recent 12 months for which satisfactory data are available.''. Page 64, lines 17 and 22, redesignate (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively. ---------- 9. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Sutton of Ohio, or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes Page 133, insert after line 19 the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly): SEC. 1708. STUDY TO EXAMINE AND INCREASE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR DISPLACED WORKERS IN SERVICES CORPS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TO DEVELOP PILOT PROGRAM PLANNING STUDY. (a) Planning Study.--The Corporation for National and Community Service shall conduct a study to identify-- (1) specific areas of need for displaced workers; (2) how existing programs and activities carried out under the national service laws could better serve displaced workers and communities that have been adversely affected by plant closings and job losses; (3) prospects for better utilization of skilled workers as resources and volunteers; and (4) methods for ensuring the efficient financial organization of services directed towards displaced workers. (b) Consultation.--The study shall be carried out in consultation with the Department of Labor, State labor agencies, and other individuals and entities the Corporation considers appropriate. (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Corporation shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the planning study required by subsection (a), together with a plan for implementation of a pilot program using promising strategies and approaches for better targeting and serving displaced workers. (d) Pilot Program.--From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Corporation shall develop and carry out a pilot program based on the findings in the report submitted under subsection (c). (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. ---------- 10. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Flake of Arizona, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes Page 16, line 11, strike ``; and'' and insert a period. Page 16, strike line 12 and all that follows through page 18, line 21. Page 148, line 24, strike ``$65,000,000 for fiscal year 2008,'' and all that follows through ``; and'' on page 149, line 4, and insert ``$45,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and''. ---------- 11. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Inslee of Washington, or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes Page 144, strike lines 15 through 19 and insert the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly): Subtitle I--Energy Conservation Corps SEC. 1811. GENERAL AUTHORITY. The Corporation for National and Community Service (in this subtitle referred to as the ``Corporation'') shall make grants to States for the creation or expansion of full-time or part- time Energy Conservation Corps programs. Notwithstanding provisions identified in this subtitle, the Corporation shall apply the provisions of subtitle C of this subchapter in making grants under this section as necessary. SEC. 1812. APPLICATION. (a) In General.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this subtitle, a State shall invite applications from within the State to receive an Energy Conservation Corps grant. (b) Process.--The State shall then prepare and submit a State application to the Corporation at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Corporation may reasonably require. The Corporation shall consult with state and local Conservation Corps in the development of the application guidelines. (c) Disadvantaged Youth.--To acknowledge the focused enrollment of disadvantaged youth and young adults in the Energy Conservation Corps, the Corporation shall-- (1) allow a higher cost-per-member to enable Energy Conservation Corps programs to provide the necessary supportive services to ensure the success of the participants; and (2) allow for greater flexibility in retention rates. (d) Consideration of Residential Corps.--The Corporation shall allow for equal consideration of residential Corps program opportunities since residential Corps thrive in rural areas that commonly lack opportunities for young adults, enable the participation for emancipated foster youth, gang involved youth, and others lacking a safe and stable home environment, allow for more structured time for work, training, education and counseling, and provide disaster response-ready crews immediately upon request. (e) Equitable Treatment.--In the consideration of applications, the Corporation shall ensure the equitable treatment of both urban and rural areas. SEC. 1813. FOCUS OF PROGRAMS. (a) In General.--Programs that receive assistance under this subtitle may carry out activities that-- (1) meet an identifiable public need with specific emphasis on projects in support of energy conservation, infrastructure and transportation improvement, and emergency operations, including-- (A) improving the energy efficiency of housing for elderly and low-income people; (B) building energy-efficient ``green'' housing for elderly and low-income people; (C) environmental education and energy conservation education for elementary and secondary school students and the public; (D) reusing and recycling including deconstruction; (E) the repair, renovation, or rehabilitation of an existing infrastructure facility including, but not limited to, rail, mass transportation, ports, inland navigation, schools and hospitals; (F) transportation enhancements; (G) recreational trails improvements, including those that enable alternative means of transportation and ensure safe use; (H) transformation of military bases affected by the Base Realignment and Closing process (BRAC) to green the space; (I) tree planting and reforestation; (J) renewable resource enhancement; and (K) assisting in emergency operations, such as disaster prevention and relief; and (2) provide opportunities for youth and young adults, especially disadvantaged youth, to be trained for careers related to the activities listed in paragraph (1), including those that will be part of the emerging field of ``green collar'' jobs. (b) Goals of the Energy Conservation Corps.--The goals of the Energy Conservation Corps are to-- (1) promote clean energy use and preserve, protect, and sustain the environment; (2) provide young adults with opportunities to become better citizens, students and workers through meaningful service to their communities and the nation; (3) mobilize youth and young adults, especially disadvantaged youth, to promote energy conservation and mitigate threats to the environment; and (4) provide a pathway to responsible adulthood and productive, unsubsidized employment in the private sector. SEC. 1814. TRAINING AND EDUCATION SERVICES. All applicants must describe how they intend to-- (1) assess the skills of Corpsmembers; (2) provide life skills and work skills training; (3) provide training and education; (4) develop agreements for academic study with-- (A) local education agencies; (B) community colleges; (C) 4-year colleges; (D) area charter high schools and vocational- technical schools; and (E) community-based organizations; (5) provide career and educational guidance; and (6) Recruit participants without high school diplomas. SEC. 1815. PREFERENCE FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS. In the consideration of applications the Corporation shall give preference to programs that are discrete and-- (1) meet an identifiable public need; (2) instill a work ethic and a sense of public service in the participants; (3) involve youth operating in crews or a team-based structure; and (4) enhance skills development and educational level and opportunities for the participants. SEC. 1816. PARTICIPANTS. (a) In General.--Age enrollment in programs that receive assistance under this subtitle shall be limited to individuals who, at the time of enrollment, are not less than 18 years nor more than 25 years of age, except that summer programs may include individuals not less than 14 years or more than 21 years of age at the time of the enrollment of such individuals. (b) Participation of Disadvantaged Youth.--Programs that receive assistance under this subtitle shall ensure that at least 50 percent of the participants are economically disadvantaged youth. (c) Special Corpsmembers.--Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, program agencies may enroll a limited number of special Corpsmembers over age 25 so that the Energy Conservation Corps may draw on their special skills to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. SEC. 1817. USE OF VOLUNTEERS. The use of volunteer services under this section shall be subject to the condition that such use does not result in the displacement of any participant. SEC. 1818. COOPERATION AMONG STATES FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE. (a) Agreements Between States.--States operating an Energy Conservation Corps may enter into a compact with participating states to provide for mutual cooperation to manage any emergency or disaster that is duly declared by the affected state. (b) Participating State Responsibilities.-- (1) The authorized representative of a participating state may request assistance of another party by contracting the authorized representative of that state. The provisions of this agreement shall only apply to requests for assistance made by and to authorized representatives. (2) There shall be frequent consultation between state officials who have assigned emergency management responsibilities and other appropriate representatives of the party states with affected jurisdictions and the United States Government, with free exchange of information, plans, and resource records relating to emergency capabilities. SEC. 1819. FEDERAL SHARE. The federal share of the cost of carrying out an Energy Conservation Corps program for which a grant is made under this subtitle is 76 percent of the total cost of the program. SEC. 1820. BEST PRACTICES. (a) Training and Technical Assistance.--The Corporation shall provide technical assistance to grantees that request assistance and shall disseminate best practices that emerge from the Energy Conservation Corps. (b) Contract.--(b) In providing training and technical assistance, the Corporation shall contract with a national organization with a proven track record of developing and sustaining Corps, working with the Conservation Corps model, and engaging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. SEC. 1820A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2008 through 2010 to achieve the purposes of this subtitle. (b) Allocation.--Of the amounts appropriated to carry out this subtitle for each fiscal year-- (1) 90 percent shall be for grants to eligible entities; (2) 5 percent shall be technical assistance, and dissemination of best practices; and (3) 5 percent shall be for evaluation. SEC. 1820B. LEARN AND SERVE AMERICA. (a) In General.--To promote Learn and Serve programs that have the potential to reach every student in our public education network and private schools through school-based green service-learning, the Corporation shall establish a competitive grant program for the creation or expansion of such service learning programs. (b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State Education Agency, Local education Agency, or nonprofit organization shall submit an application with such information and in such time as the Corporation may require. (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--For this purpose, there are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary thereafter. SEC. 1820C. NATIONAL SENIOR SERVICE CORPS. (a) In General.--To promote National Senior Service Corps programs that have the potential to both involve seniors in providing meaningful volunteer opportunities the Corporation shall establish a competitive grant program for the creation or expansion of National Senior Service Corps programs that-- (1) make effective use of the talents and experience of seniors, particularly baby boomers, in programs and projects involving seniors in the improvement of the energy efficiency of housing for elderly and low-income people; (2) building or helping to supervise energy-efficient ``green'' housing for elderly and low-income people; the repair, renovation, or rehabilitation of an existing infrastructure facility including, but not limited to, rail, mass transportation, ports, inland navigation, schools and hospitals; transportation enhancements; recreational trails improvements, including those that enable alternative means of transportation and ensure safe use; (3) volunteering in schools to teach or other support environmental education and energy conservation education for elementary and secondary school students and the public; and (4) assisting in such other activities as the National Senior Service Corps may identify. (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a program in the National Senior Service Corps shall submit an application with such information and in such time as the Corporation may require. (c) Authorization.--For this purpose, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary thereafter. <all>