[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2697 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2697
To establish a task force on developing a 21st century surface
transportation workforce, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 20, 2021
Mr. Langevin (for himself and Mr. McKinley) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a task force on developing a 21st century surface
transportation workforce, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Transportation
Workforce Development Act''.
SEC. 2. TASK FORCE ON DEVELOPING A 21ST CENTURY SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
WORKFORCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a task
force on developing a 21st century surface transportation workforce (in
this section referred to as the ``Task Force'').
(b) Duties.--Not later than 12 months after the establishment of
the Task Force under subsection (a), the Task Force shall develop and
submit to the Secretary recommendations and strategies for the
Department of Transportation to--
(1) evaluate the current and future state of the surface
transportation workforce, including projected job needs in the
surface transportation sector;
(2) identify factors influencing individuals pursuing
careers in surface transportation, including barriers to
attracting individuals into the surface transportation
workforce;
(3) address barriers to retaining individuals in surface
transportation careers;
(4) identify and address potential impacts of emerging
technologies on the surface transportation workforce;
(5) increase access for vulnerable or underrepresented
populations, including women and minorities, to high-skill, in-
demand surface transportation careers;
(6) facilitate and encourage elementary, secondary, and
post-secondary students in the United States to pursue careers
in the surface transportation sector; and
(7) identify and develop pathways for students and
individuals to secure pre-apprenticeships, registered
apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities in
the surface transportation sector of the United States.
(c) Considerations.--In developing recommendations and strategies
under subsection (b), the Task Force shall--
(1) identify factors that influence whether young people
and underrepresented populations, including women and
minorities, pursue careers in surface transportation;
(2) consider how the Department of Transportation,
businesses, industry, labor, educators, and other stakeholders
can coordinate efforts to support qualified individuals in
pursuing careers in the surface transportation sector;
(3) identify methods of enhancing surface transportation
pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships, job skills
training, mentorship, education, and outreach programs that are
exclusive to young people in the United States; and
(4) identify potential sources of funding, including grants
and scholarships, that may be used to support young people and
other qualified individuals in pursuing careers in the surface
transportation sector.
(d) Consultation.--In developing the recommendations and strategies
required under subsection (b), the Task Force may consult with--
(1) local educational agencies (as such term is defined in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) and institutions of higher education (as
such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)); and
(2) State workforce development boards.
(e) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the submission of the
recommendations and strategies under subsection (b), the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate a report containing such recommendations and
strategies.
(f) Composition of Task Force.--The Secretary shall appoint members
to the Task Force whose diverse background and expertise allow such
members to contribute balanced points of view and ideas in carrying out
this section, comprised of equal representation from each of the
following:
(1) Industries in the surface transportation sector.
(2) Surface transportation sector labor organizations.
(3) Such other surface transportation stakeholders and
experts as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(g) Period of Appointment.--Members shall be appointed to the Task
Force for the duration of the existence of the Task Force.
(h) Compensation.--Task Force members shall serve without
compensation.
(i) Sunset.--The Task Force shall terminate upon the submission of
the report required under subsection (e).
(j) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Pre-apprenticeship.--The term ``pre-apprenticeship''
means a training model or program that prepares individuals for
acceptance into a registered apprenticeship and has a
demonstrated partnership with 1 or more registered
apprenticeships.
(2) Registered apprenticeship.--The term ``registered
apprenticeship'' means an apprenticeship program registered
under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.;
commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''), that
satisfies the requirements of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code
of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2020).
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