[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9936 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9936
To amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 with respect to workforce development, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 4, 2024
Ms. Spanberger (for herself and Mr. Molinaro) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 with respect to workforce development, 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. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Grants and Fellowships for Food and Agricultural Sciences
Education.--Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``, junior or community colleges, and
postsecondary vocational instutitions'' after ``other
colleges and universities''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``food and
agricultural sciences teaching programs, or teaching
programs emphasizing'' and inserting ``teaching
programs, including paid, work-based learning, for food
and agricultural sciences or'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) applications for teaching enhancement projects,
including paid, work-based learning, that address a need for
additional trained professionals in food and agricultural
sciences or rural economic development, community development,
or business development.'';
(3) in subsection (j)(1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection'' and inserting
``section'';
(4) in subsection (m)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2030.''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(n) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `junior or community college' has the
meaning given such term in section 312(f) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)).
``(2) The term `postsecondary vocational institution' has
the meaning given such term in section 102(c) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).
``(3) The term `work-based learning' has the meaning given
such term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).''.
(b) Experienced Services Program.--Section 1252(a)(2) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851(a)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) assisting cooperative initiatives under
section 1417(b)(3) of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3152(b)(3)) to improve higher education teaching
programs, including paid, work-based learning, at--
``(i) land-grant colleges and universities
(including the University of the District of
Columbia);
``(ii) colleges and universities having
significant minority enrollments and a
demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching
of food and agricultural sciences; and
``(iii) other colleges and universities,
junior or community colleges (as defined in
section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f))), and postsecondary
vocational institutions (as defined in section
102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002(c))) having a demonstrable capacity
to carry out the teaching of food and
agricultural sciences.''.
(c) Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grants.--
Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6)(A), by striking ``teaching'' and
inserting ``teaching, including paid work-based learning (as
defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)),''; and
(2) in paragraph (7)(B), by inserting ``, junior or
community colleges (as defined in section 312(f) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f))), and postsecondary
vocational institutions (as defined in section 102(c) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)))'' after
``colleges and universities''.
SEC. 2. NRCS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.
Section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(j) NRCS Direct Hire Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may appoint, without
regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title
5, United States Code (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of
such title), qualified candidates, as described in paragraph
(2), directly to positions within the Natural Resources
Conservation Service that provide technical assistance under
conservation programs administered by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service.
``(2) Qualifications.--Paragraph (1) applies to a candidate
who--
``(A) is qualified to provide the technical
assistance described in paragraph (1), as determined by
the Secretary; and
``(B) meets qualification standards established by
the Office of Personnel Management.''.
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