[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1083 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1083
To provide for certain improvements to the housing and workforce
programs of Federal land management agencies, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 14, 2025
Mr. Barrasso (for himself, Mr. Daines, and Mr. King) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for certain improvements to the housing and workforce
programs of Federal land management agencies, 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.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Land Manager
Housing and Workforce Improvement Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--EXPANDING AUTHORITY
Sec. 101. Prioritizing National Park Service workforce housing.
Sec. 102. Authorizing the National Park Service to address workforce
housing off-park.
Sec. 103. Expanding National Park Service rental options.
Sec. 104. Leveraging National Park Service rental receipts for
workforce housing programming.
Sec. 105. Empowering the Forest Service to address workforce housing
needs.
TITLE II--EXPANDING PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY
Sec. 201. Engaging partners to address National Park Service workforce
housing.
Sec. 202. Encouraging public-private cooperative management.
Sec. 203. Leveraging philanthropic support to address National Park
Service workforce housing.
TITLE III--SUPPORTING WORKFORCE
Sec. 301. Supporting the land manager workforce.
Sec. 302. Supporting the seasonal National Park Service workforce.
TITLE IV--REPORTS AND OVERSIGHT
Sec. 401. Quantifying the workforce housing needs of land managers.
Sec. 402. Conducting oversight on the housing programming of land
managers.
Sec. 403. Justifying emergency spending.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Covered agencies.--The term ``covered agencies''
means--
(A) the National Park Service;
(B) the Bureau of Land Management;
(C) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
and
(D) the Forest Service.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
TITLE I--EXPANDING AUTHORITY
SEC. 101. PRIORITIZING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WORKFORCE HOUSING.
Section 103502(a)(3) of title 54, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``quarters for field employees (as those
terms are defined in section 101331),'' after ``prioritize'';
and
(2) by inserting a comma after ``facilities''.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZING THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO ADDRESS WORKFORCE
HOUSING OFF-PARK.
Section 100901 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(i) Acquisition of Land for Administration of System Units.--
``(1) In general.--To facilitate the administration of a
System unit, the Secretary may acquire, by donation, exchange,
or transfer from another Federal agency, not more than 20 acres
of land or interests in land, cumulatively, within the vicinity
of the System unit boundary for the development, construction,
maintenance, or operation of quarters for field employees (as
those terms are defined in section 101331) for the System unit.
``(2) Management.--
``(A) In general.--With respect to any land or
interest in land acquired by the Secretary under
paragraph (1)--
``(i) the land or interest in land shall
not--
``(I) be administered as part of
the System; or
``(II) be subject to the laws
(including regulations) governing the
associated System unit; but
``(ii) the Secretary shall--
``(I) have the authority to
supervise, manage, and control the
land; and
``(II) issue such rules and
regulations as the Secretary may
determine to be necessary and proper
for the use and management of the land.
``(B) Authorizations.--The Secretary may grant
exclusive privileges, leases, and permits for the use
of land acquired under paragraph (1) and enter into
contracts relating to such authorizations as authorized
under this title, notwithstanding any restriction on
such authorizations to land within a System unit
boundary.
``(3) Disposal.--If the Secretary determines that any land
or interest in land acquired under paragraph (1) no longer
supports the administration of the System unit--
``(A) the Secretary may determine the land and any
improvements to the land to be excess property for
disposal; and
``(B) the proceeds from the disposal of excess
property under subparagraph (A) shall be retained by
the Secretary and deposited in the special fund
established for the development, construction,
maintenance, or operation of quarters for field
employees (as so defined) described in section
101338(b), to be expended by the Secretary without
further appropriation.''.
SEC. 103. EXPANDING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RENTAL OPTIONS.
Section 101336 of title 54, United States Code, is amended, in the
first sentence, by striking ``management, repair, and maintenance of
field employee quarters'' and inserting ``development, construction,
maintenance, or operation of quarters for field employees''.
SEC. 104. LEVERAGING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RENTAL RECEIPTS FOR
WORKFORCE HOUSING PROGRAMMING.
Section 101338 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(c) Use of Special Fund by National Park Service.--Amounts
deposited by the Service in the special fund described in subsection
(b) and established under section 320 of Public Law 98-473 (5 U.S.C.
5911 note) shall be available for the development, construction,
maintenance, or operation of quarters for field employees at System
units.''.
SEC. 105. EMPOWERING THE FOREST SERVICE TO ADDRESS WORKFORCE HOUSING
NEEDS.
(a) Use of Forest Service Structures or Improvements.--Section 7 of
the Act of April 24, 1950 (commonly known as the ``Granger-Thye Act'')
(64 Stat. 84, chapter 97; 16 U.S.C. 580d), is amended by striking
``thirty years as determined by him'' and inserting ``30 years, or in
the case of a permit for workforce housing and related infrastructure,
50 years, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of
Agriculture''.
(b) Conveyances of Forest Service Administrative Sites.--Title V of
the Forest Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act of 2005 (16
U.S.C. 580d note; Public Law 109-54) is amended--
(1) in section 503--
(A) by striking subsection (f); and
(B) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection
(f); and
(2) in section 504(c)(2), by striking ``by competitive
sale'' and inserting ``by soliciting not fewer than 2
competitive bids''.
TITLE II--EXPANDING PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY
SEC. 201. ENGAGING PARTNERS TO ADDRESS NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WORKFORCE
HOUSING.
Section 101701(a) of title 54, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting, ``, including projects
for quarters for field employees (as those terms are defined in
section 101331),'' after ``responsibilities of the Secretary'';
and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by inserting ``, Tribal,'' after ``State'';
(B) by inserting ``(including an organization that
has a philanthropic agreement to fundraise or otherwise
generate donations on behalf of, or for the benefit of,
the Service)'' after ``organization''; and
(C) by inserting ``(including an individual that
has a philanthropic agreement to fundraise or otherwise
generate donations on behalf of, or for the benefit of,
the Service)'' after ``individual''.
SEC. 202. ENCOURAGING PUBLIC-PRIVATE COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT.
Section 101703 of title 54, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``Sec. 101703. Cooperative management agreements
``(a) Definition of State.--In this section, the term `State' means
each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each
territory of the United States.
``(b) Cooperative Management Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in accordance with the
laws generally applicable to System units and under such terms
and conditions as the Secretary considers appropriate, may
enter into a cooperative management agreement with a State,
Indian Tribe, or local government with park land adjacent to a
System unit, if the agreement would provide for more effective
and efficient management of a System unit and the adjacent non-
Federal park land.
``(2) No transfer of administrative responsibilities.--The
Secretary may not transfer administration responsibilities for
any System unit under this subsection.
``(c) Provision of Goods and Services.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may provide or acquire
goods and services on a reimbursable basis as part of a
cooperative management agreement entered into under subsection
(b).
``(2) Retention of funds.--The Secretary may retain and
expend any funds received under this section without further
appropriation.
``(d) Co-Location.--The Secretary and a State, Indian Tribe, or
local government may co-locate in offices or facilities owned or leased
by either party as part of a cooperative management agreement entered
into under subsection (b).
``(e) Employees.--
``(1) Assignment of employee.--The Secretary may arrange an
assignment under section 3372 of title 5 of a Federal employee
or an employee of a State, Indian Tribe, or local government,
as mutually agreed on, for work, on the applicable Federal,
State, local, or Tribal park land covered by the cooperative
management agreement.
``(2) Extension of assignment.--An assignment under
paragraph (1) may be extended if the Secretary and the State,
Indian Tribe, or local government determine the extension to be
mutually beneficial.''.
SEC. 203. LEVERAGING PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT TO ADDRESS NATIONAL PARK
SERVICE WORKFORCE HOUSING.
Section 103501(c)(3) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``(including funds and fairly valued durable goods and
materials)'' and inserting ``(including any combination of cash, fairly
valued services, and durable goods and materials)''.
TITLE III--SUPPORTING WORKFORCE
SEC. 301. SUPPORTING THE LAND MANAGER WORKFORCE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture, as
applicable, may recruit and directly appoint qualified individuals into
the competitive service who are certified, in accordance with
procedures established by the Secretary or the Secretary of
Agriculture, as applicable, as maintaining a permanent and exclusive
residence within the vicinity of a site administered by the National
Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the
Forest Service to a field unit which the individual would report to
work into any position at or below grade GS-9 of the General Schedule,
WG-15 of the Federal Wage System, or equivalent within the applicable
field unit.
(b) Requirements.--An appointment by the Secretary under subsection
(a) shall be considered compliant with all applicable provisions of
chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, if the Secretary ensures
that the appointment action--
(1) is consistent with the merit principles of section 2301
of that title; and
(2) complies with the public notice requirements of section
3327 of that title.
(c) Termination of Authority.--The authority provided under
subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2030.
SEC. 302. SUPPORTING THE SEASONAL NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WORKFORCE.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for
purposes of determining the noncompetitive rehire eligibility of
temporary seasonal employees of the National Park Service--
(1) the Secretary shall establish a definition of what
constitutes a major subdivision of the National Park Service;
and
(2) any requirement that a position be in the same local
commuting area shall not apply.
(b) Termination of Authority.--The authority provided under
subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2030.
TITLE IV--REPORTS AND OVERSIGHT
SEC. 401. QUANTIFYING THE WORKFORCE HOUSING NEEDS OF LAND MANAGERS.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a needs assessment report that
provides, with respect to housing the workforce of covered agencies, as
applicable--
(1) an analysis of the unit type and condition of--
(A) housing owned by the covered agencies; and
(B) housing leased by the covered agencies;
(2) an analysis of the employment status of the occupants
of the housing analyzed under paragraph (1), including--
(A) whether the occupants are--
(i) members of the permanent workforce; or
(ii) members of the seasonal workforce; and
(B) which positions identified under subparagraph
(A) required housing provided by the applicable covered
agency as a condition of employment with the covered
agency; and
(3) an analysis of the private housing markets within the
vicinity of a covered agency field unit, including--
(A) the availability and affordability of housing
for sale or lease; and
(B) the impact of vacation rental services on--
(i) the cost of living; and
(ii) the available supply of housing.
SEC. 402. CONDUCTING OVERSIGHT ON THE HOUSING PROGRAMMING OF LAND
MANAGERS.
(a) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that--
(1) assesses, in consultation with the National Housing
Council described in Office of Management and Budget Circular
A-45, the effect of Office of Management and Budget Circular A-
45R on the housing of the workforce of covered agencies;
(2) assesses the effect of Office of Management and Budget
Circular A-11 on the housing of the workforce of covered
agencies;
(3) assesses the effect of department-level guidance on the
housing of the workforce of covered agencies;
(4) assesses the effect of agency-level guidance on the
housing of the workforce of covered agencies; and
(5) identifies suggested administrative actions and
legislative proposals to reform the guidance assessed under
paragraphs (1) through (4), including--
(A) improvements to tenant experience;
(B) improvements to workforce housing supply,
including--
(i) housing managed by the covered
agencies; and
(ii) leased private market housing;
(C) improvements to financing options;
(D) improvements to public-private partnerships;
(E) improvements to philanthropic engagement; and
(F) improvements to commuting times to report
stations, including--
(i) available housing in the gateway
communities;
(ii) available housing in the nearest
established community (as defined in Office of
Management and Budget Circular A-45); and
(iii) differences between normal commuting
conditions and peak-commute traffic conditions,
including considerations for--
(I) road quality and condition;
(II) availability of public
transportation;
(III) winter driving; and
(IV) visitor traffic.
(b) Implementation.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the report is submitted under subsection (a), the heads of the covered
agencies shall carry out the administrative actions identified under
paragraph (5) of that subsection.
SEC. 403. JUSTIFYING EMERGENCY SPENDING.
Section 5 of the Act of August 3, 1956 (70 Stat. 1033, chapter 950;
7 U.S.C. 2228), is amended--
(1) by striking the section designation and all that
follows through ``The Department'' and inserting the following:
``SEC. 5. EMERGENCY SUBSISTENCE FOR EMPLOYEES.
``(a) In General.--The Department''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Report.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), not
later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of
Agriculture furnishes subsistence to employees under subsection
(a), the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress (as defined in section 2 of
the Land Manager Housing and Workforce Improvement Act of 2025)
a report providing--
``(A) 1 or more justifications for the use of the
authority;
``(B) the number of employees that were furnished
subsistence;
``(C) the estimated cost of furnishing subsistence;
and
``(D) the expected duration for which subsistence
is to be provided.
``(2) Office of management and budget.--The information for
a report required under paragraph (1) shall be produced in
coordination with, and approved by, the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget.
``(3) Exception.--A report under paragraph (1) shall not be
required in the case of an emergency resulting from a natural
disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.''.
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