S.Amdt. 6374

1. Adds SEC. 2. MANUFACTURING SKILLS RETENTION PROGRAM at the appropriate place in title X

   Adds a section

   Inserted: SEC. 2. MANUFACTURING SKILLS RETENTION PROGRAM.

   Inserted: (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the "Retain Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence Act of 2022" or the "RIME Act of 2022".

   Inserted: (b) Definitions.--In this section:

   Inserted: (1) Center.--The term "Center" has the meaning given the term in section 25(a) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(a)).

   Inserted: (2) Eligible manufacturer.--The term "eligible manufacturer" means a manufacturer that--

   Inserted: (A) is a small business concern, as that term is defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632); and

   Inserted: (B) has an existing relationship with a Center.

   Inserted: (3) Manufacturing extension partnership.--The term "Manufacturing Extension Partnership" means the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, as that term is defined under section 25(a) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(a)).

   Inserted: (c) Establishment.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall establish a program to award Manufacturing Extension Partnership grants to help ensure an adequately trained manufacturing workforce.

   Inserted: (2) Grants.--Under the program established pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary may award Manufacturing Extension Partnership grants to eligible Centers for the eligible Centers to provide assistance to eligible manufacturers in workforce programs that assist in recruiting talent and retaining employees to ensure continuity of critical positions including retaining retiring employees for up to 180 days for the purpose of transferring job-specific skills and training to existing or new employees.

   Inserted: (3) Duration of engagements.--The duration of each engagement under the program established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be determined through negotiations between eligible Centers and eligible manufacturers.

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   Inserted: (d) Eligible Centers.--For purposes of the program established pursuant to subsection (c)(1), an eligible Center is a Center that meets the following criteria:

   Inserted: (1) The Center is able to document evidence of an aging workforce within manufacturing entities that are seeking assistance with retaining skills and knowledge of their operations.

   Inserted: (2) The Center establishes a transparent application process for eligible manufacturers to receive assistance described in subsection (c)(2) that may include one or more of the following preferences:

   Inserted: (A) A preference for eligible manufacturers that employ veterans discharged or released under honorable conditions.

   Inserted: (B) A preference for eligible manufacturers from industry sectors that are most in need of assistance as determined by the Center.

   Inserted: (C) A preference for eligible manufacturers with a facility in the State or region for an extended period of time before the application is submitted (as determined by the Center).

   Inserted: (D) A preference for eligible manufacturers that have an existing relationship with the Center.

   Inserted: (E) A preference for eligible manufacturers seeking to increase employment from underserved or at-risk populations.

   Inserted: (3) The Center is able to demonstrate the ability to assess, advise, and train manufacturers on how to transfer job-specific skills and training through the implementation of a training structure and train-the-trainer program focused on knowledge capture and transfer.

   Inserted: (e) Consideration.--In awarding Manufacturing Extension Partnership grants under the program established pursuant to subsection (c)(1), the Secretary shall give consideration to the use of funds by eligible Centers to assist eligible manufacturers that are experiencing employee turnover with the need to transfer required job-specific skills and training to new employees.

   Inserted: (f) Cost Sharing.--To be eligible for a Manufacturing Extension Partnership grant under the program established pursuant to subsection (c)(1), an eligible Center shall demonstrate that 50 percent of the amount of the grant is matched from non-Federal sources, which may include cash or in-kind contributions from appropriate--

   Inserted: (1) State and local agencies engaged in workforce development or manufacturing;

   Inserted: (2) universities or community colleges;

   Inserted: (3) foundations engaged in workforce development; or

   Inserted: (4) employers that would stand to directly benefit from the grant received by the eligible Center.

   Inserted: (g) Number and Size of Awards.--

   Inserted: (1) Number.--Under the program established pursuant to subsection (c)(1), the Secretary may award up to 51 Manufacturing Extension Partnership grants to eligible Centers each fiscal year.

   Inserted: (2) Size.--Each Manufacturing Extension Partnership grant awarded to an eligible Center under the program established pursuant to subsection (c)(1) shall be for not less than $50,000 and not more than $500,000.

   Inserted: (h) Regional Approach for Certain States.--Given the varied structures of different Centers, in order to implement the program required by subsection (c)(1) in certain jurisdictions, the Secretary may, in consultation with any relevant local Center, elect to implement a regional approach to awarding certain grants to eligible Centers pursuant to this section.

   Inserted: (i) Administrative Expenses.--An eligible Center receiving a Manufacturing Extension Partnership grant under the program required by subsection (c)(1) may use up to 5 percent of the amount of the grant for the administration of expenses incurred by the Center under the program.

   Inserted: (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes, there is authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology $20,000,000 each fiscal year to carry out the program under this section.

   The amendment doesn't say where this goes; the clerk decides.

   Original wording

   At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

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As printed