I
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9936
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.
Workforce development
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—
in subsection (b)—
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , junior or community colleges, and postsecondary vocational instutitions
after other colleges and universities
; and
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
;
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (1), by striking and
at the end;
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
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.
;
in subsection (j)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking subsection
and inserting section
;
in subsection (m)—
in paragraph (1), by striking and
at the end;
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
$60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030.
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Definitions
In this section:
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)).
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)).
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).
.
Experienced services program
Section 1252(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851(a)(2)) is amended—
in subparagraph (D), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
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—
land-grant colleges and universities (including the University of the District of Columbia);
colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and
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.
.
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—
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
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
.
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:
NRCS direct hire authority
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.
Qualifications
Paragraph (1) applies to a candidate who—
is qualified to provide the technical assistance described in paragraph (1), as determined by the Secretary; and
meets qualification standards established by the Office of Personnel Management.
.