No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5442 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5442
To build on America's spirit of service to nurture, promote, and expand
a culture of service to secure the Nation's future, address critical
needs of the Nation, and strengthen the civic fabric of American
society.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 17, 2025
Mr. Panetta (for himself and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in
addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs,
Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and
Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence
(Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and
Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To build on America's spirit of service to nurture, promote, and expand
a culture of service to secure the Nation's future, address critical
needs of the Nation, and strengthen the civic fabric of American
society.
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 ``Inspired to Serve Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--PRIORITIZATION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND SERVICE LEARNING
Sec. 101. Civic education fund.
Sec. 102. Service-learning fund.
Sec. 103. National civics assessment.
Sec. 104. Excellence in civics award.
Sec. 105. Development of material on civic education and effective
citizenship.
Sec. 106. Sense of Congress regarding the importance of teachers in
inspiring civic engagement.
TITLE II--ELEVATION AND INTEGRATION OF ALL FORMS OF SERVICE
Sec. 201. Council on Military, National, and Public Service.
Sec. 202. Internet-based service platform.
Sec. 203. Pilot program to coordinate military, national, and public
service recruitment.
Sec. 204. Joint market research and recruiting program to advance
military and national service.
Sec. 205. Information sharing to advance military and national service.
Sec. 206. Transition opportunities for military servicemembers and
national service participants.
Sec. 207. Joint report to Congress on initiatives to integrate military
and national service.
TITLE III--ADVANCEMENT OF MILITARY, NATIONAL, AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Sec. 300. Definitions.
Subtitle A--Advancement of Military Service
Sec. 301. New personnel management structure for military specialists.
Sec. 302. Pre-service tuition grant program.
Sec. 303. Pilot program on technical civilian professional credentials.
Sec. 304. Expansion of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Program.
Sec. 305. Expansion of Cyber Institutes Program.
Sec. 306. Temporary authority for targeted recruitment incentives.
Sec. 307. Multiyear appropriations for marketing and advertising.
Subtitle B--Advancement of National Service
Sec. 321. National service fellowships.
Sec. 322. Expansion of YouthBuild, Youth Conservation Corps, and
National Guard Youth Challenge programs.
Sec. 323. National service public awareness campaign.
Sec. 324. Recognition of corporate contributions to national service.
Sec. 325. Corporation for national and community service demonstration
projects.
Sec. 326. Peace Corps remote demonstration projects.
Sec. 327. National service living allowance increases.
Sec. 328. Senior Corps stipend increases.
Sec. 329. Wraparound support services for certain national service
participants.
Sec. 330. National service educational award increases.
Sec. 331. Expanded use of national service educational award.
Sec. 332. Discounted end-of-service cash stipend for national service
members.
Sec. 333. Exclusion of national service educational award from gross
income.
Sec. 334. Transferability of national service educational award.
Sec. 335. Noncompetitive eligibility for full-time national service
participants.
Sec. 336. Pension service credit for Federal service corps
participants.
Sec. 337. Senior Corps competitive grant model.
Subtitle C--Advancement of Public Service: Modernization of Federal
Personnel Systems
Sec. 341. Enhanced awareness of the value of Federal public service.
Sec. 342. Responsibility for determining eligibility for hiring
preferences and special hiring options.
Sec. 343. Enhancement of special hiring authorities for military
veterans.
Sec. 344. Noncompetitive eligibility for high-performing civilian
employees.
Sec. 345. Flexibility for temporary and term appointments.
Sec. 346. Criteria for granting direct-hire authority to agencies.
Sec. 347. Cafeteria plan for Federal employees.
Sec. 348. Modern benefits pilot program.
Sec. 349. Demonstration project flexibility for the Office of Personnel
Management.
Sec. 350. Advanced assessment tools for Executive agency hiring.
Sec. 351. Competency standards for human resources specialists.
Sec. 352. Evaluation of improvements to the Federal civil service
personnel system.
Sec. 353. Proposals for modern talent-management system.
Sec. 354. Annual report on blended Federal workforce.
Sec. 355. Sense of Congress on effective and efficient management of
the blended Federal workforce.
Subtitle D--Advancement of Public Service: Students, Recent Graduates,
and Critical Skills
Sec. 361. Federal Fellowship and Scholarship Center.
Sec. 362. Public Service Corps.
Sec. 363. Public service academy grants.
Sec. 364. Public service cadet program at military service academies.
Sec. 365. Compensation for Federal interns.
Sec. 366. Establishment of Pathways Program.
Sec. 367. Enhanced hiring for recent college graduates and post-
secondary students.
Sec. 368. Aggregate number of hires of recent college graduates and
post-secondary students.
Sec. 369. Demonstration project to hire recent college graduates and
post-secondary students with critical
skills.
Sec. 370. Noncompetitive eligibility for Federal developmental
positions.
Sec. 371. Facilitation of Federal employee reskilling.
Sec. 372. Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve pilot project.
Sec. 373. Expansion of cyber talent management system.
Sec. 374. Personnel policy demonstration project for Federal agencies
with employees in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics fields.
Sec. 375. Development of proposal for simplified personnel system for
Veterans Health Administration.
Sec. 376. Portability of health care licensure for Federal employees.
TITLE IV--STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL MOBILIZATION
Sec. 401. Modernization of the Selective Service System.
Sec. 402. Report on exemptions and deferments for a possible military
draft.
Sec. 403. Responsibilities for national mobilization; personnel
requirements.
Sec. 404. Critical skills for the Department of Defense.
Sec. 405. Individual Ready Reserve for Critical Skills.
TITLE I--PRIORITIZATION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND SERVICE LEARNING
SEC. 101. CIVIC EDUCATION FUND.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Applied civics.--The term ``applied civics'' means an
educational program applying service-learning methods to
provide students with practical and experiential opportunities
to apply their civic knowledge and skills.
(2) Civic education.--The term ``civic education'' means an
educational program that provides participants with knowledge
of law, government, and the rights and responsibilities of
citizens and skills that enable participants to participate
responsibly in democracy.
(3) Educational service agency and state educational
agency.--The terms ``educational service agency'' and ``State
educational agency'' have the meanings given those terms in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(4) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) any local educational agency;
(B) any State educational agency;
(C) any educational service agency;
(D) any institution of higher education;
(E) any community-based organization;
(F) any nonprofit, nongovernmental organization; or
(G) any consortium of entities described in
subparagraphs (A) through (F).
(5) High-need school.--The term ``high-need school'' means
any public elementary school or secondary school that is
located in an area in which the percentage of students from
families with incomes below the poverty line is 30 percent or
more, as determined by the Secretary.
(6) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that
term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(7) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)
and includes any tribally sanctioned educational authority as
defined in section 3201 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 7011).
(8) School.--The term ``school'' means--
(A) any elementary school or secondary school as
those terms are defined in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801); and
(B) any education program provided by the Secretary
of Defense under section 2164 of title 10, United
States Code.
(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(10) Service-learning.--The term ``service-learning'' has
the meaning given that term in section 101 of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511).
(11) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and any other territory or possession of the United
States.
(b) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish and
administer a Civic Education Fund from which the Secretary
makes grants under this section to eligible entities, on a
competitive basis, to support the development and evaluation of
civic education programs in schools.
(2) Purpose.--The purposes of grants awarded from the Civic
Education Fund are--
(A) to promote and expand civic education by
supporting the development and implementation of high-
quality civic education, applied civics, and service-
learning programming in schools;
(B) to promote the development and implementation
of evidence-based curricula and educational standards,
and to provide teacher development, with respect to
civic education, applied civics, and service-learning
programming in schools; and
(C) to support State and local educational
agencies, institutions of higher education, and
nonprofit organizations in their efforts to support
civic education, applied civics, and service-learning
in schools.
(c) Teacher Development in Civic Education, Applied Civics, and
Service-learning.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity may apply for a grant
under this section for the purpose of teacher development in
civic education, applied civics, and service-learning in
schools. Such grant may only be used--
(A) to train teachers in effective strategies for
instructing students in civic education, applied
civics, and service-learning;
(B) to host training sessions for teachers to share
best practices and learn new skills;
(C) to develop resources that teachers can use in
the classroom to improve civic education, applied
civics, and service-learning programs for students;
(D) to coordinate with other local organizations
and community-based services and programs to provide
hands-on civic learning development opportunities; or
(E) to support any other programs designed to
ensure that teachers have the requisite knowledge and
skills to successfully teach civic education and
applied civics.
(2) Grants.--
(A) Reservation of funds for high-need schools.--Of
the funds made available for grants under this
subsection, the Secretary shall reserve not less than
50 percent for grants to provide services for teachers
in high-need schools.
(B) General grants.--The remainder of the funds
made available for grants under this subsection (but
not more than 50 percent of such funds) shall be
granted on a competitive basis to eligible entities for
the purpose of teacher development in civic education,
applied civics, and service learning in schools.
(d) Development and Implementation of Effective Civic Education,
Applied Civics, and Service-Learning Programs.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity may apply for a grant
under this section for activities to support effective civic
education, applied civics, and service-learning programs in
schools. Such grant may only be used--
(A) to establish a new, or improve an existing,
civic education, applied civics, or service-learning
program;
(B) to evaluate the effect of such programs on
participants and increase the effectiveness of such
programs with respect to--
(i) understanding of United States law,
history, and government;
(ii) voting and other forms of political
and civic engagement;
(iii) critical thinking and media literacy;
(iv) interest in employment, and careers,
in military, national, and public service; and
(v) the ability of participants to
collaborate and compromise with others to solve
problems;
(C) to develop and modify curricula relating to
civic education, applied civics, and service learning;
(D) to create and administer classroom activities,
thesis projects, individual or team projects,
internships, or community service activities related to
civics education;
(E) to collaborate with government entities,
nonprofit organizations, or consortia of such entities
and organizations to provide students with experiences
related to civic education; or
(F) to develop and support any other programs the
Secretary deems crucial to the efficacy of civic
education, applied civics, or service-learning
programs.
(2) Grants.--
(A) Reservation of funds for high-need schools.--Of
the funds made available for grants under this
subsection, the Secretary shall reserve not less than
50 percent for grants for programs for students in
high-need schools.
(B) General grants.--The remainder of the funds
made available for grants under this subsection (but
not more than 50 percent of such funds) shall be
granted on a competitive basis to eligible entities for
programs that develop and implement effective civic
education, applied civics, and service-learning
programs in schools.
(e) Matching Funds Requirements.--
(1) Requirements.--Except for grants for high-need schools
under subsections (c)(2)(A) and (d)(2)(A), the Federal share of
the cost of a program that receives a grant under this section,
whether the grant is provided directly or as a subgrant from
the original recipient of the grant, may not exceed 50 percent
of such cost.
(2) Calculation.--In providing for the remaining share of
the cost of carrying out the program receiving the grant, the
recipient--
(A) may provide for such share through
contributions in cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated,
including facilities, equipment, or services; and
(B) may provide for such share through non-Federal
sources or from other Federal sources (other than funds
made available under Federal programs administered by
the Secretary).
(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive in whole or in part
the requirements of paragraph (1) with respect to a recipient
in any fiscal year if the Secretary determines that such a
waiver would be equitable due to a lack of available financial
resources at the local level.
(4) Report by recipient on other federal funds.--A
recipient of a grant to which this subsection applies shall
report to the Secretary the amount and source of any Federal
funds used to carry out the program for which the grant is
provided, other than funds made available under programs
administered by the Secretary, including the amounts and
sources of the other Federal funds.
(f) Geographic Distribution.--To the extent practicable, the
Secretary shall ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grants
awarded under this section.
(g) Reports.--The Secretary shall, not later than 12 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act and every 12 months thereafter,
submit a report to Congress that contains the following:
(1) Information on all programs for which grants were
awarded under this section during the preceding 12-month
period, including details on the grant recipients, the programs
funded by the grants, and the schools involved in the programs
funded by the grants.
(2) An evaluation of the successes of all programs for
which grants are awarded under this section, noting in
particular the successes of such programs in achieving--
(A) progress toward exposing all students in
schools to a robust civic education curriculum by 2034;
and
(B) increases in the number of students in grades
4, 8, and 12 testing at or above the ``Proficient''
level in the civics portion of the National Assessment
of Education Progress Test under section 303 of the
National Assessment of Educational Progress
Authorization Act (20 U.S.C. 9622), as compared with
the last administration of such Assessment.
(3) An assessment of the potential need for additional
funding for programs under this section.
(4) Information regarding each recipient of a grant under
this section that uses Federal funds to carry out the program
for which the grant is provided, other than funds made
available under programs administered by the Secretary.
(h) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate such regulations
as may be necessary to carry out this section. Such regulations shall
include--
(1) procedures for eligible entities to apply for grants
under this section;
(2) the competitive process for the awarding of grants;
(3) any limitations on the use of funds from grants awarded
under this section; and
(4) reporting requirements by recipients of such grants.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Civic Education Fund established under this section
for each fiscal year not less than $100,000,000 to carry out programs
authorized under subsection (c), and not less than $100,000,000 to
carry out programs authorized under subsection (d).
SEC. 102. SERVICE-LEARNING FUND.
(a) Eligible Entity.--Section 119(a)(1) of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12563(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``a public or private elementary school or
secondary school,''; and
(2) by striking ``a consortium of such entities, or a
consortium of 2 or more such entities and a for-profit
organization'' and inserting ``or a consortium of such
entities.''
(b) Establishment.--Section 119 of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12563) is amended by striking subsection
(b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Service-Learning Fund.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the
Corporation a Service-Learning Fund (in this section referred
to as the `Fund'). The purpose of the Fund is to make grants
and fixed-amount grants (in accordance with section 129(l)) to
eligible entities or eligible partnerships, as appropriate, for
programs and activities described in subsection (c), in order
to achieve the objectives set forth in paragraph (2).
``(2) Objectives.--The objectives of the Fund are to ensure
that, by 2031--
``(A) all students in kindergarten through grade 12
receive in-class service-learning experiences;
``(B) at least 1,000,000 students in grades 6
through 12 participate in a summer of service program
each year; and
``(C) at least 1,000,000 students in grades 9
through 12 participate in a semester of service program
each year.
``(3) Allocation of funds.--Of the funds made available to
the Fund each fiscal year--
``(A) 20 percent shall be reserved for service-
learning programs in public schools under paragraphs
(1) through (7), (9), and (11) of subsection (c), of
which amount--
``(i) 80 percent shall be reserved for
programs in elementary schools and secondary
schools, of which amount not less than 50
percent shall be reserved for programs in low-
income communities; and
``(ii) 20 percent shall be reserved for
programs at institutions of higher education;
``(B) 40 percent shall be reserved for summer of
service programs under paragraph (8) of subsection (c),
of which amount not less than 50 percent shall be
reserved for programs in low-income communities; and
``(C) 40 percent shall be reserved for semester of
service programs under paragraph (10) of subsection
(c), of which amount not less than 50 percent shall be
reserved for programs in low-income communities.''.
(c) Summer of Service Completion Awards.--Section 119(c)(8)(B)(iii)
of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12563(c)(8)(B)(iii)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``no less than'' before ``100 hours''; and
(2) by striking ``educational award of $500 or $750 as
described in sections 146(a)(2)(C) and 147(d)'' and inserting
``completion award of $500 (or, at the discretion of the Chief
Executive Officer, of $750 in the case of a participant who is
economically disadvantaged)''.
(d) Semester of Service Programs.--Section 119(c)(10)(A) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12563(c)(10)(A))
is amended--
(1) by inserting ``in grades 9 through 12'' after
``secondary school students''; and
(2) by striking ``70 hours'' and inserting ``150 hours''.
(e) Priority of Applicants.--Section 119(e) of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12563(e)) is amended by
inserting ``in accordance with the objectives and funding requirements
set forth in subsection (b),'' after ``In making grants under this
part,''.
(f) Matching Fund Requirement.--Subsection 119(f) of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12563(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Serve America Act'' and
inserting ``Inspired to Serve Act of 2025''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Matching fund requirement.--
``(A) Requirement.--Except for programs that will
be undertaken in low-income communities, the Federal
share of the cost of a program that receives assistance
under subsection (b), whether the assistance is
provided directly or as a subgrant from the original
recipient of the assistance, may not exceed 50 percent
of such cost.
``(B) Calculation.--In providing for the remaining
share of the cost of carrying out a program under this
section, the recipient--
``(i) shall provide for such share through
payment in cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated,
including facilities, equipment, or services;
and
``(ii) may provide for such share through
State sources, local sources, or other Federal
sources.
``(C) Waiver.--The Chief Executive Officer may
waive in whole or in part the requirements of this
paragraph with respect to a recipient in any fiscal
year if the Chief Executive Officer determines that
such waiver would be equitable due to a lack of
available financial resources at the local level.''.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 119 of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12563) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Service-Learning Fund $250,000,000 for each fiscal
year.''.
SEC. 103. NATIONAL CIVICS ASSESSMENT.
(a) Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.--
(1) State plans.--Section 1111 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311) is amended--
(A) in subsection (g)(2)(D), by striking ``reading
and mathematics'' and inserting ``reading, mathematics,
and civics''; and
(B) in subsection (h)(1)(C)(xii), by striking
``reading and mathematics'' and inserting ``reading,
mathematics, and civics''.
(2) Local educational agency plans.--Section 1112(c)(3) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6312(c)(3)) is amended by striking ``reading and mathematics''
and inserting ``reading, mathematics, and civics''.
(b) National Assessment of Educational Progress.--Section 303 of
the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act (20
U.S.C. 9622) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraphs (B) and (E), by
striking ``reading and mathematics'' and
inserting ``reading, mathematics, and civics'';
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``civics,'';
(iii) in subparagraph (G), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(iv) in subparagraph (H), by striking the
period and inserting ``; and''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(I) ensure that achievement data from the civics
assessments described in subparagraphs (B) and (E) are
made available both in the aggregate for the United
States and separately for each State.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), in subparagraphs (A)(i) and
(C)(ii), by striking ``reading and mathematics'' and
inserting ``reading, mathematics, and civics''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(3), in subparagraphs (A) and (B), by
striking ``reading and mathematics'' and inserting ``reading,
mathematics, and civics''.
SEC. 104. EXCELLENCE IN CIVICS AWARD.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Applied civics.--The term ``applied civics'' means an
educational program applying service-learning methods to
provide students with practical and experiential opportunities
to apply their civic knowledge and skills.
(2) Civic education.--The term ``civic education'' means an
educational program that provides participants with knowledge
of law, government, and the rights and responsibilities of
citizens and with skills that enable participants to
participate responsibly in democracy.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(4) Service-learning.--The term ``service-learning'' has
the meaning given that term in section 101 of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511).
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and any other territory or possession of the United
States.
(b) In General.--The Secretary may annually award to States, school
districts, schools, teachers, and students or groups of students the
Excellence in Civics Award to highlight excellence in the delivery and
teaching of civic education, applied civics, and service-learning,
especially programs that address community needs.
(c) Applications.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible for an award under
subsection (b), a State, school district, school, teacher,
student, or group of students shall submit an application or be
nominated to the Department of Education at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of
Education may require.
(2) Contents.--At a minimum, applications or nominations
submitted to the Secretary or the committee created under
subsection (d) shall include information specifying--
(A) the types of innovative civic education,
applied civics, or service-learning programs or
projects previously administered or completed;
(B) for awards given for service-learning programs
or projects, the impact on measurable civics outcomes
and learning, or the impact of the project on
addressing community or national needs, including
disaster relief, education, poverty reduction, ex-
offender reintegration, and senior citizen aid; and
(C) for awards given for education, the ability of
the program, teaching style, or project to be used more
broadly across the Nation.
(d) Committee.--The Secretary shall create a select committee to
review applications and nominations for and designate recipients of
awards under this section.
(e) Regulations.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as
may be necessary to govern applications and nominations for awards
under this section, evaluation of such applications and nominations,
and making such awards.
SEC. 105. DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIAL ON CIVIC EDUCATION AND EFFECTIVE
CITIZENSHIP.
(a) Coordination.--
(1) In general.--The Librarian of Congress, the Director of
the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Archivist
of the United States shall work jointly to develop and
distribute to the public educational materials and teaching
resources on civic education and effective citizenship,
including by enhancing existing online resources and supporting
the distribution of hard copy and digital materials to local
libraries, polling locations, and schools, especially in rural
areas.
(2) Civic education defined.--In this subsection, the term
``civic education'' means an educational program that provides
participants with knowledge of law, government, and the rights
and responsibilities of citizens and skills that enable
participants to participate responsibly in democracy.
(b) Reporting.--The Librarian of Congress, the Director of the
Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Archivist of the
United States shall submit as part of the budget request for each
fiscal year an update on the development and distribution efforts
outlined under subsection (a).
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 106. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHERS IN
INSPIRING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Parents have a critical voice in ensuring their
children receive an education that will help them to be engaged
and productive members of American society, and members of the
teaching profession are crucial to helping them achieve that
goal.
(2) The United States suffers from a lack of consistently
effective civic education that imparts knowledge about
government, democratic engagement, and the Constitution.
(3) Recent polling by the Annenberg Public Policy Center
revealed that 22 percent of American adults are unable to name
any of the three branches of government and 37 percent are
unable to name or do not know any of the rights guaranteed by
the First Amendment to the Constitution.
(4) Every State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, and any other territory or possession of the
United States reported a lack of qualified teachers in at least
one academic subject during the 2017-2018 school year.
(5) The Learning Policy Institute reported a teacher
shortage of about 64,000 teachers during the 2015-2016 academic
year and estimated that, beginning in 2020, 300,000 new
teachers will be needed each year.
(6) Teachers often do not receive full support for
classroom activities or for advancing their contributions to
the education system through career development.
(7) A survey by the Department of Education found that 94
percent of public school teachers in the United States paid for
their own classroom supplies and materials without
reimbursement during the 2014-2015 school year, with the
average teacher spending $479 out-of-pocket.
(8) Eighteen percent of teachers work a second job during
the school year, making teachers three times as likely as all
workers in the United States to work multiple jobs.
(9) Teachers in all subjects and at all grade levels play a
crucial role in educating youth about service options and the
ways youth can engage in their communities.
(10) The advancement of civic education and the
availability of well-trained and effective teachers are
essential for the future health of civil society in the United
States.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) teachers of all subjects and at all grade levels,
including those in public, private, and homeschool settings,
are essential in inspiring civic knowledge and engagement in
their students;
(2) public school teachers are dedicated public servants
and should be honored and supported in their work to educate
youth in the United States;
(3) teachers are crucial in inspiring their students to
contribute to their Nation and communities through all forms of
service;
(4) the profession of teaching is a noble endeavor and one
that is vital to the civic education of American youth;
(5) teachers across the country have sought to raise
awareness of a crisis in resource support and adequate
compensation for teachers, especially at public schools;
(6) officials at all levels of government should seek to
address these concerns by providing teachers with resource
support, adequate compensation, and career development
opportunities; and
(7) more Americans will be called to the teaching
profession when government officials at all levels demonstrate
value for the essential role of teachers in our society by
providing teachers with resource support, adequate
compensation, and career development opportunities.
TITLE II--ELEVATION AND INTEGRATION OF ALL FORMS OF SERVICE
SEC. 201. COUNCIL ON MILITARY, NATIONAL, AND PUBLIC SERVICE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has
the meaning given that term in section 105 of title 5, United
States Code.
(2) Military service.--The term ``military service'' means
active service (as defined in subsection (d)(3) of section 101
of title 10, United States Code) or active status (as defined
in subsection (d)(4) of such section) in one of the uniformed
services (as defined in subsection (a)(5) of such section).
(3) National service.--
(A) In general.--The term ``national service''
means participation, other than military service or
public service, in a program that--
(i) is designed to enhance the common good
and meet the needs of communities, the States,
or the United States; and
(ii) is funded or facilitated by--
(I) an organization described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
tax under section 501(a) of such Code;
(II) an institution of higher
education as defined in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001); or
(III) the Federal Government or a
State, Tribal, or local government.
(B) Included programs.--The term ``national
service'' includes--
(i) the programs authorized in--
(I) sections 5 and 6 of the Peace
Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504 and 2505);
(II) section 171 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act
(relating to the YouthBuild Program; 29
U.S.C. 3226);
(III) part A of title I of the
Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973
(relating to the Volunteers in Service
to America; 42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.);
and
(IV) subtitles C (relating to the
National Service Trust Program; 42
U.S.C. 12571 et seq.) and E (relating
to the National Civilian Community
Corps; 42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.) of
title I of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990; and
(ii) any other program that is consistent
with subparagraph (A), as determined by the
Director of the Council on Military, National,
and Public Service established under subsection
(b).
(4) Public service.--The term ``public service'' means
civilian employment in the Federal Government or a State,
Tribal, or local government.
(5) Service.--The term ``service'' means a personal
commitment of time, energy, and talent to a mission that
contributes to the public good by protecting the Nation and its
citizens, strengthening communities, or promoting the general
social welfare.
(b) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established in the Executive
Office of the President a Council on Military, National, and
Public Service (in this section referred to as the
``Council'').
(2) Functions.--The Council shall--
(A) advise the President with respect to promoting
and expanding opportunities for military service,
national service, and public service for all Americans;
(B) coordinate policies and initiatives of the
executive branch to promote and expand opportunities
for military service, national service, and public
service; and
(C) coordinate policies and initiatives of the
executive branch to foster an increased sense of
service and civic responsibility among all Americans.
(c) Composition.--
(1) Director.--The President shall appoint, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, an Assistant to the President
for Military, National, and Public Service, who shall serve at
the pleasure of the President. The Assistant to the President
for Military, National, and Public Service shall serve as the
Director of the Council.
(2) Membership.--In addition to the Director, the Council
shall be composed of--
(A) the Secretary of State;
(B) the Secretary of Defense;
(C) the Attorney General;
(D) the Secretary of the Interior;
(E) the Secretary of Commerce;
(F) the Secretary of Labor;
(G) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(H) the Secretary of Education;
(I) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(J) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
(K) the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget;
(L) the Director of National Intelligence;
(M) the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management;
(N) the Director of the Peace Corps;
(O) the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation
for National and Community Service; and
(P) such other officers as the President may
designate.
(3) Meetings.--The Council shall meet on a quarterly basis,
or more frequently as the Director may direct.
(d) Responsibilities of the Council.--In addition to performing
such other functions as the President may direct, the Council shall do
the following:
(1) Assist and advise the President and the heads of
Executive agencies in the establishment of policies, goals,
objectives, and priorities to promote service and civic
responsibility among all Americans.
(2) Develop and recommend to the President and the heads of
Executive agencies policies of common interest to Executive
agencies for increasing the participation and propensity of
Americans to participate in military, national, and public
service in order to address national security and other current
and future needs of the Nation.
(3) Serve as the interagency lead for identifying critical
skills to address national security and other needs of the
Nation, with responsibility for coordinating Governmentwide
efforts to address gaps in critical skills and identifying
methods to recruit and retain individuals possessing such
critical skills.
(4) Serve as a forum for Federal officials responsible for
military, national, and public service programs to coordinate
and develop interagency, cross-service initiatives.
(5) Lead the effort of the Federal Government to develop
joint awareness and recruitment, retention, and marketing
initiatives involving military, national, and public service,
including the sharing of marketing and recruiting research
between and among service agencies.
(6) Coordinate and oversee the development and
implementation of recruitment, retention, marketing, and public
outreach initiatives for the Federal civilian service and
national service programs, including--
(A) efforts to reevaluate benefits for the Federal
civilian service and national service programs in order
to increase awareness of, and remove barriers to entry
into, such programs; and
(B) efforts to develop pathways to service for
college students and recent college graduates.
(7) Consider approaches for assessing impact of service on
the needs of the Nation and individuals.
(8) Consult with such representatives of non-Federal
entities, including State, local, and Tribal governments, State
and local educational authorities, institutions of higher
education, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic
organizations, and the private sector, as the Council considers
advisable, in order to promote and develop initiatives to
foster and reward military, national, and public service.
(9) Oversee the implementation of the recommendations of
the National Commission on Military, National, and Public
Service established under section 553 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328).
(10) Prepare and submit to the President and to the
Congress a Quadrennial Military, National, and Public Service
Strategy, with the first such Strategy submitted not later than
2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, which
shall set forth--
(A) a review of programs and initiatives of the
Federal Government relating to the Council's mandate;
(B) notable initiatives by State, local, and Tribal
governments and by nongovernmental entities to increase
awareness of and participation in service programs;
(C) current and foreseeable trends for service to
address the needs of the Nation; and
(D) a program for addressing any deficiencies
identified by the Council, together with
recommendations for legislation.
(11) Prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a
Quadrennial Report on Cross-Service Participation on the basis
of the activities carried out under section 207, with the first
such Report submitted not later than 4 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(12) Prepare, for inclusion in the President's annual
budget submission to Congress under section 1105 of title 31,
United States Code, a detailed, separate analysis, by budget
function, by agency, and by initiative area for the preceding
fiscal year, the current fiscal year, and the fiscal years for
which the budget is submitted, identifying the amounts of gross
and net appropriations or obligational authority and outlays
for initiatives consistent with the priorities of the President
under the Quadrennial Military, National, and Public Service
Strategy, with separate displays for mandatory and
discretionary amounts.
(13) Develop a definition of national service that
incorporates domestic and international service and a joint
national service messaging strategy that both the Corporation
for National and Community Service and the Peace Corps would
promote.
(e) Responsibilities of the Director.--In addition to duties
relating to the preceding provisions of this section, as well as such
other functions as the President may direct, the Director shall--
(1) coordinate with the Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs for any matter that may affect
national security;
(2) at the President's discretion, serve as spokesperson of
the executive branch on issues related to military, national,
and public service; and
(3) upon request, appear before any committee or
subcommittee of the House of Representatives and of the Senate
to represent the position of the executive branch on matters
within the scope of the Council's responsibilities.
(f) Organizational Matters.--
(1) Assistant to the president for military, national, and
public service.--The Assistant to the President for Military,
National, and Public Service shall be compensated at the rate
payable for level II of the Executive Schedule under section
5313 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Staff.--The Council may employ such officers and
employees as may be necessary to carry out its functions. Staff
of the Council shall be compensated at a rate no higher than
the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Experts and consultants.--The Council may employ and
fix the compensation of such experts and consultants as may be
necessary for carrying out of its functions, in accordance with
section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.
(4) Advisory committees.--The Council may, in carrying out
its functions, establish advisory committees composed of
representatives from outside the Federal Government.
(5) Authority to accept gifts.--The Council may accept,
use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services, goods, and
property, except for cash, from non-Federal entities for the
purposes of aiding and facilitating the work of the Council.
(6) Authority to accept voluntary services.--
Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code,
the Council may accept and employ voluntary and uncompensated
services in furtherance of the purposes of the Council.
(g) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1105(a) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(39) a separate statement of the amount of appropriations
requested for the Council on Military, National, and Public
Service in the Executive Office of the President.
``(40) a separate analysis by budget function, by agency,
and by initiative area, for the current fiscal year and the
fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, identifying the
amounts of obligational authority and outlays for initiatives
consistent with the priorities of the President under the
Quadrennial Military, National, and Public Service Strategy
required by section 201(d) of the Inspired to Serve Act of
2025, with separate displays for mandatory and discretionary
amounts.''.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 202. INTERNET-BASED SERVICE PLATFORM.
(a) Declaration of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States,
in promoting a culture of service in the United States and meeting the
recruiting needs for military, national, and public service programs,
to provide a comprehensive, interactive, and integrated internet-based
platform to enable Americans to learn about and connect with service
organizations and opportunities and assist in the recruiting needs of
service organizations.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Council on military, national, and public service.--The
term ``Council on Military, National, and Public Service''
means the Council on Military, National, and Public Service
established under section 201.
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget.
(3) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has
the meaning given that term in section 105 of title 5, United
States Code.
(4) Member.--The term ``member'' means an individual who is
a member of the Service Platform under this section.
(5) Military department.--The term ``military department''
has the meaning given that term in section 102 of title 5,
United States Code.
(6) Military service.--The term ``military service'' means
active service (as defined in subsection (d)(3) of section 101
of title 10, United States Code) or active status (as defined
in subsection (d)(4) of such section) in one of the uniformed
services (as defined in subsection (a)(5) of such section).
(7) National service.--
(A) In general.--The term ``national service''
means participation, other than military or public
service, in a program that--
(i) is designed to enhance the common good
and meet the needs of communities, the States,
or the United States; and
(ii) is funded or facilitated by--
(I) an organization described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
tax under section 501(a) of such Code;
(II) an institution of higher
education as defined in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001); or
(III) the Federal Government or a
State, Tribal, or local government.
(B) Included programs.--The term ``national
service'' includes--
(i) the programs authorized in--
(I) sections 5 and 6 of the Peace
Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504 and 2505);
(II) section 171 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act
(relating to the YouthBuild Program; 29
U.S.C. 3226);
(III) part A of title I of the
Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973
(relating to the Volunteers in Service
to America; 42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.);
and
(IV) subtitles C (relating to the
National Service Trust Program; 42
U.S.C. 12571 et seq.) and E (relating
to the National Civilian Community
Corps; 42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.) of
title I of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990; and
(ii) any other program that is consistent
with subparagraph (A), as determined by the
Director of the Council on Military, National,
and Public Service.
(8) Public service.--The term ``public service'' means
civilian employment in the Federal Government or a State,
Tribal, or local government.
(9) Service.--The term ``service'' means a personal
commitment of time, energy, and talent to a mission that
contributes to the public good by protecting the Nation and its
citizens, strengthening communities, or promoting the general
social welfare.
(10) Service mission.--The term ``service mission'' means
the objectives of a service organization or a service
opportunity.
(11) Service opportunity.--The term ``service opportunity''
means any paid, volunteer, or other position with a service
organization.
(12) Service organization.--The term ``service
organization'' means any military service, national service, or
public service organization that participates in the Service
Platform.
(13) Service platform.--The term ``Service Platform'' means
the interactive and integrated internet-based platform
established under this section.
(14) Service type.--The term ``service type'' means the
period and form of service with a service organization,
including part-time, full-time, term limited, sabbatical,
temporary, episodic, and emergency options for paid, volunteer,
and stipend-based service.
(15) State.--The term ``State'' means the several States,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and
any other territory or possession of the United States.
(c) Establishment of the Service Platform.--The Director of the
Office of Management and Budget shall establish, maintain, and promote
the Service Platform, an interactive and integrated internet-based
platform to serve as a centralized resource and database for the
American public to learn about and connect with organizations and
opportunities in military, national, and public service and for those
organizations to identify members of the American public with the
skills necessary to address their needs.
(d) Coordination and Oversight.--The development and maintenance of
the Service Platform shall be subject to the oversight of the Director
of the Council on Military, National, and Public Service who shall be
responsible for ensuring that the Service Platform achieves the policy
objectives set forth in this section.
(e) Use of the Service Platform.--
(1) Public accessibility.--The Director shall determine,
and make accessible by the public, information about service
organizations and service opportunities, without any
requirement that a person seeking such access become a member
of the Service Platform.
(2) Members.--Any individual meeting criteria established
by the Director by regulation may become a member of the
Service Platform. Registering as a member shall entitle the
member to access information about service organizations and
service opportunities available through the Service Platform.
(3) Procedure for registration of members.--An individual
seeking to become a member shall provide to the Director such
information as the Director may determine is necessary to
facilitate the functionality of the Service Platform.
(4) Additional requirements.--In addition to the
requirements under paragraph (3), each prospective member--
(A) shall, unless specifically electing not to do
so, consent to share any information entered into the
Service Platform with, and to be contacted by, any
public service or national service organization that
participates in the Service Platform;
(B) may consent to share any information entered
into the Service Platform with and to be contacted by
any uniformed service that participates in the Service
Platform;
(C) may consent to be contacted for potential
service with any national or public service
organization in the event of a national emergency; and
(D) may consent to be contacted to join the Armed
Forces on a voluntary basis during an emergency
requiring national mobilization.
(5) Verification.--The Director shall register an
individual as a member when the Director verifies that the
individual has not previously registered as a member. The
Director shall, by written notice (including by electronic
communication), notify the member of such registration.
(6) Additional information by members.--The Service
Platform shall enable members to provide additional information
to improve the functionality of the Service Platform, as
determined by the Director. Such additional information may
include information regarding--
(A) educational background;
(B) employment background;
(C) professional skills, training, licenses, and
certifications;
(D) service organization preferences;
(E) service type preferences;
(F) service mission preferences; and
(G) geographic preferences.
(7) Updates.--Each member may update the member's personal
and other information in the Service Platform at any time.
(8) Request regarding military service.--The Director shall
send to any member who consents under paragraph (4)(D) to
voluntarily join the Armed Forces during an emergency requiring
national mobilization an annual request to confirm the member's
continued willingness to so serve.
(9) Withdrawal of members.--Each member may withdraw as a
member by submitting to the Service Platform a request to so
withdraw. Within 30 days after the request to withdraw is made,
all records regarding that member shall be removed from the
Service Platform and any other data storage locations the
Service Platform may use, notwithstanding any obligations under
the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
(f) Service Organizations.--
(1) Executive agencies and military departments.--All
Executive agencies and military departments shall participate
in the Service Platform as service organizations.
(2) Non-federal service organizations.--The regulations
issued under subsection (i) shall include--
(A) procedures that enable State, local, and Tribal
government agencies to participate in the Service
Platform as service organizations;
(B) procedures that enable nongovernmental
organizations that undertake national service programs
to participate in the Service Platform as service
organizations; and
(C) a timeline to implement the procedures
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(3) Information on service organizations.--Each service
organization shall make available on the Service Platform--
(A) information sufficient for members to identify
and understand the organization's service opportunities
and service mission;
(B) information on the availability of service
opportunities by service type;
(C) internet links to the service organization's
hiring and recruiting websites; and
(D) such additional information as the Director may
determine.
(4) Additional platforms not precluded.--Nothing in this
subsection shall prevent any service organization from creating
or maintaining its own internet-based system or platform to
recruit individuals for employment or for volunteer or other
service opportunities.
(g) Minimum Design Requirements.--In addition to the requirements
set forth in this section, the Service Platform shall do the following:
(1) Provide the public with access to information on
service organizations and service opportunities through an
internet-based system that is user-friendly, interactive,
accessible, and fully functional through mobile applications
and other widely used communications media, without a
requirement that any person seeking such access register as a
member.
(2) Provide individuals with the ability to register as
members in order to customize their experience in accordance
with subsection (e)(6), include mechanisms to connect members
with service organizations and service opportunities that match
the interests of the members, and ensure robust search
capabilities to facilitate the ability of members to explore
service organizations and service opportunities.
(3) Include mechanisms to enable service organizations to
connect with members who have consented to be contacted and
meet the needs of the service organizations.
(4) Incorporate, to the extent permitted by law and
regulation, the ability of members to securely upload
information on education, employment, and skills from internet-
based professional, recruiting, and social media systems,
consistent with security requirements.
(5) Ensure compatibility with relevant information systems
of Executive agencies and military departments.
(6) Use state-of-the-art technology and analytical tools to
facilitate the efficacy of the Service Platform in connecting
members with service opportunities and service organizations.
(7) Retain all personal information in a manner that
protects the privacy of members in accordance with section 552a
of title 5, United States Code, and other applicable law,
provide access to information relating to a member only in
accordance with the consent of the member, and incorporate data
security and control policies that are adequate to ensure the
confidentiality and security of information provided and
maintained on the Service Platform.
(h) Development of Service Platform Plan.--
(1) Implementation plan.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall develop a
detailed plan to implement the Service Platform that complies
with all the requirements of this section.
(2) Consultation required.--In developing the plan under
this subsection, the Director shall consult with the Secretary
of Defense, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for
National and Community Service, the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management, the head of the United States Digital
Service and, as needed, the heads of other Executive agencies.
Such consultation may include seeking assistance in the design,
development, and creation of the Service Platform.
(3) Technical advice permitted.--In developing the plan
under this subsection, the Director may seek and receive
technical advice from experts outside of the Federal Government
and to form a committee of such experts to assist in the design
and development of the Service Platform. Notwithstanding
section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Director may
accept the voluntary services of these individuals. A committee
of the experts shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(4) Information collection authorized.--In developing the
plan under this subsection, the Director may collect
information from the public through focus groups, surveys, and
other mechanisms, without regard to subchapter I of chapter 35
of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the
``Paperwork Reduction Act'').
(i) Regulations.--The Director shall issue regulations to carry out
this section not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(j) Selective Service System.--Section 10 of the Military Selective
Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3809) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(i) Service Platform.--The Selective Service System shall provide
to all registrants, on its website and in communications with
registrants relating to registration, information about the Service
Platform established under section 202 of the Inspired to Serve Act of
2025. The Selective Service System shall provide to each registrant, at
the time of registration, an option to transfer to the Service Platform
the information the registrant has provided to the Selective Service
System. The Director of Selective Service shall consult with the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that
information provided by the Selective Service System is compatible with
the information requirements of the Service Platform.''.
(k) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 12 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and every 12 months thereafter, the
Director of the Council on Military, National, and Public Service shall
provide a report to Congress on the Service Platform. Such report shall
include information on the following:
(1) Details on the status of implementation of the Service
Platform and plans for further development of the Service
Platform.
(2) Participation rates of service organizations and
members.
(3) The number of individuals visiting the Service
Platform, the number of service organizations participating in
the platform, and the number of service opportunities available
in the preceding 12-month period.
(4) Any cybersecurity or privacy concerns.
(5) The results of any surveys or studies undertaken to
increase the use and efficacy of the Service Platform.
(6) Any additional information the Director or the
President considers appropriate.
(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Office of Management and Budget for each fiscal
year such funds as may be necessary for the development, maintenance,
improvement, and promotion of the Service Platform.
SEC. 203. PILOT PROGRAM TO COORDINATE MILITARY, NATIONAL, AND PUBLIC
SERVICE RECRUITMENT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Council on military, national, and public service.--The
term ``Council on Military, National, and Public Service''
means the Council on Military, National, and Public Service
established under section 201.
(2) Military service.--The term ``military service'' means
active service (as defined in subsection (d)(3) of section 101
of title 10, United States Code) or active status (as defined
in subsection (d)(4) of such section) in one of the Armed
Forces (as defined in subsection (a)(4) of such section).
(3) National service.--
(A) In general.--The term ``national service''
means participation, other than military or public
service, in a program that--
(i) is designed to enhance the common good
and meet the needs of communities, the States,
or the United States; and
(ii) is funded or facilitated by--
(I) an organization described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
tax under section 501(a) of such Code;
(II) an institution of higher
education as defined in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (22
U.S.C. 1001); or
(III) the Federal Government or a
State, Tribal, or local government.
(B) Included programs.--The term ``national
service'' includes--
(i) the programs authorized in--
(I) sections 5 and 6 of the Peace
Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504 and 2505);
(II) section 171 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act
(relating to the YouthBuild Program; 29
U.S.C. 3226);
(III) part A of title I of the
Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973
(relating to the Volunteers in Service
to America; 42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.);
and
(IV) subtitles C (relating to the
National Service Trust Program; 42
U.S.C. 12571 et seq.) and E (relating
to the National Civilian Community
Corps; 42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.) of the
National and Community Service Act of
1990; and
(ii) any other program that is consistent
with subparagraph (A), as determined by the
Director of the Council on Military, National,
and Public Service.
(4) Public service.--The term ``public service'' means
civilian employment in the Federal Government or a State,
Tribal, or local government.
(b) Pilot Program Authorized.--The Director of the Council on
Military, National, and Public Service may carry out a pilot program in
coordination with departments and agencies responsible for recruiting
individuals for military, national, and public service, to focus on
recruiting individuals from underserved markets and demographic
populations, such as those defined by gender, geography, socioeconomic
status, and critical skills, as determined by each participating
department or agency, to better reflect the demographics of the Nation
while ensuring that recruiting needs are met.
(c) Consultation.--In developing a pilot program under this
section, the Director of the Council on Military, National, and Public
Service shall consult with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the Secretaries of the military departments, the
Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, the Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the
Director of the Peace Corps, and the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management.
(d) Duration.--The pilot program under this section shall terminate
no earlier than 2 years after its commencement.
(e) Status Reports.--Not later than 12 months after the initiation
of any pilot program authorized by this section, and not later than 12
months thereafter, the Director of the Council on Military, National,
and Public Service shall submit to Congress reports evaluating any
pilot program carried out under this section.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 204. JOINT MARKET RESEARCH AND RECRUITING PROGRAM TO ADVANCE
MILITARY AND NATIONAL SERVICE.
(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary of Defense, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community
Service, and the Director of the Peace Corps may carry out a joint
market research, market studies, recruiting, and advertising program to
complement the existing programs of the military departments, the
national service programs administered by the Corporation, and the
Peace Corps.
(b) Information Sharing Permitted.--Section 503 of title 10, United
States Code, shall not be construed to prohibit sharing of information
among, or joint marketing efforts of, the Department of Defense, the
Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Peace Corps to
carry out this section.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for carrying out this
section.
SEC. 205. INFORMATION SHARING TO ADVANCE MILITARY AND NATIONAL SERVICE.
(a) Establishment of Plan.--The Secretary of Defense, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community
Service, and the Director of the Peace Corps shall establish a joint
plan to provide applicants who are either ineligible or otherwise not
selected for service in the Armed Forces, in a national service program
administered by the Corporation, or in the Peace Corps, with
information about the forms of such service for which they have not
applied.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 12 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community
Service, and the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to Congress a
report on the plan established under subsection (a).
SEC. 206. TRANSITION OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS AND
NATIONAL SERVICE PARTICIPANTS.
(a) Employment Assistance.--Section 1143(c)(1) of title 10, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``the Corporation for National and
Community Service,'' after ``State employment agencies,''.
(b) Employment Assistance, Job Training Assistance, and Other
Transitional Services: Department of Labor.--
(1) In general.--Section 1144 of title 10, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs,'' and inserting
``the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the
Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for
National and Community Service,'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs'' and
inserting ``the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
and the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation for National and Community
Service''; and
(iii) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and
the Chief Executive Officer'' after ``The
Secretaries'';
(B) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the
following:
``(11) Provide information on public service opportunities,
training on public service job recruiting, and the advantages
of careers with the Federal Government.'';
(C) in subsection (c)(2)(A), by striking ``and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs,'' and inserting ``, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation for National and Community
Service,'';
(D) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by inserting ``and the Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation for National and Community
Service'' after ``the Secretaries''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Corporation for National and Community Service Programs.--In
establishing and carrying out a program under this section, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service
shall do the following:
``(1) Provide information concerning national service
opportunities, including--
``(A) opportunities to acquire and enhance
technical skills available through national service;
``(B) certifications and verifications of job
skills and experience available through national
service;
``(C) support services and benefits available
during terms of service; and
``(D) job analysis techniques, job search
techniques, and job interview techniques specific to
national service positions.
``(2) Inform such members that the Department of Defense
and the Department of Homeland Security are required, under
section 1143(a) of this title, to provide proper certification
or verification of job skills and experience acquired while on
active duty that may have application to service in programs of
the Corporation for National and Community Service.
``(3) Work with military and veterans' service
organizations and other appropriate organizations in promoting
and publicizing job fairs for such members.
``(4) Provide information about disability-related
employment and education protections.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The heading of section 1144 of
such title is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1144. Employment assistance, job training assistance, and other
transitional services: Department of Labor and the
Corporation for National and Community Service''.
(c) Authorities and Duties of the Chief Executive Officer.--Section
193A(b) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12651d(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (24), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (25), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(26) ensure that individuals completing a partial or full
national service term receive information about military and
public service opportunities for which they may qualify or in
which they may be interested.''.
SEC. 207. JOINT REPORT TO CONGRESS ON INITIATIVES TO INTEGRATE MILITARY
AND NATIONAL SERVICE.
(a) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 4 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and not later than the end of each 4-year
period thereafter, the Director of the Council on Military, National,
and Public Service established under section 201, in coordination with
the Secretary of Defense, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Director of the
Peace Corps, shall submit to Congress a joint report on cross-service
recruitment, including recommendations for increasing joint advertising
and recruitment initiatives, for the Armed Forces, programs
administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, and
the Peace Corps.
(b) Contents of Report.--Each report under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) The number of Peace Corps volunteers and participants
in national service programs administered by the Corporation
for National and Community Service who previously served as a
member of the Armed Forces.
(2) The number of members of the Armed Forces who
previously served in the Peace Corps or in a program
administered by the Corporation for National and Community
Service.
(3) An assessment of existing joint recruitment and
advertising initiatives undertaken by the Department of
Defense, the Peace Corps, or the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
(4) An assessment of the feasibility and cost of expanding
such existing initiatives.
(5) An assessment of ways to improve the ability of the
reporting agencies to recruit individuals from the other
reporting agencies.
(c) Consultation.--The Director of the Council on Military,
National, and Public Service established under section 201, the
Secretary of Defense, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation
for National and Community Service, and the Director of the Peace Corps
shall--
(1) consult with each other with respect to the content and
production of the reports submitted under this section; and
(2) undertake studies of recruiting efforts that are
necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
TITLE III--ADVANCEMENT OF MILITARY, NATIONAL, AND PUBLIC SERVICE
SEC. 300. DEFINITIONS.
In this title, the terms ``Executive agency'' and ``military
department'' have the meanings given those terms in sections 105 and
102 of title 5, United States Code, respectively.
Subtitle A--Advancement of Military Service
SEC. 301. NEW PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE FOR MILITARY SPECIALISTS.
(a) Plan for Personnel Management.--The Secretary of each military
department shall develop a plan to implement a new personnel management
structure in such military department for the purpose of recruiting and
retaining personnel for specific military occupational specialties
requiring skills that are critical to meet current and future military
requirements, including specialties involving science, technology,
cybersecurity, and engineering.
(b) Plan Requirements.--Each plan under subsection (a) shall--
(1) be based on the exercise of existing authorities;
(2) examine the successes in recruiting and retaining
personnel for other military occupational specialties requiring
specific skills, such as medical workers, attorneys, and
chaplains; and
(3) examine methods to improve recruiting and retaining
personnel for the military occupational specialties described
in subsection (a) based on--
(A) methods for members of the Armed Forces to
transition more easily between regular and reserve
components; and
(B) methods for members of the Armed Forces to
transition more easily between military service,
Federal civilian service, and nongovernmental civilian
service.
(c) Submittal to Congress.--Not later than 120 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of each military department
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the
House of Representatives the plan developed by such Secretary under
this section.
SEC. 302. PRE-SERVICE TUITION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Pre-Service Tuition Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of each
military department may provide a grant, for a period of not more than
3 years, to pay all or a portion of the charges of an educational
institution for the tuition of an individual who is enrolled in such
educational institution for a technical degree, certificate, or
certification program to meet a critical need in such military
department, and who makes a commitment to service in an Armed Force
under the jurisdiction of such Secretary. Each Secretary shall create a
list of degrees, certificates, and certifications that qualify for
grants under this section and shall update that list at least once
every 5 years.
(b) Requirements for Receipt of Grant.--The Secretary of a military
department may not provide grant funds under subsection (a) to an
individual unless the individual signs an enlistment contract for
military service upon completion of the educational program for which
the funds were provided, for such period as is determined by the
Secretary. Upon signing such enlistment contract, the individual shall
be placed in the Delayed Entry Program of the Armed Force concerned.
If, at the time the individual is expected to begin military training,
the individual no longer qualifies for service or is otherwise unable
or unwilling to serve, the individual shall, subject to subsection (c),
repay the funds received, or serve a period equal to the military
service commitment in a federally sponsored national service program.
(c) Waiver.--The Secretary of a military department may reduce or
waive the service obligation of an individual under this section in
exigent circumstances, as determined by the Secretary.
(d) Relation to Other Personnel Authorities.--A grant under
subsection (a) may be provided--
(1) without regard to the lack of authority for the grant
under title 10 or 37, United States Code; and
(2) notwithstanding any provision of such titles, or any
regulation prescribed under such provision, relating to methods
of providing incentives to individuals to accept appointments
or enlistments in the Armed Forces, including the provision of
group individual bonuses, pay, or other incentives.
(e) Notice and Wait Requirement.--The Secretary of a military
department may not provide a grant under subsection (a) until--
(1) the Secretary submits to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a plan
regarding the provision of grants under that subsection, which
includes--
(A) a description of the grant program, including
its purpose and the potential recruits to be addressed
by the program;
(B) a description of the provisions of titles 10
and 37, United States Code, that require reporting of
incentives to individuals to accept appointment or
enlistments in the Armed Forces, including the
provision of group individual bonuses, pay, or other
incentives;
(C) a statement of the anticipated outcomes as a
result of providing grants under the grant program; and
(D) a description of the methods and metrics to be
used to evaluate the effectiveness of the grant
program; and
(2) a period of 30 days beginning on the date on which the
plan is submitted to the committees has expired.
(f) Limitation on Number of Incentives.--The Secretary of a
military department may not provide to an individual more than 2
incentives described in subsection (d)(2) to encourage the individual
to enlist in an Armed Force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, in
addition to a grant under subsection (a).
(g) Limitation on Number of Individuals Receiving Tuition Grants.--
The number of individuals who receive a grant under subsection (a) from
the Secretary of a military department during a fiscal year for an
Armed Force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary may not exceed 20
percent of the number of enlistments for that fiscal year that is the
objective of that Armed Force.
(h) Reports to Congress.--If the Secretary of a military department
provides a grant under subsection (a) during a fiscal year, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives a report, not later than 60
days after the end of that fiscal year, containing--
(1) a description of each grant provided under subsection
(a) during that fiscal year; and
(2) an assessment of the impact of all such the grants on
the recruitment of individuals for the Armed Force under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary.
(i) Federally Sponsored National Service Programs.--A federally
sponsored national service program referred to in subsection (b)
includes the programs authorized in--
(1) sections 5 and 6 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504
and 2505);
(2) section 171 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (relating to the YouthBuild Program; 29 U.S.C. 3226);
(3) part A of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act
of 1973 (relating to the Volunteers in Service to America; 42
U.S.C. 4951 et seq.); and
(4) subtitles C (relating to the National Service Trust
Program; 42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.) and E (relating to the
National Civilian Community Corps; 42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.) of
the National and Community Service Act of 1990.
(j) Regulations.--The Secretary of each military department shall
issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 303. PILOT PROGRAM ON TECHNICAL CIVILIAN PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS.
(a) Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Defense shall carry out,
through the Secretary of one of the military departments, a pilot
program, for a period of not more than 2 years, to assess the
feasibility and advisability of establishing partnerships with
community colleges and vocational schools to create technical education
programs through which members of the Armed Forces may earn
professional credentials in areas of critical need in the Armed Forces.
The pilot program shall be comprised of such partnerships with up to 3
community colleges and vocational schools. The educational programs
created through the pilot program shall be open to participation by
members of the Armed Forces (including recruits) and any other students
at the selected community colleges and vocational schools.
(b) Costs.--The military department selected under subsection (a)
shall bear at least 50 percent of the costs of the pilot program
authorized under such subsection, and the community colleges and
vocational schools in the pilot program shall bear the remaining costs,
including providing the staff and facilities for the pilot program.
(c) Reports.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program
under this section. The report shall include--
(A) a comprehensive framework for the education and
credentials to be provided under the pilot program;
(B) metrics to be used to assess the effectiveness
of the pilot program; and
(C) a description of mechanisms to be used to cover
the costs of the technical education programs created
under the pilot program.
(2) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after completion
of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the
committees of Congress referred to in paragraph (1) a final
report on the pilot program. The report shall include--
(A) an evaluation of the pilot program using the
metrics of assessment set forth in the initial report;
(B) an assessment of the effects of the pilot
program on recruitment and retention of military
personnel; and
(C) an assessment on the feasibility and
advisability of extending the term of the pilot
program, expanding its scope, or both.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 304. EXPANSION OF JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS PROGRAM.
(a) Plan To Increase Number of JROTC Units.--The Secretary of
Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military
departments, develop and implement a plan to establish and support not
fewer than 6,000 units of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
by September 30, 2034.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 305. EXPANSION OF CYBER INSTITUTES PROGRAM.
Section 1640 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232; 132 Stat. 2310; 10 U.S.C.
2200 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (g), by inserting ``and not later than
March 1, 2026,'' after ``September 30, 2021,''
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to funds
otherwise available to carry out this section, there are authorized to
be appropriated to the Department of Defense such sums as may be
necessary to prepare the reports under subsection (g) and to expand the
Cyber Institutes program under this section after September 30,
2025.''.
SEC. 306. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR TARGETED RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES.
Section 522(h) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2016 (10 U.S.C. 503 note) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2025'' and inserting ``December 31, 2026''.
SEC. 307. MULTIYEAR APPROPRIATIONS FOR MARKETING AND ADVERTISING.
Chapter 341 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 4509 the following new section:
``Sec. 4510. Contracts for periods crossing fiscal years: Marketing and
advertising contracts
``(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a
military department (as defined in section 102 of title 5), or the
Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it
is not operating as a service in the Navy, may enter into a contract,
for a period that begins in one fiscal year and ends in the next fiscal
year (without regard to any option to extend the period of the
contract), to procure marketing and advertising services.
``(b) Obligation of Funds.--Funds made available in one fiscal year
may be obligated or expended in the next fiscal year for a contract
entered into under subsection (a).''.
Subtitle B--Advancement of National Service
SEC. 321. NATIONAL SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS.
(a) In General.--Section 198B of the National and Community Service
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12653b) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 198B. NATIONAL SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Area of national need.--The term `area of national
need' means targeted efforts to--
``(A) improve education in schools for economically
disadvantaged students;
``(B) expand and improve access to health care;
``(C) improve energy efficiency and conserve
natural resources;
``(D) improve economic opportunities for
economically disadvantaged individuals;
``(E) improve disaster preparedness and response;
or
``(F) support the reintegration of ex-offenders.
``(2) Disadvantaged youth.--The term `disadvantaged youth'
has the meaning given that term in section 101(13).
``(3) Eligible fellowship applicant.--The term `eligible
fellowship applicant' means an individual who is selected by
the Corporation through a randomized lottery and, as a result
of such selection, is eligible for a national service
fellowship.
``(4) Fellow.--The term `fellow' means an eligible
fellowship applicant who is awarded a national service
fellowship and is designated a fellow under subsection (e)(2).
``(5) State.--The term `State' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and any other territory or possession of the United
States.
``(b) Fellowship Awards and Positions.--
``(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated to carry
out this section, the Corporation shall award national service
fellowships in accordance with this section.
``(2) Allotment of positions.--
``(A) Allotment by congressional district.--The
Corporation shall allot 80 percent of the eligible
fellowship positions supported under this section in a
fiscal year on a formula basis to be distributed evenly
among the congressional districts in each of the
States, to include districts of nonvoting delegates to
the Congress, in accordance with the selection process
described in subsection (c)(1). The Corporation shall,
to the extent practicable, reserve a percentage of
eligible fellowship positions approximately equal to
the percentage of disadvantaged youth residing in that
district. In any district in which one or more Indian
tribes are located, a portion of the positions shall be
reserved for applicants who are members of any such
Indian tribe.
``(B) Allotment to specific organizations.--The
Corporation shall allot 20 percent of the eligible
fellowship positions supported under this section in a
fiscal year to service sponsor organizations,
regardless of congressional district, that have
targeted service strategies for utilizing fellows, in
accordance with the selection processes described in
subsections (c)(2) and (f)(2). The Corporation shall,
to the extent practicable, reserve a percentage of
eligible fellowship positions approximately equal to
the nationwide percentage of disadvantaged youth.
``(3) Number of positions.--The Corporation shall--
``(A) establish the number of approved positions
under this section at 25,000 for the first fiscal year
that begins after the date of the enactment of the
Inspired to Serve Act of 2025; and
``(B) increase the number of such approved
positions by 25,000 for each fiscal year thereafter
until the number of approved positions is at least
250,000.
``(c) Selection by Lottery.--
``(1) In congressional districts.--For positions described
in subsection (b)(2)(A), the Corporation shall select, from the
applications received under this section, the number of
eligible fellowship applicants that may be supported for that
fiscal year based on the amount of funds appropriated for that
fiscal year to carry out this section. Such selection shall be
done by randomized lottery for all applicants, except that--
``(A) for those positions reserved for
disadvantaged youth applicants under such subsection,
selection shall be done by randomized lottery for
disadvantaged youth applicants; and
``(B) for those positions reserved for Indian
tribal applicants under such subsection, selection
shall be done by randomized lottery for Indian tribal
applicants.
``(2) Other positions.--For positions described in
subsection (b)(2)(B), the Corporation shall select, from the
applications received, the number of eligible fellowship
applicants that may be supported for that fiscal year based on
the amount of funds appropriated for that fiscal year to carry
out this section. Such selection shall be done by randomized
lottery for all applicants, except that for those positions
reserved for disadvantaged youth applicants under such
subsection, selection shall be done by randomized lottery for
disadvantaged youth applicants.
``(3) Regulations.--In the regulations issued to carry out
this section, the Corporation shall--
``(A) establish the randomized lottery system for
positions described in subsection (b)(2)(A) and
(b)(2)(B);
``(B) establish preference for those individuals
who have not previously been an eligible fellowship
applicant or a fellow; and
``(C) create a waitlist for eligible fellowship
applicants if any individual selected as such an
applicant does not become a fellow.
``(d) Eligible Fellowship Applicants.--
``(1) In general.--An applicant desiring to become an
eligible fellowship applicant shall submit an application to
the Corporation at such time and in such manner as the
Corporation may require and containing information on the
applicant's age, educational status, disadvantaged youth
status, Indian tribal status, and contact information, and
stating whether the applicant elects to be considered for
placement in a position in a congressional district under
subsection (b)(2)(A) or in a position described in subsection
(b)(2)(B). Each applicant may apply for only one national
service fellowship for any fiscal year.
``(2) Age and education.--An applicant may be selected as
an eligible fellowship applicant only if the applicant--
``(A) is not less than age 18 and not more than age
25 on the date on which the application is made; and
``(B) holds a high school diploma or recognized
equivalent or will be working towards such diploma or
recognized equivalent during the applicant's term of
service as a fellow.
``(e) Fellows.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible fellowship applicant is
eligible to participate in a service project as a fellow and
receive a national service fellowship if--
``(A) within 3 months after being selected as an
eligible fellowship applicant, the applicant selects a
registered service sponsor organization described in
subsection (f)--
``(i) with which the applicant is
interested in serving under this section; and
``(ii) with which the applicant would serve
in a position that is located in the
congressional district in which the fellow
resides or a district adjoining the district in
which the fellow resides, for a position
allotted under subsection (b)(2)(A), or would
serve in a position allotted under subsection
(b)(2)(B);
``(B) enters into an agreement with the
organization--
``(i) that specifies the service the
applicant will provide if the placement is
approved; and
``(ii) in which the applicant agrees to
serve for at least 1,700 hours during the
applicant's fellowship year, including
training, high school equivalency coursework,
and special fellow events, except that the
Chief Executive Officer may, on a case-by-case
basis, authorize a fellow to serve on a part-
time basis for a lesser number of hours; and
``(C) submits such agreement to the Corporation.
``(2) Designation.--Upon receiving the eligible fellowship
applicant's agreement under paragraph (1), the Corporation
shall award a national service fellowship to the applicant and
designate the applicant as a fellow.
``(3) Fellowship amount.--
``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall award to
each fellow a stipend equal to the living allowance
under section 199K.
``(B) Proration of amount.--In the case of a fellow
who is authorized to serve on a part-time basis under
paragraph (1)(B)(ii), the amount provided to a fellow
under this paragraph shall be prorated accordingly.
``(4) Educational awards.--A fellow who serves in a service
project under this section shall be considered to have served
in an approved national service position and, upon meeting the
requirements of section 147 for full-time or part-time national
service, shall be eligible for an educational award described
in such section or the alternative discounted end-of-service
cash stipend described in section 332 of the Inspired to Serve
Act of 2025. The Corporation shall transfer an appropriate
amount of funds to the National Service Trust to provide for
the educational award for such fellow.
``(f) Service Sponsor Organizations.--
``(1) In general.--An organization is eligible to be a
service sponsor organization if the organization--
``(A) is a nonprofit organization, a local
government agency, a State government agency, or an
agency of an Indian tribe;
``(B) satisfies qualification criteria established
by the Corporation, including standards relating to
organizational capacity, financial management, and
programmatic oversight; and
``(C) at the time of registration with a State
Commission, enters into an agreement with the State
Commission providing that the service sponsor
organization shall--
``(i) abide by all program requirements;
``(ii) be responsible for certifying the
number of hours served by each fellow and
whether each fellow serving with the
organization successfully completes the
national service fellowship;
``(iii) provide supervision, supplies, and
training for fellows, including a quarterly
performance review;
``(iv) provide educational resources,
funding for coursework, and other necessary
resources to support fellows working towards
their high school equivalency degrees; and
``(v) provide, to the State Commission, the
Corporation, and the Inspector General of the
Corporation, timely access to records relating
to the national service fellowships.
``(2) Eligibility as a specific organization.--An
organization is eligible to be considered for an allotment of
positions under subsection (b)(2)(B) if the organization--
``(A) satisfies the requirements of this
subsection;
``(B) submits an application to the Corporation
that includes a detailed description of the area of
national need that fellows will address with the
organization, along with other requirements that the
Corporation may establish; and
``(C) is selected by the Corporation in accordance
with a selection process established by the
Corporation.
``(3) Additional assistance.--Each service sponsor
organization may provide additional benefits to fellows,
including additional funding.
``(4) Registration.--
``(A) Requirement.--A service sponsor organization
may not receive a fellow under this section until the
organization registers with the State Commission of any
State in which a fellow will be serving with the
organization.
``(B) Clearinghouse.--Each State Commission shall
maintain on a public website a list of service sponsor
organizations registered with that State Commission.
``(5) Noncompliance.--If the Corporation determines that a
service sponsor organization is in violation of any of the
applicable provisions of this subsection, or a State Commission
determines that a service sponsor organization is in violation
of any requirement for registration under paragraph (4)--
``(A) the State Commission shall revoke the
registration of the organization;
``(B) the organization shall not be eligible to
receive assistance, approved national service fellows,
or approved summer of service positions under this
title for a period of not less than 5 years; and
``(C) the Corporation shall have the right to
remove a fellow from the organization and relocate the
fellow to another site.
``(g) Grants for Ancillary Services.--
``(1) In general.--The Corporation may award grants to
service sponsor organizations to offset the costs of providing
ancillary services in support of fellows serving with those
service sponsor organizations, including costs for--
``(A) attending the convention described in
subsection (j);
``(B) courses and exams necessary to obtain a high
school diploma or recognized equivalent;
``(C) recruitment or training activities for
fellows; and
``(D) other activities approved by the Corporation.
``(2) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this subsection, a service sponsor organization shall
submit an application to the Corporation at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Corporation may
require.
``(h) Coordination Within Congressional District.--Service sponsor
organizations shall coordinate with other service sponsor organizations
on training and events beneficial to fellows serving within the same
congressional district and ensure that the offices of Members of
Congress in those districts are kept apprised of such coordination.
``(i) Branded Attire.--The Corporation may provide fellows with
branded attire to wear where appropriate.
``(j) Yearly Convention.--The Corporation may sponsor a yearly
convention to convene a geographically diverse group of fellows in a
central location to provide the fellows with the opportunity to share
experiences and to provide the fellows with information on
opportunities to continue in national, public, or military service
after their fellowships end.
``(k) Compliance With Ineligible Service Categories.--Service under
a national service fellowship shall comply with section 132(a). For
purposes of applying that section to this subsection, a reference to
assistance shall be considered to be a reference to assistance provided
under this section.
``(l) Public Service Integration.--The Chief Executive Officer
shall consult with the Council on Military, National, and Public
Service established under section 201 of the Inspired to Serve Act of
2025 regarding opportunities to place fellows in public service
positions at the State, local, and tribal levels.
``(m) Surveys of Fellows.--The Corporation may survey fellows about
their experiences as fellows, and shall make data acquired from any
such survey publicly available.
``(n) Regulations.--The Corporation shall promulgate such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
``(o) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) The item relating to section 198B of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 in the table of contents for that
Act is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 198B. NATIONAL SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS.''.
(2) Section 123(7) of the National and Community Service
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12573(7)) is amended by striking
``ServeAmerica'' and inserting ``National Service''.
(3) Section 501(a)(4)(B) of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12681(a)(4)(B)) is repealed.
SEC. 322. EXPANSION OF YOUTHBUILD, YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS, AND
NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CHALLENGE PROGRAMS.
(a) YouthBuild Program.--
(1) Expansion.--The Secretary of Labor shall take the
necessary steps to double, by December 31, 2034, the number of
participants in the YouthBuild Program established under
section 171 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3226), from the number of such participants in fiscal
year 2023.
(2) Reports to congress.--The Secretary of Labor shall
submit to Congress, not later than December 31 of each of the
years 2026, 2029, 2032, and 2034, a report on the level of
participation in the YouthBuild Program since the end of fiscal
year 2023 and on the efforts taken to achieve the goal
described in paragraph (1).
(b) Youth Conservation Corps.--
(1) Expansion.--The Secretaries of Agriculture and the
Interior shall take the necessary steps to double, by December
31, 2034, the number of participants in the Youth Conservation
Corps established under the Act popularly known as the ``Youth
Conservation Corps Act of 1970'' (title I of Public Law 91-378;
16 U.S.C. 1701-1706), from the number of such participants in
fiscal year 2023.
(2) Reports to congress.--The Secretaries of Agriculture
and the Interior shall submit to Congress, not later than
December 31 of each of the years 2026, 2029, 2032, and 2034, a
report on the level of participation in the Youth Conservation
Corps since the end of fiscal year 2023 and on the efforts
taken to achieve the goal described in paragraph (1).
(c) Youth Challenge Program.--
(1) Expansion.--The Secretary of Defense shall take the
necessary steps to double, by December 31, 2034, the number of
participants in the National Guard Youth Challenge Program
established under section 509 of title 32, United States Code,
from the number of such participants in fiscal year 2023.
(2) Reports to congress.--The Secretary of Defense shall
submit to Congress, not later than December 31 of each of the
years 2026, 2029, 2032, and 2034, a report on the level of
participation in the National Guard Youth Challenge Program
since the end of fiscal year 2023 and on the efforts taken to
achieve the goal described in paragraph (1).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 323. NATIONAL SERVICE PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
(a) In General.--The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for
National and Community Service shall carry out a public awareness
campaign to educate individuals likely to provide the greatest
influence on youth, including parents, grandparents, teachers, guidance
counselors, clergy, and coaches, on opportunities for youth to engage
in national service, the impacts of national service, and ways to
encourage youth to provide such service. Funds made available to carry
out this subsection may be used to identify best practices, carry out
national outreach and education campaigns, produce and make available
materials for schools and students from kindergarten through grade 12,
facilitate access to national service information and opportunities,
and advertise national service programs nationwide.
(b) Report Required.--Not later than 60 days after the end of the
fiscal year in which funds are made available to carry out the public
awareness campaign under subsection (a), the Chief Executive Officer
shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
of the Senate, and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the
House of Representatives, a report describing the scope and
effectiveness of the public awareness campaign under this section.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the campaign
under subsection (a), including for salaries and expenses related to
such campaign.
SEC. 324. RECOGNITION OF CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATIONAL SERVICE.
The Corporation for National and Community Service may annually
designate not more than 25 corporations, whether publicly owned or
privately held, with an award for their significant contributions to
national service. The Corporation shall promulgate regulations
describing evaluation criteria for the award under this section and may
conduct a ceremony or give a symbolic medal or plaque to recipients.
This section does not authorize any monetary award.
SEC. 325. CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE DEMONSTRATION
PROJECTS.
(a) Definitions.--
(1) Ex-offender.--The term ``ex-offender'' means an
individual who requires assistance in overcoming barriers to
employment resulting from a record of arrest or conviction for
a crime under Federal, State, local, or Tribal law.
(2) Place-based model.--The term ``place-based model''
means an investment initiative that seeks to leverage national
service programs to expand the services available within a
specific geographic location, to build the capacity of
community organizations to provide those services, and to
establish a community-wide culture of service and volunteerism.
(b) Priority Pilots.--The Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation for National and Community Service may conduct, during the
3-year period beginning on October 1, 2024, up to 5 demonstration
projects to assess the feasibility and advisability of novel approaches
to and focus areas of national service, with at least one demonstration
project focused on developing a place-based model and at least one
demonstration project supporting the reintegration of ex-offenders.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
demonstration projects under subsection (b), including for salaries and
expenses related to such projects.
SEC. 326. PEACE CORPS REMOTE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
The Director of the Peace Corps may carry out demonstration
projects to test the feasibility of permitting individuals who serve
fewer than 27 months as a volunteer (as such term is used in the Peace
Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.)) to serve as a volunteer in the
United States, and not abroad.
SEC. 327. NATIONAL SERVICE LIVING ALLOWANCE INCREASES.
(a) Annual Increases to Living Allowances for National Service
Participants.--Section 140(a) of the National and Community Service Act
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12594(a)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) Increases.--The Chief Executive Officer shall review
the amounts of living allowances under this subsection on an
annual basis and, subject to paragraph (2), make increases as
necessary to reflect changes in inflation, cost of living, and
the geographical areas in which the national service programs
are carried out.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to provide increases in living allowances under section
140(a) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12594(a)), such sums as may be necessary to increase the allowances
above the levels provided on the day before the date of enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 328. SENIOR CORPS STIPEND INCREASES.
(a) Grants and Contracts for Individual Service Projects.--Section
211(d) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C.
5011(d)) is amended by striking ``$3.00 per hour'' and inserting ``60
percent of the Federal minimum wage under section 6 of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206)''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to provide increases in allowances and stipends under
section 211(d) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C.
5011(d)), such sums as may be necessary to increase the allowances and
stipends above the levels provided on the day before the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 329. WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CERTAIN NATIONAL SERVICE
PARTICIPANTS.
(a) Wraparound Support Services for National Service
Participants.--
(1) In general.--Section 140 of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12594) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(g) Wraparound Support Services.--
``(1) Provision of additional support services.--In
addition to the living allowance and other benefits provided
under this section, and subject to the availability of
appropriations to carry out this subsection, a State or other
recipient of assistance under section 121 shall provide support
services under this subsection (in this subsection referred to
as `wraparound support services') to those individuals who--
``(A) are participants in a national service
program carried out or supported by the recipient using
the assistance; and
``(B) are disadvantaged youth of ages 17 through
26, are located in Indian lands, or are located in
rural communities.
``(2) Guidelines for wraparound support services.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
subsection, the Corporation shall establish guidelines
regarding the circumstances under which wraparound support
services shall be made available under paragraph (1) and the
types of wraparound support services that shall be made so
available. Wraparound support services may include career
counseling, transportation assistance, training and
certification programs, and mental health assistance. In
developing such guidelines, the Corporation shall consider the
availability of philanthropic investment and the cost-per-
participant to recipients who support participants described in
paragraph (1).
``(3) Exemption from living allowance.--Wraparound support
services shall not be considered in determining the total
living allowance under subsection (a)(2).''.
(2) Limitation on program costs.--Section 189(c) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12645c(c)) is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Costs Not Subject to Limitation.--The limitation under
subsection (a), and the increased limitation under subsection (e)(1),
shall not apply to--
``(1) expenses under a grant authorized under the national
service laws to operate a program that are not included in the
grant award for operating the program; or
``(2) expenses for wraparound support services provided
under section 140(g).''.
(b) Wraparound Support Services for VISTA Participants.--Section
105(b) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C.
4955(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4)(A) In addition to the stipend and other assistance provided
under this section, and subject to the availability of appropriations
to carry out this paragraph, the Director shall provide support
services under this paragraph (in this paragraph referred to as
`wraparound support services') for volunteers who--
``(i) are disadvantaged youth of ages 17 through 26;
``(ii) are located in Indian lands; or
``(iii) are located in rural communities.
``(B) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this paragraph, the Corporation shall establish guidelines regarding
the circumstances under which wraparound support services shall be made
available to volunteers under subparagraph (A), and the types of
wraparound support services that shall be made so available. Wraparound
support services may include career counseling, transportation
assistance, training and certification programs, and mental health
assistance. In developing such guidelines, the Corporation shall
consider the availability of funds and the cost-per-volunteer to
support such volunteers.
``(C) In this paragraph, the terms `disadvantaged youth' and
`Indian lands' have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of
the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511).''.
(c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for
National and Community Service shall submit a report to Congress on the
use of funds made available to provide wraparound support services
under the amendments made by this section.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Corporation for National and Community Service such
sums as may be necessary to provide wraparound support services under
section 140(g) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12594(g)) and section 105(b)(4) of the Domestic Volunteer
Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4955(b)(4)).
SEC. 330. NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL AWARD INCREASES.
(a) Determination of Educational Award Amount.--Section 147(a) of
the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12603(a)) is
amended by striking ``having a value equal to'' and all that follows
through ``mandatory appropriations),'' and inserting ``equal to the
average cost of 1 year of in-State tuition at a public institution of
higher education that awards bachelor's degrees, as determined by the
Chief Executive Officer,''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to provide increases in national service educational
awards under section 147(a) of the National and Community Service Act
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12603(a)), such sums as may be necessary to increase
the awards above the level provided on the day before the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 331. EXPANDED USE OF NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL AWARD.
(a) Disbursement of Educational Awards.--Section 148(a)(4) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12604(a)(4)) is
amended by inserting after ``Secretary of Veterans Affairs'' the
following: ``, regardless of whether the individual is a veteran as
defined under section 101''.
(b) Treatment of Certain Provisions of Law.--Any individual who
receives an educational award under section 146 of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12602) may use the award for
expenses described in section 148(a)(4) of that Act (42 U.S.C.
12604(a)(4)), as a result of the amendment made by subsection (a) of
this section, notwithstanding the provisions of any appropriations Act
that does not specifically reference this section and that would not
permit such use by the individual.
SEC. 332. DISCOUNTED END-OF-SERVICE CASH STIPEND FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
MEMBERS.
(a) Stipend; Limitation; Payment Upon Completion of Term.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Chief executive officer.--The term ``Chief
Executive Officer'' means the Chief Executive Officer
of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
(B) Full-time service.--The term ``full-time
service'' means ``full-time national service'' within
the meaning of section 139(b)(1) of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12593(b)(1)).
(C) National service participant.--The term
``national service participant'' means a participant in
a national service program who is described in section
137(a) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 12591(a)).
(D) Part-time service.--The term ``part-time
service'' means ``part-time national service'' within
the meaning of section 139(b)(2) of that Act (42 U.S.C.
12593(b)(2)).
(2) Stipend for national service participants.--
(A) Authority.--
(i) Full-time service.--Subject to clause
(ii), the Chief Executive Officer may provide
to each national service participant who is
performing full-time service, a stipend for any
period in which such participant is in training
or performing the participant's service
assignments.
(ii) Part-time service.--The Chief
Executive Officer may, on a case-by-case basis,
provide, to a national service participant who
is performing part-time service, a stipend for
any period described in clause (i).
(B) Amount of stipend.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clauses (ii)
and (iii), the amount of the stipend under
subparagraph (A) shall be set at a rate that is
not less than $200 per month and not more than
$280 per month.
(ii) Leader stipends.--The Chief Executive
Officer may set the amount of the stipend under
subparagraph (A) at a rate that does not exceed
$380 per month in the case of an individual
who--
(I) has completed a corresponding
term of service as required under
subtitle D of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12601 et seq.), subject to
paragraph (4); and
(II) has, in accordance with
standards that the Chief Executive
Officer shall establish in regulations,
been designated a leader on the basis
of experience among other national
service participants.
(iii) Limitation.--The amount of the
stipend under this subparagraph is subject to
the availability of funds for such stipend.
(C) Restriction on certain individuals.--The Chief
Executive Officer may not provide a stipend under this
subsection to an individual who elects to receive a
national service educational award under subtitle D of
title I of the National and Community Service Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.).
(3) Stipend for national civilian community corps
members.--
(A) Authority.--The Chief Executive Officer may
provide, to each member of the National Civilian
Community Corps who is enrolled in a national service
program under section 153 of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12613), a stipend for
any period in which such member is in training or
performing the member's service assignment.
(B) Amount of stipend.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clauses (ii)
and (iii), the amount of the stipend under
subparagraph (A) shall be set at a rate that is
not less than $200 per month and not more than
$280 per month.
(ii) Leader stipends.--The Chief Executive
Officer may set the amount of the stipend under
subparagraph (A) at a rate that does not exceed
$380 per month in the case of an individual
who--
(I) has completed a corresponding
term of service as required under
subtitle D of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12601 et seq.), subject to
paragraph (4); and
(II) has, in accordance with
standards that the Chief Executive
Officer shall establish in regulations,
been designated a leader on the basis
of experience among other national
service members.
(iii) Limitation.--The amount of the
stipend under this subparagraph is subject to
the availability of funds for such stipend.
(C) Restriction on certain individuals.--The Chief
Executive Officer may not provide a stipend under this
subsection to an individual who elects to receive a
national service educational award under section 158 of
the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12618).
(4) Eligibility for stipend.--A stipend under paragraph (2)
or (3) shall be payable to an individual only upon completion
of a corresponding term of service, except under such
circumstances as the Chief Executive Officer shall determine.
In accordance with regulations which the Chief Executive
Officer shall prescribe for payment under such circumstances,
the accrued stipend, or any part of the accrued stipend, may be
paid to the individual, or on behalf of the individual, to
members of the individual's family or others during the term of
the individual's service. In the event of the death of an
individual during service, the amount of any unpaid stipend
shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of section 5582
of title 5, United States Code.
(b) National Service Educational Awards.--Section 141(a) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12595(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) has not accepted the stipend authorized under section
332 of the Inspired to Serve Act of 2025.''.
(c) Authorized Benefits for Corps Members.--Section 158(f) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12618(f)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) has not accepted the stipend authorized under section
332 of the Inspired to Serve Act of 2025.''.
SEC. 333. EXCLUSION OF NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL AWARD FROM GROSS
INCOME.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 117(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C)
and inserting ``, or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) a national service educational award under
subtitle D of title I of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.).''.
(b) Exclusion of Discharge of Student Loan Debt.--Subsection (f) of
section 108 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(6) Payments under national service educational award
programs.--In the case of an individual, gross income shall not
include any amount received under a national service
educational award under subtitle D of title I of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.).''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 334. TRANSFERABILITY OF NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL AWARD.
(a) Disbursement of Educational Awards.--Section 148(f) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12604) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(A)(i), by striking ``in a national
service program that receives a grant under subtitle C'' and
inserting ``in a position specified under section 123''; and
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking subparagraph (C) and
inserting the following:
``(C) who meets such other requirements as the
Corporation shall specify in regulations.''.
(b) Individuals Eligible To Receive an Educational Award From the
Trust.--Section 146(d)(3) of the National and Community Service Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12602(d)(3)) is amended by striking ``a 10-year
period'' and all that follows through ``basis of the award'' and
inserting ``a 7-year period that begins on the date on which the
designated individual who received the transferred educational award
becomes 18 years of age''.
SEC. 335. NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY FOR FULL-TIME NATIONAL SERVICE
PARTICIPANTS.
(a) Noncompetitive Eligibility for Americorps Alumni.--
(1) Volunteers in service to america.--Section 415(d) of
the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5055(d))
is amended--
(A) by striking ``appointment in the competitive
service'' and inserting ``noncompetitive appointment to
a position in the competitive service (as defined in
section 2102 of title 5, United States Code) for a
period of 36 months, beginning on the date on which
their required term of service ends,''; and
(B) by striking ``Executive Order Number 11103
(April 10, 1963)'' and inserting ``Executive Order
11103 (22 U.S.C. 2504 note, relating to Providing for
the Appointment of Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the
Civilian Career Services), as amended by Executive
Order 12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 1055; relating to the Civil
Service Commission and Labor-Management in the Federal
Service), without regard to section 4 of such Order''.
(2) Other national service participants.--
(A) In general.--Part III of subtitle C of title I
of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12591 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
``SEC. 142. NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
PARTICIPANTS.
``Participants in a national service program who are eligible to
receive a national service educational award under section 141, and who
the Chief Executive Officer determines have successfully completed
their terms of service, shall be eligible for noncompetitive
appointment in a position in the competitive service (as defined in
section 2102 of title 5, United States Code) for a period of 36 months
beginning on the date on which their required term of service ends. The
Chief Executive Officer shall make the determination about successful
completion in accordance with the requirements of Executive Order 11103
(22 U.S.C. 2504 note, relating to Providing for the Appointment of
Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the Civilian Career Services), as
amended by Executive Order 12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 1055; relating to the
Civil Service Commission and Labor-Management in the Federal Service),
without regard to section 4 of such Order.''.
(B) Conforming amendment.--The table of contents of
the National and Community Service Act of 1990 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section
141 the following:
``Sec. 142. Noncompetitive eligibility for national service
participants.''.
(b) Noncompetitive Eligibility for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
and Volunteer Leaders.--Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C.
2504) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(q)(1) Volunteers and volunteer leaders who have satisfactorily
completed not fewer than 2 years of service under this Act (as
determined under paragraph (2)) shall be eligible for noncompetitive
appointment in a position in the competitive service (as defined in
section 2102 of title 5, United States Code) for a period of 3 years
beginning on the day after the date on which such service ends.
``(2) The Director shall determine if a volunteer or volunteer
leader has satisfactorily completed service under this Act for the
purpose of paragraph (1) in accordance with sections 1, 2, 3, and 5 of
Executive Order 11103 (22 U.S.C. 2504 note, relating to Providing for
the Appointment of Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the Civilian Career
Services), as amended by Executive Order 12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 1055;
relating to the Civil Service Commission and Labor-Management in the
Federal Service).''.
(c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply
to any individual--
(1) who is--
(A) a volunteer under the Domestic Volunteer
Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.);
(B) a participant, in a national service program,
to whom section 141 of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12595) applies; or
(C) a volunteer or volunteer leader under the Peace
Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.); and
(2) who has not completed the corresponding required term
of service as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 336. PENSION SERVICE CREDIT FOR FEDERAL SERVICE CORPS
PARTICIPANTS.
(a) Creditable Service.--Section 8411(h) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``as a National Civilian Community Corps
member or leader under subtitle E of title I of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.), as a member of
a program under title I of the Act entitled `An Act to establish a
pilot program in the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture
designated as the Youth Conservation Corps, and for other purposes',
approved August 13, 1970 (commonly known as the `Youth Conservation
Corps Act of 1970'; 16 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or the Public Lands Corps
Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.),'' after ``Domestic Volunteer
Service Act of 1973,''.
(b) Contributions for Creditable Service.--Section 8422(f)(1) of
title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``as a National Civilian Community Corps
member or leader under subtitle E of title I of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.), as
a member of a program under title I of the Act entitled `An Act
to establish a pilot program in the Departments of the Interior
and Agriculture designated as the Youth Conservation Corps, and
for other purposes', approved August 13, 1970 (commonly known
as the `Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970'; 16 U.S.C. 1701
et seq.) or the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721
et seq.),'' after ``Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973,''
the first place the term appears;
(2) by striking ``or the stipend'' and inserting ``, of the
stipend''; and
(3) by striking ``for each period of service as such a
volunteer or volunteer leader'' and inserting ``or of the
living allowance paid to the National Civilian Community Corps
member or leader under subtitle E of title I of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.), or
to the member of a program under title I of the Act entitled
`An Act to establish a pilot program in the Departments of the
Interior and Agriculture designated as the Youth Conservation
Corps, and for other purposes', approved August 13, 1970
(commonly known as the `Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970';
16 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993
(16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.), for each period of service as such a
volunteer, volunteer leader, member, or leader''.
SEC. 337. SENIOR CORPS COMPETITIVE GRANT MODEL.
(a) Grants and Contracts for Volunteer Service Projects.--Section
201 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5001) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (A)
and inserting the following:
``(A) awarded for a period of not more than 3 years; and'';
and
(B) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(i) in clause (iii), by adding ``and''
after the semicolon; and
(ii) by striking clause (iv) and
redesignating clause (v) as clause (iv); and
(2) by striking subsection (i) and redesignating subsection
(j) as subsection (i).
(b) Multiyear Grants or Contracts.--Section 227(a) of the Domestic
Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5027(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2); and
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``(1) Subject to paragraph (2)
and'' and inserting ``Subject to''; and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
(c) Notice and Hearing Procedures for Suspension and Termination of
Financial Assistance.--Section 412(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service
Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5052) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding ``and'' after the
semicolon; and
(2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and redesignating
paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).
Subtitle C--Advancement of Public Service: Modernization of Federal
Personnel Systems
SEC. 341. ENHANCED AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE.
(a) Authorization of Activity.--Subchapter I of chapter 3 of title
5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 307. Enhanced awareness of the value of Federal public service
``(a) In General.--Subject to guidance that the Comptroller General
of the United States shall issue, any Executive agency or military
department may use appropriated funds to educate and inform the public
about the role of Federal employees, the value of Federal employment,
and the mission of the agency or department.
``(b) Rule of Construction.--The use of funds pursuant to the
guidance issued by the Comptroller General of the United States under
subsection (a) may not be construed as self-aggrandizement, publicity,
or propaganda that is otherwise prohibited under any other provision of
law that is enacted before, on, or after the date of enactment of this
section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 3 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 306 the following:
``307. Enhanced awareness of the value of Federal public service.''.
(c) Guidance.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall issue
the guidance required under section 307(a) of title 5, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Effective Date.--Except as provided in subsection (c), section
307 of title 5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this
section, and the amendment made by subsection (b) of this section,
shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 342. RESPONSIBILITY FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR HIRING
PREFERENCES AND SPECIAL HIRING OPTIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
(2) Preference eligible.--The term ``preference eligible''
has the meaning given the term in section 2108 of title 5,
United States Code.
(b) Authority To Determine Eligibility.--The Director shall
determine whether an individual is preference eligible, or whether an
individual is eligible for appointment to a position in an Executive
agency, under any of the following authorities:
(1) Section 4214 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) Section 3112 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Section 3304(f) of title 5, United States Code.
(4) Section 3330d of title 5, United States Code.
(5) Section 415(d) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of
1973 (42 U.S.C. 5055(d)), as amended by section 335(a)(1) of
this Act.
(6) Section 142 of the National and Community Service Act
of 1990, as added by section 335(a)(2) of this Act.
(7) Subsection (q) of section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22
U.S.C. 2504), as added by section 335(b) of this Act.
(8) Section 344 of this Act.
(9) Section 370 of this Act.
(c) Coordination.--The Director shall coordinate with the Secretary
of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Director of the
Peace Corps, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for
National and Community Service in developing the process for making
determinations under subsection (b).
(d) Regulations.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director shall issue regulations setting
forth the manner in which applicants for employment in Executive
agencies may access determinations made under subsection (b) and the
procedures to appeal those determinations.
(e) Preparation of Certificates of Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--Executive agencies shall rely on the
eligibility determinations made by the Director under
subsection (b) in preparing lists, registers, and certificates
of such eligibility.
(2) Guidance.--The Director shall issue guidance to
Executive agencies on the policies and procedures of the Office
of Personnel Management that are established under this
section.
(f) Other Remedies Available to Preference Eligibles Not
Affected.--Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the right
of a preference eligible to seek administrative or judicial redress
under section 3330a or 3330b of title 5, United States Code,
respectively.
SEC. 343. ENHANCEMENT OF SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES FOR MILITARY
VETERANS.
(a) Exception to Preference Eligibility.--Section 2108 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting
the following:
``(4) except for the purposes of chapters 43 and 75 of this
title, `preference eligible' does not include--
``(A) a retired member of the Armed Forces unless--
``(i) the individual is a disabled veteran;
or
``(ii) the individual retired below the
rank of major or its equivalent;
``(B) a veteran who has been discharged or released
from active duty for more than 10 years, as of the date
on which the individual would be appointed; or
``(C) a veteran who is an employee who has been in
the competitive service for more than two years, as of
the date on which the individual would be appointed;
and''.
(b) Veterans' Preference as a Tiebreaker Among Equally Qualified
Candidates.--
(1) Registers of eligibles.--Section 3313 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3313. Competitive service; registers of eligibles
``The names of applicants who have qualified in examinations for
the competitive service shall be entered on appropriate registers or
lists of eligibles in the order of their ratings, including points
added under section 3309 of this title. The names of preference
eligibles shall be entered ahead of others having the same rating.''.
(2) Alternative ranking and selection procedures.--Section
3319(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking
the second sentence.
(c) Veterans Recruitment Appointment Improvements.--
(1) Definition of recently separated veteran.--Section
4211(6) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking
``three-year'' and inserting ``10-year''.
(2) Definition of qualified covered veteran.--Section
4214(a)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(B) The term `qualified covered veteran' means a veteran
described in section 4212(a)(3) of this title, but does not
include a retired member of the Armed Forces unless the
individual qualifies for retirement under chapter 61 of title
10.''.
SEC. 344. NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY FOR HIGH-PERFORMING CIVILIAN
EMPLOYEES.
(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``competitive service''
has the meaning given the term in section 2102 of title 5, United
States Code.
(b) Regulations.--Under such regulations as the Director of the
Office of Personnel Management shall issue, an Executive agency may
noncompetitively appoint, for other than temporary employment, to a
position in the competitive service any individual who--
(1) is certified by the Director as having been a high-
performing employee in a former position in the competitive
service;
(2) has been separated from the former position described
in paragraph (1) for less than 6 years; and
(3) is qualified for the new position in the competitive
service, as determined by the head of the Executive agency
making the noncompetitive appointment.
(c) Limitation on Authority.--An individual may not be appointed to
a position under subsection (b) more than once.
(d) Designation of High-Performing Employees.--The Director of the
Office of Personnel Management shall, in the regulations issued under
subsection (b), set forth the criteria for certifying an individual as
a ``high-performing employee'' in a former position, which shall be
based on--
(1) the final performance appraisal of the individual in
that former position; and
(2) a recommendation by the immediate or other supervisor
of the individual in that former position.
SEC. 345. FLEXIBILITY FOR TEMPORARY AND TERM APPOINTMENTS.
(a) Temporary and Term Appointments.--Subchapter I of chapter 31 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 3117. Temporary and term appointments
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
``(2) Temporary appointment.--The term `temporary
appointment' means an appointment in the competitive service
for a period of not more than 1 year.
``(3) Term appointment.--The term `term appointment' means
an appointment in the competitive service for a period of more
than 1 year and not more than 5 years.
``(b) Appointment.--
``(1) In general.--The head of an Executive agency may make
a temporary appointment or term appointment to a position in
the competitive service when the need for the services of an
employee in the position is not permanent.
``(2) Extension.--Under conditions prescribed by the
Director, the head of an Executive agency may--
``(A) extend a temporary appointment made under
paragraph (1) in increments of not more than 1 year
each, up to a maximum of 3 total years of service; and
``(B) extend a term appointment made under
paragraph (1) in increments determined appropriate by
the head of the agency, up to a maximum of 6 total
years of service.
``(c) Appointments for Critical Hiring Needs.--
``(1) In general.--Under conditions prescribed by the
Director, the head of an Executive agency may make a
noncompetitive temporary appointment, or a noncompetitive term
appointment for a period of not more than 18 months, to a
position in the competitive service for which a critical hiring
need exists, as determined under section 3304, without regard
to the requirements of sections 3327 and 3330.
``(2) No extensions.--An appointment made under paragraph
(1) may not be extended.
``(d) Regulations.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Director
may prescribe regulations to carry out this section.
``(2) Application.--Any regulations prescribed by the
Director for the administration of this section shall not apply
to the Secretary of Defense in the exercise of the authorities
granted under section 1105 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130
Stat. 2447).
``(e) Special Provision Regarding the Department of Defense.--
Nothing in this section shall preclude the Secretary of Defense from
making temporary and term appointments in the competitive service
pursuant to section 1105 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130 Stat. 2447).
``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to affect the authorities granted under section 3109.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 31 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 3116 the following:
``3117. Temporary and term appointments.''.
SEC. 346. CRITERIA FOR GRANTING DIRECT-HIRE AUTHORITY TO AGENCIES.
Section 3304(b)(3)(B) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``shortage of candidates'' and all that follows through
``highly qualified candidates)'' and inserting ``shortage of highly
qualified candidates''.
SEC. 347. CAFETERIA PLAN FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Cafeteria plan.--The term ``cafeteria plan'' has the
meaning given the term in section 125(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
(3) Qualified carrier.--The term ``qualified carrier''
means an insurance company (or consortium of insurance
companies) that is licensed to issue disability-income
insurance under the laws of 48 of the States and the District
of Columbia, taking into account any subsidiaries of such a
company (and, in the case of a consortium, considering the
member companies and any subsidiaries thereof, collectively).
(b) Plan Authorized.--The Director shall establish and administer a
cafeteria plan through which an employee of an Executive agency may
select certain benefits from a menu of options, including cash, life
insurance, disability-income insurance, flexible spending arrangements
for health care, flexible spending arrangements for dependent care, a
health savings account, enhanced dental benefits, and enhanced vision
benefits.
(c) Contribution.--
(1) In general.--Not later than October 1 of each year, the
Director shall--
(A) identify the amount of the Federal Government's
contribution to the cafeteria plan established under
subsection (b); and
(B) in making the identification required under
subparagraph (A), determine the annual adjustment of
the Federal Government's contribution based on
inflation and other appropriate factors as determined
by the Director.
(2) Director responsibility.--The Director shall ensure
that the amount of the Federal Government's contribution for
the cafeteria plan described in subsection (b) does not
increase or decrease Governmentwide spending by Executive
agencies on benefits for employees of those agencies.
(d) Contracting Authority.--The Director--
(1) may, without regard to subsections (b), (c), and (d) of
section 6101 of title 41, United States Code, or any other
statute requiring competitive bidding, enter into contracts
with 1 or more qualified carriers for a policy or policies of
disability-income insurance, for the cafeteria plan authorized
under subsection (b); and
(2) shall ensure that each contract entered into under
paragraph (1) is entered into on the basis of contractor
qualifications, price, and reasonable competition.
(e) No Effect on Eligibility for Other Benefits.--Nothing in this
section may be construed to affect the eligibility for insurance and
other benefits under subpart G of part III of title 5, United States
Code.
(f) Regulations.--The Director shall, not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, propose for public notice and
comment regulations to implement the plan authorized by this section,
including regulations for a disability-income insurance program for
Federal employees.
(g) Statutory Proposals.--The Director shall, not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress
recommendations for legislative proposals that should be made to
chapter 87 of title 5, United States Code, that are necessary for the
establishment of the cafeteria plan under this section.
SEC. 348. MODERN BENEFITS PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Civil service.--The term ``civil service'' has the
meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 5, United
States Code.
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
(3) Eligible employee.--The term ``eligible employee''
means an employee in the civil service, other than a public
safety employee, who has completed less than 5 years of
civilian service creditable under section 8411 of title 5,
United States Code.
(4) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the
pilot program established by the Director under subsection
(b)(1).
(5) Public safety employee.--The term ``public safety
employee'' means an employee serving an Executive agency as a
law enforcement officer, air traffic controller, firefighter,
nuclear materials courier, or customs and border protection
officer, as those terms are defined in section 8401 of title 5,
United States Code.
(b) Pilot Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall establish a pilot
program in 3 Executive agencies to offer eligible employees a
benefits package described in subsection (d).
(2) Consultations.--With respect to the pilot program, the
Director--
(A) shall, in establishing the pilot program,
consult with benefits experts, actuaries, labor unions,
and the participating Executive agencies; and
(B) may carry out the pilot program without regard
to any requirement or limitation under section 4703 of
title 5, United States Code (as amended by this Act),
except that the pilot program shall be considered to be
a demonstration project for purposes of subsection (a)
of such section 4703.
(c) Election of Benefits Package by Employees.--
(1) New employees.--An eligible employee who is appointed
to a position in an Executive agency after the date on which
the pilot program is established may elect to be covered by the
benefits package in the pilot program or the benefits package
otherwise applicable to civil service employees in the
Executive agency.
(2) Recent hires.--An eligible employee who is appointed to
a position in an Executive agency during the 5-year period
ending on the date on which the pilot program is established
may elect to switch coverage to the benefits package in the
pilot program.
(3) Applicability.--An employee who elects the benefits
package in the pilot program shall not be eligible for an
annuity or annuitant health care benefits under chapter 84 of
title 5, United States Code.
(d) Program Details.--The Director shall ensure that the benefits
package authorized under this section is of equivalent value to the
benefits package otherwise applicable to employees in the civil service
in the applicable Executive agencies and offers the following:
(1) An enhanced Thrift Savings Plan benefit, including
eligibility for a total agency contribution of not less than 10
percent of pay, vested immediately.
(2) Not less than 12 weeks of paid leave for a purpose
described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 6382(a)(1) of
title 5, United States Code, which shall be in addition to any
accrued or accumulated annual or sick leave.
(3) Immediate eligibility for agency-paid short-term and
long-term disability-income insurance that replaces not less
than 60 percent of the employee's current salary.
(4) Not less than 5 weeks of flexible paid time off accrued
each year, in lieu of annual and sick leave.
(5) Such other benefits as the Director may authorize.
(e) Reports.--Not later than 6 years after the date on which the
pilot program under this section is established, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget and the Comptroller General of the
United States shall each submit to the Director and to Congress a
report on the pilot program that includes--
(1) evaluations of the pilot program; and
(2) recommendations on whether to modify, continue, expand,
or terminate the pilot program, or to make the program
permanent for all Executive agencies.
(f) Additional Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the pilot program under this section is established, the Director
shall contract with the National Academy of Public Administration--
(1) to conduct a study of the pilot program; and
(2) to submit to the Director, not later than 6 years after
the date on which the pilot program is established, a report on
the pilot program that includes the elements set forth in
subsection (e).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the Director to carry
out this section.
SEC. 349. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FLEXIBILITY FOR THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT.
(a) Limitation on Demonstration Projects.--Section 4703(d)(1) of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking ``demonstration
project shall'' and all that follows through ``5-year period'' and
inserting ``demonstration period shall terminate before the end of the
10-year period''.
(b) Evaluation of Demonstration Projects.--Section 4703 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting
the following:
``(h)(1) The Comptroller General of the United States and the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, every 5 years,
each evaluate any demonstration project conducted under this section
for the impacts of such demonstration project on improving public
management, which shall, at a minimum, evaluate the following:
``(A) The effectiveness of the demonstration project in
achieving the purpose identified in the project plan.
``(B) Significant impacts on any other matters important to
attracting and maintaining a highly qualified workforce.
``(C) The cost-effectiveness of the demonstration project.
``(D) Whether the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management should continue, cease, or adjust the demonstration
project.
``(E) Whether the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management should make the demonstration project permanent.
``(2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall,
every 5 years, contract with the National Academy of Public
Administration--
``(A) to conduct a study to evaluate any demonstration
project conducted under this section for the impacts of such
demonstration project on improving public management, including
an evaluation of the items contained in paragraph (1); and
``(B) to submit to the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management a report on the results of each such study.
``(3) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may
promulgate regulations to make a demonstration project permanent,
without requesting separate statutory approval therefor, if at least
one of the two officers evaluating the demonstration project under
paragraph (1) recommends in such evaluation that the demonstration
project be expanded Governmentwide. In exercising the authority under
this paragraph, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management may
consider the reports made under paragraph (2).''.
SEC. 350. ADVANCED ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR EXECUTIVE AGENCY HIRING.
(a) Adoption of Skills-Based Assessment Technology.--The Director
of the Office of Personnel Management shall support the distribution
to, and use by, Executive agencies in their hiring processes of
advanced skills-based assessment technology that the Director of the
Office of Personnel Management has validated as effective for the
recruitment, qualification, and assessment of candidates. The Office of
Personnel Management shall not charge an Executive agency for the use
of advanced skills-based assessment technology that the Office has
developed or procured under this subsection.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this section, including for entering into
licensing arrangements, purchasing technology, providing training, and
incurring other expenses related to the use and distribution to
Executive agencies of the technology described in subsection (a).
SEC. 351. COMPETENCY STANDARDS FOR HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALISTS.
Section 1303(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (5 U.S.C. 1401
note) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``, and to establish competency standards for human
resources employees, including technical knowledge, analytical skills,
and collaborative skills''.
SEC. 352. EVALUATION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE
PERSONNEL SYSTEM.
(a) Reports Required.--Not later than December 31, 2029, the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Comptroller
General shall each submit to Congress a report evaluating changes to
laws, regulations, and policies governing the Federal civil service
personnel system that address or reflect recommendations contained in
the final report of the National Commission on Military, National, and
Public Service required under section 555(e)(1) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130 Stat.
2136) (in this section referred to as the ``Commission Report'').
(b) Additional Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management shall contract with the National Academy of Public
Administration--
(1) to conduct a study evaluating changes to laws,
regulations, and policies governing the Federal civil service
personnel system that address or reflect recommendations
contained in the Commission Report; and
(2) to submit to the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, not later than December 31, 2029, a report on such
study, which the Director shall submit to Congress.
(c) Elements.--Each report under subsections (a) and (b) shall
include the following:
(1) A list of all changes to laws, regulations, and
policies governing the Federal civil service personnel system
that address or reflect recommendations contained in the
Commission Report.
(2) An evaluation of the changes identified under paragraph
(1), including assessments of--
(A) the effectiveness of the changes, especially
with respect to enabling Executive agencies to attract
and retain highly qualified, younger employees and
employees with critical skills;
(B) the cost of implementing the changes; and
(C) the challenges associated with implementing the
changes.
(3) Additional recommendations from the Commission Report
that should be undertaken to attract and retain a highly
qualified workforce that meets the needs of Executive agencies.
(4) Additional recommendations, as appropriate, to more
effectively attract and retain a highly qualified workforce
that meets the needs of Executive agencies.
(d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``civil service'' has
the meaning given that term in section 2101 of title 5, United States
Code.
SEC. 353. PROPOSALS FOR MODERN TALENT-MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
(a) Reports Required.--Not later than December 31, 2034, the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Comptroller
General shall each submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate
and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report setting
forth detailed proposals for a modern talent-management system to
replace existing civil service personnel systems.
(b) Additional Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management shall contract with the National Academy of Public
Administration--
(1) to conduct a study of proposals for a modern talent-
management system to replace existing civil service personnel
systems; and
(2) to submit to the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, not later than December 31, 2034, a report on such
proposals, which the Director shall submit to the committees of
Congress referred to in subsection (a).
(c) Elements.--Each report under subsections (a) and (b) shall
include the following:
(1) A detailed proposal for a new, comprehensive civil
service personnel system designed to replace existing civil
service personnel systems in Executive agencies, with
particular attention to--
(A) classification;
(B) hiring;
(C) compensation;
(D) evaluation; and
(E) promotion.
(2) Evidence from previous changes to civil service
personnel systems that supports the proposed design of the new
civil service personnel system.
(3) Considerations of the views of relevant stakeholders to
proposed changes to the existing civil service personnel
systems.
(d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``civil service'' has
the meaning given that term in section 2101 of title 5, United States
Code.
SEC. 354. ANNUAL REPORT ON BLENDED FEDERAL WORKFORCE.
Section 1103(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``(c)(1)'' and inserting
``(c)(1)(A)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(B)(i) The Office of Personnel Management shall collect from
Executive agencies, other than elements of the intelligence community
(as defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3003(4))), on at least an annual basis the following:
``(I) The total number of persons employed directly by the
Executive agency.
``(II) The total number of prime contractor employees and
subcontractor employees, as those terms are defined in section
8701 of title 41, issued credentials allowing access to
Executive agency property or computer systems.
``(III) The total number of employees of Federal grant and
cooperative agreement recipients, as those legal instruments
are described in sections 6304 and 6305 of title 31, United
States Code, who are issued credentials allowing access to
Executive agency property or computer systems.
``(IV) A total count of the workforce, including employees,
prime contractor employees, subcontractor employees, grantee
employees, and cooperative agreement employees.
``(ii) The Office of Personnel Management shall compile the data
collected under clause (i) and issue, and post on its website, an
annual report containing the data.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and
inserting ``paragraph (1)(A)''.
SEC. 355. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF
THE BLENDED FEDERAL WORKFORCE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The implementation of Federal laws and the competent
administration of Federal programs require skilled and capable
personnel.
(2) Executive agencies depend on a blended workforce that
includes Federal employees, employees of prime contractors and
subcontractors performing services to Executive agencies, and
employees of State or local governments, nonprofit
organizations, or institutions of higher education performing
services to Executive agencies under the terms of grants and
cooperative agreements (in this section referred to as
``grantees''), all of whom make essential contributions to
achieving the missions of the Government in service to the
American people.
(3) Approximately 2,000,000 Federal employees help to
execute the laws of the United States, supplemented by an
unknown number, estimated to exceed 5,000,000, of employees of
prime contractors, subcontractors, and grantees providing
services to Executive agencies.
(4) Policymakers, Executive agencies, and observers have
often focused on individual components of the blended
workforce, such as employees, without considering all
components or considering the entire blended workforce and how
all 3 components can work most effectively together.
(5) Executive agencies inhibit their own workforce planning
and risk making decisions that may reduce the overall
efficiency and cost effectiveness of the blended workforce by
focusing on only 1 component in isolation.
(6) Establishing artificial limits on headcounts or full-
time equivalent positions for Federal employees,
administrators, and managerial employees of Executive agencies
may discourage the employment of interns or entry-level
employees to build a balanced employment pipeline and may
inadvertently encourage managers to shift work to contractors
and grantees for the purpose of complying with such numerical
limits, even if those decisions are not justified by an
approach to improve the efficiency or cost effectiveness of the
Executive agency's work.
(7) The Government Accountability Office has identified
strategic human capital management as a high-risk area for the
Federal Government, adding that critical skills gaps ``impede
the government from cost-effectively serving the public and
achieving results''.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Executive agencies should manage the entire Federal
blended workforce, including employees, contractors, and
grantees, using a comprehensive and holistic approach to
advance their missions as effectively and cost efficiently as
possible, within appropriated budgets and without using
artificial numerical limits on headcounts or full-time-
equivalent positions; and
(2) Executive agencies should conduct a holistic review of
their blended workforce and develop a comprehensive plan to
ensure an efficient and cost-effective blended workforce.
Subtitle D--Advancement of Public Service: Students, Recent Graduates,
and Critical Skills
SEC. 361. FEDERAL FELLOWSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP CENTER.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the Federal
Fellowship and Scholarship Center established under subsection
(b).
(2) Civil service.--The term ``civil service'' has the
meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 5, United
States Code.
(3) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means an
Executive agency or military department.
(4) Critical skills.--The term ``critical skills'' means
any knowledge, skills, abilities, or education that a
sponsoring agency determines is necessary to meet critical
workforce requirements.
(5) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
(6) Executive director.--The term ``Executive Director''
means the Executive Director of the Center appointed under
subsection (c)(1).
(7) Fellowship.--The term ``fellowship'' means a short-term
employment opportunity (other than a post-fellowship service
requirement), of not more than 2 years in length, that is
intended to provide the recipient with work experience with a
covered agency that prepares the recipient for permanent
employment with a covered agency.
(8) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(9) Intern.--The term ``intern'' means a student enrolled
in an institution of higher education who is providing
voluntary services to a covered agency under section 3111(b) of
title 5, United States Code.
(10) Scholarship.--The term ``scholarship'' means--
(A) financial support paid by a covered agency
towards the cost to an individual of attendance at an
institution of higher education that is authorized to
participate in a Federal student aid program under
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070 et seq.) in a course of study leading to a
credential in a critical skill or another program that
requires the individual to demonstrate an interest in
or agreement to pursue a career in public service; or
(B) financial support paid by a covered agency
towards the cost to an individual of procuring private
instruction in a critical skill.
(11) Sponsoring agency.--The term ``sponsoring agency''
means any covered agency, or any administration, service,
board, or bureau part thereof, that operates a fellowship or
scholarship program.
(b) Establishment of Federal Fellowship and Scholarship Center.--
The Director shall establish and maintain a Federal Fellowship and
Scholarship Center to administer, manage, and promote all fellowship
and scholarship programs in order to attract individuals to serve in
the Federal Government in a civilian capacity and facilitate the entry
of those individuals into the civil service.
(c) Management of Center.--
(1) Executive director.--
(A) Appointment.--The Director shall appoint an
individual with appropriate expertise to serve as the
Executive Director of the Center, which shall be a
position in the Senior Executive Service.
(B) Term.--The Executive Director shall be
appointed for a term of 5 years.
(2) Assistant to the president for military, national, and
public service.--The Director of the Council on Military,
National, and Public Service established under section 201
shall provide strategic guidance to, and facilitate interagency
cooperation with, the Executive Director.
(3) Regulations.--The Executive Director shall issue any
regulations necessary to implement and manage the Center.
(d) Functions of the Center.--The Center shall--
(1) establish, maintain, and operate an online platform
accessible to the public that contains information regarding
every fellowship and scholarship opportunity available,
including information on how individuals may apply for the
opportunity;
(2) approve, promote, and facilitate fellowship and
scholarship programs at the request of a sponsoring agency to
meet workforce requirements of the sponsoring agency,
especially in critical skill areas;
(3) develop a standard application for fellowships and
scholarships for use by applicants and sponsoring agencies,
which may be supplemented by additional requirements of a
sponsoring agency; and
(4) ensure that an individual who successfully completes a
fellowship or scholarship program is able to utilize the
noncompetitive eligibility for employment in the competitive
service provided under section 370(b).
(e) Virtual Student Federal Service.--
(1) In general.--The Executive Director shall establish and
operate a Virtual Student Federal Service, an online platform
through which Executive agencies may solicit for interns to
work approximately 10 hours per week during the academic school
year.
(2) Intern responsibilities.--An intern appointed by an
Executive agency under paragraph (1)--
(A) shall communicate with and submit work to the
Executive agency electronically; and
(B) shall not be required to travel.
(3) Agency responsibilities.--An Executive agency
sponsoring an opportunity through the Virtual Student Federal
Service shall provide the Center with relevant information
about the intern services needed by the Executive agency.
(f) Responsibilities and Authorities of Sponsoring Agencies.--The
head of a sponsoring agency--
(1) shall establish the terms of each fellowship or
scholarship program, including eligibility requirements,
compensation, and length of service requirements;
(2) shall provide the Center with the necessary information
on existing fellowship and scholarship programs to enable the
Center to fulfill its responsibilities to promote and
facilitate those programs through the online platform and
application process described in paragraphs (1) and (3),
respectively, of subsection (d);
(3) shall select recipients of fellowships and scholarships
in a timely manner from among the applicants identified by the
Center;
(4) with respect to a scholarship awarded to an individual,
may pay the scholarship--
(A) directly to the individual; or
(B) to the institution of higher education in which
the individual is enrolled, if applicable; and
(5) shall comply with requests from the Center for
information about the status of the fellowship and scholarship
programs of the sponsoring agency.
(g) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Executive Director shall submit to Congress
a report on the establishment of the Center, including--
(1) the status of the online platform established under
subsection (d)(1);
(2) the participation of sponsoring agencies;
(3) the number of applicants; and
(4) any additional information the Director requires.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 362. PUBLIC SERVICE CORPS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Terms defined in section 361.--The terms ``civil
service'', ``Center'', ``covered agency'', ``Director'', and
``Executive Director'' have the meanings given those terms in
section 361.
(2) Other terms.--
(A) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning
given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
(B) Public service corps host; psc host.--The term
``Public Service Corps host'' or ``PSC host'' means an
institution of higher education that has been selected
by the Center to host Public Service Corps members.
(C) Public service corps host program; psc host
program.--The term ``Public Service Corps host
program'' or ``PSC host program'' means a program
operated by a PSC host under this section.
(D) Public service corps member; psc member.--The
term ``Public Service Corps member'' or ``PSC member''
means a student at a Public Service Corps host who is
awarded a Public Service Corps scholarship.
(E) Public service corps scholarship.--The term
``Public Service Corps scholarship'' means a
scholarship provided to an individual in exchange for a
commitment from the individual to serve in the civil
service upon--
(i) completion of requirements established
by the sponsoring agency; and
(ii) graduation from the PSC host.
(F) Sponsoring agency.--The term ``sponsoring
agency'' means a covered agency that funds a Public
Service Corps scholarship for an individual.
(b) Establishment.--The Director shall establish within the Center
a Public Service Corps Program.
(c) Selection of Public Service Corps Hosts.--
(1) Selection.--The Executive Director shall select a PSC
host through a competitive process using criteria established
by the Executive Director, which shall include a demonstrated
commitment by the institution of higher education concerned to
foster public service careers.
(2) Standards; consistency.--The Executive Director shall--
(A) develop standards for PSC hosts; and
(B) ensure consistency among PSC host programs.
(3) Application requirements for psc hosts.--An institution
of higher education that desires to become a PSC host shall
apply to the Center at such time and in such manner as required
under the regulations issued under subsection (i).
(4) PSC interaction with other training programs.--A PSC
host that also supports a Senior Reserve Officers' Training
Corps program under section 2102 of title 10, United States
Code, or a Defense Civilian Training Corps established under
chapter 113 of title 10, United States Code, shall--
(A) establish joint leadership training
opportunities;
(B) offer joint courses; and
(C) permit PSC members, members of the Senior
Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and members
of the Defense Civilian Training Corps program to
enroll in coursework from either of the other 2
programs, on a space-available basis.
(5) Integration of state, local, and tribal government
service programs.--A PSC host shall consider the establishment
of public service scholarship programs with State, local, and
Tribal governments that are similar to the PSC host program,
with the goal of integrating PSC members and State, local, and
Tribal scholarship students in PSC programs on campus.
(d) Selection of Public Service Corps Members.--
(1) Application.--A student interested in a PSC scholarship
shall submit an application to the sponsoring agency at such
time and in such manner as the Executive Director may require.
(2) Selection.--A sponsoring agency shall select each
student to whom the sponsoring agency will offer a PSC
scholarship.
(3) Eligibility.--An applicant may receive a PSC
scholarship only if the applicant is enrolled in or admitted to
a PSC host.
(4) Scholarships.--
(A) Duration.--A sponsoring agency may offer a
scholarship with a duration of 2 years, 3 years, or 4
years to a PSC member.
(B) Socioeconomic diversity.--To ensure
socioeconomic diversity, a sponsoring agency shall
reserve a portion of the scholarships offered by the
agency for students who meet the eligibility
requirements for a Federal Pell Grant under section 401
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a).
(e) Requirements for Public Service Corps Members.--
(1) Contract.--A sponsoring agency shall enter into a
contract with a PSC member in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Requirements.--A contract entered into under paragraph
(1) shall include--
(A) a requirement that the PSC member be enrolled
full-time as a student at a PSC host;
(B) any conditions imposed by the sponsoring agency
on the scholarship, including--
(i) whether the PSC member must complete a
specific academic program, major, certificate,
or coursework relevant to the needs of the
sponsoring agency; and
(ii) the consequences if the PSC member
does not comply with the terms and conditions
of the scholarship;
(C) any obligations imposed by the sponsoring
agency on the PSC member to participate in structured
academic and experiential leadership training, a
community service project, or an internship with a
Federal, State, local, or Tribal entity;
(D) a requirement that the PSC member serve in the
civil service for a 4-year period upon--
(i) completion of requirements established
by the sponsoring agency; and
(ii) graduation from the PSC host; and
(E) any other terms or conditions as determined by
the sponsoring agency.
(f) Responsibilities and Authorities of Sponsoring Agencies.--
(1) Selection of scholarship recipients.--A sponsoring
agency shall interview and select scholarship recipients in
accordance with procedures established by the Executive
Director.
(2) Amount of scholarship.--
(A) Minimum.--The annual amount of a scholarship
offered by a sponsoring agency may not be less than the
maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant under section
401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070a) that a student eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
may receive in the aggregate (without regard to whether
the funds are provided through discretionary or
mandatory appropriations), for the award year for which
the PSC scholarship is offered.
(B) Relation to eligibility for other federal
student assistance.--The eligibility of an individual
for Federal student assistance provided under title IV
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et
seq.) shall not be affected by receipt of a PSC
scholarship.
(C) Other benefits.--Other benefits that may be
accrued, such as pay for internships or travel
allowances, shall not count toward the minimum amount
of the scholarship required under subparagraph (A).
(3) Coordination of internship opportunities.--A sponsoring
agency shall coordinate internship opportunities for a PSC
member during the term of the scholarship of the PSC member.
(4) Security clearances.--A sponsoring agency shall
coordinate, sponsor, and manage the process for a PSC member to
obtain any necessary security clearances.
(g) Public Service Employment.--
(1) Noncompetitive appointments for internships.--An
covered agency may noncompetitively appoint, for temporary
employment, a PSC member for the purpose of completing an
internship.
(2) Other noncompetitive appointments.--A sponsoring agency
may noncompetitively appoint to the competitive service, for
other than temporary employment, a PSC member who has--
(A) satisfactorily completed the requirements of
the PSC scholarship; and
(B) graduated from the PSC host.
(3) Service commitment.--
(A) In general.--If a sponsoring agency makes an
offer of employment to a PSC member sponsored by the
sponsoring agency after the PSC member satisfactorily
completes the requirements of a PSC scholarship and
graduates from a PSC host, the PSC member shall accept
the offer.
(B) No offer by sponsoring agency.--If a sponsoring
agency does not make an offer of employment to a PSC
member described in subparagraph (A), the PSC member--
(i) shall be eligible for noncompetitive
appointment to the competitive service by a
covered agency during the 3-year period
beginning on the date on which the PSC member
graduated from the PSC host; and
(ii) may fulfill the service commitment of
the PSC member described in subsection
(e)(2)(D) through employment with any covered
agency.
(h) Failure To Complete Scholarship Requirements.--
(1) Liability for restitution in case of noncompletion or
declination of employment.--A PSC member who does not complete
the required course of instruction, fails to graduate in
accordance with the terms of the Public Service Corps
scholarship, or fails to complete the 4-year service commitment
described in subsection (e)(2)(D) shall, subject to paragraph
(2) of this subsection, repay the amount of the scholarship to
the sponsoring agency.
(2) Waiver of liability.--The Executive Director may, in
extraordinary circumstances, waive some or all of the liability
for the 4-year service commitment under subsection (d)(4)(B) or
the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(i) Regulations.--The Director and the Executive Director shall
jointly issue any regulations necessary to carry out this section.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 363. PUBLIC SERVICE ACADEMY GRANTS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Enrollment of needy students.--The term ``enrollment of
needy students'' has the meaning given the term in section
312(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(d)).
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(3) Public service.--The term ``public service'' means
civilian employment in the Federal Government or a State,
local, or Tribal government in the United States.
(4) Public service academy.--The term ``public service
academy'' means a leadership development program at an
institution of higher education that is designed to prepare
students for public service through curricular,
extracurricular, experiential learning, and internship
programs.
(5) Public service academy cost.--The term ``public service
academy cost'' means the cost of developing and administering a
public service academy at an institution of higher education.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(b) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall establish and
administer a program to issue grants to not more than 50 institutions
of higher education, on a competitive basis, to support the development
of public service academies--
(1) to attract postsecondary students to careers in public
service;
(2) to promote public service as a career path for younger
Americans;
(3) to prepare future generations with skills needed in all
levels of public service; and
(4) to support the Federal Government and State, local, and
Tribal governments in their efforts to attract exceptional
talent from the Nation's recent graduates.
(c) Grant Application.--An institution of higher education seeking
a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require. Such application shall include--
(1) a plan for the development of a public service academy,
including an account of existing curricular, extracurricular,
experiential learning, and internship programs at the
institution of higher education that would be included in the
public service academy, as well as new curricular,
extracurricular, experiential learning, and internship programs
that would be established with grant funds;
(2) an assessment of anticipated costs for the public
service academy in each of the first 4 years of operation,
including the potential sources of non-Federal funds to be used
for the public service academy; and
(3) information regarding the enrollment of needy students
at the institution of higher education.
(d) Selection by Competitive Process.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall issue grants under
this section pursuant to a competitive process and shall
establish rules for evaluating applicants and awarding grants
under this section.
(2) Reservation of funds for certain institutions.--Of the
funds made available for grants under this section, the
Secretary shall reserve not less than 50 percent for grants to
institutions of higher education that have enrollments of needy
students.
(3) Equitable geographic distribution of grants.--To the
extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure an equitable
geographic distribution of grants awarded under this section.
(e) Duration and Amount of Federal Grants.--
(1) Duration.--A grant under this section shall be awarded
for a period of not more than 4 years.
(2) Certain costs excluded.--A grant under this section
shall not include funds for the cost of any curricular,
extracurricular, experiential learning, and internship programs
maintained or sponsored by the institution of higher education
at the time an application for a grant under this section is
made.
(3) Amount of grant.--The amount of the grant may not
exceed--
(A) 75 percent of the public service academy cost
in the first year; and
(B) 50 percent of the public service academy cost
in each of the second, third, and fourth years.
(f) Permissible Uses.--An institution of higher education receiving
a grant under this section may use funds from the grant--
(1) to develop, expand, and modify curricula to prepare
students for careers in public service, including experiential
learning components of curricula;
(2) to create and administer classroom activities, thesis
projects, individual or team projects, internships, degree or
certificate programs, or community service activities related
to promoting public service and preparing students for careers
in public service;
(3) to collaborate with government entities, nonprofit
organizations, or consortia of such entities and organizations
to provide students with public service-related work
experiences and introduce students to potential careers upon
their graduation;
(4) to provide scholarships for students who participate in
the public service academy; and
(5) to evaluate the effectiveness of the public service
academy as it relates to leading participants into careers with
local, State, or Federal Government agencies.
(g) Annual Grantee Report.--A recipient of a grant under this
section shall submit to the Secretary on an annual basis a
comprehensive report on the public service academy supported by the
grant and the use of the grant funds to support the academy. The
Secretary shall provide guidance on what information shall be included
in the report.
(h) Congressional Reports.--The Secretary shall--
(1) not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act and every 12 months thereafter, submit to
Congress a report on the results or outcomes of all public
service academies provided grants under this section and the
potential need for additional funding for such academies; and
(2) in the fourth annual report submitted under paragraph
(1), include a recommendation to Congress about whether the
grant program under this section should receive continued
funding.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 364. PUBLIC SERVICE CADET PROGRAM AT MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES.
(a) Plan for Public Service Cadet Program.--The Superintendent of
each military service academy, in consultation with the Secretaries of
the military departments and the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, shall develop a plan to create a program for the
instruction of and preparation for public service of certain cadets at
such service academy, in accordance with subsection (b).
(b) Elements of Plan.--The plan described in subsection (a) shall--
(1) provide for the appointment of cadets to a public
service cadet program representing at least 5 percent of the
total incoming class at each academy, with no corresponding
decline in enrollment of military cadets or midshipmen;
(2) require that each graduate of the public service cadet
program accept an appointment to the Federal civil service and
commit to serve in the Federal civil service for a period of 5
years after such appointment;
(3) provide a process for any graduate who does not serve
in a position in the Federal civil service or who resigns from
a position in the Federal civil service before the expiration
of the 5-year service commitment to pay back the cost of the
graduate's education at the military service academy,
consistent with requirements of military cadets or midshipmen,
along with a process for the Superintendent to issue a waiver
to all or part of such requirement;
(4) specify the training, curricular, and other
requirements for public service cadets;
(5) address the applicability of the Uniform Code of
Military Justice or alternative disciplinary procedures to
public service cadets; and
(6) provide a detailed plan for implementing the public
service cadet program, including the amount of time needed to
implement the plan.
(c) Submittal to Congress.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Superintendent of each military
service academy shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives the plan developed by such
Superintendent under this section.
SEC. 365. COMPENSATION FOR FEDERAL INTERNS.
(a) Federal Agency Interns.--Section 3111 of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting before the semicolon
the following: ``, but only insofar as the institution provides
academic credit to the student for the voluntary service''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) An agency may provide reimbursement for transportation and
subsistence expenses for any student who provides voluntary service
under subsection (b), pursuant to regulations issued by the Office of
Personnel Management.''.
(b) Legislative Branch Interns.--Part 3 of title IV of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C. 4101) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 432. INTERNS IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Intern.--The term `intern' means, with respect to a
legislative branch office, an individual who serves in the
legislative branch office for not more than 120 days in a 12-
month period and whose service is primarily for the educational
experience of the individual.
``(2) Legislative branch office.--The term `legislative
branch office' means each of the following:
``(A) An employing office, as defined in section
101 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2
U.S.C. 1301).
``(B) The Government Accountability Office.
``(C) The Government Publishing Office.
``(b) In General.--The head of each legislative branch office shall
pay an intern who serves in the legislative branch office not less than
the minimum wage rate established under section 6 of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), unless--
``(1) the intern is a student who is participating in a
program established by the institution at which the intern is
enrolled; and
``(2) the institution provides academic credit to the
student for the voluntary service of the intern.
``(3) Benefit exclusion.--Interns compensated under this
subsection shall be excluded from the operation of the
following provisions of title 5, United States Code:
``(A) Chapter 84 (relating to the Federal Employees
Retirement System).
``(B) Chapter 87 (relating to life insurance).
``(C) Chapter 89 (relating to health insurance).
``(c) Senate Allowance.--There is established for the Senate an
allowance which shall be available for the compensation of interns who
serve in the offices of Senators during a calendar year.''.
(c) Federal Judiciary Interns.--
(1) Compensation.--The Director of the Administrative
Office of the United States Courts shall issue regulations to
provide for the compensation of all interns serving in the
judicial branch.
(2) Intern defined.--In this subsection, the term
``intern'' means an individual--
(A) who serves in a court of the United States or
the Administrative Office of the United States Courts
for not more than 120 days during a 12-month period;
and
(B) whose service is primarily for the educational
experience of the individual.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section
and the amendments made by this section.
SEC. 366. ESTABLISHMENT OF PATHWAYS PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' means--
(A) an Executive agency, as defined in section 105
of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) the Government Publishing Office.
(2) Civil service.--The term ``civil service'' has the
meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 5, United
States Code.
(3) Competitive service.--The term ``competitive service''
has the meaning given the term in section 2102 of title 5,
United States Code.
(4) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office.
(5) Excepted service.--The term ``excepted service'' has
the meaning given the term in section 2103 of title 5, United
States Code.
(6) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office of
Personnel Management.
(b) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall establish the Pathways
Program.
(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Pathways Program is to
promote employment opportunities in the Federal workforce for
students and recent graduates by excepting participants in the
Program from competitive service hiring requirements for
certain positions in the civil service.
(3) Sub-programs.--The Pathways Program shall consist of an
Internship Program and a Recent Graduates Program.
(c) Regulations.--The Director shall issue regulations for the
Pathways Program, which shall include--
(1) a description of the positions that agencies may fill
through the Pathways Program because conditions of good
administration necessitate excepting those positions from the
competitive hiring rules;
(2) rules governing whether, to what extent, and in what
manner agencies must provide public notice of job opportunities
in the Pathways Program;
(3) a description of opportunities for career development,
training, and mentorship for participants in the Pathways
Program;
(4) requirements that managers assess the performance of
participants in the Pathways Program to identify the
individuals who should be considered for conversion to career
civil service positions;
(5) a description of oversight by the Office of the use of
the Pathways Program by agencies to ensure that--
(A) the Pathways Program serves as a supplement to,
and not a substitute for, the competitive hiring
process; and
(B) agencies are using the Pathways Program in
order to develop talent for careers in the civil
service;
(6) a description of plans by the Office to evaluate--
(A) the effectiveness of agencies in recruiting and
retaining talent using the Pathways Program; and
(B) the satisfaction of the students and graduates
participating in the Pathways Program; and
(7) standard naming conventions across agencies, so that
students and recent graduates can clearly understand and
compare the available career pathway opportunities in the
Federal Government.
(d) Internship Program.--
(1) In general.--The Internship Program shall provide a
student in high school, a community college, a 4-year
institution of higher education, a trade school, a career or
technical education program, or another qualifying educational
institution or program, as determined by the Director, with
paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal
careers while still in school.
(2) Principles and policies.--The following principles and
policies shall govern the Internship Program:
(A) A participant in the Internship Program shall
be a student enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in a
qualifying educational institutions or program, as
determined by the Director.
(B) Subject to such exceptions as may be provided
by regulation, an agency shall provide an intern with
meaningful developmental work and set clear
expectations regarding the work experience of the
intern.
(C) A student employed by a third-party internship
provider but placed in an agency may, to the extent
permitted by regulation, be treated as a participant in
the Internship Program.
(D) An agency shall participate in the Internship
Program for the primary purpose of developing and
evaluating entry-level talent for future permanent
employment with the Federal Government.
(e) Recent Graduates Program.--
(1) In general.--The Recent Graduates Program shall provide
an individual who has recently graduated from a qualifying
educational institution or program with developmental
experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote a
possible career in the civil service.
(2) Principles and policies.--The following principles and
policies shall govern the Recent Graduates Program:
(A)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a
participant in the Recent Graduates Program shall have
obtained a qualifying degree, or completed a qualifying
career or technical education program, as determined by
the Director, during the 3-year period preceding
application to the Recent Graduates Program.
(ii) In the case of a veteran who, due to the
military service obligation of the veteran, would be
precluded from participating in the Recent Graduates
Program because the veteran is unable to apply during
the 3-year period required under clause (i), that
clause shall be applied by substituting ``6-year
period'' for ``3-year period''.
(B) Responsibilities assigned to a recent graduate
shall be consistent with--
(i) the qualifications, educational
background, and career interests of the
graduate;
(ii) the purpose of the Recent Graduates
Program; and
(iii) the needs of agencies.
(f) Appointment and Conversion.--The following requirements shall
apply to an appointment in the Pathways Program:
(1) An appointment to the Pathways Program shall be under
the excepted service.
(2) An appointment to the Recent Graduates Program may not
exceed 2 years, unless extended by the employing agency for a
period of not more than 120 days.
(3) An appointment to the Pathways Program shall not confer
any right to further Federal employment in the competitive
service or the excepted service upon the expiration of the
appointment, except that an agency--
(A) may convert a participant noncompetitively to a
term, career, or career-conditional appointment after
the participant satisfies requirements to be
established by the Director; and
(B) may noncompetitively convert a participant who
was initially converted to a term appointment under
this section to a career or career-conditional
appointment before the term appointment expires.
(g) Definition of Federal Internship Program.--Section 3111a(c)(1)
of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as
subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) the Internship Program established under
section 366(d) of the Inspired to Serve Act of 2025;''.
SEC. 367. ENHANCED HIRING FOR RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES AND POST-
SECONDARY STUDENTS.
(a) Recent Graduate Hiring Authority.--Section 3115(e) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking all that follows
``exceed'' and inserting the following: ``exceed the greater
of--
``(A) the number equal to 15 percent of the number
of individuals that the agency head appointed during
the previous fiscal year to permanent employment; or
``(B) the number equal to 1 percent of the average
number of permanent employees in the agency during the
previous fiscal year.''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Temporary cap increase.--
``(A) In general.--Under a regulation prescribed
under subsection (f), the Director shall increase the
limit on the number of individuals that may be
appointed by the head of an agency under paragraph (1)
of this subsection during a fiscal year as necessary to
meet the target under section 368 of the Inspired to
Serve Act of 2025 (relating to aggregate number of
hires of recent college graduates and post-secondary
students).
``(B) Duration.--The increased limit under
subparagraph (A) shall terminate not later than
September 30, 2034.''.
(b) Post-Secondary Student Hiring Authority.--Section 3116 of title
5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking all that follows
``exceed'' and inserting the following: ``exceed the
greater of--
``(A) the number equal to 15 percent of the number
of individuals that the agency head appointed during
the previous fiscal year to permanent employment; or
``(B) the number equal to 1 percent of the average
number of permanent employees in the agency during the
previous fiscal year.''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Temporary cap increase.--
``(A) In general.--Under a regulation prescribed
under subsection (g), the Director shall increase the
limit on the number of individuals that may be
appointed by a head of an agency under paragraph (1) of
this subsection during a fiscal year as necessary to
meet the target under section 368 of the Inspired to
Serve Act of 2025 (relating to aggregate number of
hires of recent college graduates and post-secondary
students).
``(B) Duration.--The increased limit under
subparagraph (A) shall terminate not later than
September 30, 2031.''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``640'' and inserting
``400''.
SEC. 368. AGGREGATE NUMBER OF HIRES OF RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES AND
POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS.
(a) Targets.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management
shall ensure that the aggregate number of applicants hired into term or
permanent positions in the competitive service at Federal agencies
under section 366 of this Act (relating to the Pathways Program),
section 1106 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2017 (10 U.S.C. note prec. 1580; Public Law 114-238), and sections 3115
and 3116 of title 5, United States Code (as amended by section 367 of
this Act)--
(1) by September 30, 2029, is not less than 30,000; and
(2) by September 30, 2034, is not less than 50,000.
(b) Pro Rata Share Determination.--The Director shall determine the
pro rata share, for each fiscal year, of the obligation of each Federal
agency to meet the targets under subsection (a), based on the number of
positions in the competitive service at the agency as compared with the
total number of positions in the competitive service across all
agencies.
(c) Shortfall Determination.--Each fiscal year, the Director shall
determine the progress of each Federal agency in achieving the targets
under subsection (a) by subtracting the number of applicants hired into
term or permanent positions in the competitive service at the agency
during the preceding fiscal year under the provisions of law set forth
in subsection (a) from the pro rata share of the agency determined
under subsection (b).
SEC. 369. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO HIRE RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES AND
POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS WITH CRITICAL SKILLS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
(2) Internship program.--The term ``internship program''
has the meaning given the term in section 3111a(c)(1) of title
5, United States Code, as amended by section 366(g) of this
Act.
(b) Demonstration Project.--
(1) Purpose.--The Director shall, pursuant to section 4703
of title 5, United States Code, carry out a demonstration
project described in paragraph (2) of this subsection for the
purpose of--
(A) assessing the sufficiency of hiring authorities
to meet the hiring needs of Executive agencies in
positions that require critical skills; and
(B) determining whether changes are needed in
methods of establishing qualification requirements for,
recruitment for, and appointment to, positions
described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Project described.--Under the demonstration project
under paragraph (1), an Executive agency shall appoint--
(A) students to internship programs for the purpose
of acquiring critical skills that address the needs of
the Executive agency; or
(B) recent graduates to full-time positions in the
Executive agency that require critical skills described
in subparagraph (A).
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 60 days after the date on
which the demonstration project under this section terminates, the
Director shall submit to Congress a report on the project, including
the assessment and determination of the Director under subsection
(b)(1).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
demonstration project under this section.
SEC. 370. NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL DEVELOPMENTAL
POSITIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Competitive service.--The term ``competitive service''
has the meaning given the term in section 2102 of title 5,
United States Code.
(2) Fellowship.--The term ``fellowship'' means a short-term
employment opportunity (other than a post-fellowship service
requirement), of not more than 2 years in length, that is
intended to provide the recipient with work experience with an
Executive agency or a military department that prepares the
recipient for permanent employment with an Executive agency or
a military department.
(3) Internship.--The term ``internship'' has the meaning
given the term ``internship program'' in section 3111a of title
5, United States Code.
(4) Scholarship.--The term ``scholarship'' means--
(A) financial support paid by an Executive agency
or a military department towards an individual's cost
of attendance at an institution of higher education
that is authorized to participate in a Federal student
aid program under title IV of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) in a course of study
leading to a credential in a critical skill or another
program that requires the student to demonstrate an
interest in or agreement to pursue a career in public
service; or
(B) financial support paid by an Executive agency
towards an individual's cost of procuring private
instruction in a critical skill.
(5) Third-party internship or fellowship.--The term
``third-party internship or fellowship'' means an internship or
a fellowship in the Federal Government that is facilitated and
organized through a nongovernmental, third-party organization
that has a formal arrangement with 1 or more Executive
agencies, or with the legislative branch, to provide such
internships or fellowships.
(b) Appointment in Competitive Service.--The head of any Executive
agency or military department may appoint in the competitive service
any individual who has been certified by the Office of Personnel
Management, within the 12-month period preceding the appointment, as
having successfully completed any internship, scholarship, or
fellowship program, or a third-party internship or fellowship.
(c) Documentation.--The Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, through the Executive Director of the Federal Fellowship
and Scholarship Center established under section 361, shall issue such
documentation as is necessary to certify individuals under subsection
(b) as eligible for noncompetitive appointments in the competitive
service.
SEC. 371. FACILITATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEE RESKILLING.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Competitive service; excepted service.--The terms
``competitive service'' and ``excepted service'' have the
meanings given the terms in sections 2102 and 2103,
respectively, of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Federal reskilling program.--The term ``Federal
reskilling program'' means a program approved by the Director
of the Office of Personnel Management to provide an employee
serving in a position in the competitive service or the
excepted service with technical skill or expertise that will
enable such employee to continue work in the Federal Government
in a different position in the competitive or excepted service
that requires such skill or expertise.
(b) Reentry at Same or Higher Class and Grade.--Any employee who
successfully completes a Federal reskilling program and transfers to a
position in the Federal Government in the competitive or excepted
service that requires technical skill or expertise provided to the
employee in such Federal reskilling program shall, notwithstanding the
classification requirements set out in chapter 51 of title 5, United
States Code, serve in the new position at a class and grade at or
higher than the class and grade of the position from which the employee
transferred.
(c) Guidance and Regulations.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management shall issue--
(1) guidance on the approval process for Federal reskilling
programs; and
(2) regulations ensuring the rights of participants
described in subsection (b).
SEC. 372. CIVILIAN CYBERSECURITY RESERVE PILOT PROJECT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate agency head.--The term ``appropriate agency
head'' means--
(A) in the case of the Department of Homeland
Security, the Secretary of Homeland Security; and
(B) in the case of the National Security Agency,
the director of the National Security Agency.
(2) Competitive service.--The term ``competitive service''
has the meaning given that term in section 2102 of title 5,
United States Code.
(3) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means the
Department of Homeland Security or the National Security
Agency.
(4) Uniformed services.--The term ``uniformed services''
has the meaning given that term in section 2101 of title 5,
United States Code.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish a
Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve as a pilot project to provide to the
Federal Government trained and qualified civilian personnel who have
previously served with the Federal Government or in the uniformed
services and possess cybersecurity expertise, in order to address
cybersecurity needs of the United States to protect the national
security of the United States.
(c) Pilot Project.--
(1) In general.--Each appropriate agency head may carry out
a pilot project to establish a Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve
at the covered agency.
(2) Noncompetitive appointment.--Under a pilot project
authorized under paragraph (1), the appropriate agency head may
noncompetitively appoint members of the Civilian Cybersecurity
Reserve to temporary positions in the competitive service.
(d) Eligibility; Application and Selection.--
(1) In general.--Under a pilot project authorized under
subsection (c), the appropriate agency head shall establish
criteria for--
(A) individuals to be eligible for the Civilian
Cybersecurity Reserve in the covered agency; and
(B) the application and selection processes for the
Reserve.
(2) Requirements for individuals.--The criteria established
under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to an individual shall
include--
(A) previous employment by the Federal Government
or within the uniformed services; and
(B) cybersecurity expertise.
(3) Agreement required.--An individual may become a member
of the Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve only if the individual
enters into an agreement with the appropriate agency head to
become such a member. The agreement shall set forth the rights
and obligations of the individual and the covered agency.
(4) Exception for continuing military service
commitments.--A member of the Selected Reserve under section
10143 of title 10, United States Code, may not be a member of
the Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve.
(e) Components of the Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve.--The
appropriate agency head may consider, in carrying out a pilot project
authorized under subsection (c), developing different components of the
Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve in the covered agency, one with an
obligation to respond when called into activation at the direction of
the appropriate agency head and one that is not compelled to so
respond, with appropriate corresponding differing benefits for each
such component.
(f) Security Clearances.--The appropriate agency head shall ensure
that all members of the Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve in the covered
agency have an active security clearance in accordance with Executive
Order 12968 (50 U.S.C. 3161 note; relating to access to classified
information) and Executive Order 13467 (50 U.S.C. 3161 note; relating
to reforming processes related to suitability for Government
employment, fitness for contractor employees, and eligibility for
access to classified national security information).
(g) Project Guidance.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, each appropriate agency head may
issue guidance establishing and implementing a pilot project
authorized under subsection (c) at the covered agency.
(2) Penalties.--In developing guidance under paragraph (1),
an appropriate agency head may provide for penalties for
individuals who do not respond to activation when called, such
as loss of security clearance, recoupment of pay or benefits
earned as a member of the Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve, or
recoupment of civilian service creditable under section 8411 of
title 5, United States Code.
(h) Evaluation.--Not later than 5 years after the pilot project
authorized under subsection (c) is established in each covered agency,
the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct a study evaluating the pilot project at that
agency; and
(2) submit to Congress--
(A) a report on the results of the study; and
(B) a recommendation with respect to whether the
pilot project should be modified, extended in duration,
or established as a permanent program.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to each appropriate agency head such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 373. EXPANSION OF CYBER TALENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
(a) Expansion of Cyber Talent Management System.--Subject to
subsection (b), the head of any Executive agency, as defined in section
105 of title 5, United States Code, may exercise the authorities under
section 2208 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 658) to the
same extent as the Secretary of Homeland Security may exercise such
authorities.
(b) Coordination by Secretary of Homeland Security.--The Secretary
of Homeland Security shall coordinate with the heads of Executive
agencies to facilitate the exercise of authorities under subsection
(a).
SEC. 374. PERSONNEL POLICY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES
WITH EMPLOYEES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND
MATHEMATICS FIELDS.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, in consultation with the heads of the agencies specified in
subsection (b), shall develop and implement a personnel policy
demonstration project to assess innovative approaches to new personnel
policies for employees, that may include implementing--
(1) more flexible job classifications;
(2) competency-based hiring;
(3) market-based pay;
(4) promotion based on experience, skill, and performance;
and
(5) streamlined personnel transfers between agencies.
(b) Agencies.--The agencies referred to in subsection (a) are--
(1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(2) the Department of Energy;
(3) the National Science Foundation;
(4) the Department of Commerce;
(5) the Department of the Interior;
(6) the Environmental Protection Agency; and
(7) not more than 2 additional agencies, which the Director
of the Office of Personnel Management may designate, that have
significant numbers of employees in positions that require
skills in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
(c) Participation.--The head of each agency referred to in
subsection (b) may determine whether the agency will participate in the
personnel demonstration project under this section, and, if the agency
head determines that the agency will so participate, whether the
project will apply to current employees of that agency, current
employees of 1 or more components of that agency, newly hired employees
of that agency, or newly hired employees of 1 or more components of
that agency.
(d) Duration and Size of Project.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
demonstration project under this section shall be carried out
for a 10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act.
(2) Extension.--The Director of the Office of Personnel
Management may extend the demonstration project under this
section for an additional 10-year period.
(3) Total number of employees.--The total number of Federal
employees included in the demonstration project in any 1-year
period may not exceed 10 percent of the total number of Federal
civilian employees in all Executive agencies (as defined in
section 105 of title 5, United States Code) in the preceding 1-
year period.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 375. DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSAL FOR SIMPLIFIED PERSONNEL SYSTEM FOR
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a
legislative proposal to establish, under title 38, United States Code,
a single personnel system that--
(1) applies to all positions in the Veterans Health
Administration;
(2) applies best practices from the private sector to human
capital management; and
(3) supports pay and benefits that are competitive with pay
and benefits for health care delivery systems in the private
sector.
(b) Matters To Consider.--In developing the proposal under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
(1) draw from, in addition to other resources, the
applicable research and conclusions of the Commission on Care
established under section 202 of the Veterans Access, Choice,
and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C.
1701 note), including recommendation number 15 of the
Commission as set forth in the final report of the Commission
submitted under subsection (b)(3)(B) of such section, dated
June 30, 2016, and titled, ``Final Report of the Commission on
Care''; and
(2) consult with the heads of other Federal agencies that
operate health care delivery systems, employees of the Veterans
Health Administration, and labor unions that represent
employees of the Veterans Health Administration.
(c) Availability of Proposal.--The Secretary shall make the
proposal developed under subsection (a) available for use by other
Federal agencies that operate health care delivery systems.
(d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
of the House of Representatives a report containing the proposal
developed under subsection (a).
SEC. 376. PORTABILITY OF HEALTH CARE LICENSURE FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.
(a) Portability of Licensure for Federal Health Care
Professionals.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law regarding
the licensure of health care providers, a health care professional
described in subsection (b) may practice, at any location in any State,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other
territory or possession of the United States, the health profession or
professions for which the health care professional has a license
described in subsection (b)(2), regardless of where such health care
professional or the patient involved is located, if the practice is
within the scope of the authorized Federal duties of such health care
professional.
(b) Individuals Described.--A health care professional described in
this subsection is a Federal employee--
(1) who is credentialed and privileged at a Federal health
care institution;
(2) who has a current license to practice medicine,
osteopathic medicine, dentistry, psychology, nursing, therapy,
or another health profession; and
(3) who is performing authorized duties for the Federal
Government to practice the health profession described in
paragraph (2) for which such license was issued.
(c) Definition of License.--As used in this section, the term
``license'' means a grant of permission by an official agency of a
State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or
any other territory or possession of the United States to provide
health care independently as a health care professional and includes,
in the case of such care furnished in a foreign country by any person
who is not a national of the United States, a grant of permission by an
official agency of that foreign country for that person to provide
health care independently as a health care professional.
TITLE IV--STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL MOBILIZATION
SEC. 401. MODERNIZATION OF THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM.
(a) Purpose.--Section 1 of the Military Selective Service Act (50
U.S.C. 3801) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``armed strength'' and inserting
``military strength, including a sufficient number of
personnel with the capabilities required to mobilize
the Department of Defense during a national
emergency,''; and
(B) by striking ``insure'' and inserting
``ensure'';
(2) in subsection (c), by inserting ``which is not for the
sole purpose of providing replacements for combat,'' after
``just,''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``as expressed in the
National Defense Act of 1916, as amended''.
(b) Solemnity of Military Service.--Section 3 of such Act (50
U.S.C. 3802) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (a) shall
include methods to convey, to every person required to register, the
solemn obligation for military service in the event of a military
draft.''.
(c) Maintaining the Health of the Selective Service System.--
Section 10(a) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 3809(a)) is amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:
``(5)(A) The Director shall periodically conduct exercises of all
mobilization plans, systems, and processes to evaluate and test the
effectiveness of such plans, systems, and processes.
``(B) Once every four years, such exercise--
``(i) shall include the full range of internal and
interagency procedures to ensure functionality and
interoperability; and
``(ii) may be included as part of the annual mobilization
exercise under section 10208 of title 10, United States Code.
``(C) The Director shall conduct a public awareness campaign in
conjunction with each exercise to communicate the purpose of such
exercise to the public.''.
(d) Due Process for Failure To Register.--Section 12 of such Act
(50 U.S.C. 3811) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting before the
period at the end ``or proof of registration in
accordance with subsection (g)'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking
``compliance'' and inserting ``compliance or
proof of registration''; and
(ii) in the second sentence, by inserting
before the period at the end ``or proof of
registration''; and
(C) in paragraph (4), in the second sentence--
(i) by striking ``thereunder'' and
inserting ``thereunder, or failure to provide
proof of registration in accordance with
subsection (g),''; and
(ii) by inserting before the period at the
end ``or has registered in accordance with
subsection (g)''; and
(2) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (g)
and inserting the following:
``(1)(A) the requirement for such person to register has
terminated or become inapplicable to such person; and
``(B) such person shows, by a preponderance of the
evidence, that such failure was not a knowing failure; or
``(2) such person so registered not later than 30 days
after receiving notice of such requirement, regardless of the
person's age at the time of registration.''.
(e) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Military Selective
Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 4 (50 U.S.C. 3803)--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``his acceptability in all
respects, including his'' and inserting ``such
person's acceptability in all respects,
including''; and
(ii) by striking ``he may prescribe'' and
inserting ``the President may prescribe'';
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Any
enlisted member'' and inserting ``Any person
who is an enlisted member''; and
(ii) in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), by
striking ``in which he resides'' and inserting
``in which such person resides'';
(C) in subsection (g), by striking ``coordinate
with him'' and inserting ``coordinate with the
Director''; and
(D) in subsection (k)(1), by striking ``finding by
him'' and inserting ``finding by the President'';
(2) in section 5(d) (50 U.S.C. 3805(d)), by striking ``he
may prescribe'' and inserting ``the President may prescribe'';
(3) in section 6 (50 U.S.C. 3806)--
(A) in subsection (c)(2)(D), by striking ``he may
prescribe'' and inserting ``the President may
prescribe'';
(B) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``he may deem
appropriate'' and inserting ``the President considers
appropriate''; and
(C) in subsection (h), by striking ``he may
prescribe'' each place it appears and inserting ``the
President may prescribe'';
(4) in section 10 (50 U.S.C. 3809)--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking ``He shall create''
and inserting ``The President shall
create''; and
(II) by striking ``upon his own
motion'' and inserting ``upon the
President's own motion'';
(ii) in paragraph (4), by striking ``his
status'' and inserting ``such individual's
status''; and
(iii) in paragraphs (4), (6), (8), and (9),
by striking ``he may deem'' each place it
appears and inserting ``the President
determines''; and
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``vested in
him'' and inserting ``vested in the President'';
(5) in section 12 (50 U.S.C. 3811), by striking ``present
himself'' each place it appears and inserting ``appear'';
(6) in section 13(b) (50 U.S.C. 3812(b)), by striking
``regulation if he'' and inserting ``regulation if the
President'';
(7) in section 15 (50 U.S.C. 3813)--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``his'' each
place it appears and inserting ``the registrant's'';
and
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``he may deem''
and inserting ``the President considers'';
(8) in section 16(g) (50 U.S.C. 3814(g))--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``who as his
regular and customary vocation'' and inserting ``who,
as such person's regular and customary vocation,''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``one who as his customary
vocation'' and inserting ``a person who, as
such person's customary vocation,''; and
(ii) by striking ``he is a member'' and
inserting ``such person is a member'';
(9) in section 18(a) (50 U.S.C. 3816(a)), by striking ``he
is authorized'' and inserting ``the President is authorized'';
(10) in section 21 (50 U.S.C. 3819)--
(A) by striking ``he is sooner'' and inserting
``sooner'';
(B) by striking ``he'' each subsequent place it
appears and inserting ``such member''; and
(C) by striking ``his consent'' and inserting
``such member's consent'';
(11) in section 22(b) (50 U.S.C. 3820(b)), in paragraphs
(1) and (2), by striking ``his'' each place it appears and
inserting ``the registrant's''; and
(12) except as otherwise provided in this section--
(A) by striking ``he'' each place it appears and
inserting ``such person'';
(B) by striking ``his'' each place it appears and
inserting ``such person's''; and
(C) by striking ``him'' each place it appears and
inserting ``such person''.
(f) Conforming Amendment Regarding Federal Employees.--Subsection
(a) of section 3328 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``(a) A person required to register under section 3 of the Military
Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3803) but who failed to so register
shall be ineligible for appointment to a position in an Executive
agency unless--
``(1)(A) such requirement has terminated or become
inapplicable to such person; and
``(B) the head of such Executive agency determines, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that such failure was not a
knowing failure; or
``(2) such person so registered not later than 30 days
after receiving notice of such requirement, regardless of the
person's age at the time of registration.''.
(g) Partially Delayed Effective Date.--The amendments made by
subsections (c) and (f) of this section shall take effect one year
after the date of the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 402. REPORT ON EXEMPTIONS AND DEFERMENTS FOR A POSSIBLE MILITARY
DRAFT.
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Director of the Selective Service System, in coordination with
the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall
submit to Congress a report providing a review of exemptions and
deferments from registration, training, and service under the Military
Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) and of proposed
revisions to those exemptions and deferments, taking into account
amendments to the Military Selective Service Act under section 401(d)
of this Act to require registration of all United States citizens and
persons residing in the United States.
SEC. 403. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR NATIONAL MOBILIZATION; PERSONNEL
REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Lead Official for National Mobilization.--The President shall
designate an employee of the National Security Council to serve as lead
national mobilization official, whose duties and responsibilities shall
include coordinating the planning and execution of any national effort
to mobilize government and industry to respond to a national emergency.
(b) Executive Agent for National Mobilization.--The Secretary of
Defense shall designate a senior official within the Office of the
Secretary of Defense as the Executive Agent for National Mobilization.
The Executive Agent for National Mobilization shall be responsible
for--
(1) developing, managing, and coordinating policy and plans
that address the full spectrum of military mobilization
readiness, including full mobilization of personnel from
volunteers to draftees in the event of a draft activation;
(2) providing Congress and the Selective Service System
with updated requirements and timelines for obtaining draft
inductees in the event of a national emergency requiring mass
mobilization and activation of the draft; and
(3) providing Congress with a plan, developed in
coordination with the Selective Service System, to induct large
numbers of volunteers who may respond to a national call for
volunteers during an emergency.
(c) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
Congress a plan for obtaining draft inductees as part of a mobilization
timeline for the Selective Service System. The plan shall include a
description of resources, locations, and capabilities of the Armed
Forces required to train, equip, and integrate drafted personnel into
the total force, addressing scenarios that would include 300,000,
600,000, and 1,000,000 new volunteer and drafted personnel. The plan
may be provided in classified form.
SEC. 404. CRITICAL SKILLS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Department of Defense needs a workforce of skilled
individuals to meet the national security challenges facing the
United States.
(2) As the Department develops tools to bring individuals
with critical skills into civilian and military service, it
must identify the type and number of critically skilled
personnel that are needed.
(b) Critical Skills and Skilled Individuals.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, acting through
the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness,
shall develop and maintain a list of the critical skills and
numbers of skilled individuals needed for the Department of
Defense, the Armed Forces, and the National Guard.
(2) Critical skills.--For purposes of this section,
critical skills are those skills for which the Department has a
critical need, such as medical, dental, and nursing skills,
language skills, cyber skills, and science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics skills.
(c) Responsibility.--
(1) In general.--The Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness shall ensure that the list developed
under subsection (b) is updated annually in accordance with
paragraph (2).
(2) Coordination.--The Under Secretary shall develop,
maintain, and update the list of critical skills in close
consultation with each military department, through its
Assistant Secretaries for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, with
the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, with the Director of
the Selective Service System, and with the Council on Military,
National, and Public Service established under section 201.
(3) Implementation.--The Under Secretary shall implement
the list of critical skills under this section not later than
January 1, 2025.
SEC. 405. INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE FOR CRITICAL SKILLS.
(a) Individual Ready Reserve.--Chapter 1005 of title 10, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 10144 the following
new section:
``Sec. 10144a. Ready Reserve: Individual Ready Reserve for Critical
Skills
``(a) In General.--For the purpose of recruiting personnel with the
requisite critical skills, the Secretary of each military department,
under the direction of the President, may establish and maintain an
Individual Ready Reserve for Critical Skills within the Ready Reserve
of each of the reserve components under the jurisdiction of such
Secretary.
``(b) Membership Requirements.--The Secretary of Defense shall
outline the requirements for membership in the Individual Ready Reserve
for Critical Skills, including providing guidance on--
``(1) a means for each armed force to establish qualifying
critical skills for inclusion in its Individual Ready Reserve
for Critical Skills;
``(2) the standards and process for selection of
individuals who are not otherwise in a reserve status to
qualify for Individual Ready Reserve for Critical Skills of an
armed force;
``(3) requirements for screening and re-evaluation of
members in the Individual Ready Reserve for Critical Skills;
``(4) the training and obligations required for members in
the Individual Ready Reserve for Critical Skills; and
``(5) the use of allowances and nonmonetary incentives to
retain members in the Individual Ready Reserve for Critical
Skills.
``(c) Mobilization.--
``(1) Active duty.--A member of the Individual Ready
Reserve for Critical Skills may be ordered to active duty
without the consent of the member in accordance with section
12304, or in accordance with any other provision of law
authorizing activation of Individual Ready Reserve members.
``(2) Eligibility for benefits.--A member of the Individual
Ready Reserve for Critical Skills who is mobilized under
paragraph (1) shall be eligible for benefits available to
members of the Selected Reserve.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 12304(a) of title 10, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``or any member'' and inserting ``any
member''; and
(2) by inserting ``, or any member in the Individual Ready
Reserve for Critical Skills'' after ``under their respective
jurisdictions,''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.