The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Senate section on pages S1222-S1225 on Feb. 27, 2020.
The Department oversees more than 500 million acres of land. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the department has contributed to a growing water crisis and holds many lands which could be better managed.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Moran, Mr. Peters, and
Mr. Wicker):
S. 3355. A bill to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3355
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 ``Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) 5G.--The term ``5G'', with respect to wireless infrastructure and wireless technology, means fifth-generation wireless infrastructure and wireless technology.
(2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives.
(3) Broadband infrastructure.--The term ``broadband infrastructure'' means any buried, underground, or aerial facility, and any wireless or wireline connection, that enables users to send and receive voice, video, data, graphics, or any combination thereof.
(4) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal Communications Commission.
(5) 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).
(6) Rural area.--The term ``rural area'' means any area other than--
(A) a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of more than 20,000 inhabitants; or
(B) an urbanized area adjacent to a city or town that has a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants.
(7) Secretary.--Except as otherwise provided, the term
``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Labor.
(8) State workforce development board.--The term ``State workforce development board'' means a State workforce development board established under section 101 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111).
SEC. 3. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP EVALUATION.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Chairman of the Commission, shall convene an interagency working group to develop recommendations to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry.
(b) Duties.--In developing recommendations under subsection
(a), the interagency working group shall--
(1) determine whether, and if so how, any Federal laws
(including regulations), policies, or practices, or any budgetary constraints, inhibit institutions of higher education or for-profit businesses from establishing, adopting, or expanding programs intended to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry, including the workforce needed to build and maintain the 5G wireless infrastructure necessary to support 5G wireless technology;
(2) identify potential policies and programs that could encourage and improve coordination among Federal agencies, between Federal agencies and States, and among States, on telecommunications workforce needs;
(3) identify ways in which existing Federal programs, including programs that help facilitate the employment of veterans and military personnel transitioning into civilian life, could be leveraged to help address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry;
(4) identify ways to encourage individuals and for-profit businesses to participate in qualified industry-led workforce development programs, including the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program and other industry-recognized apprenticeship programs;
(5) identify ways to improve recruitment in qualified industry-led workforce development programs, including the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program and other industry-recognized apprenticeship programs; and
(6) identify Federal incentives that could be provided to institutions of higher education, for-profit businesses, State workforce development boards, or other relevant stakeholders to establish or adopt programs, or expand current programs, to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry, including such needs in rural areas.
(c) Members.--The interagency working group convened under subsection (a) shall be composed of representatives of such Federal agencies and relevant non-Federal industry stakeholder organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate, including--
(1) a representative of the Department of Education, appointed by the Secretary of Education;
(2) a representative of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, appointed by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information;
(3) a representative of the Department of Commerce, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce;
(4) a representative of the Commission, appointed by the Chairman of the Commission;
(5) a representative of the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program, appointed by the Secretary;
(6) a representative of a telecommunications industry association, appointed by the Chairman of the Commission;
(7) a representative of an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, appointed by the Secretary;
(8) a representative of a rural telecommunications carrier, appointed by the Secretary; and
(9) a representative from a labor organization, appointed by the Secretary.
(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the interagency working group is convened under subsection (a), the interagency working group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing recommendations to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry.
(e) Powers.--
(1) Hearings.--The interagency working group convened under subsection (a) may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the interagency working group considers advisable to carry out the objectives of this section.
(2) Information from federal agencies.--The interagency working group convened under subsection (a) may secure directly from any Federal agency such information as the interagency working group considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Upon request of the interagency working group, the head of such agency shall furnish such information to the interagency working group.
(3) Postal services.--The interagency working group convened under subsection (a) may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies.
(f) Personnel.--
(1) Travel.--The members of the interagency working group convened under subsection (a) shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the interagency working group, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the interagency working group. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the interagency working group may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the interagency working group.
(2) Detail of government employees.--Any employee of the Federal Government may be detailed to the interagency working group convened under subsection (a) without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(g) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the interagency working group convened under subsection (a).
(h) Sunset.--The interagency working group convened under subsection (a) shall terminate on the day after the date on which the interagency working group submits the report to Congress under subsection (d).
SEC. 4. TELECOMMUNICATIONS WORKFORCE GUIDANCE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Chairman of the Commission, shall establish and issue guidance on how States can address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry, including guidance on how a State workforce development board can--
(1) utilize Federal resources available to States to meet the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry; and
(2) promote and improve recruitment in qualified industry-led workforce development programs, including the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program and other industry-recognized apprenticeship programs.
SEC. 5. GAO ASSESSMENT OF WORKFORCE NEEDS OF THE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that estimates the number of skilled telecommunications workers that will be required to build and maintain--
(1) broadband infrastructure in rural areas; and
(2) the 5G wireless infrastructure needed to support 5G wireless technology.
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By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Ms. Sinema):
S. 3359. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to modify the distribution of funds under the tribal transportation program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3359
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 ``Tribal Transportation Equity and Transparency Improvement Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 202 of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(9)(A), by striking ``construction and improvement'' and inserting ``construction, improvement, and highway safety'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following:
``(D) Additional facilities.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of the Tribal Transportation Equity and Transparency Improvement Act of 2020, and not less frequently than every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior shall publish in the Federal Register a notice requesting proposals from Indian tribes to include additional transportation facilities that are eligible for funding under the tribal transportation program in the inventory described in subparagraph (A), if those proposed additional facilities are included in the inventory in a uniform and consistent manner nationally.
``(ii) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subparagraph--
``(I) prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from including in the inventory under subparagraph (A) additional transportation facilities more frequently than required under clause (i), including, as necessary, in response to a proposal from an eligible Indian tribe submitted during a period not described in the notice under clause (i); or
``(II) requires Indian tribes to submit proposals to the Secretary of the Interior in response to the notice required under clause (i).''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) Public availability.--The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that all non-confidential information within the inventory described in subparagraph (A) is made available--
``(i) in a user-friendly manner on the public website of the Department of the Interior; and
``(ii) in a manner capable of being searched and downloaded by users of the public website of the Department of the Interior.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)(B), in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``fiscal year 2012'' and inserting ``the most recent fiscal year for which data is available'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' at the end and inserting a period;
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B); and
(iii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``shall be--'' and all that follows through ``selected by'' in subparagraph (A), and inserting ``shall be selected by''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Nationally significant federal lands and tribal projects program.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, amounts made available to Indian tribes under subsection (b)(3) may be used for planning and design activities related to applications for grants under the nationally significant Federal lands and tribal projects program under section 1123 of the FAST Act (23 U.S.C. 201 note; Public Law 114-94).''; and
(4) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``as appropriate,'' and inserting ``subject to subsection (a)(9),''.
(b) Inspector General Review.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior shall jointly begin an audit of the tribal transportation program under section 202 of title 23, United States Code (referred to in this section as the
``program'').
(2) Review.--The audit under paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) a review of the data collection and management processes used by the Secretary of the Interior in maintaining the national inventory of tribal transportation facilities under section 202(b)(1) of title 23, United States Code; and
(B) a review of the administration of the program, including whether--
(i) funding under the program is distributed in a timely manner that is consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements; and
(ii) the current procedures and practices used by the Secretary of the Interior to allocate funding for tribal transportation facilities (as defined in section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code) under the program are transparent and consistently applied.
(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior shall jointly submit a report describing the results of the audit under paragraph (1) to--
(A) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
(c) Comptroller General Review.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States (referred to in this subsection as the ``Comptroller General'') shall initiate an audit of the program.
(2) Review.--The audit under paragraph (1) shall include an examination of--
(A) the funding formula of the program under section 202(b)(3) of title 23, United States Code, including key decisions made over time that have affected the methods used to determine tribal shares of program funds;
(B) whether, for purposes of allocating funding under section 202 of title 23, United States Code, the allocation methodology under subpart D of part 1000 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), provides an accurate and reliable estimate of tribal population;
(C) potential alternatives to the methodology described in subparagraph (B) for purposes of allocating funding under section 202 of title 23, United States Code;
(D) how the Secretary of the Interior ensures that--
(i) the program is consistently administered; and
(ii) program decisions are transparently and consistently made; and
(E) the potential effects of having the program administered solely by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Transportation.
(3) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report describing the results of the audit under paragraph
(1) to--
(A) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
(d) Obligation Limitations.--Notwithstanding section 1102(a) of the FAST Act (23 U.S.C. 104 note; Public Law 114-94) or any other provision of law providing a limitation on obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for a fiscal year, amounts made available to carry out the tribal transportation program under section 202 of title 23, United States Code, for a fiscal year shall not be subject to the obligation limitation for that fiscal year.
SEC. 3. TRANSPORTATION FACILITY ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Inventory.--The term ``inventory'' means the national inventory of tribal transportation facilities under section 202(b) of title 23, United States Code.
(2) Proposed road.--The term ``proposed road'' means a proposed road or facility (as defined in section 170.5 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act)) that is a road, including a primary access route (as defined in that section).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.
(b) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary and the Secretary of Transportation shall require each Indian tribe that intends to include a proposed road in the inventory to complete and submit for approval the documentation and other information required under section 170.443(a) of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on November 6, 2019), for the proposed road.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after each deadline described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the proposed roads approved to be included in the inventory.
(2) Requirements.--Each report under paragraph (1) shall include, for each Indian reservation, Alaska Native village, or other recognized Indian community (including former Indian reservations in the State of Oklahoma)--
(A) the mileage of proposed roads included in the inventory before the deadline described in subsection (b);
(B) the mileage of proposed roads approved to be included in the inventory on the basis of the documentation and other information submitted under subsection (b); and
(C) an estimate, based on the documentation and other information submitted under subsection (b), of the construction and maintenance costs of the proposed roads described in subparagraph (B).
SEC. 4. TRIBAL HIGHWAY SAFETY PARTNERSHIPS.
Section 402 of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(C), by striking ``by'' and inserting ``by, or on behalf of,''; and
(2) in subsection (h)(2)--
(A) by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Cooperation.--In accordance with section 202(a)(9)(A), an Indian tribe may use amounts described in subparagraph (A) in cooperation with States, counties, and other local subdivisions for highway safety purposes.''.
SEC. 5. NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL LANDS AND TRIBAL
PROJECTS PROGRAM.
Section 1123 of the FAST Act (23 U.S.C. 201 note; Public Law 114-94) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(3), by inserting ``for a project that is to be carried out by an eligible entity that is not an Indian tribe,'' before ``having an''; and
(2) in subsection (g)(1)--
(A) by striking ``shall be up to'' and inserting the following: ``shall be--
``(A) for a project carried out by an Indian tribe, up to 100 percent; and
``(B) for a project not described in subparagraph (A), up to''.
SEC. 6. TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall establish within the Bureau of Indian Affairs a committee, to be known as the ``Tribal Transportation Advisory Committee''
(referred to in this section as the ``Committee''), which shall replace the Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating Committee established under sections 170.135 through 170.137 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of--
(A) the Secretary (or a designee);
(B) representatives of a diverse group of Indian tribes, including--
(i) not fewer than 1 tribal representative from each region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
(ii) not more than 3 tribal representatives from any 1 region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
(C) State and local representatives;
(D) not fewer than 1 representative of the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
(E) not fewer than 1 representative of the Department of Transportation; and
(F) other members, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary in consultation with the Committee.
(2) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint each member of the Committee.
(3) Chairperson.--The Secretary (or a designee) shall serve as chairperson of the Committee.
(c) Terms.--Except for the Secretary, each member of the Committee shall serve for a term of 3 years.
(d) Vacancies.--Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Committee--
(1) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made; and
(2) shall not affect the power of the remaining members to carry out the duties of the Committee.
(e) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The Committee shall--
(A) regularly provide advice to the Secretary on and, subject to the discretion of the Committee, study issues relating to tribal transportation, including--
(i) the tribal transportation program under section 202 of title 23, United States Code, including--
(I) the funding formula used to determine tribal shares under the tribal transportation program; and
(II) the national tribal transportation facility inventory established under subsection (b)(1) of that section;
(ii) the road maintenance program managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
(iii) grants awarded to Indian tribes for public transportation using amounts made available under section 5311(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code;
(iv) transportation safety within tribal reservations, including--
(I) traffic safety; and
(II) safety partnerships with Federal, State, and local authorities;
(v) the availability of transportation funding in the event of a natural disaster; and
(vi) any other policies or procedures related to tribal transportation, as determined by the Committee; and
(B) carry out the duties of the Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating Committee established under sections 170.135 through 170.137 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).
(2) Best practices and recommendations.--The Committee may, on a periodic basis, develop and present to the Secretary best practices and recommendations regarding the issues described in clauses (i) through (vi) of paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Subcommittees.--The Committee may establish any subcommittees necessary to carry out the duties of the Committee.
(f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after receiving any recommendations from the Committee under subsection (e)(2), the Secretary shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report describing those recommendations.
(g) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Committee and each subcommittee of the Committee.
(h) Detail of Federal Employees.--
(1) In general.--On request of the Committee, the Secretary may detail, with or without reimbursement, any of the personnel of the Department of the Interior or, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, the Department of Transportation, to the Committee to assist the Committee in carrying out the duties of the Committee.
(2) Civil service status.--Any detail of a Federal employee under paragraph (1) shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee being detailed.
(i) Payment and Expenses.--
(1) Compensation.--Members of the Committee shall serve without pay.
(2) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Committee shall receive, for a meeting called by the Secretary, travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(j) Termination.--The Committee, including subcommittees of the Committee, shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
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