H.R. 3465: Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025, aims to improve and authorize activities related to Civilian Conservation Centers, which are facilities operated by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture that provide workforce development and training for underserved youth. Here is a summary of its key components:

Definitions

The bill defines several key terms:

• Civilian Conservation Center: A residential facility providing workforce training for underserved youth.
• Covered Graduate: An individual who has completed a training program at a Civilian Conservation Center.
• Covered Student: An individual enrolled in a training program at a Civilian Conservation Center.
• Secretaries: Refers to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior.

Training Programs

The bill mandates the Secretaries to coordinate with the Secretary of Labor to provide specialized training programs at Civilian Conservation Centers. The training will focus on:

• Forestry and rangeland management
• Wildland firefighting
• Other relevant topics related to the missions of the Departments involved.

Priority will be given to training activities at facilities linked to current workforce development legislation.

Wildland Firefighting Workforce Development Pilot

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct pilot programs intended to enhance career and technical education at Civilian Conservation Centers. The areas of focus for training may include:

• Emergency response logistics
• Disaster response
• Timber sales
• Heavy equipment operation
• Habitat and water quality monitoring
• Forest restoration
• Historic preservation

The Secretary is also required to identify the workforce needs in fields relevant to public lands and collaborate with various agencies and communities for effective program planning.

Wildland Firefighting Workforce Enhancement

The Secretaries will set hiring goals with the aim of employing 300 covered graduates annually in wildland firefighting and related fields. They may also provide signing bonuses to assist these individuals with job placement and housing, especially in rural areas. The bill permits direct hiring of covered graduates based on certain qualifications and aims to ensure that job pathways are available for them.

Housing Pilot Program

A pilot program will be established focusing on improving and expanding the federal housing stock for wildland firefighters and related personnel. This includes assessing existing federal properties for potential use and submitting a list of renovation projects to Congress.

Reporting Requirements

Within one year of the bill’s enactment, the Secretaries must submit a report to Congress. This report will detail:

• The underutilized capacity of Civilian Conservation Centers
• The investments and improvements needed to maximize the utilization of these centers.

Conclusion

The aim of the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act is to enhance workforce training for underserved youth while addressing essential job needs in wildfire management and conservation efforts. This includes developing training programs, setting employment goals, and improving facilities and housing related to wildland firefighting.

Relevant Companies

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