A bill to amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to modify the cost-sharing requirement for conservation projects carried out by a qualified youth or conservation corps, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 1228
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-02: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill, S. 1228, aims to update the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 by adjusting the financial requirements for conservation projects. It increases the federal government's funding share for projects led by qualified youth or conservation corps (non-profit groups that engage young people in environmental work on public lands), making it easier for these groups to participate without needing as much outside funding.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 212(a)(1) of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (codified at 16 U.S.C. 1729(a)(1)).
- Changes the federal government's required contribution to conservation projects from 75% of costs to 90%.
- Reduces the non-federal (e.g., partner organizations or corps) required contribution from 25% to 10%.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under the current law, the federal government funds at least 75% of eligible conservation project costs, with partners covering the remaining 25%.
- This bill raises the minimum federal share to 90%, lowering the partner share to 10%, which reduces the financial barrier for youth and conservation corps to lead projects on federal public lands.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Federal agencies like the Department of the Interior or U.S. Forest Service may see more conservation projects completed on public lands (e.g., trail maintenance, habitat restoration) due to easier funding access, potentially improving land management efficiency.
- On citizens: Could increase opportunities for young people (typically ages 16-30) to gain hands-on experience in environmental work, boosting education, job skills, and community involvement in conservation.
- On international relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic public lands.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Qualified youth or conservation corps: Primary beneficiaries, as they face lower costs to participate in projects.
- Federal land management agencies: Such as the National Park Service or Bureau of Land Management, which oversee public lands and partner with these corps.
- Partner organizations: Non-profits or local groups that collaborate on projects, who will contribute less financially.
- Young participants: Individuals in corps programs, gaining skills and employment in conservation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the framework of the 1993 Act by aligning funding with modern needs for youth engagement in conservation, without altering eligibility or project types. No conflicts with existing environmental laws.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; the bill involves congressional authority over federal spending and public lands under Article IV (property clause).
- Political: Bipartisan support evident from introduction by senators from both parties (e.g., Risch (R-ID), Merkley (D-OR)). Could appeal to environmental and youth development advocates by promoting stewardship of public resources with minimal federal cost increase.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-02: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 2025-04-01: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to modify the cost-sharing requirement for conservation projects carried out by a qualified youth or conservation corps, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-04-01 — PDF (2 pages)