1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Communications Jobs Training Act of 2019”.
Communications Jobs Training Act of 2019
A BILL
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to carry out a grant program to make grants for the establishment or expansion of job training programs for communications tower service, construction, and maintenance.
2. Findings
Congress finds that—
the reorganization of broadcast television spectrum under section 6403(b) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1452(b)), the establishment of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) under such Act, and advances toward 5G technology have created high demand for communications tower service, construction, maintenance, and structural modification;
additional job training is necessary to meet such demand; and
enhancement of communications tower service is essential to the Nation’s economy, competitiveness, homeland security, and vital communications capabilities.
3. Communications tower job training grant program
Part I of title III of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“344. Communications tower job training grant program
“(a) In general—The Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall carry out a grant program to make grants to covered entities to establish or expand job training programs for communications tower service, construction, maintenance, and structural modification.
“(b) Application—To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a covered entity shall submit an application to the Commission at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Commission may require.
“(c) Deadline—The Commission shall begin accepting applications for grants under this section not later than the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section.
“(d) Reports to Congress—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the grant program carried out under this section that includes, with respect to the 1-year period preceding the date of the submission of the report—
“(1) the number and total dollar amount of grants made under this section;
“(2) the number of individuals and crews trained to perform communications tower service, construction, maintenance, and structural modification using grant funds; and
“(3) the number of communications towers on which service, construction, maintenance, or structural modification was performed by individuals or crews while participating in job training programs receiving grant funds.
“(e) Definitions—In this section:
“(1) Communications tower—The term “communications tower” means a structure that transmits broadcast radio signals, commercial mobile service (as defined in section 332) signals, or commercial mobile data service (as defined in section 6001 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1401)) signals.
“(2) Covered entity—The term “covered entity” means—
“(A) a junior or community college (as defined in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)));
“(B) a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)));
“(C) an area career and technical education school (as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)); or
“(D) any organization that provides career and technical education (as defined in such section) to veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code).
“(f) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2022. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended.”