1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Telecommunications Opportunities for Workers Engaging in Real Infrastructure Deployment Act of 2019” or the “TOWER Infrastructure Deployment Act of 2019”.
Telecommunications Opportunities for Workers Engaging in Real Infrastructure Deployment Act of 2019
A BILL
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish a Telecommunications Workforce Development Advisory Council within the Federal Communications Commission, and for other purposes.
2. Telecommunications workforce development advisory council
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. Telecommunications workforce development advisory council
“(a) Definitions—In this section—
“(1) the term Advisory Council means the Telecommunications Workforce Development Advisory Council established under subsection (b);
“(2) the term communications facility installation has the meaning given the term in section 6409(d) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1455(d)); and
“(3) the term minority institution has the meaning given the term in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k).
“(b) Establishment—There is established within the Commission a Telecommunications Workforce Development Advisory Council.
“(c) Duties—The Advisory Council shall advise the Commission on, and develop recommendations with respect to—
“(1) the needs of the workforce in the communications industry to promote the deployment of communications facility installations;
“(2) ways to encourage participation in industry-led workforce development programs; and
“(3) ways to improve workforce development in the communications industry.
“(d) Members
“(1) Composition of Council—The Advisory Council shall be composed of members appointed under paragraph (2) and shall include not less than 1 member representing each of the following:
“(A) The Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program.
“(B) The National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
“(C) A State agency.
“(D) A local agency.
“(E) A Tribal agency.
“(F) The communications industry.
“(G) A minority institution.
“(2) Initial appointments—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Chairman of the Commission shall appoint members to serve on the Advisory Council.
“(3) Term—Each member appointed under paragraph (2) shall serve on the Advisory Council until the date on which the Advisory Council terminates under subsection (f).
“(4) Chair—The Chairman of the Commission shall designate a member of the Advisory Council to serve as Chair of the Advisory Council.
“(5) Vacancy—A vacancy in the Advisory Council shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
“(6) Compensation—The members of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation.
“(e) Report—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Advisory Council shall submit a report containing the recommendations developed under subsection (c) to—
“(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
“(2) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate;
“(3) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and
“(4) the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives.
“(f) Termination of Advisory Council—Notwithstanding section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Advisory Council shall terminate on March 1, 2024.”