What does Preamble of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To establish an AmeriCorps Administration to carry out the national and volunteer service programs, to expand participation in such programs, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This bill is formally titled the ``America's Call To Improve Opportunities Now for National Service Act'' or the ``ACTION for National Service Act''.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF AMERICORPS ADMINISTRATION. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This section amends Section 191 of Title 42, United States Code, to replace 'a Corporation for National and Community Service' with 'an AmeriCorps Administration'. It also amends Section 191 to change the designation from a Government corporation to an Executive department. Section 101 of Title 5, United States Code, is amended to include 'The AmeriCorps Administration'.

What does ADVISORY BOARD. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This section amends Section 192 and 192A of Title 42, U.S. Code, establishing an Advisory Board for the Administration. Initially, the Advisory Board will be composed of voting members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service who elect to serve, up to a total of seven members. After the initial appointments, new members will be appointed by the President, Speaker of the House, minority leader of the House, majority leader of the Senate, and minority leader of the Senate. Appointment criteria for the first three members include an individual aged 18-25 with service-learning experience and an individual aged 55+ with National Senior Service Corps experience. The Advisory Board will meet four times each year, including an annual meeting to review the Administration's strategic goals. The Board's duties include advising the Director on policies, programs, and procedures, establishing requirements for service programs, and making recommendations regarding grants and regulations.

What does DIRECTOR. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This section amends Section 193 of Title 42, U.S.C. to change the position of 'Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation' to 'Director' and grants the Director the same rank and status as the head of an executive department. This section amends Section 193A(b) of Title 42, U.S.C. to add a new paragraph (26) granting the Director authority to make grants and contracts for volunteer assignments. The new paragraph (26) allows the Director to enter into agreements with federal agencies or private nonprofit organizations for national service program support, potentially requiring the agency or organization to pay program costs. The Director is required to ensure programs comply with evaluation, performance, and goal requirements applicable to similar programs under national service laws. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service may serve as the initial Director of the AmeriCorps Administration. This section amends Section 19(d)(1) of Title 3, U.S.C. to include 'Director of the AmeriCorps Administration' after 'Secretary of Homeland Security'.

What does NATIONAL SERVICE EDUCATIONAL AWARDS. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This section amends Section 147(a) of 42 U.S.C. 12603. The amendment changes the language regarding national service educational awards from 'shall receive' to 'shall be entitled to'. The award amount is now defined as twice the national average of in-state tuition and fees at public, 4-year institutions. The award amount is payable to individuals described in paragraph (1). The term 'institution of higher education' is defined using the meaning given in section 148(h).

What does INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This section establishes an interagency working group. The working group will evaluate a process for determining eligibility for national service educational awards for individuals in programs outside of this Act. It will also assess the feasibility of granting federal hiring preference to individuals completing equivalent national service terms and receiving related awards. The group must submit a report to Congress containing the evaluation results within 12 months of the Act's enactment.

What does NATIONAL SERVICE FOUNDATION. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This section amends existing law regarding donations of property to the Administration. It establishes a National Service Foundation as a charitable and nonprofit corporation. The Foundation's purpose is to encourage private gifts of property and administer those gifts to benefit the Administration and promote volunteer service. The Foundation will have a Board of Directors consisting of the Director of the Administration (as a non-voting member) and at least six other appointed individuals. The Foundation is authorized to accept and use gifts, devises, or bequests of property, and may sell, lease, or invest such property. The Foundation's members are not considered federal employees and are not personally liable for the Foundation's actions except for malfeasance. The Foundation is exempt from federal, state, and local taxation. Initial funding of $2,500,000 is authorized for fiscal year 2027 to assist with startup expenses.

What does 21ST CENTURY AMERICAN SERVICE OUTREACH PROGRAM. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This section amends Subtitle F of title I of the Public Health Service Act to establish the 21st Century American Service Outreach Program. The program defines 'covered individual' as someone between the ages of 17 and 30. A 'national service program' is defined as a program under this Act or title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. The Administration is tasked with notifying covered individuals about their eligibility for national service programs upon turning 17. These notifications will include information on program eligibility, application processes, and options to opt out of future notifications. The Administration must also provide bi-annual notifications to covered individuals every two years, unless they are already participating in a service program or have opted out. The Administration is responsible for streamlining the application process for national service programs. The program aims to increase the number of service opportunities to ensure that eligible applicants are offered at least one position.

What does LIVING ALLOWANCE AMOUNTS. of ACTION for National Service Act do?

This section amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to adjust living allowance amounts. The amendments increase percentages related to living allowances under both acts, specifically raising them to 175% and 210% in certain instances. Increases to stipends or allowances are contingent on sufficient appropriations to maintain the previous year's participant levels. If appropriations are insufficient to fully implement the increases, the Director is authorized to increase allowances to the extent permitted by available funds. Section 189 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 is amended to increase grant amounts, raising the limit in subsection (a) to $30,000 and the limit in subsection (e)(1) to $39,000. Similar to the allowance adjustments, increases to grant amounts are also dependent on sufficient appropriations to maintain the previous year’s national service positions.

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ACTION for National Service Act

Last updated: 3/12/2026 · Introduced: 3/12/2026

Author: John Larson (D-CT)

TL;DR (AI)

The ACTION for National Service Act establishes an AmeriCorps Administration as an Executive department to carry out national and volunteer service programs.
The Act creates a National Service Foundation to encourage private gifts and administer them to benefit the Administration and promote volunteer service.
The Act increases national service educational award amounts to twice the national average of in-state tuition and fees at public, 4-year institutions.
The Act establishes the 21st Century American Service Outreach Program to notify eligible individuals about national service programs and streamline the application process.
The Act authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2036 to support at least 1,000,000 national service participants per year by September 30, 2036.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4068(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 15 more.

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