What does Preamble of A SMART Act do?

This bill aims to reauthorize national service laws The bill has been introduced to the Senate It has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

What does SHORT TITLE. of A SMART Act do?

This bill is formally titled the AmeriCorps Service Modernization and Accountability Reform for Trust Act.

What does EXPANSION OF NATIONAL SERVICE POSITIONS WITH SHORTER PERIODS of A SMART Act do?

This section amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to reduce hours of full-time service. It modifies the definition of a term of service for national service educational award purposes. The section changes the period of service from nine months to eight weeks in certain cases.

What does NATIONAL CIVILIAN COMMUNITY CORPS TERM EXTENSION AUTHORITY. of A SMART Act do?

This section amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 It extends the term of service for individuals in certain national service positions The extension is up to 180 days beyond the period specified in section 153(d) or 90 days beyond the period in section 154(c)

What does INCREASED AGE ELIGIBILITY RANGE FOR THE NATIONAL CIVILIAN of A SMART Act do?

This section amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Specifically, it modifies section 153(b)(1) of the Act. The amendment changes the age eligibility range for the National Civilian Community Corps from 24 to 26.

What does TIMEKEEPING. of A SMART Act do?

This section amends Section 131(e) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to clarify recordkeeping requirements for national service programs. The amendments require records supporting living allowances and benefits to accurately reflect national service performed and meet specific requirements. Applicants receiving assistance under Section 121 must ensure charges for allowances and benefits are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Records must reflect the total national service activity, separating it from other work activity, to ensure accurate credit for national service time. The amendments also add a certification requirement under Section 146A, requiring entities to submit records to the Corporation upon completion of a term of service. These records must support completion, accurately reflect national service, and meet the requirements of Section 131(e)(2), and will be held by the Corporation for at least 5 years.

What does SPENDING FLEXIBILITY. of A SMART Act do?

This section amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish an 'Unobligated and Expiring Amounts Fund'. The Fund will receive unobligated and expiring amounts appropriated for national service laws, subject to an Inspector General opinion certifying the accuracy of the Corporation's financial statements. The Corporation can use funds from the Fund to provide additional awards and deposits for national service positions, or to modernize technology used in administering national service laws. Section 145(c) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 is amended to clarify the availability of amounts in the National Service Trust. Amounts described in subsection (a) of the Act are available under paragraph (1) of subsection (145(c)) to the extent provided for in advance by appropriation. Other amounts in the National Service Trust are available without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation.

What does VOLUNTEER GENERATION FUND. of A SMART Act do?

This section amends Section 198P(f) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. The amendment modifies a cost limitation. The cost limitation is changed from an unspecified amount to 75 percent of such cost.

What does STATE COMMISSIONS. of A SMART Act do?

This section modifies Section 178(h) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to allow State Commissions to apply to be sponsors for projects under Title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. The same section is further amended to permit State Commissions to direct up to 25 percent of unobligated funds for disaster response participant recruitment following a Governor-declared natural disaster. Section 185 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 is amended to redesignate subsection (b) as (c) and insert a new subsection (b) clarifying that the Corporation cannot duplicate due diligence processes already applied by primary grant recipients. The new subsection (b) establishes that primary grant recipients retain sole responsibility for subgrant recipient compliance with Federal regulations regarding due diligence.

What does REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPOINTEES. of A SMART Act do?

This section amends Section 192 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. It requires that appointees to the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service include a financial expert with a background in financial controls, auditing, or accounting. The amendments specify that Board members serve a 5-year term. The section clarifies that Board appointments can occur due to term expiration or prior to term expiration. The amendments made by subsections (a)(2) and (a)(3) apply to members appointed on or after the date of enactment of this Act. The amendment requiring a financial expert applies on the earlier of a vacancy on the Board or 5 years after enactment.

Back to bills

A SMART Act

Last updated: 3/26/2026 · Introduced: 3/26/2026

Author: Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill reauthorizes national service laws, allowing for shorter service periods as short as eight weeks for certain educational award purposes.
It extends the potential term of service for national service positions by up to 180 days beyond the initially specified period.
The bill expands age eligibility for the National Civilian Community Corps from 24 to 26 years old.
It establishes an 'Unobligated and Expiring Amounts Fund' to provide greater flexibility in allocating national service funds for awards and technology modernization.
National service participants can now opt to receive a stipend instead of an educational award, equivalent to rates provided to volunteers under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 10 more.

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TITLE II

-MEMBER EXPERIENCE

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TITLE III

-MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

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