text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Commercial Driving 
  Training and Technical Assistance Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
  
      (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
              (1) despite the availability of abundant natural resources 
          on land under the jurisdiction of Indian tribes and the 
          existence of a rich cultural legacy that accords great value to 
          self-determination, self-reliance, and independence, Native 
          Americans suffer higher rates of unemployment, poverty, poor 
          health, substandard housing, and associated social problems 
          than any other group in the United States;
              (2) the United States has an obligation to assist Native 
          American communities in the establishment of appropriate 
          economic and political conditions;
              (3) the economic success and material well-being of Indian 
          communities depend on the combined efforts of the Federal 
          Government, tribal governments, the private sector, and 
          individuals;
              (4) commercial vehicle driving programs are currently 
          offered at several tribal colleges and universities;
              (5) the American Trucking Association reports that at least 
          until 2005, the trucking industry will need to hire 403,000 
          truck drivers each year to fill vacant positions;
              (6) according to the Federal Government Occupational 
          Handbook, the commercial vehicle driving industry is expected 
          to expand at the average rate of expansion for all occupations 
          through the year 2008 because of economic growth and an 
          increase in the quantity of freight carried by trucks; and
              (7) a career in commercial vehicle driving offers a 
          competitive salary, employment benefits, job security, and a 
          profession.
      (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
              (1) to foster and promote job creation and economic 
          opportunities for Native Americans; and
              (2) to provide education, technical, and training 
          assistance to Native Americans who are interested in commercial 
          vehicle driving careers.
  
  SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
  
      In this Act:
              (1) Commercial vehicle driving.--The term ``commercial 
          vehicle driving'' means the driving of--
                      (A) a vehicle that is a tractor-trailer truck; or
                      (B) any other vehicle (such as a bus or a vehicle 
                  used for the purpose of construction) the driving of 
                  which requires a commercial license.
              (2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
          meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
          Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
              (3) Native american.--The term ``Native American'' means an 
          individual who is a member of--
                      (A) an Indian tribe; or
                      (B) any people or culture that is indigenous to the 
                  United States, as determined by the Secretary.
              (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
          of Labor.
  
  SEC. 4. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVING TRAINING PROGRAM.
  
      (a) Grants.--The Secretary may provide grants, on a competitive 
  basis, to entities described in subsection (b) to support programs 
  providing training and certificates leading to the licensing of Native 
  Americans with respect to commercial vehicle driving.
      (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
  subsection (a), an entity shall--
              (1) be a tribal college or university (as defined in 
          section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
          1059(b)(3)); and
              (2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
          such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
          the Secretary may require.
      (c) Priority.--In providing grants under subsection (a), the 
  Secretary shall give priority to grant applications that--
              (1) propose training that exceeds proposed minimum 
          standards for training tractor-trailer drivers of the 
          Department of Transportation;
              (2) propose training that exceeds the entry level truck 
          driver certification standards set by the Professional Truck 
          Driver Institute; and
              (3) propose an education partnership with a private 
          trucking firm, trucking association, or similar entity in order 
          to ensure the effectiveness of the grant program under this 
          section.
      (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
  
              Passed the Senate September 17, 2002.
  
              Attest:
  
                                                               Secretary.
  107th CONGRESS
  
    2d Session
  
                                  S. 1344
  
  _______________________________________________________________________
  
                                   AN ACT
  
   To provide training and technical assistance to Native Americans who 
           are interested in commercial vehicle driving careers.
target: Native American Commercial Driving Training and Technical Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award grants to eligible entities (tribal colleges and universities) to support commercial vehicle (tractor-trailer truck) driving training programs.Requires the Secretary to give priority to grant applications that propose: (1) training that exceeds proposed minimum standards for training tractor-trailer drivers of the Department of Transportation; (2) training that exceeds the entry level truck driver certification standards set by the Professional Truck Driver Institute; and (3) education partnerships with private trucking firms, trucking associations, or similar entities.Authorizes appropriations.
feat_title: A bill to provide training and technical assistance to Native Americans who are interested in commercial vehicle driving careers.