7 U.S. Code § 3319e - New Era Rural Technology Program

(a) Definition of community college

In this section, the term “community college” means an institution of higher education (as defined in section 1001 of title 20)—

(1) that admits as regular students individuals who—

(A) are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is located; and

(B) have the ability to benefit from the training offered by the institution;

(2) that does not provide an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree; and

(3) that—

(A) provides an educational program of not less than 2 years that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree; or

(B) offers a 2-year program in engineering, technology, mathematics, or the physical, chemical, or biological sciences, designed to prepare a student to work as a technician or at the semiprofessional level in engineering, scientific, or other technological fields requiring the understanding and application of basic engineering, scientific, or mathematical principles of knowledge.

(b) Functions

(1) Establishment

(A) In general

The Secretary shall establish a program to be known as the “New Era Rural Technology Program”, to make grants available for technology development, applied research, and training to aid in the development of an agriculture-based renewable energy workforce.

(B) Support

The initiative under this section shall support the fields of—

(i) bioenergy;

(ii) pulp and paper manufacturing;

(iii) agriculture-based renewable energy resources; and

(iv) precision agriculture.

(2) Requirements for funding

To receive funding under this section, an entity shall—

(A) be a community college or advanced technological center, located in a rural area and in existence on the date of the enactment of this section, that participates in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied research;

(B) have a proven record of development and implementation of programs to meet the needs of students, educators, and business and industry to supply the agriculture-based, renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with certified technicians, as determined by the Secretary; and

(C) have the ability to leverage existing partnerships and occupational outreach and training programs for secondary schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations.

(c) Grant priority

In providing grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities working in partnership—

(1) to improve information-sharing capacity; and

(2) to maximize the ability to meet the requirements of this section.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

(Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1473E, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7137, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1229, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7137, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1990; amended Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7130, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4795.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–246, which was approved June 18, 2008.

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical sections. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 3319e, Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1473E, as added Pub. L. 101–220, § 5, Dec. 12, 1989, 103 Stat. 1878, related to research into new commercial products from natural plant materials, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 402(14), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1863.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7130(1), added cl. (iv).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7130(2), substituted “2019 through 2023” for “2008 through 2012”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Enactment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.