HOUSE BILL NO. 6066

A bill to create a climate resiliency program and climate resiliency corps; to provide for workforce development; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; and to create a fund.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 1. This act may be cited as the "climate resiliency corps act".

Sec. 2. As used in this act:

(a) "Climate resiliency project" means any of the following:

(i) A community project for climate change adaptation or mitigation, such as the following:

(A) Creation of bioswales or wetlands, planting trees, or other efforts to address stormwater runoff with vegetation.

(B) Projects that increase energy efficiency.

(C) Projects to address high temperatures, flooding, or power outages caused by climate change.

(ii) A project to support sustainable agriculture and access to healthy foods.

(iii) Engaging organizations and communities with recycling and sustainable product selection.

(iv) Supporting communities with development and implementation of carbon reduction plans.

(v) Assisting individuals to access rebates and tax credits for sustainable materials.

(vi) Community education about topics such as rain gardens, rain barrels, flooding, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

(b) "Corps member" means an individual selected under section 3(1)(a).

(c) "Department" means the department of labor and economic opportunity.

(d) "MCSC" means the Michigan community service commission established under section 2 of 1994 PA 219, MCL 408.222.

(e) "Partnering entity" means an entity with which the climate resiliency corps program partners under section 3(1)(a).

(f) "Resident" means an individual who has in this state the individual's true, fixed, and permanent home and principal establishment to which the individual intends to return whenever absent. An individual is a resident until the individual establishes a permanent establishment outside of this state.

Sec. 3. (1) Subject to appropriations, the MCSC shall create a climate resiliency corps program that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Partners with local governments, nonprofit organizations other than entities exempt under 26 USC 501(c)(4), universities, colleges, faith-based organizations, and tribes for those entities to employ individuals to design or implement climate resiliency projects.

(b) Provides support for corps member stipends, wages, or salaries and other program costs incurred by partnering entities.

(c) Through partnering entities, provides workforce development to corps members on climate resiliency topics that will increase a corps member's likelihood of obtaining future employment or enhance the corps member's future educational opportunities.

(d) Provides scholarships for corps members.

(e) Requires an individual to submit an application to become a corps member, in the manner determined by the partnering entity.

(f) Requires that corps members are residents and are at least 17 years of age at the time of application.

(g) Is not designed or utilized to displace currently employed workers and does not utilize a corps member in any manner in connection with a work or labor dispute.

(h) Does not engage in political activity or utilize partnering entities engaged in political activity.

(2) As a goal, at least 40% of corps members shall work in environmental justice communities.

(3) The MCSC is ?responsible for recruitment and selection of corps members for the program.

(4) The MCSC, in coordination with the department, partnering entities, and Michigan works agencies, shall provide career development opportunities to corps members.

(5) The MCSC shall enter agreements containing terms and conditions considered necessary and desirable for the employment of corps members by partnering entities.

(6) The MCSC shall exercise its powers and perform its duties under this act in consultation with the department.

(7) In administering the climate resiliency corps, the MCSC may apply for and accept grants or contributions of funds, if appropriate, from any public or private source.

Sec. 4. (1) The climate resiliency corps fund is created in the state treasury.

(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments.

(3) Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year remains in the fund and does not lapse to the general fund.

(4) The MCSC is the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes.

(5) The MCSC shall expend money from the fund, upon appropriation, only for 1 or more of the following purposes:

(a) Providing grants under section 3.

(b) Providing scholarships under section 3.

(c) Administration of the climate resiliency corps program.

(d) Data collection and evaluation of the climate resiliency corps program.

(e) Other purposes necessary or conducive to fulfill the intent of this act.

Sec. 5. The department may promulgate rules to implement this act pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328.

Enacting section 1. This act takes effect 1 year after the date it is enacted into law.