S. 779: ACTION for National Service Act

This bill reauthorizes and revises various national and community volunteer service programs.

Specifically, it (1) renames the Corporation for National and Community Service as the AmeriCorps Administration, converts it from a government corporation into an executive department, and revises its membership, leadership, and authority; (2) reauthorizes programs carried out by the administration; (3) establishes a National Service Foundation to accept and administer gifts on behalf of the administration; (4) generally increases the living allowance amounts for program participants and excludes the amounts from taxable income; and (5) makes the national service educational award amount equal to twice the national average yearly cost for in-state tuition and fees at public, four-year institutions of higher education.

Additionally, the bill creates an interagency Civilian Climate Corps, operated by the administration, to conduct service projects addressing climate change.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.