July 21, 2025
Ms. Perez (for herself, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Stauber, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a grant program to address forestry workforce development needs, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Jobs in the Woods Act
.
Sec. 2. Forestry workforce development grants
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to make grants to eligible entities to carry out career pathway training programs in eligible areas in accordance with subsection (c).
(2) Term; amount
A grant made under this section shall be—
(A)
for a period of not greater than 4 years; and
(B)
made in an amount—
(i)
greater than or equal to $500,000; and
(ii)
less than or equal to $2,000,000.
(b) Applications
(1) In general
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, which shall include—
(A)
a demonstrated capacity to carry out a career pathway training program in accordance with subsection (c);
(B)
a demonstration of need for such program within a region;
(C)
a projection of the extent of reach intended for such program;
(D)
a plan to ensure that such program is sustainable; and
(E)
a plan for the implementation of such program.
(2) Priority
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—
(A)
propose to carry out activities to address the issues of an aging workforce and youth migration;
(B)
to engage students, intends to partner with—
(i)
a secondary school;
(ii)
a vocational or technical school; or
(iii)
a junior or community college; and
(C)
demonstrate the ability to assist with forestry workforce placement and hiring.
(c) Use of funds
An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out career pathway training programs with respect to forestry operations and forestry products industries.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Career pathway
The term career pathway has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(2) Eligible area
The term eligible area means—
(A)
a nonmetropolitan area that qualifies as a low-income community (as defined in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986);
(B)
an area that has access to or has a plan to achieve broadband service (as defined in section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb)); and
(C)
an area that has a population of 50,000 or fewer inhabitants.
(3) Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means a nonprofit organization, a State, an Indian Tribe, a local government, or an institution of higher education.
(4) Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
(5) Junior or community college
The term junior or community college has the meaning given such term in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)).
(6) Secondary school
The term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(7) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.