[116th Congress Public Law 7]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 477]]
NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION'S FEDERAL
CHARTER AMENDMENTS ACT
[[Page 133 STAT. 478]]
Public Law 116-7
116th Congress
An Act
To amend the charter of the Future Farmers of America, and for other
purposes. <<NOTE: Feb. 21, 2019 - [H.R. 439]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: National FFA
Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act.>>
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 36 USC 101 note.>> SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National FFA Organization's Federal
Charter Amendments Act''.
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION.
Section 70901 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION.
Section 70902 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs
(7) and (8), respectively;
(3) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), (6), and (7);
(4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (11);
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs
(12) and (13), respectively;
(6) by inserting before paragraph (7), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), the following:
``(1) to be an integral component of instruction in
agricultural education, including instruction relating to
agriculture, food, and natural resources;
``(2) to advance comprehensive agricultural education in the
United States, including in public schools, by supporting
contextual classroom and laboratory instruction and work-based
experiential learning;
``(3) to prepare students for successful entry into
productive careers in fields relating to agriculture, food, and
natural resources, including by connecting students to relevant
postsecondary educational pathways and focusing on the complete
delivery of classroom and laboratory instruction, work-based
experiential learning, and leadership development;
``(4) to be a resource and support organization that does
not select, control, or supervise State association, local
chapter, or individual member activities;
[[Page 133 STAT. 479]]
``(5) to develop educational materials, programs, services,
and events as a service to State and local agricultural
education agencies;
``(6) to seek and promote inclusion and diversity in its
membership, leadership, and staff to reflect the belief of the
FFA in the value of all human beings;'';
(7) in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``composed of students and former
students of vocational agriculture in public schools
qualifying for Federal reimbursement under the Smith-
Hughes Vocational Education Act (20 U.S.C. 11-15, 16-
28''; and
(B) by inserting ``as such chapters and associations
carry out agricultural education programs that are
approved by States, territories, or possessions'' after
``United States'';
(8) in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``to develop'' and inserting ``to
build'';
(B) by striking ``train for useful citizenship, and
foster patriotism, and thereby'' and inserting ``and'';
and
(C) by striking ``aggressive rural and'' and
inserting ``assertive'';
(9) by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), the following:
``(9) to increase awareness of the global and technological
importance of agriculture, food, and natural resources, and the
way agriculture contributes to our well-being;
``(10) to promote the intelligent choice and establishment
of a career in fields relating to agriculture, food, and natural
resources;'';
(10) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``to procure for and distribute to
State'' and inserting ``to make available to State'';
(B) by inserting ``, programs, services,'' before
``and equipment''; and
(C) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting
``FFA'';
(11) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (5), by
striking ``State boards for vocational'' and inserting ``State
boards and officials for career and technical''; and
(12) in paragraph (13), as redesignated by paragraph (5), by
striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
Section 70903(a) of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
(2) by striking ``as provided in the bylaws'' and inserting
``as provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA''.
SEC. 5. GOVERNING BODY.
Section 70904 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``corporation''
and inserting ``FFA'' each place the term appears;
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting
the following:
``(2) The board--
``(A) shall consist of--
[[Page 133 STAT. 480]]
``(i) the Secretary of Education, or the
Secretary of Education's designee who has
experience in agricultural education, the FFA, or
career and technical education; and
``(ii) other individuals--
``(I) representing the fields of
education, agriculture, food, and
natural resources; or
``(II) with experience working
closely with the FFA; and
``(B) shall not include any individual who is a
current employee of the National FFA Organization.
``(3) The number of directors, terms of office of the
directors, and the method of selecting the directors, are as
provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA.''; and
(C) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking
``bylaws'' and inserting ``constitution or bylaws
of the FFA''; and
(ii) in the third sentence, by striking
``chairman'' and inserting ``chair'';
(2) by striking subsection (b); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Officers.--The officers of the FFA, the terms of officers, and
the election of officers, are as provided in the constitution or bylaws
of the FFA, except that such officers shall include--
``(1) a national advisor;
``(2) an executive secretary; and
``(3) a treasurer.
``(c) Governing Committee.--
``(1) The board may designate a governing committee. The
terms and method of selecting the governing committee members
are as provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA, except
that all members of the governing committee shall be members of
the board of directors and at all times the governing committee
shall be comprised of not less than 3 individuals.
``(2) When the board is not in session, the governing
committee has the powers of the board subject to the board's
direction and may authorize the seal of the FFA to be affixed to
all papers that require it.
``(3) The board shall designate to such committee--
``(A) the chair of the board;
``(B) the executive secretary of the board; and
``(C) the treasurer of the board.''.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL STUDENT OFFICERS.
Section 70905 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) Composition.--There shall be not less than 6 national student
officers of the FFA, including a student president, 4 student vice
presidents (each representing regions as provided in the constitution or
bylaws of the corporation), and a student secretary.'';
(2) by striking subsection (b);
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(b) and (c), respectively; and
(4) in subsection (b), as so redesignated, by striking ``,
except that'' and all that follows through ``(20 U.S.C. 11-15,
16-28)''.
[[Page 133 STAT. 481]]
SEC. 7. POWERS.
Section 70906 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``corporate'';
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(4) in paragraph (6), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(5) by amending paragraph (8) to read as follows:
``(8) use FFA funds to give prizes, awards, loans, and
grants to deserving members, local FFA chapters, and State FFA
associations to carry out the purposes of the FFA;'';
(6) by amending paragraph (9) to read as follows:
``(9) produce publications, websites, and other media;'';
(7) in paragraph (10)--
(A) by striking ``procure for and distribute to
State'' and inserting ``make available to State''; and
(B) by striking ``Future Farmers of America'' and
inserting ``FFA''; and
(8) in paragraph (12), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 8. NAME, SEALS, EMBLEMS, AND BADGES.
Section 70907 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'' each
place the term appears;
(2) by striking ``name'' and inserting ``names'';
(3) by striking `` `Future Farmers of America' '' and
inserting `` `Future Farmers of America' and `National FFA
Organization,' ''; and
(4) by inserting ``education'' before ``membership''.
SEC. 9. RESTRICTIONS.
Section 70908 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation or a
director, officer, or member as such'' and inserting ``FFA or a
director, officer, or member acting on behalf of the FFA'';
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'' each place the term appears; and
(4) in subsection (d), in the first sentence, by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.
Section 70909 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 70909. RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.
``(a) In General.--On request of the board of directors, the FFA may
collaborate with Federal agencies, including the Department of Education
and the Department of Agriculture on matters of mutual interest and
benefit.
``(b) Agency Assistance.--Those Federal agencies may make personnel,
services, and facilities available to administer or assist in the
administration of the activities of the FFA.
[[Page 133 STAT. 482]]
``(c) Agency Compensation.--Personnel of the Federal agencies may
not receive compensation from the FFA for their services, except that
travel and other legitimate expenses as defined by the Federal agencies
and approved by the board may be paid.
``(d) Cooperation With State Boards.--The Federal agencies also may
cooperate with State boards and other organizations for career and
technical education to assist in the promotion of activities of the
FFA.''.
SEC. 11. HEADQUARTERS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE.
Section 70910 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``of the corporation shall be in the District of Columbia.
However, the activities of the corporation are not confined to the
District of Columbia but'' and inserting ``of the FFA shall be as
provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA. The activities of the
FFA''.
SEC. 12. RECORDS AND INSPECTION.
Section 70911 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting
``FFA''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``entitled to
vote''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 13. SERVICE OF PROCESS.
Section 70912 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``District of Columbia'' and
inserting ``In General'';
(B) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting
``FFA'' each place the term appears;
(C) by striking ``in the District of Columbia''
before ``to receive ''; and
(D) by striking ``Designation of the agent shall be
filed in the office of the clerk of the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting
``FFA'' each place the term appears; and
(B) by inserting ``of the FFA'' after ``association
or chapter''.
SEC. 14. LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF OFFICERS OR AGENTS.
Section 70913 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 15. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS IN DISSOLUTION OR FINAL
LIQUIDATION.
Section 70914 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
[[Page 133 STAT. 483]]
(2) by striking ``vocational agriculture'' and inserting
``agricultural education''.
Approved February 21, 2019.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 439:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):
Jan. 22, considered and passed House.
Feb. 5, considered and passed Senate.
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