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[DOCID: f:h3421ih.txt]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3421
To provide adequate school facilities within Yosemite National Park,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 6, 2001
Mr. Radanovich introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education
and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide adequate school facilities within Yosemite National Park,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Yosemite National Park Educational
Facilities Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The three elementary schools serving the children of
employees of Yosemite National Park are provided by the Bass
Lake Joint Union Elementary School District and the Mariposa
Unified School District.
(2) The schools are in remote mountainous areas and long
distances from other educational and administrative facilities
that are located elsewhere in the two school districts.
(3) Because of their remote locations and relatively small
number of students, students of the Yosemite schools are vastly
underserved in comparison to the educational services and
facilities provided to students that attend schools elsewhere
in the two school districts.
(4) Because of the long distances involved and adverse
weather and road conditions that occur during much of the
school year, it is impractical for the children of employees
who live within or near Yosemite National Park to attend
schools elsewhere in the two school districts.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize the Secretary
of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') to
provide supplemental funding and other services and facilities that are
necessary to assist the State of California or local school districts
in providing educational services and facilities for students attending
schools located within Yosemite National Park (referred to in this Act
as the ``Park'').
SEC. 3. PAYMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may provide funds to appropriate
school districts or for school facilities servicing the Park to
supplement the educational services and facilities (including
transportation to and from school) already provided by such districts
or facilities to students who are dependents of persons engaged in the
administration, operation, and maintenance of the Park or students who
live at or near the Park upon real property of the United States.
Payment of such funds may be made from revenues derived from Park
entrance and user fees or from donated funds.
(b) Limitation.--Payments made under this section shall not exceed
the amount necessary to provide students described in subsection (a)
with educational services and facilities that are normally provided and
generally available to students who attend public schools elsewhere in
the State of California.
(c) Adjustment of Payments.--The Secretary is authorized to adjust
payments made under this section if the State of California or
appropriate school districts do not continue to provide funding for
educational services and facilities at Park schools at per student
levels that are equivalent to or greater than those provided in the
fiscal year prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.
The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements
with the State of California or local agencies for--
(1) the operation of school facilities located within or
near the Park at Federal expense;
(2) the construction or expansion of school facilities
located within or near the Park on real property of the United
States at Federal expense; or
(3) providing educational services at schools within the
Park for--
(A) students who meet the criteria described in
section 3(a); and
(B) students who do not meet the criteria described
in section 3(a) but who live near the Park or within
the exterior boundaries of the Park, if those students
would have to travel further to attend schools outside
of the Park.
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