ACTION for National Service Act
Sponsored By: Representative Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
Introduced
Summary
Would reclassify the Corporation for National and Community Service as the AmeriCorps Administration and elevate it to an executive department. It would expand program authority, raise participant benefits, add a private National Service Foundation, and set a multi‑year goal to grow national service to 1,000,000 participants by 2036.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher stipends and grant caps
If enacted, the bill would raise statutory references used to set volunteer stipends and NCCC living allowances and raise some per‑participant grant ceilings. If enacted, certain stipend percentage references would increase (examples in the bill: 95%→175% and 105%→210%) and the NCCC living allowance reference would change from 100% to 200%. If enacted, per‑full‑time‑equivalent grant caps would increase (examples: $18,000→$30,000 and $19,500→$39,000). These increases would apply only when appropriations are sufficient to keep participant slots at least at the prior‑year level; the Director may limit increases when funds are insufficient.
Bigger, tax‑free service awards
If enacted, the national service education award would equal two times the national average in‑state tuition at public four‑year colleges for the award year. If enacted, amounts you receive as National Service educational awards would not count as federal taxable income for tax years ending after enactment. If enacted, living allowances paid to participants under the National and Community Service Act would not count as federal taxable income for tax years beginning after enactment.
Automatic outreach for 17–30 year‑olds
If enacted, the Administration would notify each covered individual (age 17–30) at age 17 and every two years after, unless the person is serving or opts out. If enacted, notices would explain eligibility, program options, and how to apply, including other public service options. If enacted, the Administration must adopt a strategy to help ensure eligible applicants who apply are offered at least one service position.
Plan and goal for 1,000,000 members
If enacted, Congress would authorize funding for FY2027–FY2036 'such sums as may be necessary' to keep participant counts at FY2026 levels and set a goal of at least 1,000,000 participants per year by Sept. 30, 2036. If enacted, the Administration must plan to have 250,000 approved positions in FY2027 and phase increases through FY2035 to reach the 2036 goal. If enacted, the Director must send a report within 90 days with recommendations on matching funds or share changes to help meet the goal and expand service in underserved communities. Actual expansion and spending would depend on future appropriations and quality service opportunities.
New agency structure and powers
If enacted, the bill would rename the Corporation for National and Community Service as the AmeriCorps Administration and make it an Executive department led by a Director. If enacted, the Director would get broader authority to make grants and contracts to federal agencies and nonprofits to place or refer volunteers. If enacted, the Advisory Board would have revised membership, terms, meeting frequency, and duties and must give annual recommendations to Congress. If enacted, the Administration would form an interagency working group to study award eligibility for non‑Administration programs and the feasibility of a federal hiring preference; that group must report to Congress within 12 months.
New National Service Foundation
If enacted, a tax‑exempt National Service Foundation would be created to accept gifts and support the AmeriCorps Administration. If enacted, the Foundation would be governed by a mostly nonfederal board, would not make the United States liable for its debts, and must report to Congress. If enacted, Congress authorized $2,500,000 for FY2027 to help start the Foundation, and those funds would remain available until spent.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Casten
IL • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
OH • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov