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HR 99 99th Congress House Public Lands and Natural Resources Children and youth Conservation of natural resources Department of Agriculture Department of the Interior Environmental Protection Executive reorganization Indian lands Labor and Employment Native Americans Poor Public Lands and Real Property Public service employment State-local relations Unemployment Vocational and technical education Volunteer workers Youth employment

American Conservation Corps Act of 1985

Introduced: January 3, 1985 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 34 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 15, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Public Lands and Reserved Water.
Jul 15, 1985
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Jul 11, 1985
Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 193 - 191 (Record Vote No: 225).
Jul 11, 1985
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 193 - 191 (Record Vote No: 225).
Jul 11, 1985
House Agreed to Amendments Adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
Jul 11, 1985
Committee Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute Considered as an Original Bill for the Purpose of Amendment.
Jul 11, 1985
Called up by House by Rule.
Jul 11, 1985
Rule Passed House.
Jun 26, 1985
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From USDA.
Jun 11, 1985
Rule Granted Providing an Open Rule with 1 Hour of Debate.
May 16, 1985
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From USDA.
May 2, 1985
Placed on Union Calendar No: 38.
May 2, 1985
Reported to House (Amended) by House Committee on Education and Labor. Report No: 99-18 (Part II).
Apr 16, 1985
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Apr 16, 1985
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 16, 1985
Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities Discharged.
Apr 8, 1985
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From Interior.
Mar 26, 1985
Executive Comment Requested from Interior, Labor, USDA.
Mar 26, 1985
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 14, 1985
Reported to House (Amended) by House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Report No: 99-18 (Part I).
Mar 12, 1985
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From Interior.
Mar 4, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities.
Feb 27, 1985
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 27, 1985
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Feb 20, 1985
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 20, 1985
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From USDA.
Feb 19, 1985
Executive Comment Requested from USDA, Interior.
Feb 7, 1985
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 7, 1985
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Feb 7, 1985
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 7, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Public Lands.
Jan 3, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Jan 3, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Jan 3, 1985
Introduced in House
 Amendments to this bill 3

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 325 An amendment changing the definitions of the bill such that "Indian lands" shall mean only those held in trus… Pending Jul 11, 1985
HAMDT 324 An amendment to add to the restrictions on funding conservation centers the condition that such assistance no… Pending Jul 11, 1985
HAMDT 323 An amendment to change the circumstances that permit certain federal employees to make appeals to the Merit S… Pending Jul 11, 1985
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

American Conservation Corps Act of 1985 - Establishes an American Conservation Corps within the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture. Directs the Secretaries of both departments to establish and administer a conservation and rehabilitation program on Federal public and Indian lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior alone to establish and administer such a program on non-Federal public lands.

Directs the Secretaries to assist program agencies (any Federal, State, or Indian agency responsible for the management of public lands) in establishing and operating residential and nonresidential American Conservation Corps Centers.

Describes the types of projects which will receive program preference. Limits program projects to those on public lands or Indian lands, except where projects on nonpublic lands provide documented public benefits.

Sets forth requirements for establishing conservation centers and eligibility criteria for enrollees in the program. Requires that preference be given to economically, socially, physically, and educationally disadvantaged youth and youth residing in areas having substantial unemployment.

Requires program agencies to provide services, facilities, supplies, and equipment for conservation centers as the Secretary deems necessary.

States under what conditions and for what purposes an enrollee/volunteer shall be deemed a Federal or State employee.

Permits the Tennessee Valley Authority to utilize such volunteers.

Sets forth compensation and reimbursement provisions for volunteers and their upkeep.

Directs the Secretaries to assist program agencies in securing certification or credit for skills acquired by volunteers during their participation and to conduct cost-benefit analysis and evaluations of the program. Permits the Secretaries to conduct pilot programs for alternative approaches.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Congress within the year on a study of Civilian Conservation Corps sites suitable for a commemoration of such Corps.

Sets forth study opportunities and limitations for program volunteers, including a requirement that program agencies provide job guidance and placement assistance.

Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to report at least annually to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make available appropriate labor market information.

Sets forth employee appeal rights for workers displaced by American Conservation Corps volunteers.

Sets forth funding limitations.

Requires participating program agencies to certify that their programs will not displace workers.

Sets forth procedures whereby State shares go to local governments when no State program agency exists.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986.

What's happening now July 15, 1985

Referred to Subcommittee on Public Lands and Reserved Water.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Committees of jurisdiction 6
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 99: American Conservation Corps Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-99/
MLA
"H.R. 99: American Conservation Corps Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-99/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 99, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-99/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 99: American Conservation Corps Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-99/)
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