To establish the National Parks Institute at the University of California, Merced, and for other purposes.

March 13, 2003

Mr. RADANOVICH (for himself and Mr. CARDOZA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, 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

To establish the National Parks Institute at the University of California, Merced, 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 `National Parks Institute Act'.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES; DEFINITIONS.

(a) PURPOSE OF ACT- The purpose of this Act is to establish the National Parks Institute.

(b) PURPOSES OF INSTITUTE- The purposes of the Institute are as follows:

(1) To train future executives in the complex management issues that confront national parks.

(2) To promote scientific research to support decisionmaking in national parks.

(3) To promote stewardship through consultation, cooperation, and communication, all in the service of conservation.

(4) To promote and development environmentally sustainable resource management practices.

(5) To develop and promote a sophisticated program to help developing nations manage their natural and cultural resources.

(c) DEFINITIONS- For the purposes of this Act:

(1) INSTITUTE- The term `Institute' means the National Parks Institute established pursuant to section 3.

(2) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, shall establish the National Parks Institute.

(b) LOCATION- The Institute shall be located on the campus of the University of California at Merced, California.

SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE INSTITUTE.

(a) MANAGEMENT- The Institute shall be jointly administered by the National Park Service and the University of California, Merced.

(b) CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS- The Secretary may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with the University of California, Merced, and any other public or private agency, organization, or institution, to carry out this Act.

(c) FACILITY-

(1) LEASING OR ACQUIRING FACILITY- The Secretary may lease or acquire a facility for the Institute.

(2) CONSTRUCTION OF A FACILITY- If the Secretary determines that a suitable facility is not available for a lease or acquisition under paragraph (1), the Secretary may construct a facility for the Institute.

(d) ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS AND TRANSFERS- To carry out this Act, the Secretary may accept--

(1) grants or donations from private parties; or

(2) transfers of funds from other Federal agencies.

SEC. 5. FUNDING.

(a) MATCHING OF FUNDS- The Secretary may spend only such amount of Federal funds to carry out this Act as is matched by an equal amount of funds from non-Federal sources.

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

END