Pennsylvania HB 894: An Act establishing the Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector Program and the Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 934
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 894
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN, SANCHEZ, GIRAL,
INGLIS, CERRATO, MALAGARI AND BRENNAN, MARCH 13, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, MARCH 13, 2025
AN ACT
Establishing the Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector
Program and the Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector
Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture,
the Department of Community and Economic Development, the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the
Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Veterans
Entering the Sustainability Sector Program Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Apprenticeship training." Workforce training that, upon
satisfactory completion, results in the issuance of a registered
apprentice certificate recognized by the department and that
involves any of the following vocations, without limitation:
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(1) Electrician.
(2) Construction craft laborer.
(3) Machinist.
(4) Sheet metal worker.
(5) Carpenter.
(6) Maintenance mechanic.
(7) Welder.
(8) Plumber.
(9) Pipe fitter.
(10) Automotive technician.
(11) Industrial manufacturing technician.
(12) Material coordinator.
"Department." The Department of Community and Economic
Development of the Commonwealth.
"Eligible employer." An employer that:
(1) Operates in the sustainability sector.
(2) Devotes the majority of its financial resources to
the development and operation of renewable energy as part of
its business activities.
(3) Hires a veteran with apprenticeship training.
"Environmental concerns." Includes any of the following that
may adversely affect this Commonwealth and the residents of this
Commonwealth:
(1) Climate change.
(2) The loss of biodiversity.
(3) The loss of ecosystem services.
(4) Land degradation.
(5) Air pollution.
(6) Water pollution.
(7) Minimal renewable energy sources.
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"Fund." The Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector Fund
established under section 8.
"Participating departments." The Department of Agriculture,
the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the
Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs.
"Program." The Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector
Program established under section 3.
"Renewable energy." As follows:
(1) Energy that comes from a source that:
(i) Is natural.
(ii) Is self-replenishing.
(iii) Cannot be exhausted.
(iv) Generally has a low-carbon or zero-carbon
footprint.
(2) The term includes:
(i) Wind power.
(ii) Solar power.
(iii) Bioenergy and organic matter burned as fuel.
(iv) Hydroelectric power, including tidal energy.
"Sustainability sector." Industries that address the impact
of environmental concerns on the economy, society and the
health, safety and general welfare of the public.
"Veteran." As defined in 51 Pa.C.S. § 7101.2 (relating to
definitions).
"VETSS grant." A Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector
grant awarded under the program.
Section 3. Establishment of program.
The Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector Program is
established within the department.
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Section 4. Purposes of program.
The purposes of the program are, through a partnership with
the participating departments, to:
(1) Provide veterans with apprenticeship training and
the opportunity to enter the workforce in the sustainability
sector.
(2) Prioritize the hiring of veterans with
apprenticeship training by any of the participating
departments to address environmental concerns.
(3) Provide VETSS grants to employers in the
sustainability sector that hire veterans with apprenticeship
training.
Section 5. Workforce training.
In consultation and coordination with the participating
departments and with other organizations or business entities
that provide or have the capacity to provide apprentice
training, the department shall oversee the development and
implementation of apprenticeship training for the purpose of
awarding VETSS grants.
Section 6. Grant applications.
(a) Availability of grant.--An eligible employer may apply
for a VETSS grant.
(b) Public notice.--The department shall provide the
following on the publicly accessible Internet website of the
department:
(1) Information regarding the availability and award of
VETSS grants.
(2) A form developed for eligible employers to use to
apply for a VETSS grant.
(c) Contents of application.-