article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Jobs Now Act of 2017''. SEC. 2. GRANTS TO UNITS OF GENERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 172 the following: ``SEC. 173. PILOT PROGRAM. ``(a) Program Authorized.--Notwithstanding section 181(e), from the amounts appropriated under subsection (h), the Secretary shall carry out a 2-year pilot program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to units of general local government or community-based organizations to retain, employ, or train employees providing a public service for a unit of general local government. ``(b) Unit of General Local Government Defined.--For purposes of this section, the term `unit of general local government' means any general purpose political subdivision of a State, or the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the freely associated states of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau, that has the power to levy taxes and spend funds, as well as general corporate and police powers. ``(c) Uses of Funds.-- ``(1) Required uses.-- ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), a unit of general local government or community-based organization shall use not less than 50 percent of the grant funds received under this section to-- ``(i) in the case of a unit, retain employees of such unit who are providing a public service for the unit and who would otherwise be laid off as a consequence of budget cuts; and ``(ii) in the case of an organization, retain employees of the organization who are providing a public service for the unit in which the organization is located and who would otherwise be laid off as a consequence of budget cuts. ``(B) Exception.--In a case in which 50 percent of a grant amount received under this section would exceed the amount needed for a unit or organization to retain the employees described in subparagraph (A), the unit or organization may use only the amount needed to retain such employees for such purpose. ``(2) Authorized uses.--After using grant funds received under this section in accordance with paragraph (1), a unit of general local government or community-based organization may use any remaining grant funds provided under this section to-- ``(A) in the case of a unit of general local government-- ``(i) employ individuals in new positions providing a public service for the unit; or ``(ii) train individuals for new public service positions for the unit; and ``(B) in the case of a community-based organization-- ``(i) employ individuals in new positions that would provide a public service for the unit in which the organization is located or services in the private sector; or ``(ii) train individuals for any such positions. ``(d) Priority for Certain Individuals.--The Secretary shall encourage each unit of general local government and each community- based organization receiving a grant under this section to use such grant funds to retain, employ, or train-- ``(1) veterans; ``(2) individuals with disabilities; ``(3) individuals who are receiving unemployment benefits; or ``(4) dislocated workers. ``(e) Priority for Certain Units and Organizations.-- ``(1) Units.--In awarding grants to units of general local government under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to units of general local government with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates as compared to other units of general local government applying to receive a grant under this section. ``(2) Organizations.--In awarding grants to units of general local government under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to community-based organizations located in units of general local government with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates as compared to other units of general local government applying to receive a grant under this section. ``(f) Application.--Each unit of general local government or community-based organization desiring to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. ``(g) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the first appropriation of funds under subsection (h), the Secretary shall submit to Congress, a report on-- ``(1) the number and percentage of individuals hired or trained, and the number and percentage of employees of units retained, as a result of a grant under this section; and ``(2) best practices in carrying out a grant program to hire, train, or retain employees of units of general local government. ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 to carry out this section for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.''.
summary: Jobs Now Act of 2017 This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Department of Labor to carry out a two-year pilot program to award competitive grants to general local government units or community-based organizations to retain, employ, or train employees who provide a local government unit with a public service. The bill prescribes required and authorized uses of grant fund and priorities for awarding and using grant funds, including: encouraging grantees to use funds to retain, employ, or train veterans, individuals with disabilities, individuals who receive unemployment benefits, or dislocated workers; and giving priority in awarding grants to local government units and their community-based organizations with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates.