USE OF YOUTH SERVICE AND CONSERVATION CORPS.

SEC. 1524. [23 U.S.C. 206 note] USE OF YOUTH SERVICE AND CONSERVATION CORPS. (a) In General.—The Secretary shall encourage the States and regional transportation planning agencies to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with qualified youth service or conservation corps, as defined in sections 122(a)(2) of Public Law 101-610 (42 U.S.C. 12572(a)(2)) and 106(c)(3) of Public Law 103-82 (42 U.S.C. 12656(c)(3)) to perform appropriate projects eligible under sections 162, 206, 213, and 217 of title 23, United States Code, and under section 1404 of the SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1228). (b) Requirements.—Under any contract or cooperative agreement entered into with a qualified youth service or conservation corps under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) set the amount of a living allowance or rate of pay for each participant in such corps at— (A) such amount or rate as required under State law in a State with such requirements; or (B) for corps in States not described in subparagraph (A), at such amount or rate as determined by the Secretary, not to exceed the maximum living allowance authorized by section 140 of Public Law 101-610 (42 U.S.C. 12594); and (2) not subject such corps to the requirements of section 112 of title 23, United States Code.