All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the construction, alteration or repair, including painting and decorating of projects, buildings and works which are federally assisted under this chapter shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40. The Secretary of Labor shall have, with respect to such labor standards, the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Number 14 of 1950 (15 F.R. 3176; 64 Stat. 1267) and in section 3145 of title 40.

Pursuant to regulations prescribed by the President, and to the extent consistent with the other provisions of this chapter, where funds are provided for a single project by more than one Federal agency to an agency or organization assisted under this chapter, the Federal agency principally involved may be designated to act for all in administering the funds provided, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, in such cases, a single non-Federal share requirement may be established according to the proportion of funds advanced by each agency. When the principal agency involved is the Corporation, it may waive any grant or contract requirement (as defined by such regulations) under or pursuant to any law other than this chapter, which requirement is inconsistent with the similar requirements under or pursuant to this chapter.

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize any department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum, program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any education institution or school system.

The Director shall take necessary steps to coordinate volunteer programs authorized under this chapter with one another, with community action programs, and with other related Fed­eral, State, and local programs. The Director shall also consult with the heads of other Federal, State, and local agencies responsible for programs related to the purposes of this chapter with a view to encouraging greater use of volunteer services in those programs and establishing in connection with them systematic procedures for the recruitment, referral, or necessary preservice orientation or training of volunteers serving pursuant to this chapter. The Director, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and the Treasury and officials of other appropriate departments and agencies, shall take all appropriate steps to encourage State and local governments, charitable and service organizations, and private employers (1) to take into account experience in volunteer work in the consideration of applicants for employment; and (2) to make provisions for the listing and description of volunteer work on all employment application forms.

In order to assure that existing Federal agencies are used to the fullest extent possible in carrying out the purposes of this chapter, no funds appropriated to carry out this chapter shall be used to establish any new department or office when the intended function is being performed by an existing department or office.

The Director shall adopt appropriate administrative measures to assure that the benefits of and services under this chapter will be distributed equitably between residents of rural and urban areas.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no payment for supportive services or reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses made to persons serving pursuant to subchapter II of this chapter shall be subject to any tax or charge or be treated as wages or compensation for the purposes of unemployment, temporary disability, retirement, public assistance, workers’ compensation, or similar benefit payments, or minimum wage laws. This section shall become effective with respect to all payments made after October 1, 1973.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law and pursuant to regulations which the Director shall prescribe, counsel may be employed and counsel fees, court costs, bail, and other expenses incidental to the defense of volunteers may be paid in judicial or administrative proceedings to which full-time volunteers (or part-time volunteers when such proceeding arises directly out of the performance of activities pursuant to this chapter) serving under this chapter have been made parties.

In order to reduce unnecessary, duplicative, or disruptive demands for information, the Director, in consultation with other appropriate agencies and organizations, shall continually review and evaluate all requests for information made under this chapter and take such action as may be necessary to reduce the paperwork required under this chapter. The Director shall request only such information as the Director deems essential to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter.

If the executive authority of any State or local government submits to the Director, not later than 30 days before the expiration of any contract or grant to carry out any project under this chapter, a statement which objects to the renewal of such contract or grant, then the Director shall (1) review such statement and take it into account in determining whether to renew such contract or grant; and (2) submit to such executive authority a written statement of reasons regarding the Director’s determination with respect to such renewal and specifically with respect to any objection so submitted.

The Corporation shall carry out this chapter in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the relevant provisions of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.), particularly the provisions of section 122 and subtitle F of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12572, 12631 et seq.) relating to the national service laws.