[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2400 Introduced in House (IH)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2400
To provide job creation and assistance, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 28, 2001
Mr. McHugh introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the
Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Financial
Services, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide job creation and assistance, 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 ``Rural America Job Assistance and
Creation Act''.
SEC. 2. GRANTS FOR REGIONAL SKILLS ALLIANCE SKILL DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor, in consultation
with the Secretary of Commerce, shall award grants to eligible
entities described in subsection (b) to assist such entities to
improve the job skills necessary for employment in specific
industries.
(2) Eligible entities described.--
(A) In general.--An eligible entity described in
this subsection is a consortium that--
(i) shall consist of representatives from
not less than 5 businesses, or a lesser number
of businesses if such lesser number of
businesses employs at least 30 percent of the
employees in the industry involved in the
region (or a nonprofit organization that
represents such businesses);
(ii) may consist of representatives from--
(I) labor organizations;
(II) State and local government;
and
(III) educational institutions;
(iii) is established to serve one or more
particular industries; and
(iv) is established to serve a particular
geographic region.
(B) Majority of representatives.--A majority of the
representatives comprising the consortium shall be
representatives described in subparagraph (A)(i).
(3) Priority for small businesses.--In providing grants
under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall give priority
to an eligible entity if a majority of representatives forming
the entity represent small-business concerns (as defined in
section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a))).
(4) Maximum amount of grant.--The amount of a grant awarded
to an eligible entity under paragraph (1) may not exceed
$1,000,000 for any fiscal year.
(b) Use of Amounts.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor may not award a
grant under subsection (a) to an eligible entity unless such
entity agrees to use amounts received from such grant to
improve the job skills necessary for employment by businesses
in the industry with respect to which such entity was
established.
(2) Conduct of program.--
(A) In general.--In carrying out the program
described in paragraph (1), the eligible entity may
provide for--
(i) an assessment of training and job skill
needs for the industry;
(ii) the development of a sequence of skill
standards that are benchmarked to advanced
industry practices;
(iii) the development of curriculum and
training methods, including, where appropriate,
e-learning or technology-based training;
(iv) the purchase, lease, or receipt of
donations of training equipment;
(v) the identification of training
providers and the development of partnerships
between the industry and educational
institutions, including community colleges;
(vi) the development of apprenticeship
programs;
(vii) the development of training programs
for workers, including dislocated workers;
(viii) the development of training plans
for businesses; and
(ix) the development of the membership of
the entity.
(B) Additional requirement.--In carrying out the
program described in paragraph (1), the eligible entity
shall provide for the development and tracking of
performance outcome measures for the program and the
training providers involved in the program.
(3) Administrative costs.--The eligible entity may use not
more than 10 percent of the amount of a grant to pay for
administrative costs associated with the program described in
paragraph (1).
(c) Requirement of Matching Funds.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor may not award a
grant under subsection (a) to an eligible entity unless such
entity agrees that the entity will make available non-Federal
contributions toward the costs of carrying out activities under
the grant in an amount that is not less than $2 for each $1 of
Federal funds provided under the grant, of which--
(A) $1 shall be provided by the businesses
participating in the entity; and
(B) $1 shall be provided by the State or local
government involved.
(2) Other contributions.--
(A) Equipment.--Equipment donations to facilities
that are not owned or operated by the members of the
eligible entity involved and that are shared by such
members may be included in determining compliance with
paragraph (1).
(B) Limitation.--An eligible entity may not include
in-kind contributions in complying with the requirement
of paragraph (1). The Secretary of Labor may consider
such donations in ranking applications.
(d) Limit on Administrative Expenses.--The Secretary of Labor may
use not more than 5 percent of the amounts made available to carry out
this section to pay the Federal administrative costs associated with
awarding grants under this section.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2002, 2003, and 2004, and such sums as are necessary for each
fiscal year thereafter.
SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR REGIONAL SKILLS ALLIANCE PLANNING.
(a) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor, in consultation
with the Secretary of Commerce, shall award grants to States to
enable such States to assist businesses, organizations, and
agencies described in section 2(a)(2) in conducting planning to
form consortia described in such section.
(2) Maximum amount of grant.--The amount of a grant awarded
to a State under paragraph (1) may not exceed $500,000 for any
fiscal year.
(b) Application.--The Secretary of Labor may not award a grant
under subsection (a) to a State unless such State submits to the
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
(c) Requirement of Matching Funds.--The Secretary of Labor may not
award a grant under subsection (a) to a State unless such State agrees
that it will make available non-Federal contributions toward the costs
of carrying out activities under this section in an amount that is not
less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds provided under the grant.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR SUPPORT OF BUSINESS INCUBATOR ACTIVITIES.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to encourage
entrepreneurial creativity and risk taking through the support of the
furnishing of business incubator services for newly established small
businesses and medium-sized businesses.
(b) Grant Program.--To achieve the purpose of this section, the
Secretary of Commerce shall carry out a program to provide, through
grants, financial assistance for the establishment and support of
entities that provide business incubator services in support of the
initiation and initial sustainment of business activities by newly
established small businesses and medium-sized businesses.
(c) Awards of Grants.--
(1) Eligibility requirements.--The Secretary shall
prescribe the eligibility requirements for the awarding of
grants under this section.
(2) Competitive selection.--The Secretary shall use a
competitive process for the awarding of grants under this
section and, under that process, select recipients of the
grants on the basis of merit, with priority given to
underserved rural and urban communities.
(3) Applications for grants.--The Secretary shall prescribe
the form and content of applications required for grants under
this section.
(d) Additional Administrative Authorities.--
(1) Cost-sharing.--The Secretary may require the recipient
of a grant under this section to defray a specific level of its
operating expenses for business incubator services out of funds
available from sources other than the Federal Government.
(2) Additional terms and conditions.--The Secretary, in
awarding a grant, may impose any other terms and conditions for
the use of the proceeds of the grant that the Secretary
determines appropriate for carrying out the purpose of this
section and to protect the interests of the United States,
including the requirement that entities providing business
incubator services that receive a grant under this section
develop a plan for ultimately becoming self-sufficient.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Business incubator services.--The term ``business
incubator services'' includes professional and technical
services necessary for the initiation and initial sustainment
of operations of a newly established business, including such
services as the following:
(A) Legal services.--Legal services, including aid
in preparing corporate charters, partnership
agreements, and basic contracts.
(B) Intellectual property services.--Services in
support of the protection of intellectual property
through patents, trademarks, or otherwise.
(C) Technology services.--Services in support of
the acquisition and use of advanced technology,
including the use of Internet services and web-based
services.
(D) Planning.--Advice on--
(i) strategic planning; and
(ii) marketing, including advertising.
(2) Small business and medium-sized business.--
(A) Secretary to prescribe.--The Secretary shall
prescribe the definitions of the terms ``small
business'' and ``medium-sized business'' for the
purpose of this section.
(B) Small business standards.--In defining the term
``small business'' for the purpose of this section, the
Secretary shall apply the standards applicable for the
definition of the term ``small-business concern'' under
section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(f) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for the
grant program administered under this section.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for the Department of Commerce to carry out this section
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and $200,000,000 for each fiscal year
thereafter.
SEC. 5. STUDY OF RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL NEEDS.
(a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study of the infrastructure of, the venture capital available
for investment in, and the programs of the Federal Government that are
designed to assist the rural areas of the United States, and shall
evaluate how the infrastructure, venture capital, and programs could be
better used to enhance the rural areas, including through a focus on
expanding economic development and small business loan and grant
programs to include projects related to tourism and agriculture.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall prepare and submit
a written report that contains the results of the evaluation required
by subsection (a) to the following committees of the Congress:
(1) The Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives.
(2) The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate.
(3) The Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives.
(4) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate.
(5) The Committees on Small Business of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
SEC. 6. NOTIFICATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS PRIOR TO
DISLOCATION OF WORKERS.
Section 3(a)(2) of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act (29 U.S.C. 2102(a)(2)) is amended by inserting
``Federal, State, and'' after ``the unit of''.
SEC. 7. SUBMISSION OF H-1B LABOR CONDITION APPLICATION AT SAME TIME AS
CLASSIFICATION PETITION.
Section 212(n)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1182(n)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The
application under this paragraph shall be submitted by an employer at
the same time as the classification petition is filed under section 214
relating to the H-1B nonimmigrants who are the subject of the
application.''.
SEC. 8. EXCLUSION FROM INCOME OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT AMOUNTS.
(a) In General.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to items specifically excluded
from gross income) is amended by redesignating section 139 as section
140 and by inserting after section 138 the following new section:
``SEC. 139. SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.
``(a) In General.--In the case of an individual, gross income shall
not include any qualified severance payment.
``(b) Limitation.--The amount to which the exclusion under
subsection (a) applies shall not exceed $25,000 with respect to each
separation from employment described in subsection (c)(1)(B).
``(c) Qualified Severance Payment.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified severance payment'
means any payment received by an individual if--
``(A) such payment was paid by such individual's
employer on account of such individual's separation
from employment, and
``(B) such separation was in connection with a
reduction in the work force of the employer.
``(2) Limitation.--Such term shall not include any payment
received by an individual if the aggregate payments received
with respect to the separation from employment exceed
$150,000.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part III of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the item
relating to section 139 and inserting the following new items:
``Sec. 139. Severance payments.
``Sec. 140. Cross references to other
Acts.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.
SEC. 9. EXPANSION OF WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT.
(a) In General.--Section 51(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (relating to members of targeted groups) is amended by striking
``or'' at the end of subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the
end of subparagraph (H) and inserting ``, or'', and by adding at the
end the following:
``(I) a qualified small business employee.''.
(b) Qualified Small Business Employee.--Section 51(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating paragraphs
(10) through (12) as paragraphs (11) through (13), respectively, and by
inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) Qualified small business employee.--
``(A) In general.--The term `qualified small
business employee' means any individual--
``(i) hired by a qualified small business
located in a development zone, or
``(ii) hired by a qualified small business
and who is certified by the designated local
agency as residing in such a development zone.
``(B) Qualified small business.--The term
`qualified small business' has the meaning given the
term `small employer' by section 4980D(d)(2).
``(C) Development zone.--For purposes of this
section--
``(i) In general.--The term `development
zone' means any area--
``(I) which is nominated under the
procedures defined in sections
1400E(a)(1)(A) and 1400E(a)(4) for
renewal communities;
``(II) which the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development
designates as a development zone, after
consultation with the Secretary of
Commerce;
``(III) which has a population of
not less than 5,000 and not more than
150,000;
``(IV) which has a poverty rate not
less than 20 percent (within the
meaning of section 1400E(c)(3)(C));
``(V) which has an average annual
rate of job growth of less than 2
percent during any 3 years of the
preceding 5-year period; and
``(VI) which, during the period
beginning January 1, 1990 and ending
with the date of the enactment of this
section, has a net out-migration of
inhabitants, or other population loss,
from the area of at least 2 percent of
the population of the area during such
period.
``(ii) Number of designations.--The
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may
not designate more than 100 development zones.
``(D) Special rules for determining amount of
credit.--For purposes of applying this subpart to wages
paid or incurred to any qualified small business
employee--
``(i) subsection (a) shall be applied by
substituting `20 percent of the qualified
first, second, third, fourth, or fifth year
wages' for `40 percent of the qualified first
year wages', and
``(ii) in lieu of paragraphs (2) and (3) of
subsection (b), the following definitions and
special rule shall apply:
``(I) Qualified first-year wages.--
The term `qualified first-year wages'
means, with respect to any individual,
qualified wages attributable to service
rendered during the 1-year period
beginning with the day the individual
begins work for the employer.
``(II) Qualified second-year
wages.--The term `qualified second-year
wages' means, with respect to any
individual, qualified wages
attributable to service rendered during
the 1-year period beginning on the day
after the last day of the 1-year period
with respect to such individual
determined under subclause (I).
``(III) Qualified third-year
wages.--The term `qualified third-year
wages' means, with respect to any
individual, qualified wages
attributable to service rendered during
the 1-year period beginning on the day
after the last day of the 1-year period
with respect to such individual
determined under subclause (II).
``(IV) Qualified fourth-year
wages.--The term `qualified fourth-year
wages' means, with respect to any
individual, qualified wages
attributable to service rendered during
the 1-year period beginning on the day
after the last day of the 1-year period
with respect to such individual
determined under subclause (III).
``(V) Qualified fifth-year wages.--
The term `qualified fifth-year wages'
means, with respect to any individual,
qualified wages attributable to service
rendered during the 1-year period
beginning on the day after the last day
of the 1-year period with respect to
such individual determined under
subclause (IV).
``(VI) Only first $15,000 of wages
per year taken into account.--The
amount of the qualified first, second,
third, fourth, and fifth year wages
which may be taken into account with
respect to any individual shall not
exceed $15,000 per year.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 10. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.
The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 381P. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Agency with rural responsibilities.--The term `agency
with rural responsibilities' means any executive agency (as
defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code) that--
``(A) implements Federal law targeted at rural
areas, including--
``(i) the Act of April 24, 1950 (commonly
known as the Granger-Thye Act) (64 Stat. 82,
chapter 9);
``(ii) the Intergovernmental Cooperation
Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 1098);
``(iii) section 41742 of title 49, United
States Code;
``(iv) the Rural Development Act of 1972
(86 Stat. 657);
``(v) the Rural Development Policy Act of
1980 (94 Stat. 1171);
``(vi) the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 (2 U.S.C. 901 et seq.);
``(vii) amendments made to section 334 of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254g)
by the Rural Health Clinics Act of 1983 (97
Stat. 1345); and
``(viii) the Rural Housing Amendments of
1983 (97 Stat. 1240) and the amendments made by
the Rural Housing Amendments of 1983 to title V
of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et
seq.); or
``(B) administers programs that have a significant
impact on rural areas, including--
``(i) the Appalachian Regional Commission;
``(ii) the Department of Agriculture;
``(iii) the Department of Commerce;
``(iv) the Department of Defense;
``(v) the Department of Education;
``(vi) the Department of Energy;
``(vii) the Department of Health and Human
Services;
``(viii) the Department of Housing and
Urban Development;
``(ix) the Department of the Interior;
``(x) the Department of Justice;
``(xi) the Department of Labor;
``(xii) the Department of Transportation;
``(xiii) the Department of the Treasury;
``(xiv) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
``(xv) the Environmental Protection Agency;
``(xvi) the Federal Emergency Management
Administration;
``(xvii) the Small Business Administration;
``(xviii) the Social Security
Administration;
``(xix) the Federal Reserve System;
``(xx) the United States Postal Service;
``(xxi) the Corporation for National
Service;
``(xxii) the National Endowment for the
Arts and the National Endowment for the
Humanities; and
``(xxiii) other agencies, commissions, and
corporations.
``(2) Council.--The term `Council' means the National Rural
Development Council established by subsection (c).
``(3) Partnership.--The term `Partnership' means the
National Rural Development Partnership established by
subsection (b).
``(4) Rural area.--The term `rural area' means--
``(A) all the territory of a State that is not
within the boundary of any standard metropolitan
statistical area, as designated by the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget;
``(B) all territory within any standard
metropolitan statistical area described in subparagraph
(A) within a census tract having a population density
of less than 20 persons per square mile, as determined
by the Secretary according to the most recent census of
the United States as of any date; and
``(C) such areas as a State Rural Development
Council may identify as rural.
``(5) State rural development council.--The term `State
rural development council' means a State rural development
council that meets the requirements of subsection (d).
``(b) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--There is established a National Rural
Development Partnership composed of--
``(A) the National Rural Development Council
established under subsection (a); and
``(B) State rural development councils established
under subsection (d).
``(2) Purposes.--The purposes of the Partnership are--
``(A) to empower and build the capacity of States
and rural communities within States to design unique
responses to their own special rural development needs,
with local determinations of progress and selection of
projects and activities;
``(B) to encourage participants to be flexible and
innovative in establishing new partnerships and trying
fresh, new approaches to rural development issues, with
responses to rural development that use different
approaches to fit different situations; and
``(C) to encourage all 5 partners of the
Partnership (Federal, State, local, and tribal
governments, the private sector, and nonprofit
organizations) to be fully engaged and share equally in
decisions.
``(3) Role of federal government.--The role of the Federal
Government in the Partnership should be that of a partner,
coach, and facilitator, with Federal agencies authorized--
``(A) to cooperate closely with States to implement
the Partnership;
``(B) to provide States with the technical and
administrative support necessary to plan and implement
tailored rural development strategies to meet local
needs;
``(C) to delegate decisionmaking to other levels;
``(D) to ensure that the head of each department
and agency specified in subsection (a)(1)(B) designates
a senior-level agency official to represent the
department or agency, respectively, on the Council and
directs appropriate field staff to participate fully
with the State rural development council within their
jurisdiction; and
``(E) to enter into cooperative agreements with,
and to provide grants and other assistance to, State
rural development councils, regardless of the form of
legal organization of a State rural development council
and notwithstanding any other provision of law.
``(4) Role of private and nonprofit sector organizations.--
Private and nonprofit sector organizations are encouraged--
``(A) to act as full partners in the Partnership
and State rural development councils; and
``(B) to cooperate with participating government
organizations in developing innovative problem
approaches to rural development.
``(c) National Rural Development Council.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established a National Rural
Development Council.
``(2) Composition.--The Council shall be composed of--
``(A) 1 representative of each agency with rural
responsibilities that elects to participate in the
Council; and
``(B) representatives of local, regional, State,
tribal, and nongovernmental profit and nonprofit
organizations that elect to participate in the
activities of the Council.
``(3) Duties.--The Council shall--
``(A) provide support for the work of the State
rural development councils;
``(B) facilitate coordination among Federal
programs and activities, and with State, local, tribal,
and private programs and activities, affecting rural
development;
``(C) enhance the effectiveness, responsiveness,
and delivery of Federal programs in rural areas;
``(D) gather and provide to Federal authorities
information and input for the development and
implementation of Federal programs impacting rural
economic and community development;
``(E) review and comment on policies, regulations,
and proposed legislation that affect or would affect
rural areas;
``(F) provide technical assistance to State rural
development councils for the implementation of Federal
programs; and
``(G) develop and facilitate strategies to reduce
or eliminate administrative and regulatory impediments.
``(4) Election not to participate.--An agency with rural
responsibilities that elects not to participate in the
Partnership shall submit to Congress a report that describes--
``(A) how the programmatic responsibilities of the
Federal agency that target or have an impact on rural
areas are better achieved without participation by the
agency in the Partnership; and
``(B) a more effective means of partnership-
building and collaboration to achieve the programmatic
responsibilities of the agency.
``(5) Performance evaluations.--In conducting a performance
evaluation of an employee of an agency with rural
responsibilities, the agency shall consider any comments
submitted by a State rural development council.
``(d) State Rural Development Councils.--
``(1) Establishment.--Each State may elect to participate
in the Partnership by entering into a memorandum of agreement
with the Secretary to establish a State rural development
council.
``(2) State diversity.--Each State rural development
council shall--
``(A) have a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory
membership that is broad and representative of the
economic, social, and political diversity of the State;
and
``(B) carry out programs and activities in a manner
that reflects the diversity of the State.
``(3) Duties.--Each State rural development council shall--
``(A) facilitate collaboration among Federal,
State, local, and tribal governments and the private
and nonprofit sectors in the planning and
implementation of programs and policies that target or
have an impact on rural areas of the State;
``(B) enhance the effectiveness, responsiveness,
and delivery of Federal and State programs in rural
areas of the State;
``(C) gather and provide to the Council and other
appropriate organizations information on the condition
of rural areas in the State;
``(D) monitor and report on policies and programs
that address, or fail to address, the needs of the
rural areas of the State;
``(E) facilitate the formulation of local needs
assessments for the rural areas of the State and
participate in the development of criteria for the
distribution of Federal funds to the rural areas of the
State;
``(F) provide comments to the Council and other
appropriate organizations on policies, regulations, and
proposed legislation that affect or would affect the
rural areas of the State;
``(G) in conjunction with the Council, facilitate
the development of strategies to reduce or eliminate
conflicting or duplicative administrative or regulatory
requirements of Federal, State, local, and tribal
governments;
``(H) use grant or cooperative agreement funds
available to the Partnership to--
``(i) retain an Executive Director and such
support staff as are necessary to facilitate
and implement the directives of the State rural
development council; and
``(ii) defray expenses associated with
carrying out subparagraphs (A) through (G) and
subparagraph (J);
``(I) be authorized to solicit funds to supplement
and match funds granted under subparagraph (H); and
``(J) be authorized to engage in all other
appropriate activities.
``(4) Comments or recommendations.--
``(A) In general.--A State rural development
council may provide comments and recommendations to an
agency with rural responsibilities related to the
activities of the State rural development council
within the State.
``(B) Agency.--The agency with rural
responsibilities shall provide to the State rural
development council a written response to the comments
or recommendations.
``(5) Actions of state rural development council members.--
When carrying out a program or activity authorized by a State
rural development council, a member of the Council shall be
regarded as an employee of the Federal Government for purposes
of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code.
``(6) Federal participation in state rural development
councils.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B),
Federal employees may participate in a State rural
development council.
``(B) Conflicts.--A Federal employee who
participates in a State rural development council shall
not participate in the making of any council decision
if the agency represented by the Federal employee has
any financial or other interest in the outcome of the
decision.
``(C) Federal guidance.--The Attorney General shall
issue guidance to all Federal employees that
participate in State rural development councils that
describes specific decisions that--
``(i) would constitute a conflict of
interest for the Federal employee; and
``(ii) from which the Federal employee must
recuse himself or herself.
``(e) Administration of the Partnership.--
``(1) Detail of employees.--In order to provide experience
in intergovernmental collaboration, with the approval of the
head of an agency with rural responsibilities that elects to
participate in the Partnership, an employee of the agency with rural
responsibilities is encouraged to be detailed to the Partnership
without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or
loss of civil service status or privilege.
``(2) Additional support.--The Secretary shall provide for
any additional support staff to the Partnership as the
Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the duties of
the Partnership.
``(3) Panel.--
``(A) In general.--A panel consisting of
representatives of the Council and State rural
development councils shall be established to lead and
coordinate the strategic operation, policies, and
practices of the Partnership.
``(B) Annual reports.--In conjunction with the
Council and State rural development councils, the panel
shall prepare and submit to Congress an annual report
on the activities of the Partnership.
``(f) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this section.
``(2) Federal agencies.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, in order to carry out the purposes
described in subsection (b)(2), the Partnership shall
be eligible to receive grants, gifts, contributions, or
technical assistance from, or enter into contracts
with, any Federal department or agency, to the extent
otherwise permitted by law.
``(B) Assistance.--Federal departments and agencies
are encouraged to use funds made available for programs
that target or impact rural areas to provide assistance
to, and enter into contracts with, the Partnership, as
described in subparagraph (A).
``(3) Contributions.--The Partnership may accept private
contributions.
``(g) Matching Requirements for State Rural Development Councils.--
A State rural development council shall provide matching funds, or in-
kind goods or services, to support the activities of the State rural
development council in an amount that is not less than 25 percent of
the amount of Federal funds received under the agreement described in
subsection (d)(1).
``(h) Termination.--The authority provided under this section shall
terminate 5 years after the date of enactment of this section.''.
SEC. 11. ESTABLISHMENT OF NORTHERN NEW YORK TRAVEL AND TOURISM RESEARCH
CENTER.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall make a grant to the William C.
Merwin Rural Services Institute of the State University of New York at
Potsdam, New York, for the establishment and operation of a Northern
New York Travel and Tourism Research Center at the institute.
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