[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2535 Reported in House (RH)]
Union Calendar No. 137
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2535
[Report No. 108-242, Part I]
To reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 19, 2003
Mr. LaTourette (for himself, Ms. Norton, Mr. Young of Alaska, and Mr.
Oberstar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the
Committee on 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
July 25, 2003
Reported from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with
an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
July 25, 2003
Referral to the Committee on Financial Services extended for a period
ending not later than September 2, 2003
September 2, 2003
Additional sponsors: Mr. Hall, Mr. McHugh, and Mr. Acevedo-Vila
September 2, 2003
Committee on Financial Services discharged; committed to the Committee
of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June
19, 2003]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Economic
Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003''.
(b) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Amendments to Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965.
TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 101. Findings and declarations.
Sec. 102. Definitions.
Sec. 103. Establishment of economic development partnerships.
Sec. 104. Coordination.
TITLE II--GRANTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 201. Grants for planning.
Sec. 202. Cost sharing.
Sec. 203. Supplementary grants.
Sec. 204. Regulations on relative needs and allocations.
Sec. 205. Grants for training, research, and technical assistance.
Sec. 206. Prevention of unfair competition.
Sec. 207. Grants for economic adjustment.
Sec. 208. Use of funds in projects constructed under projected cost.
Sec. 209. Special impact areas.
Sec. 210. Performance awards.
Sec. 211. Planning performance awards.
Sec. 212. Subgrants.
Sec. 213. Brownfields redevelopment.
Sec. 214. Brightfields demonstration program.
TITLE III--COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Sec. 301. Comprehensive economic development strategies.
TITLE IV--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
Sec. 401. Incentives.
Sec. 402. Provision of comprehensive economic development strategies to
regional commissions.
TITLE V--ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 501. Economic development information clearinghouse.
Sec. 502. Businesses desiring Federal contracts.
Sec. 503. Performance evaluations of grant recipients.
Sec. 504. Conforming amendments.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 601. Relationship to assistance under other law.
Sec. 602. Sense of Congress regarding economic development
representatives.
TITLE VII--FUNDING
Sec. 701. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT OF
1965.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a
repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be
considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Public
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.).
TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.
Section 2 (42 U.S.C. 3121) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.
``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
``(1) There continue to be areas experiencing chronic high
unemployment, underemployment, outmigration, and low per capita
incomes, as well as areas facing sudden and severe economic
dislocations due to structural economic changes, changing trade
patterns, certain Federal actions (including environmental
requirements that result in the removal of economic activities
from a locality), and natural disasters.
``(2) Economic growth in our Nation, States, cities, and
rural areas is produced by expanding economic opportunities,
expanding free enterprise through trade, developing and
strengthening public infrastructure, and creating a climate for
job creation and business development.
``(3) The goal of Federal economic development programs is
to raise the standard of living for all citizens and increase
the wealth and overall rate of growth of the economy by
encouraging communities to develop a more competitive and
diversified economic base by--
``(A) creating an environment that promotes
economic activity by improving and expanding public
infrastructure;
``(B) promoting job creation through increased
innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship; and
``(C) empowering local and regional communities
experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per
capita income to develop private sector business and
attract increased private sector capital investment.
``(4) While economic development is an inherently local
process, the Federal Government should work in partnership with
public and private local, regional, tribal, and State
organizations to maximize the impact of existing resources and
enable regions, communities, and citizens to participate more
fully in the American dream and national prosperity.
``(5) In order to avoid duplication of effort and achieve
meaningful, long-lasting results, Federal, State, tribal, and
local economic development activities should have a clear
focus, improved coordination, a comprehensive approach, and
simplified and consistent requirements.
``(6) Federal economic development efforts will be more
effective if they are coordinated with, and build upon, the
trade, workforce investment, transportation, and technology
programs of the United States.
``(b) Declarations.--In order to promote a strong and growing
economy throughout the United States, Congress declares the following:
``(1) Assistance under this Act should be made available to
both rural- and urban-distressed communities.
``(2) Local communities should work in partnership with
neighboring communities, the States, Indian tribes, and the
Federal Government to increase their capacity to develop and
implement comprehensive economic development strategies to
alleviate economic distress and enhance competitiveness in the
global economy.
``(3) Whether suffering from long-term distress or a sudden
dislocation, distressed communities should be encouraged to
support entrepreneurship to take advantage of the development
opportunities afforded by technological innovation and
expanding newly opened global markets.''.
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Eligible Recipient.--Section 3(4)(A) (42 U.S.C. 3122(4)(A)) is
amended--
(1) by striking clause (i) and redesignating clauses (ii)
through (vii) as clauses (i) through (vi), respectively; and
(2) in clause (iv) (as so redesignated) by inserting ``,
including a special purpose unit of a State or local government
engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities,''
after ``State''.
(b) Regional Commissions.--Section 3 (42 U.S.C. 3122) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) as
paragraphs (9), (10), and (11), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) Regional commissions.--The term `Regional
Commissions' means the following entities:
``(A) The Appalachian Regional Commission
established under chapter 143 of title 40, United
States Code.
``(B) The Delta Regional Authority established
under subtitle F of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa et seq.).
``(C) The Denali Commission established under the
Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 2131 note; 112
Stat. 2681-637 et seq.).
``(D) The Northern Great Plains Regional Authority
established under subtitle F of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb et seq.).''.
(c) University Center.--Section 3 (42 U.S.C. 3122) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(12) University center.--The term `university center'
means an institution of higher education or a consortium of
institutions of higher education established as a University
Center for Economic Development under section 207(a)(2)(D).''.
SEC. 103. ESTABLISHMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS.
Section 101 (42 U.S.C. 3131) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b) by striking ``and multi-State
regional organizations'' and inserting ``multi-State regional
organizations, and nonprofit organizations''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(1) by striking ``adjoining'' each
place it appears.
SEC. 104. COORDINATION.
Section 103 (42 U.S.C. 3132) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``The
Secretary'';
(2) in subsection (a) (as so designated) by inserting
``Indian tribes,'' after ``districts,''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Meetings.--To carry out the responsibilities in subsection
(a), or for any other purpose related to economic development
activities, the Secretary may convene meetings with Federal agencies,
State and local governments, economic development districts, Indian
tribes, and other appropriate planning and development
organizations.''.
TITLE II--GRANTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 201. GRANTS FOR PLANNING.
Section 203(d) (42 U.S.C. 3143(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``, to the maximum extent
practicable,'' after ``developed'' the second place it appears;
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Coordination.--Before providing assistance for a
State plan under this section, the Secretary shall consider the
extent to which the State will consider local and economic
development district plans.''; and
(3) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(C);
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as
subparagraph (E); and
(C) by adding after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) assist in carrying out a State's workforce
investment strategy; and''.
SEC. 202. COST SHARING.
(a) Federal Share.--Section 204(a) (42 U.S.C. 3144(a)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(a) Federal Share.--The Secretary shall issue regulations to
establish the Federal share of the cost of projects carried out under
this title based on the relative needs of the areas in which the
projects will be located. Except as provided in subsection (c), the
Federal share of the cost of any project carried out under this title
shall not exceed 80 percent.''.
(b) Non-Federal Share.--Section 204(b) (42 U.S.C. 3144(b)) is
amended by inserting ``assumptions of debt,'' after ``equipment,''.
(c) Increase in Federal Share.--Section 204 (42 U.S.C. 3144) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Increase in Federal Share.--
``(1) Indian tribes.--In the case of a grant to an Indian
tribe for a project under this title, the Secretary may
increase the Federal share above the percentage specified in
subsection (a) up to 100 percent of the cost of the project.
``(2) Certain states, political subdivisions, and nonprofit
organizations.--In the case of a grant to a State, or a
political subdivision of a State, that the Secretary determines
has exhausted its effective taxing and borrowing capacity, or
in the case of a grant to a nonprofit organization that the
Secretary determines has exhausted its effective borrowing
capacity, the Secretary may increase the Federal share above
the percentage specified in subsection (a) up to 100 percent of
the cost of the project.''.
(d) Planning Grants.--Section 204 (42 U.S.C. 3144) is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Planning Grants.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Federal
share of the costs of planning activities under section 203 shall be at
least 65 percent and not more than 80 percent.''.
SEC. 203. SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Section 205(b) (42 U.S.C. 3145(b)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(b) Supplementary Grants.--Subject to subsection (c), in order to
assist eligible recipients in taking advantage of designated Federal
grant programs, on the application of an eligible recipient, the
Secretary may make a supplementary grant for a project for which the
recipient is eligible but for which the recipient cannot provide the
required non-Federal share because of the recipient's economic
situation.''.
(b) Requirements Applicable to Supplementary Grants.--Section
205(c) (42 U.S.C. 3145(c)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the
following:
``(1) Amount of supplementary grants.--The share of the
project cost supported by a supplementary grant under this
section may not exceed the applicable Federal share under
section 204.
``(2) Form of supplementary grants.--The Secretary shall
make supplementary grants by--
``(A) the payment of funds made available under
this Act to the heads of the Federal agencies
responsible for carrying out the applicable Federal
programs; or
``(B) the award of funds under this Act, which will
be combined with funds transferred from other Federal
agencies in projects administered by the Secretary.'';
and
(2) by striking paragraph (4).
SEC. 204. REGULATIONS ON RELATIVE NEEDS AND ALLOCATIONS.
Section 206 (42 U.S.C. 3146) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1)(B);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) grants made under this title promote job creation and
will have a high probability of meeting or exceeding applicable
performance requirements established in connection with the
grants.''.
SEC. 205. GRANTS FOR TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 207(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 3147(a)(2)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (F);
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (H);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
``(G) studies that evaluate the effectiveness of
coordinating projects funded under this Act with
projects funded under other Acts; and''.
(b) Cooperation Requirement.--Section 207(a) (42 U.S.C. 3147(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Cooperation requirement.--In the case of a project
assisted under this section that is national or regional in
scope, the Secretary may waive the provision in section
3(4)(A)(vi) requiring a nonprofit organization or association
to act in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision
of a State.''.
SEC. 206. PREVENTION OF UNFAIR COMPETITION.
Section 208 (42 U.S.C. 3148), and the item relating to section 208
in the table of contents contained in section 1(b), are repealed.
SEC. 207. GRANTS FOR ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT.
(a) Direct Expenditure or Redistribution by Recipient.--Section
209(d) (42 U.S.C. 3149(d)) is amended by striking ``an eligible
recipient'' each place it appears and inserting ``a recipient''.
(b) Special Provisions Relating to Revolving Loan Fund Grants.--
Section 209 (42 U.S.C. 3149) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(e) Special Provisions Relating to Revolving Loan Fund Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall issue regulations to
maintain the proper operation and financial integrity of
revolving loan funds established by recipients with assistance
under this section.
``(2) Efficient administration.--The Secretary may--
``(A) at the request of a grantee, amend and
consolidate grant agreements governing revolving loan
funds to provide flexibility with respect to lending areas and borrower
criteria;
``(B) assign or transfer assets of a revolving loan
fund to a third party for the purpose of liquidation,
and a third party may retain assets of the fund to
defray costs related to liquidation; and
``(C) take such actions as are appropriate to
enable revolving loan fund operators to sell or
securitize loans (except that the actions may not
include issuance of a Federal guaranty by the
Secretary).
``(3) Treatment of actions.--An action taken by the
Secretary under this subsection with respect to a revolving
loan fund shall not constitute a new obligation if all grant
funds associated with the original grant award have been
disbursed to the recipient.''.
SEC. 208. USE OF FUNDS IN PROJECTS CONSTRUCTED UNDER PROJECTED COST.
Section 211 (42 U.S.C. 3151) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 211. USE OF FUNDS IN PROJECTS CONSTRUCTED UNDER PROJECTED COST.
``(a) In General.--In the case of a grant to a recipient for a
construction project under section 201 or 209, if the Secretary
determines, before closeout of the project, that the cost of the
project, based on the designs and specifications that were the basis of
the grant, has decreased because of decreases in costs, the Secretary
may approve, without further appropriations action, the use of the
excess funds (or a portion of the excess funds) by the recipient to
increase the Federal share of the cost of a project under this title to
the maximum percentage allowable under section 204 or to improve the
project.
``(b) Other Uses of Excess Funds.--Any amount of excess funds
remaining after application of subsection (a) may be used by the
Secretary for providing assistance under this Act.
``(c) Transferred Funds.--In the case of excess funds described in
subsection (a) in projects utilizing funds transferred from other
Federal agencies pursuant to section 604, the Secretary shall--
``(1) utilize the funds in accordance with subsection (a),
with the approval of the originating agency; or
``(2) return the funds to the originating agency.''.
SEC. 209. SPECIAL IMPACT AREAS.
(a) In General.--Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 214. SPECIAL IMPACT AREAS.
``(a) In General.--On the application of an eligible recipient, the
Secretary may determine that the recipient is unable to comply with the
requirements of section 302 and designate the area represented by the
recipient as a special impact area.
``(b) Waivers.--Subject to the requirements of this section, the
Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, as appropriate, the
requirements of section 302 with respect to a special impact area
designated under subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the
waiver will carry out the purposes of the Act.
``(c) Notification Requirement.--At least 30 days before issuing a
waiver under this section, the Secretary shall transmit to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of
the Senate a written notice of the waiver, including a justification
for the waiver.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents contained in
section 1(b) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
213 the following:
``Sec. 214. Special impact areas.''.
SEC. 210. PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
(a) In General.--Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 215. PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make a performance award in
connection with a grant made, on or after the date of enactment of this
section, to an eligible recipient for a project under section 201 or
209.
``(b) Performance Measures.--
``(1) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue regulations
to establish performance measures for making performance awards
under subsection (a).
``(2) Considerations.--In issuing regulations under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider including
performance measures that assess the following factors:
``(A) Whether the recipient meets or exceeds
scheduling goals.
``(B) Whether the recipient meets or exceeds job
creation goals.
``(C) Amounts of private sector capital investments
leveraged.
``(D) Such other factors as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(c) Amount of Awards.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall base the amount of a
performance award made under subsection (a) in connection with
a grant on the extent to which a recipient meets or exceeds
performance measures established in connection with the grant.
``(2) Maximum amount.--The amount of a performance award
may not exceed 10 percent of the amount of the grant.
``(d) Use of Awards.--A recipient of a performance award under
subsection (a) may use the award for any eligible purpose under this
Act, in accordance with section 602 and such regulations as the
Secretary may prescribe.
``(e) Federal Share.--Notwithstanding section 204, the amounts of a
performance award may be used for up to 100 percent of the cost of an
eligible project or activity.
``(f) Treatment in Meeting Non-Federal Share Requirements.--For the
purposes of meeting the non-Federal share requirements of this Act, or
any other Act, the amounts of a performance award shall be treated as
funds from a non-Federal source.
``(g) Terms and Conditions.-- In making performance awards under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish such terms and conditions
as the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(h) Funding.--The Secretary shall carry out this section using
any amounts made available for economic development assistance
programs.
``(i) Reporting Requirement.--The Secretary shall include
information regarding performance awards made under this section in the
annual report required under section 603.
``(j) Review by Comptroller General.--
``(1) Review.--The Comptroller General shall review the
implementation of this section in each fiscal year.
``(2) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the
date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Comptroller General shall transmit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate a report on the Comptroller's findings
under this subsection.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents contained in
section 1(b) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
214 the following:
``Sec. 215. Performance awards.''.
SEC. 211. PLANNING PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
(a) In General.--Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 216. PLANNING PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make a planning performance
award in connection with a grant made, on or after the date of
enactment of this section, to an eligible recipient for a project under
this title located in an economic development district.
``(b) Eligibility.--The Secretary may make a planning performance
award to an eligible recipient under subsection (a) in connection with
a grant for a project if the Secretary determines before closeout of
the project that--
``(1) the recipient actively participated in the economic
development activities of the economic development district in
which the project is located;
``(2) the project is consistent with the comprehensive
economic development strategy of the district;
``(3) the recipient worked with Federal, State, and local
economic development entities throughout the development of the
project; and
``(4) the project was completed in accordance with the
comprehensive economic development strategy of the district.
``(c) Maximum Amount.--The amount of a planning performance award
made under subsection (a) in connection with a grant may not exceed 5
percent of the amount of the grant.
``(d) Use of Awards.--A recipient of a planning performance award
under subsection (a) shall use the award to increase the Federal share
of the cost of a project under this title.
``(e) Federal Share.--Notwithstanding section 204, the amounts of a
planning performance award may be used for up to 100 percent of the
cost of a project under this title.
``(f) Funding.--The Secretary shall carry out this section using
any amounts made available for economic development assistance
programs.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents contained in
section 1(b) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
215 the following:
``Sec. 216. Planning performance awards.''.
SEC. 212. SUBGRANTS.
(a) In General.--Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 217. SUBGRANTS.
``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), a recipient of a
grant under section 201, 203, or 207 may directly expend the grant
funds or may redistribute the funds in the form of a subgrant to other
eligible recipients to fund required components of the scope of work
approved for the project.
``(b) Limitation.--A recipient may not redistribute grant funds
received under section 201 or 203 to a for-profit entity.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents contained in
section 1(b) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
216 the following:
``Sec. 217. Subgrants.''.
SEC. 213. BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 218. BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT.
``(a) In General.--On the application of a qualified eligible
recipient, the Secretary may make grants under sections 201, 203, 207,
and 209 for projects to expand, redevelop, or reuse brownfield sites.
``(b) Limitations.--Projects carried out under this section shall
be subject to the limitations of section 104(k)(4)(B) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(4)(B)).
``(c) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions
apply:
``(1) Brownfield site.--The term `brownfield site' has the
meaning given such term in section 101(39) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
(42 U.S.C. 9601(39)).
``(2) Qualified eligible recipient.--The term `qualified
eligible recipient' means an eligible recipient that meets the
definition of `eligible entity' in section 104(k)(1) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(1)); except that for
any project undertaken under this section the term may include
a nonprofit organization acting in cooperation with officials
of a political subdivision of a State.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents contained in
section 1(b) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
217 the following:
``Sec. 218. Brownfields redevelopment.''.
SEC. 214. BRIGHTFIELDS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 219. BRIGHTFIELDS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--On the application of a qualified eligible
recipient, the Secretary may make a grant for a project for the
development of brightfield sites if the Secretary determines that the
project will--
``(1) utilize solar energy technologies to develop
abandoned or contaminated sites for commercial use; and
``(2) improve the commercial and economic opportunities in
the area where the project is located.
``(b) Limitations.--Projects carried out under this section shall
be subject to the limitations of section 104(k)(4)(B) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(4)(B)).
``(c) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions
apply:
``(1) Brightfield site.--The term `brightfield site' means
a brownfield site (as defined in section 217) that is
redeveloped through the incorporation of solar energy
technologies.
``(2) Qualified eligible recipient.--The term `qualified
eligible recipient' has the meaning given such term in section
217; except that for any project undertaken under this section
the term may include a nonprofit organization acting in
cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a
State.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2004 through 2008. Such sums shall remain available until
expended.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents contained in
section 1(b) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
218 the following:
``Sec. 219. Brightfields demonstration program.''.
TITLE III--COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
SEC. 301. COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES.
(a) In General.--Section 302(a)(3)(A) (42 U.S.C. 3162(a)(3)(A)) is
amended by inserting ``maximizes effective development and use of the
workforce consistent with any applicable State or local workforce
investment strategy,'' after ``access,''.
(b) Approval of Other Plan.--Section 302(c) (42 U.S.C. 3162(c)) is
amended by adding at the end the following: ``To the maximum extent
practicable, a plan submitted under this paragraph shall be consistent
and coordinated with any existing comprehensive economic development
strategy for the area.''.
TITLE IV--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
SEC. 401. INCENTIVES.
Section 403 (42 U.S.C. 3173), and the item relating to section 403
in the table of contents contained in section 1(b), are repealed.
SEC. 402. PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES TO
REGIONAL COMMISSIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 404 (42 U.S.C. 3174) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 404. PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
TO REGIONAL COMMISSIONS.
``If any part of an economic development district is in a region
covered by one or more of the Regional Commissions (as defined in
section 3), the economic development district shall ensure that a copy
of the comprehensive economic development strategy of the district is
provided to the affected Regional Commission.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents contained in
section 1(b) is amended by striking the item relating to section 404
and inserting the following:
``Sec. 404. Provision of comprehensive economic development strategies
to Regional Commissions.''.
TITLE V--ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 501. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE.
Section 502 (42 U.S.C. 3192) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) maintain a central information clearinghouse on the
Internet with--
``(A) information on economic development, economic
adjustment, disaster recovery, defense conversion, and
trade adjustment programs and activities of the Federal
Government;
``(B) links to State economic development
organizations; and
``(C) links to other appropriate economic
development resources;'';
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) assist potential and actual applicants for economic
development, economic adjustment, disaster recovery, defense
conversion, and trade adjustment assistance under Federal and
State laws in locating and applying for the assistance;'';
(3) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) obtain appropriate information from other Federal
agencies needed to carry out the duties under this Act.''.
SEC. 502. BUSINESSES DESIRING FEDERAL CONTRACTS.
Section 505 (42 U.S.C. 3195), and the item relating to section 505
in the table of contents contained in section 1(b), are repealed.
SEC. 503. PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.
Section 506(c) (42 U.S.C. 3196(c)) is amended by striking ``after
the effective date of the Economic Development Administration Reform
Act of 1998''.
SEC. 504. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Standards.--Section 602 (42 U.S.C. 3212) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence by striking ``in accordance
with'' and all that follows before the period at the end and
inserting ``in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of
title 40, United States Code''; and
(2) in the third sentence by striking ``section 2 of the
Act of June 13, 1934, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276c)'' and
inserting ``section 3145 of title 40, United States Code''.
(b) Evaluation Criteria.--Section 506(d)(2) (42 U.S.C. 3196(d)(2))
is amended by inserting ``program performance,'' after ``applied
research,''.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 601. RELATIONSHIP TO ASSISTANCE UNDER OTHER LAW.
Section 609 (42 U.S.C. 3219) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a); and
(2) by striking ``(b) Assistance Under Other Acts.--''.
SEC. 602. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
REPRESENTATIVES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Planning and coordination among Federal agencies, State
and local governments, Indian tribes, and economic development
districts is vital to the success of an economic development
program.
(2) Economic Development Representatives of the Economic
Development Administration provide distressed communities with
the technical assistance necessary to foster this planning and
coordination.
(3) In the past five years, the number of Economic
Development Representatives has declined by almost 25 percent.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretary should maintain a sufficient number of Economic Development
Representatives to ensure that the Economic Development Administration
is able to provide effective assistance to distressed communities and
foster economic growth and development among the States.
TITLE VII--FUNDING
SEC. 701. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 701 (42 U.S.C. 3231) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 701. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) Economic Development Assistance Programs.--There are
authorized to be appropriated for economic development assistance
programs to carry out this Act--
``(1) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
``(2) $425,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
``(3) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
``(4) $475,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
``(5) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
Such sums shall remain available until expended.
``(b) Salaries and Expenses.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for salaries and expenses of administering this Act
$33,377,000 for fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be necessary for
each fiscal year thereafter. Such sums shall remain available until
expended.''.
Union Calendar No. 137
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2535
[Report No. 108-242, Part I]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965.
_______________________________________________________________________
September 2, 2003
Committee on Financial Services discharged; committed to the Committee
of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed