109 HR 5742 IH: To establish the Southwest Regional Border
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-06-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Southwest Regional
Border Authority Act
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I—SOUTHWEST REGIONAL BORDER
AUTHORITY
Sec. 101. Membership and
voting.
Sec. 102. Duties and powers.
Sec. 103. Authority personnel
matters.
TITLE II—GRANTS AND DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING
Sec. 201. Infrastructure development and
improvement.
Sec. 202. Technology
development.
Sec. 203. Community development and
entrepreneurship.
Sec. 204. Education and workforce
development.
Sec. 205. Funding.
Sec. 206. Supplements to Federal grant
programs.
Sec. 207. Demonstration
projects.
Sec. 208. Local development districts;
certification and administrative expenses.
Sec. 209. Distressed counties and areas
and economically strong counties.
Sec. 210. Development planning
process.
TITLE III—ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 301. Program development
criteria.
Sec. 302. Approval of development plans
and projects.
Sec. 303. Consent of States.
Sec. 304. Records.
Sec. 305. Annual report.
Sec. 306. Authorization of
appropriations.
Sec. 307. Termination of
authority.
2.
(a)Congress
finds that—
(1)a
rapid increase in population in the Southwest border region is placing a
significant strain on the infrastructure of the region, including
transportation, water and wastewater, public health, and
telecommunications;
(2)20 percent of the
residents of the region have incomes below the poverty level;
(3)unemployment rates
in counties in the region are up to 5 times the national unemployment
rate;
(4)per capita
personal income in the region is significantly below the national average and
much of the income in the region is distributed through welfare programs,
retirement programs, and unemployment payments;
(5)a
lack of adequate access to capital in the region—
(A)has created
economic disparities between communities in the region and communities outside
the region; and
(B)has made it
difficult for businesses to start up in the region;
(6)it has been
difficult for displaced workers in the region to find employment because many
workers—
(A)have limited
English language proficiency; and
(B)lack adequate
English language and job training;
(7)many residents of
the region live in communities referred to as colonias
that lack
basic necessities, including running water, sewers, storm drainage, and
electricity;
(8)many of the
problems that exist in the region could be solved or ameliorated by technology
that would contribute to economic development in the region;
(9)while numerous
Federal, State, and local programs target financial resources to the region,
those programs are often uncoordinated, duplicative, and, in some cases,
unavailable to eligible border communities because those communities cannot
afford the required funding match;
(10)Congress has
established several regional economic development commissions, including the
Appalachian Regional Commission, the Delta Regional Authority, and the Denali
Commission, to improve the economies of those areas of the United States that
experience the greatest economic distress; and
(11)many of the
counties in the region are among the most economically distressed in the United
States and would benefit from a regional economic development
commission.
(b)The
purposes of this Act are—
(1)to establish a
regional economic development authority for the Southwest Border region to
address critical issues relating to the economic health and well-being of the
residents of the region;
(2)to provide funding
to communities in the region to stimulate and foster infrastructure
development, technology development, community development and
entrepreneurship, and education and workforce development in the region;
(3)to increase the
total amount of Federal funding available for border economic development
projects by coordinating with and reducing duplication of other Federal, State,
and local programs; and
(4)to empower the
people of the region through the use of local development districts and State
and regional development plans that reflect State and local priorities.
3.In this Act, the following definitions
apply:
(1)The term attainment county means an
economically strong county that is not a distressed county or a competitive
county.
(2)The
term Authority means the Southwest Regional Border Authority
established by section 101(a)(1).
(3)The term binational region means the area in
the United States and Mexico that is within 150 miles of the international
border between the United States and Mexico.
(4)Business
incubator serviceThe term business incubator
service means—
(A)a legal service,
including aid in preparing a corporate charter, partnership agreement, or
contract;
(B)a service in
support of the protection of intellectual property through a patent, a
trademark, or any other means;
(C)a service in
support of the acquisition or use of advanced technology, including the use of
Internet services and Web-based services; and
(D)consultation on
strategic planning, marketing, or advertising.
(5)The term competitive county means an
economically strong county that meets at least 1, but not all, of the criteria
for a distressed county specified in paragraph (5).
(6)The term distressed county means a county in
the region that—
(A)(i)has a poverty rate that
is at least 150 percent of the poverty rate of the United States;
(ii)has a per capita market income
that is not more than 67 percent of the per capita market income of the United
States; and
(iii)has a 3-year unemployment rate
that is at least 150 percent of the unemployment rate of the United States;
or
(B)(i)has a poverty rate that
is at least 200 percent of the poverty rate of the United States; and
(ii)(I)has a per capita market
income that is not more than 67 percent of the per capita market income of the
United States; or
(II)has a 3-year unemployment rate
that is at least 150 percent of the unemployment rate of the United
States.
(7)Economically
strong countyThe term economically strong county
means a county in the region that is not a distressed county.
(8)The term Federal grant program means a
Federal grant program to provide assistance in—
(A)acquiring or
developing land;
(B)constructing or
equipping a highway, road, bridge, or facility; or
(C)carrying out other
economic development activities.
(9)The term Indian tribe has the meaning given
the term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450b).
(10)Isolated area
of distressThe term isolated area of distress means
an area located in an economically strong county that has a high rate of
poverty, unemployment, or outmigration, as determined by the Authority.
(11)Local
development districtThe term local development
district means an entity that—
(A)(i)is an economic
development district that is—
(I)in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act; and
(II)recognized by the Economic Development
Administration; and
(III)located in the region; or
(ii)if an entity described in clause
(i) does not exist—
(I)is organized and operated in a manner
that ensures broad-based community participation and an effective opportunity
for local officials, community leaders, and the public to contribute to the
development and implementation of programs in the region;
(II)is governed by a policy board with at
least a simple majority of members consisting of designees or employees of a
general purpose unit of local government that have been appointed to represent
the unit of local government or elected officials; and
(III)is certified by the Governor or
appropriate State officer as having a charter or authority that includes the
economic development of counties, portions of counties, or other political
subdivisions within the region; and
(B)has not, as
certified by the Federal cochairperson—
(i)inappropriately
used Federal grant funds from any Federal source; or
(ii)appointed an
officer who, during the period in which another entity inappropriately used
Federal grant funds from any Federal source, was an officer of the other
entity.
(12)The
term region means—
(A)the counties of
Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and
Yuma in the State of Arizona;
(B)the counties of
Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and
Ventura in the State of California;
(C)the counties of
Catron, Chaves, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra,
and Socorro in the State of New Mexico; and
(D)the counties of
Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Coke, Concho, Crane,
Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Gillespie,
Glasscock, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Irion, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes,
Kendall, Kenedy, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Loving,
Mason, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Midland, Nueces, Pecos, Presidio,
Reagan, Real, Reeves, San Patricio, Shleicher, Sutton, Starr, Sterling,
Terrell, Tom Green, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward, Webb, Willacy, Wilson,
Winkler, Zapata, and Zavala in the State of Texas.
(13)The term small business has the meaning
given the term small business concern in section 3(a) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632(a)).
<enum>I</enum><header>SOUTHWEST REGIONAL
BORDER AUTHORITY</header>
<section id="HE7E120EF810A40CF87116895E6701B93"><enum>101.</enum><header>Membership and
voting</header>
<subsection id="HB1C4222A43B04262B2018B4CCD3CECAA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="HEFC79EAE80E945AB98D4B5CF409E2E9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>There is established the Southwest Regional Border
Authority.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7BD27B3D58C64020B396F8CEA00E682"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Composition</header><text>The
Authority shall be composed of—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC2E759727E16412388F6601F93007723"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a Federal member,
to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6CAE4162CE0F4624B6D5A96BD5897479"><enum>(B)</enum><text>State members, who
shall consist of the Governor (or a designee of the Governor) of each State in
the region that elects to participate in the Authority.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7E14D13669024DC888B552AE58705853"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Cochairpersons</header><text>The
Authority shall be headed by—</text>
<subparagraph id="H113380BCD5E14774A2249CBB2348B2E5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Federal
member, who shall serve—</text>
<clause id="HE7BF020B17AF41CB9B93DED93CE2CA18"><enum>(i)</enum><text>as
the Federal cochairperson; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H29E3A1D6E1C0491CB8B7071D88EA8BB5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>as
a liaison between the Federal Government and the Authority; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H499F4023A5C34FA581EB4945509D1136"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a State
cochairperson, who shall—</text>
<clause id="H1CDA704C5E6E40FBB7282D68F566387D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be a
Governor of a State described in paragraph (2)(B);</text>
</clause><clause id="H25EC8F1B35164B72BB2B06B8534E4860"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>be
elected by the State members for a term of not more than 2 years; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H4B24F620E9934D3F812B7E00DBD2E0B0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>serve only 1
term during any 4 year period.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF97172A910284360AC80944F70FE5042"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Alternate
Members</header>
<paragraph id="H54F16C6474614AFAB758EDFBAC4EA400"><enum>(1)</enum><header>State
alternates</header><text>The State member of a State described in paragraph
(2)(B) may have a single alternate, who shall be—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC23DFBCAB0E64AB8B65354E5FFDEE3A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a resident of that
State; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFB8F0ACAEDD94200A1009D81F93CAB2F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>appointed by the
Governor of the State, from among the members of the cabinet or personal staff
of the Governor.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0083AE3BDCBD4025ACC8DDA38BC6B7FD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Alternate
federal cochairperson</header><text>The President shall appoint an alternate
Federal cochairperson.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H568306EF9F6343F087635C3D0020E815"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text>Subject
to subsection (d)(4), a State alternate member shall not be counted toward the
establishment of a quorum of the members of the Authority in any case in which
a quorum of the State members is required to be present.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H467D6CE2C0C24AF9BA55A900E4DCCBF7"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Delegation of
power</header><text>No power or responsibility of the Authority specified in
paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (d), and no voting right of any member of
the Authority, shall be delegated to any person who is not—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3BBA2BCD8ACF46CEB4AC86AC77303F00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a member of the
Authority; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD6C1A0D6853B4873A900318D84D5051C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>entitled to vote
at meetings of the Authority.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE3AB377A997D4C35A66E61663C17122B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Meetings</header>
<paragraph id="H7403C74D92114C158F23CC15A9EC49D7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial
meeting</header><text>The initial meeting of the Authority shall be conducted
not later than the date that is the earlier of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H59521A6A74B94E6BB26872C8B887B192"><enum>(A)</enum><text>180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H76F74448256C40CEA93C7DD5DCB7BF66"><enum>(B)</enum><text>60 days after the
date on which the Federal cochairperson is appointed.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4770BFF4DDF9425A95D28F06171D7163"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other
meetings</header><text>The Authority shall hold meetings at such times as the
Authority determines, but not less often than semiannually.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H315B50CFE9A94E4F8B622C9BEC006819"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Location</header><text>Meetings
of the Authority shall be conducted, on a rotating basis, at a site in the
region in each of the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and
Texas.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8CE934A3C48F44EDABB4CA8535CE76C7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Voting</header>
<paragraph id="H11FBB4E44A724B93862C5978412B86EA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>To be effective, a decision by the Authority shall
require the approval of the Federal cochairperson and not less than 60 percent
of the State members of the Authority (not including any member representing a
State that is delinquent under section 102(d)(2)(D)).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H99FE4002B04C4BD48EE46763E14C3703"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Quorum</header>
<subparagraph id="H6F309CF91D144D0782C37B37F24C49C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A majority of the State members shall constitute a
quorum.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H22F02FDE917E4A819B0356BC60EA5171"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Required for
policy decision</header><text>A quorum of State members shall be required to be
present for the Authority to make any policy decision, including—</text>
<clause id="H2FF8B86425204F5E8B576CD7868B80C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
modification or revision of a policy decision of the Authority;</text>
</clause><clause id="HE9166562D0A14BAEABF6BAA12BA706F4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>approval of a
State or regional development plan; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H0F28893AE161481E911C1C5DC5FF6261"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any allocation
of funds among the States.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H463DBA0BB11141829D35C305B7DA7BBE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Project and
grant proposals</header><text>The approval of project and grant proposals shall
be—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8F7E016ABF2A40BCACF4C0CD8D3018C4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a responsibility
of the Authority; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0EC06005F9794B17B7A036D1CBA3DCE7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>conducted in
accordance with section 302.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEED1B8F141A3498C9DD0552DBA540052"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Voting by
alternate members</header><text>An alternate member shall vote in the case of
the absence, death, disability, removal, or resignation of the Federal or State
member for which the alternate member is an alternate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HD9D17F6784774E4400F6D9F658D47F55"><enum>102.</enum><header>Duties and
powers</header>
<subsection id="H08CE7D46962D447693A0ED7946A26ED3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The
Authority shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H59883464DCD049648BDDEE43698B1469"><enum>(1)</enum><text>develop
comprehensive and coordinated plans and programs to establish priorities and
approve grants for the economic development of the region, giving due
consideration to other Federal, State, and local planning and development
activities in the region;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6F1B21CF461749ADA931C7873D43520"><enum>(2)</enum><text>conduct and sponsor
investigations, research, and studies, including an inventory and analysis of
the resources of the region, using, in part, the materials compiled by the
Interagency Task Force on the Economic Development of the Southwest Border
established by Executive Order No. 13122 (64 Fed. Reg. 29201);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7671F7E3E761470F9C7C76380101A901"><enum>(3)</enum><text>sponsor
demonstration projects under section 207;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H28D54F7E36834207AFFAFFE49D342701"><enum>(4)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H7ABAC72DA7C042078C9FD576A000436B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>enhance the capacity of,
and provide support for, local development districts in the region; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H47E173C960CC4D5FAD4C5C70CD476198" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if there is no local development
district described in clause (i) of section 3(11)(A) for a portion of the
region, foster the creation of a local development district;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H599F65ECE1814C43A2003B589FCF9D7C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>review and study
Federal, State, and local public and private programs and, as appropriate,
recommend modifications or additions to increase the effectiveness of the
programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5FB07071594B45CFB320DA97AAB87C84"><enum>(6)</enum><text>formulate and
recommend, as appropriate, interstate and international compacts and other
forms of interstate and international cooperation;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H145819A2F67D4C84B3A8009BF8ADEEC6"><enum>(7)</enum><text>encourage private
investment in industrial, commercial, and recreational projects in the
region;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0C8F1B71520746FBA500C3879F37EFC9"><enum>(8)</enum><text>provide a forum
for consideration of the problems of the region and any proposed solutions to
those problems;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H694BA661FB70492AA136E3DE0088E368"><enum>(9)</enum><text>establish and use,
as appropriate, citizens, special advisory counsels, and public conferences;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H14D6050570E04850B861317B00A5EABF"><enum>(10)</enum><text>provide a
coordinating mechanism to avoid duplication of efforts among the border
programs of the Federal agencies and the programs established under the North
American Free Trade Agreement entered into by the United States, Mexico, and
Canada on December 17, 1992.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB675ECF32D864F3FAF8F6E1335C9E6D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Powers</header><text>In
carrying out subsection (a), the Authority may—</text>
<paragraph id="H23CC18CBC8C342ECBED5391BFF42C485"><enum>(1)</enum><text>hold such
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive
such evidence, and print or otherwise reproduce and distribute a description of
the proceedings of, and reports on actions by, the Authority as the Authority
considers appropriate;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6B7E18FE4D2945C39F3336492B01AE66"><enum>(2)</enum><text>request from any
Federal, State, or local agency such information as may be available to or
procurable by the agency that may be of use to the Authority in carrying out
the duties of the Authority;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1E1B4366E7B1409DAFD58E0197A412B1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>maintain an
accurate and complete record of all transactions and activities of the
Authority, to be available for audit and examination by the Comptroller General
of the United States;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA6BA8903D5D44EEB8BAD1B89C7E2DAC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>adopt, amend, and
repeal bylaws and rules governing the conduct of business and the performance
of duties of the Authority;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5E1D7D49710047DE8E10007892A2B052"><enum>(5)</enum><text>request the head
of any Federal agency to detail to the Authority, for a specified period of
time, such personnel as the Authority requires to carry out duties of the
Authority, each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other
employee status;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF865004AAF7D477A9FBC26C44441F5F"><enum>(6)</enum><text>request the head of
any State department or agency or local government to detail to the Authority,
for a specified period of time, such personnel as the Authority requires to
carry out the duties of the Authority, each such detail to be without loss of
seniority, pay, or other employee status;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD30EBEB8FB774D6100D4633C084DE058"><enum>(7)</enum><text>make
recommendations to the President regarding—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5D5A3CF2B13A4CEDAC76C6F2CE1EE997"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the expenditure of
funds at the Federal, State, and local levels under this Act; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCCF0989D0C194BA39BF284EB1B84B2D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>additional Federal,
State, and local legislation that may be necessary to further the purposes of
this Act;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6EFB170B57CE44BCA9779EDB8EE6F00"><enum>(8)</enum><text>provide for
coverage of Authority employees in a suitable retirement and employee benefit
system by—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2DC906A78A354E3B92FDE25CBE1E76D5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>making
arrangements or entering into contracts with any participating State
government; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCC7A9C571FC14B4A925DA212F871CB3D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>otherwise
providing retirement and other employee benefit coverage;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC9A2E2BEE88C45F0B421A1CF535300CB"><enum>(9)</enum><text>accept, use, and
dispose of gifts or donations of services or real, personal, tangible, or
intangible property;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H56B5685B0B7744D9A1424173DD1D2737"><enum>(10)</enum><text>enter into and
perform such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions
as are necessary to carry out the duties of the Authority;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB2A9D12359154E22978E5DA890C9466B"><enum>(11)</enum><text>establish and
maintain—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9B5C577A3E324C24B218746F87E691B0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a headquarters for
the Authority, to be located at a site that is not more than 100 kilometers
from the international border between the United States and Mexico; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H47B4A4A2FFE44D12AABF56C2BE7BB6E9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>at least 1 field
office in each of the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, to
be located at appropriate sites in the region that are not more than 100
kilometers from the international border between the United States and Mexico;
and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFA7853B655EE40C88829C7F552F22C30"><enum>(12)</enum><text>provide for an
appropriate level of representation in Washington, D.C.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HAE37B73907B14175816BB651B106389D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Federal Agency
Cooperation</header><text>A Federal agency shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H27825946145D485FBDC79B2935E8765"><enum>(1)</enum><text>cooperate with the
Authority; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7F4DDD1E91E24B07B7F066C1BA066400"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide, on
request of the Federal cochairperson, appropriate assistance in carrying out
this Act, in accordance with applicable Federal laws (including
regulations).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7914C66D689E49EE8F43C34CF8B53500"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Administrative
Expenses</header>
<paragraph id="HD84F5D008E6D4C72A3B59F5E1587FCE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header>
<subparagraph id="HA2FFFF1C615D45F68CEC008923E8B926"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Administrative
expenses</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), administrative expenses of the
Authority shall be paid—</text>
<clause id="HE140851A2EC847088331AD001EB9C71D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by
the Federal Government, in an amount equal to 60 percent of the administrative
expenses; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H68804D83F56E407E9880EC582503D5E5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by
the States in the region that elect to participate in the Authority, in an
amount equal to 40 percent of the administrative expenses.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3CC506D466704197A24DE669677F6900"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Expenses of
federal chairperson</header><text>All expenses of the Federal cochairperson,
including expenses of the alternate and staff of the Federal cochairperson,
shall be paid by the Federal Government.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H40802E932E2A4B3DA9DC1124553C712F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>State
share</header>
<subparagraph id="H78355929375C4D35B266104BC6F14218"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (C), the share of administrative
expenses of the Authority to be paid by each State shall be determined by a
unanimous vote of the State members of the Authority.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H46852029C0FA43FF885F22CC75D874F5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>No federal
participation</header><text>The Federal cochairperson shall not participate or
vote in any decision under subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4E20C21D07B848D38919E83CF5EB4C14"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>A
State shall not pay less than 10 nor more than 40 percent of the share of
administrative expenses of the Authority determined under paragraph
(1)(A)(ii).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H640A461B55354EDF97A060C1124E25AC"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Delinquent
states</header><text>During any period in which a State is more than 1 year
delinquent in payment of the State’s share of administrative expenses of the
Authority under this subsection (as determined by the Secretary)—</text>
<clause id="H64FD4203CA8A4023B7BE6EC9AC86485"><enum>(i)</enum><text>no
assistance under this Act shall be provided to the State (including assistance
to a political subdivision or a resident of the State) for any project not
approved as of the date of the commencement of the delinquency; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H30EAAF65C2684E8D89053E921699F75"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>no
member of the Authority from the State shall participate or vote in any action
by the Authority.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA43AD46A2DE542F89600B41C56587006"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Effect on
assistance</header><text>A State’s share of administrative expenses of the
Authority under this subsection shall not be taken into consideration in
determining the amount of assistance provided to the State under title
II.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H69EB18A79DA5429EB52F4833F9CA915E"><enum>103.</enum><header>Authority
personnel matters</header>
<subsection id="H86DB1587BD6F4BC289D09C632C9C6E42"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Compensation of
Members</header>
<paragraph id="HDD61CFE9CAB341CCA9A993917CAF1E4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Federal
cochairperson</header><text>The Federal cochairperson shall be compensated by
the Federal Government at the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level III
of the Executive Schedule in subchapter II of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/53">chapter 53</external-xref> of title 5, United
States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFF26257F665947D782E0CE1CAE5609DF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Alternate
federal cochairperson</header><text>The alternate Federal cochairperson—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2D4C13F0F35047DEAB3010E385505EF1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be
compensated by the Federal Government at the annual rate of basic pay
prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule described in paragraph (1);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFB2699C315FF4608B230AD3DED5CD087"><enum>(B)</enum><text>when not actively
serving as an alternate for the Federal cochairperson, shall perform such
functions and duties as are delegated by the Federal cochairperson.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8D690A8C0DD24EF4B99400DD3BF261A9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>State members
and alternates</header>
<subparagraph id="HFEABAC1CBAED4219A170A38FE1D2F7A7"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A State shall compensate each member and alternate member
representing the State on the Authority at the rate established by State
law.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H53B8885F85424216BF17C9CBE9E03B23"><enum>(B)</enum><header>No additional
compensation</header><text>No State member or alternate member shall receive
any salary, or any contribution to or supplementation of salary, from any
source other than the State for services provided by the member or alternate
member to the Authority.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA0F10E19945B4592B44E77D2006707A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Detailed
Employees</header>
<paragraph id="H48C65B062FAE4E4398754B80A43EED13"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>No person detailed to serve the Authority under section
102(b)(6) shall receive any salary, or any contribution to or supplementation
of salary, for services provided to the Authority from—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8156B910973343A996B986D619E8CFC2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any source other
than the State, local, or intergovernmental department or agency from which the
person was detailed; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCA536F56495E428A95D94B62DF8C5188"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the
Authority.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H59A398F792C241D7ACC2C7C3B76717D4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Violation</header><text>Any
person that violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $5,000,
imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC5023453A9B64894A613ECA0D7C5F321"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Additional
Personnel</header>
<paragraph id="HB5EBD96108C34033A96CAEAEAF486C6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation</header>
<subparagraph id="HFDB416D2746B4D0BB69CB2355FD1C563"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Authority may appoint and fix the compensation of an
executive director and such other personnel as are necessary to enable the
Authority to carry out the duties of the Authority.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H13F37CFD97CC43EFB8ECB0BD00620334"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>Compensation
under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed the maximum rate of basic pay
established for the Senior Executive Service under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5382">section 5382</external-xref> of title 5,
United States Code, including any applicable locality-based comparability
payment that may be authorized under section 5304(h)(2)(C) of that
title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H422C15C0B5E14175A4D88EE22EDC14E3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Executive
director</header><text>The executive director shall be responsible for—</text>
<subparagraph id="H488A0EE8DFA2451B97E3CC127CBDB4CC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>carrying out the
administrative duties of the Authority;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HED039883D03C48A4A776B7862CE65387"><enum>(B)</enum><text>directing the
Authority staff; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H875C178F81C84706940017E104A0B7C9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>carrying out such
other duties as the Authority may assign.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H410525FD4F7844389F2136A721F2FCF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>No federal
employee status</header><text>No member, alternate, officer, or employee of the
Authority (other than the Federal cochairperson, the alternate Federal
cochairperson, staff of the Federal cochairperson, and any Federal employee
detailed to the Authority under subsection (b)) shall be considered to be a
Federal employee for any purpose.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H90CA1F18B54C485CA7838064D6B31FFC"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Conflicts of
Interest</header>
<paragraph id="HB86ADC179B13427FA639E5A993F1EC98"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided under paragraph (2), no State member,
State alternate, officer, employee, or detailee of the Authority shall
participate personally and substantially as a member, alternate, officer,
employee, or detailee of the Authority, through decision, approval,
disapproval, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or
otherwise, in any proceeding, application, request for a ruling or other
determination, contract, claim, controversy, or other matter in which the
member, alternate, officer, employee, or detailee has a financial
interest.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1FE987742BEE44BBA92C64C7C5596300"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Disclosure</header><text>Paragraph
(1) shall not apply if the State member, State alternate, officer, employee, or
detailee—</text>
<subparagraph id="H12EA874C761242C3926534D927BAE412"><enum>(A)</enum><text>immediately
advises the Authority of the nature and circumstances of the proceeding,
application, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim,
controversy, or other particular matter presenting a potential conflict of
interest;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H54E4D38B6B4C4EF3BE2F49C5349EE27"><enum>(B)</enum><text>makes full
disclosure of the financial interest; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD59A2DB0DE91418FA6A034E3C200038C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>before the
proceeding concerning the matter presenting the conflict of interest, receives
a written determination by the Authority that the interest is not so
substantial as to be likely to affect the integrity of the services that the
Authority may expect from the State member, State alternate, officer, employee,
or detailee.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H48C775D7C24C42ACB3887B022EE442A6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Violation</header><text>Any
person that violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $10,000,
imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1C9EA7355F994A6F9E004EE7ABC1C462"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Validity of
Contracts, Loans, and Grants</header><text>The Authority may declare void any
contract, loan, or grant of or by the Authority in relation to which the
Authority determines that there has been a violation of subsection (b),
subsection (d), or any of sections 202 through 209 of title 18, United States
Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H5F633AE4A950484E84687E728361936C"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Applicable Labor
Standards</header>
<paragraph id="HDBD9B290D3AE46D694A571F3117724F8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or
subcontractors in the construction, alteration, or repair, including painting
and decorating, of projects, buildings, and works funded by the United States
under this Act, shall be paid wages at not less than the prevailing wages 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, United States
Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF92ADBF8F20B404199F0392E35B3774D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>With
respect to the determination of wages under paragraph (1), the Secretary of
Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan
No. 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267) and <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/40/3145">section 3145</external-xref> of title 40, United States
Code.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>GRANTS AND
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING</header>
<section id="HF8B8FF026A92477394DE28F9F82CBF5"><enum>201.</enum><header>Infrastructure
development and improvement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Authority may approve grants to States,
local governments, Indian tribes, and public and nonprofit organizations in the
region for projects, approved in accordance with section 302, to develop and
improve the transportation, water and wastewater, public health, and
telecommunications infrastructure of the region.</text>
</section><section id="H951488AECBF249FF0027BCAAFC007381"><enum>202.</enum><header>Technology
development and deployment</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The
Authority may approve grants to small businesses, universities, national
laboratories, and nonprofit organizations in the region to research, develop,
demonstrate, and deploy technology that addresses—</text>
<paragraph id="HB7944758F0724603AF44078481B92667"><enum>(1)</enum><text>water
quality;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H24D34ABC2B2340779743201000083640"><enum>(2)</enum><text>water
quantity;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB3FEACB52D8F4E0AA9DE52D3231FDEC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>pollution;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H16BDA839C63749959788C4497C3DE028"><enum>(4)</enum><text>transportation;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE8F27D9E7D684423BE8B74BA6998F67F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>energy
consumption;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H82FA7B2EBEDF431AA8AC1D6FB4DE1F44"><enum>(6)</enum><text>public
health;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HCA9FDDFC7CB94EDA00288215CCBB19DF"><enum>(7)</enum><text>border and port
security; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H787697932C294E25962681D91ABD2FD"><enum>(8)</enum><text>any other related
matter that stimulates job creation or enhances economic development in the
region, as determined by the Authority.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="HFEEAF0664B0A457B8700EEFB14ED39DD"><enum>203.</enum><header>Community
development and entrepreneurship</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Authority may approve grants to States,
local governments, Indian tribes, small businesses, and public or nonprofit
entities for projects, approved in accordance with section 302—</text>
<paragraph id="HEEBC4ED656AF4F05AAAA221B0694DCA6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to create dynamic
local economies by—</text>
<subparagraph id="HBD59B85C84A540B68E4F003C59384089"><enum>(A)</enum><text>recruiting
businesses to the region; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H66447DEB4DA946BEA7ED5CBF6514111C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>increasing and
expanding international trade to other countries;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H039793F30F50436DA9741EF8C09B372F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to foster
entrepreneurship by—</text>
<subparagraph id="H403BCA38F53048F7A86659A55248FBD6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>supporting the
advancement of, and providing entrepreneurial training and education for,
youths, students, and businesspersons;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDF2AF92A58164942B9D0636CC3F75E66"><enum>(B)</enum><text>improving access
to debt and equity capital by facilitating the establishment of development
venture capital funds and other appropriate means;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H54E07F44DDCA41D8A5F275C521764C91"><enum>(C)</enum><text>providing aid to
communities in identifying, developing, and implementing development strategies
for various sectors of the economy; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7F627A1AEF7A47109EC5FA69E862516"><enum>(D)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H3319AE2EBC614ACBA9008F1452F28335"><enum>(i)</enum><text>developing a working
network of business incubators; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H88F1201E23C24631A2DD8FE03F0134BA" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>supporting entities that provide
business incubator services; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFACBB26ECF9A4C5CBD68345CA8A93BA8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to promote civic
responsibility and leadership through activities that include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5270B3BB1C8C4BF99D0010CE40044D00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the identification
and training of emerging leaders;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H762F21EB897447759D2686D52010F088"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the encouragement
of citizen participation; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFE46E3E1B5D94EBEB10093CE0099DC46"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the provision of
assistance for strategic planning and organization development.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="H6EBFE8671A1144208CCA70C682C00E0"><enum>204.</enum><header>Education and
workforce development</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The
Authority, in coordination with State and local workforce development boards,
may approve grants to States, local governments, Indian tribes, small
businesses, and public or nonprofit entities for projects, approved in
accordance with section 302—</text>
<paragraph id="H6B81D46C00A045CDAD351FE8DA765D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to
assist the region in obtaining the job training, employment-related education,
and business development (with an emphasis on entrepreneurship) that are needed
to build and maintain strong local economies; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAA432F273D684E7381829B2E8693DD1E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to supplement
in-plant training programs offered by State and local governments to attract
new businesses to the region.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="HDB5BF5A477DA4BEF9560551F84CE047B"><enum>205.</enum><header>Funding</header>
<subsection id="HD980F0BA0B994D5CA655B3ED4F3E4973"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>Funds for grants under sections 201 through 204 may be
provided—</text>
<paragraph id="HA701B202B65A49439330FD794F005359"><enum>(1)</enum><text>entirely from
appropriations to carry out this Act;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H813E6280CDE0450EA10536444DBF583F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in combination
with funds available under another Federal grant program or other Federal
program; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFB42A6F074474D9893DA281744C01B10"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in combination
with funds from any other source, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="H631EF25C75C94530BFCFE8DF19C5BE42"><enum>(A)</enum><text>State and local
governments, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector in the United
States;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDFA65DE2AED641FCA9E030D497FFB97F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the federal and
local government of, and private sector in, Mexico; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H03C3A7A4E58440D7B73E29DA3544EA7D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the North American
Development Bank.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HEE4F683D8BDD4A0192C049A63BE7DB78"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Priority of
Funding</header>
<paragraph id="H8F3043B65F6C4F9781EC215100B265D6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), the Authority shall award
funding to each State in the region for activities in accordance with an order
of priority to be determined by the State.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H42BA41B27C7940A48829F0B16CE80076"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Funding for
border counties</header><text>For each fiscal year, the Authority shall
allocate at least 60 percent of the amounts made available under section 306
for programs and projects designed to serve the needs of—</text>
<subparagraph id="HAF4458A418A449E69F73AB621187D648"><enum>(A)</enum><text>distressed
counties located along the international border between the United States and
Mexico; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H39039FF5900242F3852FED1398FBCAEC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>isolated areas of
distress located within counties along the international border between the
United States and Mexico.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H17A7983D66C940349DDB4E9210F66419"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Binational
Projects</header>
<paragraph id="HC45E9C59A68F4F95AAE4E287DD8500A3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Prohibition on
provision of funding to non-united states entities</header><text>The Authority
shall not award funding to any entity that is not incorporated in the United
States.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H68EB634716AB4898B865C1D3A9025090"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Funding of
binational projects</header><text>The Authority may award funding to a project
in which an entity that is incorporated outside the United States participates
if, for any fiscal year, the entity matches with an equal amount, in cash or
in-kind, the assistance received under this Act for the fiscal year.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HE1FEABF9DCE4450A9700DE5C10182FD7"><enum>206.</enum><header>Supplements to
Federal grant programs</header>
<subsection id="H37E3477083A2437B952C3E98137738D3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Finding</header><text>Congress
finds that certain States and local communities of the region, including local
development districts, may be unable to take maximum advantage of Federal grant
programs for which the States and communities are eligible because—</text>
<paragraph id="HEBB75FB519F442DCA7FF3EE51866F6D1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>they lack the
economic resources to provide the required matching share; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H190AEA9407914617B4DEA600A39482BD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>there are
insufficient funds available under the Federal law authorizing the Federal
grant program to meet pressing needs of the region.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD67C60D275D7474A827BDE87A5DCA5DA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Federal Grant
Program Funding</header><text>Notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the
Federal share, the areas eligible for assistance, or the authorizations of
appropriations, under any Federal grant program, and in accordance with
subsection (c), the Authority, with the approval of the Federal cochairperson
and with respect to a project to be carried out in the region, may—</text>
<paragraph id="HA40BDED792B14E16894DD0F3AB00B6A4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>increase the
Federal share of the costs of a project under any Federal grant program to not
more than 90 percent (except as provided in section 209(b)); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9E091987806144EC9F9243B909211896"><enum>(2)</enum><text>use amounts made
available to carry out this Act to pay all or a portion of the increased
Federal share.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6C9827EC779543E3A013F25576892DB3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Certifications</header>
<paragraph id="HDAD1BF2821EF4D19A43DE05C053738D8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In the case of any project for which all or any portion
of the basic Federal share of the costs of the project is proposed to be paid
under this section, no Federal contribution shall be made until the Federal
official administering the Federal law that authorizes the Federal grant
program certifies that the project—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2851D461A2F64107A834806EF00532E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>meets (except as
provided in subsection (b)) the applicable requirements of the applicable
Federal grant program; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEC3C37074FC34AE6BBD763F41D94C031"><enum>(B)</enum><text>could be approved
for Federal contribution under the Federal grant program if funds were
available under the law for the project.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB719EAE14BB7463FB28115109E0931A7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Certification by
authority</header>
<subparagraph id="HE8BCA6C85A4E48E3B685C570D5F9EDFD"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The certifications and determinations required to be made
by the Authority for approval of projects under this Act in accordance with
section 302—</text>
<clause id="HBB9100C533C1493EB5137D6ED3F7DDFC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall be
controlling; and</text>
</clause><clause id="HA82B9CCC454942598E57996F1440679F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall be accepted
by the Federal agencies.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5ED128897791440996FA5F7697832C68"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Acceptance by
federal cochairperson</header><text>In the case of any project described in
paragraph (1), any finding, report, certification, or documentation required to
be submitted with respect to the project to the head of the department, agency,
or instrumentality of the Federal Government responsible for the administration
of the Federal grant program under which the project is carried out shall be
accepted by the Federal cochairperson.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HF94025E07D5C4D4493BCE3F29F89E39"><enum>207.</enum><header>Demonstration
projects</header>
<subsection id="HD0B652F89C86409280F91D0115003857"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>For each fiscal year, the Authority may approve not more
than 10 demonstration projects to carry out activities described in sections
201 through 204, of which not more than 3 shall be carried out in any 1
State.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HE6C24671FD9F4DBB9CA63C82868E28A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>A
demonstration project carried out under this section shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HC5BC1AC1F461461E8D8C67286B46811F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be carried out on
a multistate or multicounty basis; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H015424C6341C42678C95368268C8ACD9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be developed in
accordance with the regional development plan prepared under section
210(d).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H2551AEDE48684FBB881E1B7D8C06DEBD"><enum>208.</enum><header>Local
development districts; certification and administrative expenses</header>
<subsection id="HF087B57CF5BF4305BDCDEDDF9CBEF039"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grants to Local
Development Districts</header>
<paragraph id="H354D8700592C4A638C3DE71900E0A43"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Authority shall make grants to local development
districts to pay the administrative expenses of the local development
districts.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7100BF72145646E089C2C5B84425FBF3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conditions for
grants</header>
<subparagraph id="HC34B7A3E06FE4CE8A759C79306889B3B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Maximum
amount</header><text>The amount of any grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall
not exceed 80 percent of the administrative expenses of the local development
district receiving the grant.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC541DE00650E4DDCAD6CFCD7E32E9E1F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Maximum
period</header><text>No grant described in paragraph (1) shall be awarded for a
period greater than 3 years to a State agency certified as a local development
district.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEB3665B01D5D4EA080F22D54973F65C9"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Local
share</header><text>The contributions of a local development district for
administrative expenses may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including
space, equipment, and services.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1C4C8129093B42DBA7C526E8D45CBD13"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties of Local
Development Districts</header><text>A local development district shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H7A3516EE0A2344FDB8E84E1F7D389ED"><enum>(1)</enum><text>operate as a lead
organization serving multicounty areas in the region at the local level;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7CC8C28502E141348B1D5EC64CBFAD7B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>assist the
Authority in carrying out outreach activities for local governments, community
development groups, the business community, and the public;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3CA878A869BE45BFBF638310ED0011B7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>serve as a liaison
between State and local governments, nonprofit organizations (including
community-based groups and educational institutions), the business community,
and citizens; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDB00A45A96A447EC8574EEBF616415BA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>assist the
individuals and entities described in paragraph (3) in identifying, assessing,
and facilitating projects and programs to promote the economic development of
the region.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H83BBDECFA76249EBAAFBC7F0576EEB5C"><enum>209.</enum><header>Distressed
counties and areas and economically strong counties</header>
<subsection id="H0F9CB10919F14E5B888976CC78272341"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Designations</header><text>At
the initial meeting of the Authority and annually thereafter, the Authority, in
accordance with such criteria as the Authority may establish, shall
designate—</text>
<paragraph id="HACCD2B5C78504C2E98EC0092000074AD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>distressed
counties;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBAB15BFD61DC43CDB7005DC41B41BB42"><enum>(2)</enum><text>economically
strong counties;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H64EC1C4F4F9B43AFA5C8EC16B65000B9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>attainment
counties;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2950666BDCE848DDA29C2DA7D75529B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>competitive
counties; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1176FA58DB6F4805BA6E00E678B12B3C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>isolated areas of
distress.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC663D69C349D41409751009200E32F81"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Distressed
Counties</header>
<paragraph id="HC6D5E94F3DB849FBB7009799E0FC2733"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>For each fiscal year, the Authority shall allocate at
least 50 percent of the amounts made available under section 306 for programs
and projects designed to serve the needs of distressed counties and isolated
areas of distress in the region.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H06887E6F13C644BBB895AA3B6E2903CB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Funding
limitations</header><text>The funding limitations under section 206(b) shall
not apply to a project to provide transportation or basic public services to
residents of 1 or more distressed counties or isolated areas of distress in the
region.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8424CBEE05414FAA86C722D66302E320"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Economically
Strong Counties</header>
<paragraph id="H0EC3CC05258D4977A10081A9009CF7CA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Attainment
counties</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Authority shall
not provide funds for a project located in a county designated as an attainment
county under subsection (a)(3).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC5C0EE24F46B4895A62EFBD614F6C207"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Competitive
counties</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Authority shall
not provide more than 30 percent of the total cost of any project carried out
in a county designated as a competitive county under subsection
(a)(2)(B).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBBDFB40984CE423485AF3DDC05C6CD3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Exceptions</header>
<subparagraph id="H63FBFC014B184B2B90A71E37C0045E3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The funding prohibition under paragraph (1) and the
funding limitation under paragraph (2) shall not apply to grants to fund the
administrative expenses of local development districts under section
208(a).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEF3DFC99FDA84301913002B93C19CAC5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Multicounty
projects</header><text>If the Authority determines that a project could bring
significant benefits to areas of the region outside an attainment or
competitive county, the Authority may waive the application of the funding
prohibition under paragraph (1) and the funding limitation under paragraph (2)
to—</text>
<clause id="HDA9DDB6CD5D940DA8E2F7E00836DCEE4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
multicounty project that includes participation by an attainment or competitive
county; or</text>
</clause><clause id="H65EF4273E3B74A5CAD471E31113300BC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any
other type of project.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD256D71F07184D95A2A1337FF3B53DD"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Isolated areas of
distress</header><text>For a designation of an isolated area of distress for
assistance to be effective, the designation shall be supported—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8FA642CD82BE4D8B92DD95D2E3EB00AA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by the most recent
Federal data available; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB355E6D060BA456E9707BD01A06500FF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if no recent
Federal data are available, by the most recent data available through the
government of the State in which the isolated area of distress is
located.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HB5915A1C0BC849B400D51942520751F5"><enum>210.</enum><header>Development
planning process</header>
<subsection id="HD75A283ECC494BF8805E514E8883D53B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>State
Development Plan</header><text>In accordance with policies established by the
Authority, each State member shall submit an annual development plan for the
area of the region represented by the State member to assist the Authority in
determining funding priorities under section 205(b).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H54AE2F8A50224EA89D2B5909ADA39BB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consultation With
Interested Parties</header><text>In carrying out the development planning
process (including the selection of programs and projects for assistance), a
State shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H4DEC7F5F8F7C4195A79DC1CEAB87C622"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consult
with—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4A7DCF6C9AC048CE9E1EFD01EAD330F7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>local development
districts; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7D4F74E7245D48F0A4C3254601F5828E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>local units of
government;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0108ED2591454F5D958391A1618C4B17"><enum>(2)</enum><text>take into
consideration the goals, objectives, priorities, and recommendations of the
entities described in paragraph (1); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H96B614D29C6D4CADAF00563D8B633403"><enum>(3)</enum><text>solicit input on
and take into consideration the potential impact of the State development plan
on the binational region.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC406561E8D704446A329CAD59E2300FA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Public
Participation</header>
<paragraph id="H5C23D57FDF304133B5A3ECE5AD154635"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Authority and applicable State and local development
districts shall encourage and assist, to the maximum extent practicable, public
participation in the development, revision, and implementation of all plans and
programs under this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDC12CB3A2BFB4916AF8276E9A266EBCF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Authority shall develop guidelines for providing public participation described
in paragraph (1), including public hearings.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC9FD4313D9EE422EBCF6D03B3E56901B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Regional
Development Plan</header><text>The Authority shall prepare an annual regional
development plan that—</text>
<paragraph id="H50F34EDC3EA548AAB554DDCAA7E12080"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is based on State
development plans submitted under subsection (a);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H51D3B2BA3D4A4E26A6BD34332E37E4C5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>takes into
account—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9140A1A0B5234056B727DA4021752E89"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the input of the
private sector, academia, and nongovernmental organizations; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEACA9CE0A3834CA5AA58E765B399C9AE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the potential
impact of the regional development plan on the binational region;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3D7DC53DC9D342AE89A5800736206100"><enum>(3)</enum><text>establishes 5-year
goals for the development of the region;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB9E7119EDF204A38882C959FBA55D87F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>identifies and
recommends to the States—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5DFFD27ECD404FE88DF18C964CE8D2CD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>potential
multistate or multicounty projects that further the goals for the region;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3BE2D628BDAA4CC19E96A4B19127B07B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>potential
development projects for the binational region; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE16E3374412640299CE28299533404F1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>identifies and
recommends to the Authority for funding demonstration projects under section
207.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>ADMINISTRATION</header>
<section id="HC5638525FD2A419E867266E38839BC4"><enum>301.</enum><header>Program
development criteria</header>
<subsection id="H0066B98D28564BFC87C8F10923ED48C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>In considering programs and projects to be provided
assistance under this Act, and in establishing a priority ranking of the
requests for assistance provided to the Authority, the Authority shall follow
procedures that ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, consideration
of—</text>
<paragraph id="HBF876AAA5C2848C5ACCED1FDF423E641"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the relationship
of the project or class of projects to overall regional development;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8BE3893C1ABA447EA25CAE115C4127D7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the per capita
income and poverty and unemployment rates in an area;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H01429342C4424475A742241EF00B4BE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the financial
resources available to the applicants for assistance seeking to carry out the
project, with emphasis on ensuring that projects are adequately financed to
maximize the probability of successful economic development;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HEE63B23BE42B4C4CA5CAB2BEB3884E1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the socioeconomic
importance of the project or class of projects in relation to other projects or
classes of projects that may be in competition for the same funds;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H658346BB4AE74E2A92E2EA067E31DC3B"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the prospects that
the project for which assistance is sought will improve, on a continuing rather
than a temporary basis, the opportunities for employment, the average level of
income, or the economic development of the area to be served by the project;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAAF8469FBB16405C966C08D9C7917700"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the extent to
which the project design provides for detailed outcome measurements by which
grant expenditures and the results of the expenditures may be evaluated.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2CCF30218B304F72B9E7C68E6547A4CA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>No Relocation
Assistance</header><text>No financial assistance authorized by this Act shall
be used to assist a person or entity in relocating from 1 area to another,
except that financial assistance may be used as otherwise authorized by this
Act to attract businesses from outside the region to the region.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0D4F0CE5310840E38537188021A1ECFF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Maintenance of
Effort</header><text>Funds may be provided for a program or project in a State
under this Act only if the Authority determines that the level of Federal or
State financial assistance provided under a law other than this Act, for the
same type of program or project in the same area of the State within the
region, will not be reduced as a result of funds made available by this
Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H6EC62FB424384E34A4E6027648B15E7"><enum>302.</enum><header>Approval of
development plans and projects</header>
<subsection id="HC7A396638FAC4ED5A21E18F808433734"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>A State or regional development plan or any multistate
subregional plan that is proposed for development under this Act shall be
reviewed by the Authority.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0B919A7619FB4163A4CC7B38B59C7D14"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Evaluation by
State Member</header><text>An application for a grant or any other assistance
for a project under this Act shall be made through and evaluated for approval
by the State member of the Authority representing the applicant.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H4DC0F204465447FE82C9346C50B63F30"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Certification</header><text>An
application for a grant or other assistance for a project shall be approved
only on certification by the State member that the application for the
project—</text>
<paragraph id="H8B8C04EF8F314BABA2FAE7007F62729D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describes ways in
which the project complies with any applicable State development plan;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H792753C0D15D464DB600AC6DFEDBD8E4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>meets applicable
criteria under section 301;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3AD1CBFE618C4685A9452CD4BE59AD41"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provides adequate
assurance that the proposed project will be properly administered, operated,
and maintained; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2CB063DB97F6431D8675CDADE5FB3E07"><enum>(4)</enum><text>otherwise meets
the requirements of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H358CC1341E3F4C11BF303239003E9827"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Votes for
Decisions</header><text>On certification by a State member of the Authority of
an application for a grant or other assistance for a specific project under
this section, an affirmative vote of the Authority under section 101(d) shall
be required for approval of the application.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H22B09CF3FB23443796A80096F8ACBEB"><enum>303.</enum><header>Consent of
States</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Nothing in this Act
requires any State to engage in or accept any program under this Act without
the consent of the State.</text>
</section><section id="HD5460B59ECA746FA80B6A92875220048"><enum>304.</enum><header>Records</header>
<subsection id="H69D55D77157A427DB2FDC884EAF66F5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Records of the
Authority</header>
<paragraph id="H08BB88ACAED84BCCA95342775D566B06"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Authority shall maintain accurate and complete
records of all transactions and activities of the Authority.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9718A6683188407991543530D4E87E00"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>All
records of the Authority shall be available for audit and examination by the
Comptroller General of the United States (including authorized representatives
of the Comptroller General).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE21CC26320324D8E85030669126DBC6F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Records of
Recipients of Federal Assistance</header>
<paragraph id="H23D54DC004E04AF791DB8F26917CBA46"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A recipient of Federal funds under this Act shall, as
required by the Authority, maintain accurate and complete records of
transactions and activities financed with Federal funds and report to the
Authority on the transactions and activities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H398686A8ADE2479E93FD1D77CF0041A2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>All
records required under paragraph (1) shall be available for audit by the
Comptroller General of the United States and the Authority (including
authorized representatives of the Comptroller General and the
Authority).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H706902AF2CF84F808B503B5C3BB81454"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Annual
Audit</header><text>The Comptroller General of the United States shall audit
the activities, transactions, and records of the Authority on an annual
basis.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H851427AA024349FB8935518332EA33BD"><enum>305.</enum><header>Annual
report</header>
<subsection id="HD8A5FDF681744648B29BAE93FF59041C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal
year, the Authority shall submit to the President and to Congress a report
describing the activities carried out under this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HCA0913BEBBC740D5916C2E56C4AB6386"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header>
<paragraph id="H008218F490A54092AEC72FF88F35DF00"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The report shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H42D0C623FFBA40E2AEC8C4F43FF4220"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an evaluation of
the progress of the Authority—</text>
<clause id="H25635A0660274F68B9FC3E17D153C2DD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in
meeting the goals set forth in the regional development plan and the State
development plans; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H080A03FEF3694EC78CC3DC835D2E8C7B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in
working with other Federal agencies and the border programs administered by the
Federal agencies;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFE523696BB62426FB9647B2967898CC5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>examples of
notable projects in each State;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0440CB08F1374B86BFBB9E5DDD50BC56"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a description of
all demonstration projects funded under section 306(b) during the fiscal year
preceding submission of the report; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE0531A5B9F3D42CD8E8B77DC1529E300"><enum>(D)</enum><text>any policy
recommendations approved by the Authority.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3240F682E6FB4A1DA83379EF9886BC07"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Initial
report</header><text>In addition to the contents specified in paragraph (1),
the initial report submitted under this section shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE9313E4DE1F7414D902E06B6D286E3E6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a determination as
to whether the creation of a loan fund to be administered by the Authority is
necessary; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE42C5B9062A54D519ECBCD0500BA9C89"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if the Authority
determines that a loan fund is necessary—</text>
<clause id="H10C0D1338E8B4DC28C7CB68476B70D6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
request for the authority to establish a loan fund; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H3200BABE0C544DE1A5171D0060A48B7B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a
description of the eligibility criteria and performance requirements for the
loans.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H5181EDEBB55E446794F12E9EF36B3323"><enum>306.</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header>
<subsection id="H04AC8795E07D4154AB47B99CF2D861EC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Authority
to carry out this Act, to remain available until expended—</text>
<paragraph id="HF46F49D0B04C496090F52F58EDDFEE34"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$50,000,000 for
fiscal year 2008;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2EE3F5CCF05D4BAEA837A555CF345E99"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$75,000,000 for
fiscal year 2009;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0EE09832EDA74FC8828B6B20AD692823"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$90,000,000 for
fiscal year 2010;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFAFBDE5A7E6D48258B97CE0051E79039"><enum>(4)</enum><text>$92,000,000 for
fiscal year 2011; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7C99E29D84454FF0813686BAA5073FDE"><enum>(5)</enum><text>$94,000,000 for
fiscal year 2012.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H54B59FF8FC7D4938BE014D13BAA99612"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Demonstration
Projects</header><text>Of the funds made available under subsection (a),
$5,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be available to the Authority to carry
out section 207.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HC0C3074F01D942409481E5A77832621B"><enum>307.</enum><header>Termination of
Authority</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The authority
provided by this Act terminates effective October 1, 2012.</text>
</section>