110 HR 4048 IH: Gulf Coast Civic Works
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-11-01
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.
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Gulf Coast Civic Works
Act
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Title I—THE GULF COAST RECOVERY AUTHORITY
Sec. 101. Establishment of corporation.
Sec. 102. Board of directors.
Sec. 103. Capitalization of the corporation.
Sec. 104. Officers, employees, and other agents of the
corporation.
Sec. 105. Powers of the corporation.
Title II—THE GULF COAST CIVIC WORKS PROJECT
Sec. 201. Purpose statement.
Sec. 202. Establishment.
Sec. 203. General Activities.
Sec. 204. Job training programs.
Sec. 205. Job creation.
Sec. 206. Wages.
Sec. 207. General provisions and guidelines.
Sec. 208. Gulf Coast Artists grants.
Sec. 209. Chronicle of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
grants.
Sec. 210. Funding.
2.It is the purpose of this Act to—
(1)establish a
Federal authority to implement the necessary government response to the
disaster experienced in the Gulf Coast region;
(2)provide a minimum
of 100,000 jobs and financial security to those whose livelihood has been
affected by the devastation of the Gulf Coast region;
(3)strengthen the
workforce by providing job training for thousands of workers that will enable
them to rebuild communities and make an independent living;
(4)rebuild homes,
public infrastructure and community resources, restoring lives and faith in the
Federal government;
(5)ensure quality
living conditions by providing workers with fair wages;
(6)encourage
individuals to move from unemployment to work, and from homelessness to
home-ownership;
(7)utilize the
recommendations of community organizations and coalitions in order to rebuild
and strengthen communities; and
(8)strengthen
partnerships between the public and private sector that will lead to increased
economic growth in the region.
3.As used in this Act, the term Gulf
Coast region means the areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and
Alabama that were devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
<enum>I</enum><header>THE
GULF COAST RECOVERY AUTHORITY</header>
<section id="HFAA8A67535BF47159D00C0DEBF80CF30"><enum>101.</enum><header>Establishment
of corporation</header>
<subsection id="HFE546CDD349842D388B6BEC27268DAC6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>There is hereby established a body corporate by the name
of the <quote>Gulf Coast Recovery Authority</quote> (in this Act referred to as
the <quote>Corporation</quote>).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF34E0439F1CE472EA20063DEF6ABF816"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Status of
corporation</header><text>The Corporation shall be an independent establishment
in the executive branch and shall be deemed to be an agency of the United
States for purposes of subchapter II of chapter 5 and <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/7">chapter 7</external-xref> of title 5,
United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H427683D0597D47FE9B755F4B3612EE59"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Board of
directors</header><text>The Board of Directors first appointed shall be deemed
the incorporators, and the incorporation shall be held to have been effected
from the date of the first meeting of the Board.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H4F8BF1A2CA574AF8905880149893E425"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Principle
office</header><text>The principal office of the Corporation shall be located
in the State of Louisiana, but there may be established agencies or branch
offices in the District of Columbia and in any municipality in the Gulf Coast
region to the extent provided for in the by-laws of the Corporation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0533F0B6AFF14CFDB86EC957BA24381"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Property Owners’
Rights and Protections</header>
<paragraph id="H0707420ADED04369945D7437BAF995A2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>No authority to
exercise eminent domain</header><text>The Corporation shall have no authority
to acquire interests in property by eminent domain.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HEFD0C87271634CAEB2FBD2EE50E7FB0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Local
invitation</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the
Corporation may take no action in any municipality unless the local government
of such municipality has adopted a resolution of invitation for the
Corporation’s assistance.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HC091C353B91F49238C230062F900A0FF"><enum>102.</enum><header>Board of
directors</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="H6A9AB9250FCC4618918C9F08F4734C74"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Board of
directors</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HAE55E9035D8A4527A0AB522131762104"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The management of the Gulf Coast Recovery Authority shall
be vested in a Board of Directors, (referred to in this Act as the
<quote>Board</quote>), consisting of 7 individuals appointed by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among individuals who
are citizens of the United States and residents or evacuees of the Gulf Coast
Region, and who, by virtue of their education, training or experience in
environmental land reclamation, economic development, housing development, land
use, or urban planning, are especially qualified to serve on the Board.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HEC245618D5594DC0A86199BB354D1E82"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Nominations by
governor of Louisiana</header><text>Two members of the Board shall be appointed
under paragraph (1) from among individuals who are nominated for appointment by
the Governor of Louisiana in consultation with community based Gulf Coast
Region coalitions, at least one of whom shall be from a non-profit organization
and one of whom shall be a leader in the private sector.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HFB3C0F96D048413195F8EFF90871EB6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Nominations by
governor of Mississippi</header><text>Two members of the Board shall be
appointed under paragraph (1) from among individuals who are nominated for
appointment by the Governor of Mississippi in consultation with community based
Gulf Coast Region coalitions, of whom 1 shall be from a non-profit community
based organization and 1 shall be a leader in the private sector.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H2254EB8092B14C359B36E976D70063A6"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Nominations by
governor of Alabama</header><text>One member of the Board shall be appointed
under paragraph (1) from among individuals who are nominated for appointment by
the Governor of Alabama in consultation with community based Gulf Coast Region
coalitions, whom shall be from a non-profit community based
organization.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HA9F1BB407E3B4B2BB69F5E041D10E366"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Nominations by
governor of Texas</header><text>One member of the Board shall be appointed
under paragraph (1) from among individuals who are nominated for appointment by
the Governor of Texas in consultation with community based Gulf Coast Region
coalitions, whom shall be from a non-profit community based
organization.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HBCA3724F93C54C02A5A15757002D33D3"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Political Party
affiliation</header><text>Not more than 4 members of the Board may be
affiliated with any 1 political party.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1988265D90544446A8C1F164EAB39F58"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Chairperson and
Vice Chairperson</header>
<paragraph id="H9E75AA410D834FCEA185D542A3678C2C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text>One
of the 4 members of the Board who were not nominated by the Governor of
Louisiana and the Governor of Mississippi shall be designated by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve for a term of 2
years as Chairperson of the Board and the chief executive officer of the
Corporation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF7DFD6601F3042B6B89638E2E61F68ED"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Vice
chairperson</header><text>One of the 4 members of the Board who were not
nominated by the Governor of Louisiana and the Governor of Mississippi shall be
designated by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
to serve for a term of 2 years as Vice Chairperson of the Board.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3D462A983B8948F59B358000848358A2"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Acting
chairperson</header><text>In the event of a vacancy in the position of
Chairperson of the Board or during the absence or disability of the
Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall act as Chairperson.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCF6FD80CC7754566A4A2F3BC87B27BFA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Term of
Office</header>
<paragraph id="H4614A2F3EEC348FE8EC5455B412CB3B2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each member of the Board shall be appointed to a term of
5 years.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF24FBDAA2ADB4C4CA62F39CCBFBCB5C9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Staggered
terms</header><text>Of the members first appointed to the Board after the date
of the enactment of this Act—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB343AEFBB3174346969B5B3B008BD5D4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>2 shall be
appointed for a term of 5 years;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE39158630C6A4144B2E7D37D7049A713"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the 4 members who
were nominated by the Governor of Louisiana and the Governor of Mississippi
shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H720F9B2F40BF4F0C008D8067758100A0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>2 shall be
appointed for a term of 2 years.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4C871A17ABF4470A85A1F0D30094ECD6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Interim
appointments</header><text>Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring
before the expiration of the term for which such member’s predecessor was
appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE1796C7C1C9C45D9954C3FC280652F39"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Continuation of
service</header><text>The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and each appointed
member may continue to serve after the expiration of the term of office to
which such member was appointed until a successor has been appointed and
qualified.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE70B31CDCEEC4981AE950200981C3388"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Removal for
cause</header><text>The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and any appointed member
may be removed by the President for cause.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBDA55AA644E443C9AD5141761B4D079B"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Full-time
service</header><text>The members of the Board shall serve on a full-time
basis.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H25B1669C9CC64B5D8ED68E089DA1A8B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Vacancy</header><text>Any
vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made, provided:</text>
<paragraph id="HC1BB77616ECF4C0885804F52594D8118"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Any member
appointed to fill a vacancy in the Board occurring prior to the expiration of
the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the
remainder of such term.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDA4B1DB5176445F487C37E49A2E8075B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Vacancies in the
Board so long as there shall be three members in office shall not impair the
powers of the Board to execute the functions of the Corporation, and three of
the members in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the
business of the Board.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1394A3E631164306B29CF24881F0041"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Ineligibility for
Other Offices</header>
<paragraph id="H5A82260BBF79497091D61ECB000481E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Other government
positions</header><text>No person may serve as a member of the Board while
holding any position as an officer or employee of the Federal Government, any
State government, or any political subdivision of any State.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD5CBBE48E1524A42B6D8DFD147FA7BF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Restriction
during service</header><text>No member of the Board may—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1F4B1557D60049919F6EE055EB76E42E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be an officer or
director of any insured depository institution, insured credit union,
depository institution holding company, Federal reserve bank, Federal home loan
bank, investment bank, mortgage bank, or any other entity which enters into any
contract with the Corporation; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF5E3D41CCE954BD781D268E4F26630BD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>hold stock in any
insured depository institution, depository institution holding company,
investment bank, mortgage bank, or any other entity which enters into any
contract with the Corporation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA2A62483906F47C294DEDAAE700073E7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Certification</header><text>Upon
taking office, each member of the Board shall certify under oath that such
member has complied with this subsection and such certification shall be filed
with the secretary of the Board.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H33EB7F7084CF459D839F9E5800712F7D"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Clarification of
Nonliability</header>
<paragraph id="H7D00B51A6BB845A3B154A3B4B284B85C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A director, member, officer, or employee of the
Corporation has no liability under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to
any claim arising out of or resulting from any act or omission by such person
within the scope of such person’s employment in connection with any transaction
involving the disposition of assets (or any interests in any assets or any
obligations backed by any assets) by the Corporation. This subsection shall not
be construed to limit personal liability for criminal acts or omissions,
willful or malicious misconduct, acts or omissions for private gain, or any
other acts or omissions outside the scope of such person’s employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H503CA28121434092A712A00081F21E12"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effect on other
law</header><text>This subsection shall not be construed as—</text>
<subparagraph id="HCCF95138A845424EA8F5A59E879CE884"><enum>(A)</enum><text>affecting—</text>
<clause id="H8F6CFCDF876E4DC182220487AF984F8B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>any
other immunities and protections that may be available to person to whom
paragraph (1) applies under applicable law with respect to such transactions,
or</text>
</clause><clause id="HD4822342B40A47548FEC6D2BCA702E5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any
other right or remedy against the Corporation, against the United States under
applicable law, or against any person other than a person described in
paragraph (1) participating in such transactions; or</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H22902F7D209C48FD9E948CD2D6822C9D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>limiting or
altering in any way the immunities that are available under applicable law for
Federal officials and employees not described in this subsection.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H0436DECC00CB4001A219FF83BA2D0541"><enum>103.</enum><header>Capitalization
of the corporation</header>
<subsection id="HB8F8F9B2290C4F8FA5E335E339E4426"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>The Corporation shall have capital stock subscribed to by
the United States Government in such amount as the President may determine to
be appropriate, to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation Act for
any fiscal year.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HC82A4F91177E4333B097DBD0447B4BD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Certificates</header><text>Certificates
evidencing shares of nonvoting capital stock of the Corporation shall be issued
by the Corporation to the President of the United States, or to such other
person or persons as the President may designate from time to time, to the
extent of payments made for the capital stock of the Corporation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H181F257EEA924BC2A521FC5147615167"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Public Debt
Transaction</header><text>For the purpose of purchasing shares of capital stock
of the Corporation, the Secretary of the Treasury may use as a public-debt
transaction the proceeds of any securities issued under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/31/31">chapter 31</external-xref> of title 31,
United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HDB77924E3FFA4D6200D659BEF45497B8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="H4C8FBB3A81DE440E8F52CEF74F113EDA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Board shall submit to the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget and to the Secretary of the Treasury quarterly reports
and an annual report on the expenses of the Corporation during the period
covered by the report, the financial condition of the Corporation as of the end
of such period, the results of the Corporation’s operations during such period,
and the progress made during such period in fulfilling the mission and purposes
of the Corporation, together with a copy of the Corporation’s financial
operating plans and forecasts for the annual or quarterly period (as the case
may be) succeeding the period covered by the report.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HABBB5374D6834E37A635F9C84D36B055"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Public
availability</header><text>Each report submitted to the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget and to the Secretary of the Treasury under paragraph
(1) shall be made available to the public.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1FFF94BEEC224B9FBA329EE1D43E0139"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Termination of
Authority To Issue Stock</header><text>No shares of capital stock of the
Corporation may be issued after the end of the 10-year period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H8678D731336A416797D8008CC2F9BC7E"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Revenue Used To
Retire Stock</header><text>Any net revenue of the Corporation in excess of
amounts required to meet on-going expenses and investments shall be paid to the
Secretary of the Treasury to redeem the capital stock of the Corporation and
shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HCD0ABA10B9C24F67941D99087100592F"><enum>104.</enum><header>Officers,
employees, and other agents of the corporation</header>
<subsection id="H559F0A4B5DE64107950786ABCF26EEE6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>The Board shall appoint such managers, assistant
managers, officers, employees, attorneys, and agents, as are necessary for the
transaction of its business, fix their compensation, provide benefits including
pension and health care, define their duties, require bonds of such of them as
the Board may designate, and provide a system of organization to fix
responsibility and promote efficiency.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H97F49856405D47B19997FDA506720757"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Removal</header><text>Any
appointee of the Board may be removed in the discretion of the Board.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF33811B78A0A4AD4BEB06C00DA192FF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contracts,
Salaries, and Wages</header><text>No regular officer or employee of the
Corporation shall receive a salary in excess of that received by the members of
the Board, and—</text>
<paragraph id="H7E3F5968DD6744A8844147957569C553"><enum>(1)</enum><text>all contracts to
which the Corporation is a party and which require the employment of laborers
and mechanics in the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of
buildings, levees, or other projects shall contain a provision that not less
than the prevailing rate of wages for work of a similar nature prevailing in
the vicinity shall be paid to such laborers or mechanics;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2FB49DD73C5A438FAA73EC4E4106E144"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the event any
dispute arises as to what are the prevailing rates of wages, the question shall
be referred to the Secretary of Labor for determination, and his decision shall
be final. In the determination of such prevailing rate or rates, due regard
shall be given to those rates which have been secured through collective
agreement by representatives of employers and employees;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC286D9A7DCD3404AB1B41946D2D77ED6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>where such work as
is described in the two preceding paragraphs is done directly by the
Corporation the prevailing rate of wages shall be paid in the same manner as
though such work had been let by contract; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1ECA7974B86B4432B95673D63EDC5BE2"><enum>(4)</enum><text>insofar as
applicable, the workers compensation laws of the United States shall extend to
persons given employment under the provisions of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8F34F10B180A4CD680D0A79875F55FA0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Political tests
prohibited in employment</header>
<paragraph id="H60CBF2930A884FEAB5FD36E3EB4E236"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>In
the appointment of officials and the selection of employees for the
Corporation, and in the promotion of any such employees or officials, no
political test or qualification shall be permitted or given consideration, but
all such appointments and promotions shall be given and made on the basis of
merit and efficiency. Any member of the Board who is found by the President of
the United States to be guilty of a violation of this section shall be removed
from office by the President of the United States, and any appointee of the
Board who is found by the Board to be guilty of a violation of this section
shall be removed from office by the Board.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF6EC1BDD7F7E415DB6418574BA0081D1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>In
the selection of employees for works projects authorized by the Corporation,
made by an official, employee, or other authorized agent of the Corporation,
and in the determination of wages or salaries, no political test or
qualification shall be permitted or given consideration, but all such
selection, hiring, appointments and promotions shall be given and made on the
basis of merit and efficiency.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H606B449BD637407E8500003032E33EFF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Contracts</header><text>In
the authorization of contracts or agreements made or entered into by an
official, employee, or other authorized agent of the Corporation, and in the
determination or rates or terms of payment for such contracts and agreements,
no political test or qualification shall be permitted or given consideration,
but all such contracts and agreements shall be given and made on the basis of
merit, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H26E557DD857B49DEBCE2058FB4CB67B7"><enum>105.</enum><header>Powers of the
corporation</header>
<subsection id="H3CC63E55822F422EA27704004BB67F40"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Powers</header><text>The
Corporation shall be a body corporate that shall have the power to—</text>
<paragraph id="H49BEFAAB345D4FFF8B8015981D9535DB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>adopt, alter, and
use a corporate seal;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H141EF3BE7B5147D299005F8E3095A807"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide for such
other officers and employees as may be necessary to perform the functions of
the Corporation, define their duties, and require surety bonds or make other
provisions against losses occasioned by acts of such persons;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD8BCADB804B341A59BFC38F13D2F44CD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>fix the
compensation and number of, and appoint, employees for any position established
by the Corporation, without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 or
subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/53">chapter 53</external-xref> of title 5;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF4339D645FE44758B79121798C6D8700"><enum>(4)</enum><text>sue and be sued,
and complain and defend, by and through its own attorneys, in any court of law
or equity, State or Federal;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB509BE8ECE0E4E3AA897152B6E8DC61C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>with the consent
of any executive agency, department, or independent agency utilize the
information, services, staff, and facilities of such department or agency, on a
reimbursable (or other) basis, in carrying out this section;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA966969D078945C69BF1F5D45BFC0170"><enum>(6)</enum><text>prescribe, by the
Board, bylaws that are consistent with law to provide for—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1BB4742D20DB406B863B5E0400B5B881"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the management and
operational structure of the Corporation, subject to sections 101 (e) and
102;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFC460DBCA852410799008EE9C7750512"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the manner in
which general operations are to be conducted; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC580BD5DD92F484FADACF2B8E8742B4"><enum>(C)</enum><text>such other matters
as the Board determines to be appropriate;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE06D01C70D7448858FFD698DC95159C4"><enum>(7)</enum><text>enter into
contracts and modify or consent to the modification of any contract or
agreement;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF6FF8A3EC4BE467FAC62046DF4A0081B"><enum>(8)</enum><text>purchase or lease
and hold such real and personal property as it deems necessary or convenient in
the transaction of its business, and may dispose of any such personal property
held by it;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE78CB319F7CE41969BCCC3B3F92C4C06"><enum>(9)</enum><text>contract with
commercial producers for the production of such materials as may be needed in
the Government’s program of recovery and development. Such contracts may
provide either for outright purchase of materials by the Board or only for the
payment of carrying charges on special materials manufactures at the Board’s
request for its program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBE83E9A6468E4C548B83B6D2908FC733"><enum>(10)</enum><text>make alterations,
modifications, or improvements in existing structures and facilities, and to
construct new structures and facilities as necessary for the recovery of the
Gulf Coast region;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4033E355F42445F8AE011804922E4BE0"><enum>(11)</enum><text>coordinate
national, State, district, county or municipal programs for the recovery and
development of the Gulf Coast region;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7849F9FDE16446A6A650B5E3001B849C"><enum>(12)</enum><text>request the
assistance and advice of any officer, agent, or employee of any executive
department or of any independent office of the United States, to enable the
Corporation the better to carry out its powers successfully, and as far as
practicable shall utilize the services of such officers agents, and employees
an the President shall if in his opinion, the public interest, service, or
economy so require, direct that such assistance, advice, and service be
rendered to the Corporation, and any individual that may be by the President
directed to render such assistance, advice, and service shall be thereafter
subject to the orders, rules, and regulations of the Board;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H68314AAF52B74ABEACA612BC7FDBB85B"><enum>(13)</enum><text>establish and
oversee Regional Operating Authorities as are necessary to develop and
coordinate the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project, and to carry out other local
initiatives and Federal programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFF1508C55D5A4A3AB8AF9CB08934F2B"><enum>(14)</enum><text>formulate and
periodically require reports of progress on all projects; and, where avoidable
delay or malfeasance appears, to recommend appropriate measures for eliminating
such problems, and, similarly, to recommend the termination of projects where
it develops that they are not affording the amount of employment warranting
their continuance;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H22A785EE62224D34898020F749232CD2"><enum>(15)</enum><text>prescribe rules
and regulations to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H63E5AAAC92C547FEB22351AA1D14D946"><enum>(A)</enum><text>assure that as
many of the persons employed on all work projects as is feasible shall be
persons initially affected by job loss in the region;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5414C1E6450346378022DBAEB0923C5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>utilize and support
as many of those individuals, communities, community organizations and
businesses within the region as is feasible;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA79A1F2E9CBB49658157D27F928F80C4"><enum>(C)</enum><text>govern the
selection of such persons for employment;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA0DB386A455C48D48DA64FB67D524300"><enum>(D)</enum><text>govern the
selection of such participating business and organizations on an open-bid
basis;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDC64FD5696D1493285B115D66CCF8FC7"><enum>(E)</enum><text>formulate and
administer a system of uniform periodic reports of the employment on such
projects of persons, businesses, organizations, and communities from the
region; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1D9467DB3D6F4841AFA4A2F3FBDAB4C9"><enum>(F)</enum><text>investigate wages
and working conditions and to make and submit to Congress such findings as will
aid Congress in prescribing working conditions, rates of pay, and continuance
or development of projects; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H470CB750987344C98CE0196846D26650"><enum>(16)</enum><text>recommend and
carry out useful projects designed to assure a maximum of employment and
recovery in affected localities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H29E2EB49B99941CA94AC3BA980D0B461"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Termination of
Contract for Cause</header><text>In the case of any service contract between
the Corporation and any other person, the Corporation may terminate such
contract for cause, whether by reason of breach of contract, violation of
regulations or guidelines of the Corporation, or otherwise, or bar any such
person from entering into any other contract, after notice and an opportunity
for an agency hearing on the record.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HDFE6BA34157C47189569D9E60A01E00"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Agency
Authority</header>
<paragraph id="HB626FBCDDCD94C5182CDB6B8D9D339D3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Status</header><text>The
Corporation, in any capacity, shall be an agency of the United States for
purposes of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/28/1345">section 1345</external-xref> of title 28 without regard to whether the Corporation
commenced the action.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE71C3CC158BF4BB49EBCC0AE356166A8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal court
jurisdiction</header>
<subparagraph id="H39D254EE013945E0A8C56292BC8DA5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>All suits of a civil nature at common law or in equity to
which the Corporation, in any capacity, is a party shall be deemed to arise
under the laws of the United States.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD2AFD704A0984F51A1DCF1C738C27504"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Removal</header><text>The
Corporation may, without bond or security, remove any action, suit, or
proceeding from a State court to the appropriate United States district court
before the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date the action, suit, or
proceeding is filed against the Corporation or the Corporation is substituted
as a party.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1941D3CA2AC94767A464308D60C0F6F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Appeal of
remand</header><text>The Corporation may appeal any order of remand entered by
any United States district court.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7E84F7B9AE8B430B8F3C37C6EE6495A1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Service of
process</header><text>The Board shall designate agents upon whom service of
process may be made in states comprising the Gulf Coast region and the District
of Columbia.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H214694FBF6BB4F098CAAE5B07CA92B91"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Bonds or
fees</header><text>The Corporation shall not be required to post any bond to
pursue any appeal and shall not be subject to payments of any filing fees in
United States district courts or courts of appeal.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCD32942522F34733AD8661082219B869"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Real Estate and
Other Property</header><text>In order to enable the Corporation to exercise the
powers and duties vested in it by this Act:</text>
<paragraph id="H1B31ED9A89A640DFAE272FC2DB725DD3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The exclusive use,
possession, and control of necessary real estate, together with all facilities
connected therewith, and tools, machinery, equipment, accessories, and
materials belonging thereto, and all laboratories and plants used as
auxiliaries thereto; and all machinery, lands, and buildings in connection
therewith, and all appurtenances thereof, and all other property to be acquired
by the Corporation in its own name or in the name of the United States of
America, are hereby entrusted to the Corporation for the purposes of the
Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF9CF29046E454604A3758816731D89E8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The President of
the United States is authorized to provide for the transfer to the Corporation
of the use, possession, and control of such other real or personal property of
the United States, as he may from time to time deem necessary and proper for
the purposes of the Corporation as herein stated.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF6AA0196B68245C5B6D1E0B56BDC22D"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Financial
Statements and Reports</header>
<paragraph id="H0118B843FF87415588BD3EB27D19494"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Corporation
shall at all times maintain complete and accurate accounting of all costs and
expenses associated with the holding and management of any asset or liability
acquired by the Corporation and in carrying out the activities of the
Corporation under this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB55EB007FDF848FE003C9763035E034B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Board shall
file with the President and with the Congress, in December of each year, a
financial statement and a complete report as to the business of the Corporation
covering the preceding governmental fiscal year. This report shall include a
statement of all costs associated with the Corporation and its associated
projects, including an itemized statement of the cost of administration, the
cost of employee salaries and wages, the cost of materials, and the total
number or employees and the names, salaries, and duties of those receiving
compensation at the rate of more than $35/hour or $45,000 a year.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF9CDC93DE1A742718DFD2EAD46EC63F2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The rules of the
Office of the Inspector General and the Comptroller General of the United
States shall apply to the activities and accounts of the Corporation, including
the regular oversight and audits of the Corporation. In such connection, the
Offices of the Inspector General and the Comptroller General, and their
authorized agents, shall have free and open access to all papers, books,
record, files, accounts, plants, warehouses, offices, and all other things,
property and places belonging to or under the control of or used or employed by
the Corporation, and shall be afforded full facilities for counting all cash
and verifying transactions with and balances in depositories.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA3947049DB7E4EA4B0FC00C1566ED246"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Reservation of
Rights and Remedies</header><text>The government of the United States hereby
reserved the right, in case of war or national emergency declared by Congress,
to take possession of all or any part of the property described or referred to
in this Act for the purpose of national security, defense, or for any other
purposes; but, it this right is exercised by the Government, it shall pay the
reasonable and fair damages that may be suffered by any party whose contract is
hereby violated, after the amount of the damages has been fixed by the United
States Courts of Claims in proceedings instituted and conducted for that
purpose under rules prescribed by the court.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HDF7F4815B9E0469090755D6F1691007D"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Recommendations
and Further Legislation</header><text>The President shall, from time to time,
as the work provided for in the preceding section progresses, recommend to
Congress such legislation as he deems proper to carry out the general purposes
stated in such section, and for the special purpose of bring about in the Gulf
Coast region in conformity with the general purposes:</text>
<paragraph id="HD49BDA2F2D4140E0B84E71656EFB03EC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The physical
reconstruction and improvement of the devastated Gulf Coast region.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA5BC316A6E224C16B1F774D09C1C3543"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The improvement of
levees and other flood control systems.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H46592655A78846FA9B97EFEFB79EB215"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The economic and
social well-being of the people living in the Gulf Coast Region.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE00E333B66204773B1DF7BD8C6476D6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The creation of
jobs and job training programs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBACD53831FC24FE484EED70071E9688B"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The economic
development of the Gulf Coast region.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H86082CD8BE774BC7ADCAB02B50583500"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Appropriations
and Authorization</header>
<paragraph id="HB367951E53CC401B9C176CD39FD3ADEC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>All appropriations
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act are hereby authorized.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H400144B3284049A19F657769446D97C4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>For the purpose of
carrying out the provisions of this Act the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project is
authorized to enter into such contracts or agreements with States as may be
necessary, including provisions for utilization of existing State
administrative agencies, and the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project, or the head of
any department of agency authorized by him to construct any project or to carry
on any such public works, shall be authorized to acquire real property by
purchase, donation, condemnation, or otherwise.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H851BBF96674A40B9819DDDB9212EDA98"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Local
development plans</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HE726ECDCD08742A0B947CB8268A2A1F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment of
local advisory councils</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HB6016960F3C14049BCE1839E5FB1B162"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header>
<clause commented="no" id="HC3DD2836034F4269A66F72290825BC63"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Designation by
municipalities</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of the
adoption of a resolution of invitation described in section 101(e)(2), any
municipality of over 25,000 people in the affected area may designate an entity
to serve in an advisory capacity to the Corporation.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="H210E38044DB54B638EFBD9A6BC56F406"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Other
municipalities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For any
municipality that does not designate an advisory entity under clause (i), the
Corporation shall provide for the establishment of a local advisory council in
each municipality of over 25,000 people in the Gulf Coast Region in which the
Corporation operates.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H7780E56E12514CD4859DE0801005A668"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>Each
local advisory council shall consist of such local elected officials (including
municipal officials), community groups (such as homeowners and community
associations), and other interested, qualified, groups as the Corporation may
determine to be appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HA3CE20F5C8794ED2B3C283BC71A7C000"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>Local
advisory council will consult with the Corporation to determine works projects
of the Corporation in their municipality. The Corporation shall also ensure
that its consultations involve a broad range of local officials and community
groups, including those that are not part of the formal advisory council. The
Corporation shall hold public meetings, periodically and in advance of major
decisions, in the affected municipality to receive input from the affected
communities.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H0EEC1DC8D80B4B45B5DA1600BBC68DF0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Local
development plans</header><text>In executing the redevelopment mandate under
this title, the Corporation—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H534B2B3420254BFFBD93ECA3F1D802DC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall take into
account and comply with any redevelopment plan established by State and local
government officials; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H7526AAE17B1846D4BE1DF0B220864FDC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may only solicit
bids for such redevelopment that are based on and comply with a plan developed
by local governments, if such a plan exists.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>THE
GULF COAST CIVIC WORKS PROJECT</header>
<section id="H0DC8E8C99C4C46E88B339F6E00BC7E6C"><enum>201.</enum><header>Purpose
statement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purpose of this
title shall be to create a minimum of 100,000 jobs for Gulf Coast residents and
evacuees and increase employment in the Gulf Coast region, and to build a
skilled workforce for the rebuilding and developing the lands, communities, and
infrastructure impacted by hurricanes and flooding in the Gulf Coast
region.</text>
</section><section id="H5D774B0FD37E40C2A54F3EAB3252F2F8"><enum>202.</enum><header>Establishment</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Corporation established under title I
shall establish and administer a Gulf Coast Civic Works Project to implement,
manage, and coordinate numerous useful public works projects for the purpose of
rebuilding, sustaining, and developing the Gulf Coast region.</text>
</section><section id="HBDF1673FBCCF45410042E5CE91009783"><enum>203.</enum><header>General
Activities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Corporation
shall conduct the following activities:</text>
<paragraph id="HD9FFE8B52D0C423DAF152DAB89DD2167"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Identify areas of
the Gulf Coast region that are in need of recovery, rebuilding, and development
projects.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H48C0BD6550964ADCB44BCF68640157EC"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Cooperate with the local Gulf Coast
community once a request has been received and approved by the Corporation, to
ensure that Gulf Coast residents and evacuees will be hired by local employers
or directly by the Corporation to complete the work.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA7A60855DDEE435E9360EDFEF052A8D2"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Work in conjunction with local employers on
recovery, rebuilding, and development projects to identify where a shortage of
workers who are Gulf Coast residents and evacuees exists, and the type of
workers necessary for such projects to be more effective and efficient.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD3C67BB0F2BD4A11BACEF11B95CDD78F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Work in
conjunction with other Federal, State and local agencies, the private sector
and membership based community groups to actively recruit Gulf Coast residents
and evacuees to rebuild the Gulf Coast region through the identified
projects.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1F5E088AD77E4E4FA7B36C40F1A855A8"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Identify projects
for which there is a shortage of qualified workers who are Gulf Coast residents
or evacuees and facilitate job training programs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H89F8D138647449089703467D41D2463B"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Where such a
shortage exists, participate in existing job training programs, and, in
conjunction with State and local workforce investment boards, establish
additional job training programs where necessary, including areas where there
is a concentration of Gulf Coast evacuees.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5E9A556691CB4B68B1F6CEB334F008D"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assist Gulf Coast residents and evacuees
employed or trained through the Corporation to gain access and information to
housing programs.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="HB072FDCCA0D74F998E11525E4092A334"><enum>204.</enum><header>Job training
programs</header>
<subsection id="HD83B651CA331400DB83F00002B005492"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Cooperation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Corporation shall, in conjunction with
State and local workforce investment boards, establish job training programs
and apprenticeships where necessary in order to recruit and train qualified
workers for specific vacancies in recovery, rebuilding, and development
projects. The Corporation shall have as a priority the recruitment of
individuals who reside in the locality where the projects exist. The
Corporation shall work with community based organizations to set up first
source hiring halls through which Gulf Coast residents shall have priority in
getting into job training programs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HB35B76BDC7284E769BD4FCD7B2FC4EA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Wages</header>
<paragraph id="H809253A5548A4EDB9628463ECD21F1C8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Job training or apprenticeship programs established or
funded under this Act shall ensure that trainees are paid in an amount of not
less than $10 per hour, and that apprentices are paid not less than $15.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5E4F545E1C004591B162FD4305B0DA29"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Adjustment for
inflation</header><text>Beginning one year after the date of enactment of this
Act and each year thereafter, the minimum wages specified in paragraph (1)
shall be adjusted by the percentage increase during the 12-month period ending
the preceding June in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HA96880959A994840BDA6519614CB6963"><enum>205.</enum><header>Job
creation</header>
<subsection id="H8E679C0E966C40F683EC7266AE831CD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Employment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">After identifying recovery, rebuilding, and
development projects and employment in other areas in the Gulf Coast region the
Corporation shall work in conjunction with local employers and other Federal
agencies on such projects to recruit and hire additional workers from the Gulf
Coast region. In the event that employers have a need for but do not have
sufficient funding for additional workers, the Corporation shall be permitted
to hire and pay the wages of additional workers to work on such
projects.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H1522216CA01B4EAABF4D66EE06442D00"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Project
creation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">After identifying
areas of the Gulf Coast region that are in need of recovery, rebuilding, and
development projects where no such projects exist, the Corporation may, subject
to available funds, establish and fund such projects. In establishing any
project under this subsection, the Corporation shall hire all necessary
developers, contractors, and employees to carry out such projects.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H94B10FF021434A3695DF04F3D619705"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conservation
corps</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In addition to the
other activities described in this title, the Corporation shall establish a
conservation corps composed of individuals between the age of 17 and 24, who
have received a high school diploma or the equivalent, to focus on wetland
restoration, forestation, and urban greenery.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H9BF50041D98F47CCAFFB314BC767051B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>First source
hiring</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H1CB1FD1324DB4F289DF16E4BAD74103B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Any contractor
receiving Federal funds under this Act shall comply with first source hiring
agreements for interviewing, recruitment, and hiring in order to initially
provide displaced residents and residents from the disaster area with
consideration for employment. The duration of the first source interviewing
requirement shall be 25 days, unless business necessity requires a shorter
period of time. A contractor may establish its good faith efforts by filling
its first available positions with job applicants obtained through the first
source hiring procedures.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HDBCFE2A8568E44D5B9BDEE2C01985830"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any contractor receiving Federal funds
under this Act shall comply with requirements for providing timely, appropriate
notification of available positions to the Corporation so that the Corporation
may train and refer an adequate pool of residents from the disaster area to
participating employers.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HC5177863A1FF45259034863E44DF3520"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Outreach
partnerships</header><text>The Corporation shall work with Federal agencies,
especially the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as State and local
employment offices to make available positions known.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H98633BDFF65E4ECB8BA78200416803C5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Local Hiring
Halls</header><text>The Corporation shall contract with community groups, faith
groups, and nonprofit organizations with with connections to local communities
to recruit displaced families to conduct outreach to workers displaced from the
Gulf Coast, and work with contractors to identify interested candidates outside
of the region who wish to return to work and if necessary enter training
programs.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HF4F50F9397C847F791D31B8305DFE453"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Hiring
Decisions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any contractor
receiving Federal funds under this Act shall make the final determination of
whether a resident from the disaster area is qualified for the position.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H1B667A51E02D485683DA20B743619ED5"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>Upon
application by employer, the Corporation may grant an exception to any of all
of the requirements in any situation where it concludes that compliance with
this section would not be possible in the timeframe provided.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H174ECB31528A48729B37E71FA8DE91E6"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Subcontracts</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any subcontract entered into by any
contractor receiving Federal funds under this Act shall require the
subcontractor to comply with the requirements of and shall contain contractual
obligations substantially the same as those set forth in this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HEC327D72EDE148DBB1D6A83E684B35C0"><enum>206.</enum><header>Wages</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Corporations shall ensure that all
laborers and mechanics employed by the Corporation or by contractors or
subcontractors in the performance of construction or recovery projects will be
paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar work in the
locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter
IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code
(commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act).</text>
</section><section id="H6A2E0B145C3B415299C37882A4A8E0A6"><enum>207.</enum><header>General
provisions and guidelines</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In
conducting works projects under this title, the Corporation shall adhere to the
following rules and guidelines:</text>
<paragraph id="H914198D07AEF4432888E92C20723C18F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>All public works
projects shall be conducted in, and be for the benefit of, the lands of the
Gulf Coast region, and the individuals, families, communities, and businesses
of the Gulf Coast region.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H493368DB48A446838D1EBEE57BB9D9F8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Gulf Coast
Civic Works Project shall employ a minimum of 100,000 Gulf Coast region
residents and evacuees for all works programs and other related job
opportunities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC0BB22A6E4CD450E819F6F646FA92583"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Gulf Coast
Civic Works Project shall make job opportunities, job training programs, and
other beneficial projects known to the Gulf Coast communities through
advertising and partnerships with regional agencies and employment
organizations, and partnerships with community based organizations.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5BA12D1C5F354563A5FCCE44267437F3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Whenever possible,
the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project shall purchase materials, equipment,
supplies, and services from local business and producers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDE82D91CA9A1481999DD293A89368D5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Gulf Coast Civic Works Project shall maintain non-discriminatory practices
and shall not discriminate in hiring or employment decisions on the basis of
race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H583336A931EF42CCB83BB136ED900607"><enum>(6)</enum><text>No employee or
trainee of the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project shall have financial interest in
any public corporation engaged in business with the Gulf Coast Civic Works
Project, nor in any corporation engaged in the manufacture, selling, or
distribution of goods or materials used in construction projects authorized by
the corporation, nor shall any employee or trainee have any interest in a any
business that may be adversely affected by the success of the
Corporation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H0AFEC785A449482496015C3740FB88B5"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Employees and trainees of the Gulf Coast
Civic Works Project shall not be considered Federal employees for any purpose
under the laws of the United States.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="H571E5345F869441991DA7812DF50B2ED"><enum>208.</enum><header>Gulf Coast
Artists grants</header>
<subsection id="H0AA3CA7639DD4D7B9D557D00EA6914D0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Corporation is authorized to provide
not more than 15 grants per year to eligible recipients for artistic and
cultural projects which reflect the history and culture of the Gulf Coast
region. Grants shall be provided on the basis of the demonstrated merit of the
applicant as determined by the Corporation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HE2A60534F1C747E0B0FB6C6737D4F9A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible
recipients</header><text>To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection
(a), an individual shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HBF2CFAC610734ABFAA6851E4BF543242"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be a resident of
the Gulf Coast region; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H66DA0A1AB2E54B8F9DF300674D216301"><enum>(2)</enum><text>have demonstrated
skill or talent in music, theater, writing, or the visual arts.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H35F1C5551C24470CA11BCE776C89F38B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Amount of
grant</header><text>The amount of the grants provided under this section shall
be determined by the Corporation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H48FE9BA3D3D94BB2B976498DCE7252F3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Application</header><text>To
receive a grant under this section, an eligible recipient shall submit an
application to the Corporation in such form and manner as the Corporation shall
determine.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H848F0E9EF0FE48E2B6DA14DC5D0682ED"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Use of grant
funds</header><text>A grant provided under this section shall be used on an
artistic project that—</text>
<paragraph id="H8222E47D7D6F49B3A5C7B219FD262C3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>showcases the
history or culture of the Gulf Coast region; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H595DEECCA413419EABE29F9C007CE0D5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>has as its subject
the effects of Hurricanes Katrina or Rita.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H11FA8FB754134ECA8559006D9D7EB9FA"><enum>209.</enum><header>Chronicle of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita grants</header>
<subsection id="HE034281518794986AF77C6E1F744825C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text>The
Corporation is authorized to provide not more than 5 grants to eligible
recipients for projects that chronicle the story of Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita. Grants shall be provided on the basis of the demonstrated merit of the
applicant as determined by the Corporation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H168411447CE84F6FA5E2C400B7B0FEC7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible
recipients</header><text>To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection
(a), an individual shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H912AD49472CB44D986027123E8349B94"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be a resident of
the Gulf Coast region; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF02AC3BC209C4BE9A057649DC8A4A336"><enum>(2)</enum><text>have demonstrated
skill or talent as a writer or filmmaker.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H39C8B400C71340D1A7FC4FFD70A35691"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Amount of
grant</header><text>The amount of the grants provided under this section shall
be determined by the Corporation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HCD14A76453CB45F28E43D9CF16A50895"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Application</header><text>To
receive a grant under this section, an eligible recipient shall submit an
application to the Corporation in such form and manner as the Corporation shall
determine.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H020513F6B128431FB8DF9EB18E00EDA6"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Use of grant
funds</header><text>A grant provided under this section shall be used on a
project that chronicles, through the written word or through film, the story of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita from the perspective of survivors and
evacuees.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HC7D08192A8C94F8FAC708FE18EFA607"><enum>210.</enum><header>Funding</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="H0D954FB166E74E30A566E86C55AEACD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization of
Appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Corporation such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to
carry out this title, provided that <fraction>3/4</fraction> of 1 percent of
authorized funding be allocated for job training and workforce
development.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H61FC421C08234186A2C4D1D0AD754C11"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Partnerships</header><text>The
Corporation shall make every effort to partner with State and local governments
and private industry in the funding and administration of projects under this
title.</text>
</subsection></section>