[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3891 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 345
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3891
To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to
update and expand Federal economic development investment in the
economic recovery, resiliency, and competitiveness of communities,
regions, and States across the United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 7, 2024
Mr. Carper (for himself, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Kelly, and Mr. Cramer)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works
March 12, 2024
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to
update and expand Federal economic development investment in the
economic recovery, resiliency, and competitiveness of communities,
regions, and States across the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Economic
Development Reauthorization Act of 2024''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
<DELETED>TITLE I--PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
<DELETED>Sec. 101. Findings and declarations.
<DELETED>Sec. 102. Definitions.
<DELETED>Sec. 103. Increased coordination.
<DELETED>Sec. 104. Grants for public works and economic development.
<DELETED>Sec. 105. Grants for planning and grants for administrative
expenses.
<DELETED>Sec. 106. Cost sharing.
<DELETED>Sec. 107. Regulations on relative needs and allocations.
<DELETED>Sec. 108. Research and technical assistance; university
centers.
<DELETED>Sec. 109. Investment priorities.
<DELETED>Sec. 110. Grants for economic adjustment.
<DELETED>Sec. 111. Renewable energy program.
<DELETED>Sec. 112. Workforce training grants.
<DELETED>Sec. 113. Congressional notification requirements.
<DELETED>Sec. 114. Specific flexibilities related to deployment of
high-speed broadband.
<DELETED>Sec. 115. Critical supply chain site development grant
program.
<DELETED>Sec. 116. Updated distress criteria and grant rates.
<DELETED>Sec. 117. Comprehensive economic development strategies.
<DELETED>Sec. 118. Office of Tribal Economic Development.
<DELETED>Sec. 119. Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience.
<DELETED>Sec. 120. Establishment of technical assistance liaisons.
<DELETED>Sec. 121. Annual report to Congress.
<DELETED>Sec. 122. Modernization of environmental reviews.
<DELETED>Sec. 123. GAO report on economic development programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 124. GAO report on Economic Development Administration
regulations and policies.
<DELETED>Sec. 125. GAO study on rural communities.
<DELETED>Sec. 126. General authorization of appropriations.
<DELETED>Sec. 127. Technical correction.
<DELETED>TITLE II--REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
<DELETED>Sec. 201. Regional commission authorizations.
<DELETED>Sec. 202. Regional commission modifications.
<DELETED>Sec. 203. Transfer of funds among Federal agencies.
<DELETED>Sec. 204. Economic and infrastructure development grants.
<DELETED>Sec. 205. Financial assistance.
<DELETED>Sec. 206. Northern Border Regional Commission area.
<DELETED>Sec. 207. Southwest Border Regional Commission area.
<DELETED>Sec. 208. Great Lakes Authority area.
<DELETED>Sec. 209. Additional regional commission programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 210. Tribal and colonia participation in southwest border
region.
<DELETED>Sec. 211. Establishment of Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission.
<DELETED>Sec. 212. Establishment of Southern New England Regional
Commission.
<DELETED>Sec. 213. Denali Commission reauthorization.
<DELETED>Sec. 214. Denali Housing Fund.
<DELETED>Sec. 215. Delta Regional Authority reauthorization.
<DELETED>Sec. 216. Northern Great Plains Regional Authority
reauthorization.
<DELETED>TITLE I--PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 2 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) there continue to be areas of the United
States--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) experiencing chronic high
unemployment, underemployment, outmigration, and low
per capita incomes; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) facing sudden and severe economic
dislocations because of structural economic changes,
changing trade patterns, certain Federal actions
(including environmental requirements that result in
the removal of economic activities from a locality),
impacts from natural disasters, and transitioning
industries, including energy generation, steel
production, and mining;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) economic growth in the States, cities, and
rural areas of the United States is produced by expanding
economic opportunities, expanding free enterprise through
trade, promoting resilience in public infrastructure, creating
conditions for job creation, job retention, and business
development, and by capturing the opportunities to lead the
industries of the future, including advanced technologies,
clean energy production, and advanced manufacturing
technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) the goal of Federal economic development
programs is to raise the standard of living for all citizens
and increase the wealth and overall rate of growth of the
economy by encouraging communities to develop a more
competitive and diversified economic base by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) creating an environment that
promotes economic activity by improving and expanding
modern public infrastructure;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) promoting job creation, retention,
and workforce readiness through increased innovation,
productivity, and entrepreneurship; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) empowering local and regional
communities experiencing chronic high unemployment,
underemployment, low labor force participation, and low
per capita income to develop private sector business
and attract increased private sector capital
investment;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) while economic development is an inherently
local process, the Federal Government should work in
partnership with public and private State, regional, Tribal,
and local organizations to maximize the impact of existing
resources and enable regions, communities, and citizens to
participate more fully in the American dream and national
prosperity;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) in order to avoid duplication of effort and
achieve meaningful, long-lasting results, Federal, State,
Tribal, and local economic development activities should have a
clear focus, improved coordination, a comprehensive approach,
and simplified and consistent requirements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Federal economic development efforts will be
more effective if the efforts are coordinated with, and build
on, the trade, workforce investment, scientific research,
environmental protection, transportation, and technology
programs of the United States, including through the
consolidation and alignment of plans and strategies to promote
effective economic development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) rural communities face unique challenges in
addressing infrastructure needs, sometimes lacking the
necessary tax base for required upgrades, and often encounter
limited financing options and capacity, which can impede new
development and long-term economic growth; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) assisting communities and regions in
becoming more resilient to the effects of extreme weather
threats and events will promote economic development and job
creation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Declarations.--In order to promote a strong,
growing, resilient, competitive, and secure economy throughout the
United States, the opportunity to pursue, and be employed in, high-
quality jobs with family-sustaining wages, and to live in communities
that enable business creation and wealth, Congress declares that--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) assistance under this Act should be made
available to both rural- and urban-distressed
communities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) local communities should work in partnership
with neighboring communities, States, Indian tribes, and the
Federal Government to increase the capacity of the local
communities to develop and implement comprehensive economic
development strategies to alleviate economic distress and
enhance competitiveness in the global economy;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) whether suffering from long-term distress or
a sudden dislocation, distressed communities should be
encouraged to support entrepreneurship to take advantage of the
development opportunities afforded by technological innovation
and expanding newly opened global markets; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) assistance under this Act should be made
available to modernize and promote recycling, promote the
productive reuse of abandoned industrial facilities and the
redevelopment of brownfields, and invest in public assets that
support travel and tourism and outdoor recreation.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 3 of the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3122) is amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (12)
as paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (12), (13),
(14), (16), and (17), respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by inserting before paragraph (3) (as so
redesignated) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Blue economy.--The term `blue economy' means
the sustainable use of marine, lake, or other aquatic resources
in support of economic development objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Capacity building.--The term `capacity
building' includes all activities associated with early stage
community-based project formation and conceptualization, prior
to project predevelopment activity, including grants to local
community organizations for planning participation, community
outreach and engagement activities, research, and mentorship
support to move projects from formation and conceptualization
to project predevelopment.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), in
subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``to the extent appropriate''
and inserting ``to the extent determined appropriate by the
Secretary'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), in
subparagraph (A)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in clause (v), by striking ``or'' at
the end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in clause (vi), by striking the period
at end and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) an economic development
organization; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) a public-private
partnership for public
infrastructure.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) by inserting after paragraph (9) (as so
redesignated) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(10) Outdoor recreation.--The term `outdoor
recreation' means all recreational activities, and the economic
drivers of those activities, that occur in nature-based
environments outdoors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(11) Project predevelopment.--The term `project
predevelopment' means a measure required to be completed before
the initiation of a project, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) planning and community asset
mapping;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) training;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) technical assistance and
organizational development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) feasibility and market
studies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) demonstration projects;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) other predevelopment activities
determined by the Secretary to be
appropriate.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) by striking paragraph (12) (as so
redesignated) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(12) Regional commission.--The term `Regional
Commission' means any of the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) The Appalachian Regional Commission
established by section 14301(a) of title 40, United
States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) The Delta Regional Authority
established by section 382B(a)(1) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa-
1(a)(1)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) The Denali Commission established by
section 303(a) of the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42
U.S.C. 3121 note; Public Law 105-277).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) The Great Lakes Authority
established by section 15301(a)(4) of title 40, United
States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) The Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission
established by section 15301(a)(5) of title 40, United
States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) The Northern Border Regional
Commission established by section 15301(a)(3) of title
40, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(G) The Northern Great Plains Regional
Authority established by section 383B(a)(1) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
2009bb-1(a)(1)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(H) The Southeast Crescent Regional
Commission established by section 15301(a)(1) of title
40, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) The Southern New England Regional
Commission established by section 15301(a)(6) of title
40, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(J) The Southwest Border Regional
Commission established by section 15301(a)(2) of title
40, United States Code.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) by inserting after paragraph (14) (as so
redesignated) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(15) Travel and tourism.--The term `travel and
tourism' means any economic activity that primarily serves to
encourage recreational or business travel in or to the United
States.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) in paragraph (17) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``established as a University Center for Economic
Development under section 207(a)(2)(D)'' and inserting
``established under section 207(c)(1)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 207(a)(3) of the Public
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3147(a)(3)) is
amended by striking ``section 3(4)(A)(vi)'' and inserting ``section
3(6)(A)(vi)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 103. INCREASED COORDINATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 103 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3133) is amended by striking subsection (b) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Meetings.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--To carry out subsection (a), or
for any other purpose relating to economic development
activities, the Secretary may convene meetings with Federal
agencies, State and local governments, economic development
districts, Indian tribes, and other appropriate planning and
development organizations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Regional commissions.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--In addition to meetings
described in paragraph (1), not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of the Economic Development
Reauthorization Act of 2024, and not less frequently
than every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall
convene a meeting with the Regional Commissions in
furt