•HR 2639 RFS1S
tion of alternative technologies and coordination with
appropriate State agencies, as needed;
‘‘(5) the amount of the grant will not exceed 50
percent of the amount determined by the Secretary
to be the reasonable and necessary cost of such
project, unless the Secretary determines that ex-
traordinary circumstances warrant permitting a
grant in an amount that will not exceed 75 percent
of such cost; and
‘‘(6) the applicant will use any facility, system,
or network obtained with funds provided under this
section primarily to achieve the objectives identified
in the application and will comply with regulations
prescribed by the Secretary with respect to resale of
any capacity of such facility, system, or network.
‘‘(c) REGULATIONS; PRIORITIES.—The Secretary
shall establish such regulations as may be necessary to
carry out this part, including regulations relating to the
order of priority to be used in approving applications and
relating to determining the amount of each grant for such
projects. As part of such regulations, the Secretary shall
provide a preference in the award of assistance for projects
that increase utilization and efficiency of existing tele-
communications and information facilities. The Secretary
shall seek the views of the Secretary of Education, the
•HR 2639 RFS1S
Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Direc-
tor of the National Science Foundation in developing the
regulations authorized under this part. Such regulations
shall include such regulations for purposes of subsection
(b)(6) as the Secretary determines to be necessary to pre-
vent an applicant from using commercial resale of excess
capacity to compete unfairly with providers of tele-
communications services.
‘‘(d) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.—In establishing cri-
teria for grants pursuant to this part, and in establishing
procedures relating to the order of priority established
under subsection (c) in approving applications for grants,
the Secretary shall give special consideration to applica-
tions that (1) will increase participation by minorities, in-
dividuals with disabilities, women, and other underserved
populations in the ownership of, operation of, and access
to, telecommunications and information infrastructure;
and (2) will avoid unnecessary duplication of existing fa-
cilities and services. The Secretary shall take affirmative
steps to inform minorities, individuals with disabilities,
women, and other underserved populations of the avail-
ability of funds under this part, and to provide such other
assistance and information as may be appropriate.
•HR 2639 RFS1S
‘‘SEC. 133. TRAINING AND PLANNING.
‘‘(a) TRAINING EXPENSES.—The Secretary is au-
thorized to provide funds for necessary and reasonable ex-
penses for training in the operation of the facilities, sys-
tems, or networks developed pursuant to this part, except
that such expenditures shall be authorized only for a pe-
riod not to exceed one year after termination of the grant
for the telecommunications or information facility, system,
or network funded under this part.
‘‘(b) PLANNING AND STUDIES.—The Secretary is au-
thorized to provide up to 100 percent of the cost of plan-
ning projects or studies that will promote the development
or enhancement of the national telecommunications and
information infrastructure. Any plans or studies con-
ducted by or for any grant recipient under this section
shall be provided to the Secretary. An applicant for a plan-
ning grant shall provide such information with respect to
such project as the Secretary may require and shall pro-
vide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the ap-
plicant meets the requirements of section 132(b)(1).
‘‘SEC. 134. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
‘‘(a) RECOVERY OF FUNDS.—If, within five years
after completion of any project with respect to which a
grant has been made under this part—
‘‘(1) the applicant or other owner of the facility,
system, or network ceases to be an agency, institu-