I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9651 
To promote long-term economic recovery and job creation in underserved 
communities by providing for investment in catalytic local predevelopment 
projects for resilient climate infrastructure innovation and to provide 
assistance to support State and local project development, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 21, 2022 
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to 
the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To promote long-term economic recovery and job creation 
in underserved communities by providing for investment 
in catalytic local predevelopment projects for resilient 
climate infrastructure innovation and to provide assist-
ance to support State and local project development, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Local Infrastructure 
Funding & Technical assistance Act’’ or the ‘‘LIFT Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) infrastructure systems in the United States 
are in a period of significant disrepair and are in-
creasingly vulnerable; 
(2) aging infrastructure, new technologies, in-
creasing complexity, and increasing incidents of se-
vere weather pose new challenges to the resilience of 
those infrastructure systems; 
(3) the climate resilience challenge is most 
acute in underserved communities in the United 
States, which face a chronic underinvestment in in-
frastructure systems and require restorative invest-
ments to rebuild with equity; 
(4) in purchasing infrastructure, the Federal 
Government typically accepts a low-cost capital bid 
without a plan for maintaining an asset that is de-
signed to last 30 to 40 years, such that investing in 
local best practices and capacity for better procure-
ment, asset management, design, lifecycle finance, 
and innovative data and sensor systems will partially 
address the resilient infrastructure funding crisis in 
the United States; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(5) experts have determined that predevelop-
ment funding at the local and project levels is the 
critical gap in accelerating efforts of the Federal 
Government— 
(A) to support climate-resilient infrastruc-
ture systems and regional economies; and 
(B) to create a steady stream of ‘‘shovel- 
worthy’’ 
and 
well-maintained 
community 
projects; 
(6) economic analyses have determined that ex-
isting Federal and State predevelopment programs 
generate as much as $16 to $20 in economic activity 
for every $1 of public funds expended; 
(7) studies demonstrate that the development of 
stronger lifecycle infrastructure methods by State 
and local project sponsors will likely help local gov-
ernments better leverage current and future Federal 
taxpayer investment in public infrastructure through 
partnerships with impact investors; 
(8) well-managed and resilient regional, State, 
and local infrastructure assets will lower future Fed-
eral taxpayer costs for recovery and restoration ef-
forts; 
(9) States and regions have unique infrastruc-
ture systems and challenges, such as— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(A) hurricanes and flooding along the 
coasts; 
(B) wildfires and droughts in the West; 
(C) failing dams and levees in the Midwest 
and Mississippi regions; 
(D) stormwater management issues in the 
East; and 
(E) broadband connectivity in the Inter-
mountain region; 
(10) the interconnected nature of energy, water, 
building stock, transportation, and communication 
systems demands new investments and innova-
tions— 
(A) to prepare for mitigating risks and 
cyberattacks; and 
(B) to carry out integrated deployment 
strategies; 
(11) the basic infrastructure needs of many 
communities are changing during the COVID–19 
era to emphasize distance learning and public 
health, while much of the infrastructure stock of the 
United States created in the 1950s, 1960s, and 
1970s is aging; 
(12) 2⁄3 of United States infrastructure is fund-
ed at the State and local levels; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(13) the Federal Government, in the role of a 
long-term strategic infrastructure partner, should 
focus on making catalytic investments that— 
(A) promote local best practices in resilient 
infrastructure through performance-based in-
vestments in States and communities; 
(B) encourage regional innovation, innova-
tive partnerships, and economic resilience strat-
egies and outcomes that fund long-term capac-
ity building and economic recovery; and 
(C) provide strategic capacity building re-
sources, 
technical 
assistance, 
and 
flexible 
predevelopment support for resilient infrastruc-
ture project development that allows States and 
communities to accelerate the most critical 
State and community infrastructure needs; and 
(14) grantees and applicants of the Assistance 
for Coal Communities program of the Economic De-
velopment Administration have expressed financial 
hardship with meeting all project predevelopment 
costs needed to be eligible for that program and to 
transition away from fossil fuel infrastructure. 
(b) PURPOSE.—Recognizing that pressing climate in-
frastructure needs differ by State and region, and that 
Federal program support for project predevelopment is 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
limited or inflexible due to programmatic silos, the pur-
pose of this Act is to establish new, flexible funding 
streams and expedited processes— 
(1) to accelerate timely, resilient infrastructure 
deployment, specifically in underserved communities; 
(2) to reduce taxpayer costs in response to dis-
asters involving infrastructure; and 
(3) to preserve existing jobs and to create new 
jobs. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) CAPACITY BUILDING.—The term ‘‘capacity 
building’’ includes all activities associated with early 
stage 
community-based 
project 
formation 
and 
conceptualization, prior to project predevelopment 
activity, including stipends to local community orga-
nizations for planning participation, community out-
reach and engagement activities, grant writing, re-
search, and mentorship support to move projects 
from formation and conceptualization to project 
predevelopment. 
(2) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT.—The term ‘‘eligible 
recipient’’ means— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(A) an eligible recipient (as defined in sec-
tion 3 of the Public Works and Economic De-
velopment Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3122)); and 
(B) a private individual, a nonprofit orga-
nization, or a for-profit organization. 
(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(4) LEAD APPLICANT.—The term ‘‘lead appli-
cant’’ means the eligible recipient that is primarily 
responsible for the preparation, conduct, and admin-
istration of the project for which a grant is provided 
under section 4(b)(2). 
(5) MINORITY
OR
WOMAN-LED
ENTITY.—The 
term ‘‘minority or woman-led entity’’ means an or-
ganization, as determined by the Secretary— 
(A) for which a majority of the governing 
board of directors and executive leadership of 
the organization are women or minority per-
sons; 
(B) that is not dependent on or influenced 
by another non-eligible person or organization; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(C) that has not been established for the 
purpose of this Act. 
(6) PROJECT
PREDEVELOPMENT.—The term 
‘‘project predevelopment’’ means a measure required 
to be completed before construction of a project may 
occur, such as— 
(A) architectural or engineering work; 
(B) a market assessment; 
(C) community outreach and engagement; 
(D) an economic feasibility study; 
(E) the acquisition of a site or lease; 
(F) preparation of a business plan; 
(G) any activity relating to permitting; 
(H) any activity relating to the writing of 
grant applications; 
(I) capacity building in local governments, 
community institutions, and nonprofit organiza-
tions; and 
(J) training for unionized labor to execute 
on such activities. 
(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce. 
(8) UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITY.—The term 
‘‘underserved community’’ means— 
(A) a community— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(i) with significant representation of 
communities of color, low-income commu-
nities, or indigenous communities; and 
(ii) that experiences, or is at risk of 
experiencing, higher or more adverse 
human health or environmental effects, as 
compared to other communities; 
(B) Tribal communities; 
(C) a community facing economic transi-
tion, deindustrialization, and historic under-in-
vestment; or 
(D) a community with a high rate of pov-
erty or unemployment. 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In addition to amounts otherwise 
available, there is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal 
year 2022 $15,000,000,000 to remain available until Sep-
tember 30, 2027, to the Secretary of Commerce for eco-
nomic adjustment assistance under section 209 of the 
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 
U.S.C. 3149) to provide grants for project predevelopment 
and technical assistance. 
(b) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS.—In 
addition 
to 
amounts otherwise available, there is authorized to be ap-
propriated for fiscal year 2022 $300,000,000 to remain 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
available until September 30, 2027, to the Secretary of 
Commerce for the administrative costs of carrying out this 
section, including the costs of utilizing temporary Federal 
personnel as may be necessary. 
(c) TYPE OF GRANTS.—Of the amounts made avail-
able under subsection (a)— 
(1) $5,000,000,000 shall be for technical assist-
ance and grants to eligible recipients to perform ca-
pacity building; and 
(2) $10,000,000,000 shall be for grants to eligi-
ble recipients to perform project predevelopment ac-
tivities to assist States and communities that need 
support with climate infrastructure investments, 
subject to the requirements of section 5. 
(d) UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.—Of the amounts 
made available under subsection (a), not less than 50 per-
cent shall be used for activities described in subsection (c) 
that are carried out in underserved communities. 
SEC. 5. LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING & TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE GRANT REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) LIMITATIONS.—In making grants with amounts 
made available under section 4(c)(2), the Secretary may 
not— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(1) provide to an eligible recipient more than 1 
grant for which the eligible recipient is the lead ap-
plicant; or 
(2) make a grant in an amount of more than 
$500,000. 
(b) PARTNERSHIPS.—An eligible recipient seeking to 
receive a grant under section 4(c)(2) may partner with 
1 or more— 
(1) eligible recipient; or 
(2) any other entity, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(c) USE OF GRANT.—An eligible recipient may use 
a grant under section 4(c)(2) for project predevelopment 
including— 
(1) project planning, community outreach and 
engagement, and feasibility studies; 
(2) demonstrations of innovative activities or 
strategic economic development investments; 
(3) management and operational assistance; 
(4) establishment of university centers; 
(5) establishment of business outreach centers; 
(6) studies evaluating the needs of, and devel-
opment potential for, economic growth of areas that 
the Secretary determines have substantial need for 
the assistance; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(7) studies that evaluate the effectiveness of co-
ordinating projects funded under the Public Works 
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 
3121 et seq.) with projects funded under other Acts; 
(8) assessment, marketing, and establishment 
of business clusters; 
(9) other activities determined by the Secretary 
to be appropriate; and 
(10) making a grant to an organization to carry 
out any of the activities described in paragraphs (1) 
through (9). 
(d) SELECTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may award a 
grant under section 4(c)(2) only after an evaluation 
of— 
(A) the merits of the application; 
(B) the likely low- to no-carbon opportuni-
ties described in the application that align with 
any Federal climate and resiliency goals; 
(C) the extent to which the proposed ac-
tivities would create efficiency of operations 
across services; and 
(D) the extent to which the proposed ac-
tivities would promote resources to invest in 
community infrastructure. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible 
recipients that— 
(A) are minority or women-led entities; 
(B) are partnerships between an institu-
tion of higher education and a labor organiza-
tion; 
(C) are located in an underserved commu-
nity; 
(D) propose to carry out activities that 
would— 
(i) result in predicted large green-
house gas reductions; or 
(ii) reduce air pollution; 
(E) propose to carry out activities that 
would result in large improvements to public 
health; 
(F) propose to carry out activities that 
would improve community adaptation and resil-
iency; or 
(G) propose to carry out activities that 
would modernize communities and community 
connectivity. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:17 Jan 17, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H9651.IH
H9651
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB