740 
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The Authority shall— 
‘‘(1) develop, on a continuing basis, comprehen-
sive and coordinated plans and programs to establish 
priorities and approve grants for the economic devel-
opment of the region, giving due consideration to 
other Federal, State, and local planning and devel-
opment activities in the region; 
‘‘(2) review, and where appropriate amend, pri-
orities in a development plan for the region (includ-
ing 5-year regional outcome targets); 
‘‘(3) assess the needs and assets of the region 
based on available research, demonstrations, inves-
tigations, assessments, and evaluations of the region 
prepared by Federal, State, and local agencies, uni-
versities, local development districts, and other non-
profit groups; 
‘‘(4) formulate and recommend to the Gov-
ernors and legislatures of States that participate in 
the Authority forms of interstate cooperation; 
‘‘(5) work with State and local agencies in de-
veloping appropriate model legislation; 
‘‘(6)(A) enhance the capacity of, and provide 
support for, local development districts in the region; 
or 
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‘‘(B) if no local development district exists in 
an area in a participating State in the region, foster 
the creation of a local development district; 
‘‘(7) encourage private investment in industrial, 
commercial, 
and 
other 
economic 
development 
projects in the region; and 
‘‘(8) cooperate with and assist State govern-
ments with economic development programs of par-
ticipating States. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out subsection 
(d), the Authority may— 
‘‘(1) hold such hearings, sit and act at such 
times and places, take such testimony, receive such 
evidence, and print or otherwise reproduce and dis-
tribute a description of the proceedings and reports 
on actions by the Authority as the Authority con-
siders appropriate; 
‘‘(2) authorize, through the Federal or State co-
chairperson or any other member of the Authority 
designated by the Authority, the administration of 
oaths if the Authority determines that testimony 
should be taken or evidence received under oath; 
‘‘(3) request from any Federal, State, or local 
department or agency such information as may be 
available to or procurable by the department or 
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agency that may be of use to the Authority in car-
rying out duties of the Authority; 
‘‘(4) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules, 
and regulations governing the conduct of Authority 
business and the performance of Authority duties; 
‘‘(5) request the head of any Federal depart-
ment or agency to detail to the Authority such per-
sonnel as the Authority requires to carry out duties 
of the Authority, each such detail to be without loss 
of seniority, pay, or other employee status; 
‘‘(6) request the head of any State department 
or agency or local government to detail to the Au-
thority such personnel as the Authority requires to 
carry out duties of the Authority, each such detail 
to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other em-
ployee status; 
‘‘(7) provide for coverage of Authority employ-
ees in a suitable retirement and employee benefit 
system by— 
‘‘(A) making arrangements or entering 
into contracts with any participating State gov-
ernment; or 
‘‘(B) otherwise providing retirement and 
other employee benefit coverage; 
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