I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2535
To reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the Public Works 
and Economic Development Act of 1965. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 19, 2003
Mr. LATOURETTE (for himself, Ms. NORTON, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, and Mr. 
OBERSTAR) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined 
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the 
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Economic Development 
Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC 
DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1965. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in 
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms 
of an amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other 
provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to 
a section or other provision of the Public Works and Eco-
nomic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.). 
TITLE I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS. 
Section 2 (42 U.S.C. 3121) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS. 
‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
‘‘(1) There continue to be areas experiencing 
chronic high unemployment, underemployment, out-
migration, and low per capita incomes, as well as 
areas facing sudden and severe economic dislocations 
due to structural economic changes, changing trade 
patterns, certain Federal actions (including environ-
mental requirements that result in the removal of 
economic activities from a locality), and natural dis-
asters. 
‘‘(2) Economic growth in our Nation, States, 
cities, and rural areas is produced by expanding eco-
nomic opportunities, expanding free enterprise
through trade, developing and strengthening public 
infrastructure, and creating a climate for job cre-
ation and business development. 
‘‘(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 eco-
nomic base by—
‘‘(A) creating an environment that pro-
motes economic activity by improving and ex-
panding public infrastructure; 
‘‘(B) promoting job creation through in-
creased innovation, productivity, and entrepre-
neurship; and 
‘‘(C) empowering local and regional com-
munities experiencing chronic high unemploy-
ment and low per capita income to develop pri-
vate sector business and attract increased pri-
vate sector capital investment. 
‘‘(4) While economic development is an inher-
ently local process, the Federal Government should 
work in partnership with public and private local, re-
gional, tribal, and State 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. 
‘‘(5) In order to avoid duplication of effort and 
achieve meaningful, long-lasting results, Federal, 
State, tribal, and local economic development activi-
ties should have a clear focus, improved coordina-
tion, a comprehensive approach, and simplified and 
consistent requirements. 
‘‘(6) Federal economic development efforts will 
be more effective if they are coordinated with, and 
build upon, the trade, workforce investment, trans-
portation, and technology programs of the United 
States. 
‘‘(b) DECLARATIONS.—In order to promote a strong 
and growing economy throughout the United States, Con-
gress declares the following: 
‘‘(1) Assistance under this Act should be made 
available to both rural- and urban-distressed com-
munities. 
‘‘(2) Local communities should work in partner-
ship with neighboring communities, the States, In-
dian tribes, and the Federal Government to increase 
their capacity to develop and implement comprehen-
sive economic development strategies to alleviate eco-
‘‘(8) REGIONAL COMMISSIONS.—The term ‘Re-
gional Commissions’ means the following entities: 
‘‘(A) The Appalachian Regional Commis-
sion established under chapter 143 of title 40, 
United States Code. 
‘‘(B) The Delta Regional Authority estab-
lished under subtitle F of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
2009aa et seq). 
‘‘(C) The Denali Commission established 
under the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 
U.S.C. 2131 note; 112 Stat. 2681–637 et seq.). 
‘‘(D) The Northern Great Plains Regional 
Authority established under subtitle F of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 2009bb et seq.).’’. 
(c) UNIVERSITY CENTER.—Section 3 (42 U.S.C. 
3122) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(12) UNIVERSITY CENTER.—The term ‘univer-
sity center’ means an institution of higher education 
or a consortium of institutions of higher education 
established as a University Center for Economic De-
velopment under section 207(a)(2)(D).’’.
SEC. 103. ESTABLISHMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
PARTNERSHIPS. 
Section 101 (42 U.S.C. 3131) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘and multi-
State regional organizations’’ and inserting ‘‘multi-
State regional organizations, and nonprofit organiza-
tions’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)(1) by striking ‘‘adjoining’’ 
each place it appears. 
SEC. 104. COORDINATION. 
Section 103 (42 U.S.C. 3132) is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before 
‘‘The Secretary’’; 
(2) in subsection (a) (as so designated) by in-
serting ‘‘Indian tribes,’’ after ‘‘districts,’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) MEETINGS.—To carry out the responsibilities in 
subsection (a), or for any other purpose related to eco-
nomic development activities, the Secretary may convene 
meetings with Federal agencies, State and local govern-
ments, economic development districts, Indian tribes, and 
other appropriate planning and development organiza-
tions.’’.
TITLE II—GRANTS FOR PUBLIC 
WORKS AND ECONOMIC DE-
VELOPMENT 
SEC. 201. GRANTS FOR PLANNING. 
Section 203(d) (42 U.S.C. 3143(d)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘, to the max-
imum extent practicable,’’ after ‘‘developed’’ the sec-
ond place it appears; 
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(3) COORDINATION.—Before providing assist-
ance for a State plan under this section, the Sec-
retary shall consider the extent to which the State 
will consider local and economic development district 
plans.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (4)—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (C); 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
subparagraph (E); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) 
the following: 
‘‘(D) assist in carrying out a State’s work-
force investment strategy; and’’.
SEC. 202. COST SHARING. 
(a) FEDERAL SHARE.—Section 204(a) (42 U.S.C. 
3144(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Secretary shall issue 
regulations to establish the Federal share of the cost of 
projects carried out under this title based on the relative 
needs of the areas in which the projects will be located. 
Except as provided in subsection (c), the Federal share 
of the cost of any project carried out under this title shall 
not exceed 80 percent.’’. 
(b) NON-FEDERAL
SHARE.—Section 204(b) (42 
U.S.C. 3144(b)) is amended by inserting ‘‘assumptions of 
debt,’’ after ‘‘equipment,’’. 
(c) INCREASE IN FEDERAL SHARE.—Section 204 (42 
U.S.C. 3144) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) INCREASE IN FEDERAL SHARE.—
‘‘(1) INDIAN TRIBES.—In the case of a grant to 
an Indian tribe for a project under this title, the 
Secretary may increase the Federal share above the 
percentage specified in subsection (a) up to 100 per-
cent of the cost of the project. 
‘‘(2) CERTAIN
STATES, POLITICAL
SUBDIVI-
SIONS, AND
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS.—In the 
case of a grant to a State, or a political subdivision 
of a State, that the Secretary determines has ex-
hausted its effective taxing and borrowing capacity, 
or in the case of a grant to a nonprofit organization 
that the Secretary determines has exhausted its ef-
fective borrowing capacity, the Secretary may in-
crease the Federal share above the percentage speci-
fied in subsection (a) up to 100 percent of the cost 
of the project.’’. 
SEC. 203. SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Section 205(b) (42 U.S.C. 
3145(b)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS.—Subject to sub-
section (c), in order to assist eligible recipients in taking 
advantage of designated Federal grant programs, on the 
application of an eligible recipient, the Secretary may 
make a supplementary grant for a project for which the 
recipient is eligible but for which the recipient cannot pro-
vide the required non-Federal share because of the recipi-
ent’s economic situation.’’. 
(b) 
REQUIREMENTS
APPLICABLE
TO
SUPPLE-
MENTARY GRANTS.—Section 205(c) (42 U.S.C. 3145(c)) 
is amended—
(1) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(1) AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS.—
The share of the project cost supported by a supple-
mentary grant under this section may not exceed the 
applicable Federal share under section 204. 
‘‘(2) FORM OF SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS.—The 
Secretary shall make supplementary grants by—
‘‘(A) the payment of funds made available 
under this Act to the heads of the Federal 
agencies responsible for carrying out the appli-
cable Federal programs; or 
‘‘(B) the award of funds under this Act, 
which will be combined with funds transferred 
from other Federal agencies in projects admin-
istered by the Secretary.’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (4). 
SEC. 204. REGULATIONS ON RELATIVE NEEDS AND ALLOCA-
TIONS. 
Section 206 (42 U.S.C. 3146) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(1)(B); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (2) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) grants made under this title promote job 
creation and will have a high probability of meeting 
or exceeding applicable performance requirements 
established in connection with the grants.’’.
SEC. 205. GRANTS FOR TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND TECH-
NICAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 207(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 
3147(a)(2)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (F); 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as sub-
paragraph (H); and 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(G) studies that evaluate the effectiveness 
of coordinating projects funded under this Act 
with projects funded under other Acts; and’’. 
(b) COOPERATION REQUIREMENT.—Section 207(a) 
(42 U.S.C. 3147(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(4) COOPERATION
REQUIREMENT.—In the 
case of a project assisted under this section that is 
national or regional in scope, the Secretary may 
waive the provision in section 3(4)(A)(vi) requiring 
a nonprofit organization or association to act in co-
operation with officials of a political subdivision of 
a State.’’.
SEC. 206. PREVENTION OF UNFAIR COMPETITION. 
Section 208 (42 U.S.C. 3148), and the item relating 
to section 208 in the table of contents contained in section 
1(b), are repealed. 
SEC. 207. GRANTS FOR ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT. 
(a) DIRECT EXPENDITURE OR REDISTRIBUTION BY 
RECIPIENT.—Section 209(d) (42 U.S.C. 3149(d)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘an eligible recipient’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘a recipient’’. 
(b) SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO REVOLVING 
LOAN FUND GRANTS.—Section 209 (42 U.S.C. 3149) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO REVOLVING 
LOAN FUND GRANTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall issue 
regulations to maintain the proper operation and fi-
nancial integrity of revolving loan funds established 
by recipients with assistance under this section. 
‘‘(2) EFFICIENT
ADMINISTRATION.—The Sec-
retary may—
‘‘(A) at the request of a grantee, amend 
and consolidate grant agreements governing re-
volving loan funds to provide flexibility with re-
spect to lending areas and borrower criteria; 
‘‘(B) assign or transfer assets of a revolv-
ing loan fund to a third party for the purpose
of liquidation, and a third party may retain as-
sets of the fund to defray costs related to liq-
uidation; and 
‘‘(C) take such actions as are appropriate 
to enable revolving loan fund operators to sell 
or securitize loans (except that the actions may 
not include issuance of a Federal guaranty by 
the Secretary). 
‘‘(3) TREATMENT
OF
ACTIONS.—An action 
taken by the Secretary under this subsection with 
respect to a revolving loan fund shall not constitute 
a new obligation if all grant funds associated with 
the original grant award have been disbursed to the 
recipient.’’. 
SEC. 208. USE OF FUNDS IN PROJECTS CONSTRUCTED 
UNDER PROJECTED COST. 
Section 211 (42 U.S.C. 3151) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 211. USE OF FUNDS IN PROJECTS CONSTRUCTED 
UNDER PROJECTED COST. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a grant to a recipi-
ent for a construction project under section 201 or 209, 
if the Secretary determines, before closeout of the project, 
that the cost of the project, based on the designs and spec-
ifications that were the basis of the grant, has decreased
because of decreases in costs, the Secretary may approve, 
without further appropriations action, the use of the ex-
cess funds (or a portion of the excess funds) by the recipi-
ent to increase the Federal share of the cost of a project 
under this subtitle to the maximum percentage allowable 
under section 204 or to improve the project. 
‘‘(b) OTHER USES OF EXCESS FUNDS.—Any amount 
of excess funds remaining after application of subsection 
(a) may be used by the Secretary for providing assistance 
under this Act. 
‘‘(c) TRANSFERRED FUNDS.—In the case of excess 
funds described in subsection (a) in projects utilizing 
funds transferred from other Federal agencies pursuant 
to section 604, the Secretary shall—
‘‘(1) utilize the funds in accordance with sub-
section (a), with the approval of the originating 
agency; or 
‘‘(2) return the funds to the originating agen-
cy.’’. 
SEC. 209. SPECIAL IMPACT AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 214. SPECIAL IMPACT AREAS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—On the application of an eligible 
recipient, the Secretary may determine that the recipient
is unable to comply with the requirements of section 302 
and designate the area represented by the recipient as a 
special impact area. 
‘‘(b) WAIVERS.—Subject to the requirements of this 
section, the Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, as 
appropriate, the requirements of section 302 with respect 
to a special impact area designated under subsection (a) 
if the Secretary determines that the waiver will carry out 
the purposes of the Act. 
‘‘(c) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.—At least 30 
days before issuing a waiver under this section, the Sec-
retary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the 
Senate a written notice of the waiver, including a justifica-
tion for the waiver.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions contained in section 1(b) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 213 the following:
‘‘Sec. 214. Special impact areas.’’.
SEC. 210. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 215. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make a per-
formance incentive grant in connection with a project
grant made, on or after the date of enactment of this sec-
tion, to an eligible recipient under section 201 or 209. 
‘‘(b) PERFORMANCE MEASURES.—
‘‘(1) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall issue 
regulations to establish performance measures for 
making performance incentive grants under sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In issuing regulations 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider in-
cluding performance measures that assess the fol-
lowing factors: 
‘‘(A) Whether the recipient meets or ex-
ceeds scheduling goals. 
‘‘(B) Whether the recipient meets or ex-
ceeds job creation goals. 
‘‘(C) Amounts of private sector capital in-
vestments leveraged. 
‘‘(D) Such other factors as the Secretary 
determines appropriate. 
‘‘(c) AMOUNT OF GRANTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall base 
the amount of a performance incentive grant under 
subsection (a) on the extent to which a recipient 
meets or exceeds performance measures established 
in connection with the applicable project grant.
‘‘(2) MAXIMUM
AMOUNT.—The amount of a 
performance incentive grant may not exceed 10 per-
cent of the amount of the applicable project grant. 
‘‘(3) FEDERAL
SHARE.—Notwithstanding sec-
tion 204, the amounts of a performance incentive 
grant may be used for up to 100 percent of the cost 
of an eligible project or activity. For the purposes of 
meeting the non-Federal share requirements of this 
Act, or any other Act, the amounts of a performance 
grant shall be treated as funds from a non-Federal 
source. 
‘‘(d) USE OF PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE GRANTS.—
A recipient of a performance incentive grant under sub-
section (a) may use the grant for any eligible purpose 
under this Act, in accordance with section 602 and such 
regulations as the Secretary may prescribe. 
‘‘(e) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.— In making perform-
ance incentive grants under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall establish such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
‘‘(f) FUNDING.—The Secretary shall carry out this 
section using any amounts made available for economic 
development assistance programs. 
‘‘(g) REPORTING
REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary 
shall include information regarding the award of perform-
ance incentive grants under this section in the annual re-
port required under section 603. 
‘‘(h) REVIEW BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL.—
‘‘(1) REVIEW.—The Comptroller General shall 
review the implementation of this section in each fis-
cal year. 
‘‘(2) ANNUAL
REPORT.—Not later than one 
year after the date of enactment of this section, and 
annually thereafter, the Comptroller General shall 
transmit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of 
the Senate a report on the Comptroller’s findings 
under this subsection.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions contained in section 1(b) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 214 the following:
‘‘Sec. 215. performance incentive grants.’’.
SEC. 211. SUBGRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 216. SUBGRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), a re-
cipient of a grant under section 201, 203, or 207 may 
directly expend the grant funds or may redistribute the 
funds in the form of a subgrant to other eligible recipients
to fund required components of the scope of work ap-
proved for the project. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—A recipient may not redistribute 
grant funds received under section 201 or 203 to a for-
profit entity.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions contained in section 1(b) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 215 the following:
‘‘Sec. 216. Subgrants.’’.
SEC. 212. BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 217. BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—On the application of a qualified 
eligible recipient, the Secretary may make grants under 
sections 201, 203, 207, and 209 for projects to expand, 
redevelop, or reuse brownfield sites. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—Projects carried out under this 
section shall be subject to the limitations of section 
104(k)(4)(B) of the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9604(k)(4)(B)). 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following 
definitions apply: 
‘‘(1) BROWNFIELD SITE.—The term ‘brownfield 
site’ has the meaning given such term in section
101(39) of the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9601(39)). 
‘‘(2) QUALIFIED
ELIGIBLE
RECIPIENT.—The 
term ‘qualified eligible recipient’ means an eligible 
recipient that meets the definition of ‘eligible entity’ 
in section 104(k)(1) of the Comprehensive Environ-
mental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 
of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(1)).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions contained in section 1(b) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 216 the following:
‘‘Sec. 217. Brownfields redevelopment.’’.
SEC. 213. BRIGHTFIELDS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title II (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 218. BRIGHTFIELDS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—On the application of a qualified 
eligible recipient, the Secretary may make a grant for a 
project for the development of brightfield sites if the Sec-
retary determines that the project will—
‘‘(1) utilize solar energy technologies to develop 
abandoned or contaminated sites for commercial use; 
and 
‘‘(2) improve the commercial and economic op-
portunities in the area where the project is located.
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—Projects carried out under this 
section shall be subject to the limitations of section 
104(k)(4)(B) of the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9604(k)(4)(B)). 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following 
definitions apply: 
‘‘(1) 
BRIGHTFIELD
SITE.—The 
term 
‘brightfield site’ means a brownfield site (as defined 
in section 217) that is redeveloped through the in-
corporation of solar energy technologies. 
‘‘(2) QUALIFIED
ELIGIBLE
RECIPIENT.—The 
term ‘qualified eligible recipient’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 217. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008. 
Such sums shall remain available until expended.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions contained in section 1(b) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 217 the following:
‘‘Sec. 218. Brightfields demonstration program.’’.
TITLE 
III—COMPREHENSIVE 
ECONOMIC 
DEVELOPMENT 
STRATEGIES 
SEC. 301. COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
STRATEGIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 302(a)(3)(A) (42 U.S.C. 
3162(a)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘‘maximizes effec-
tive development and use of the workforce consistent with 
any applicable State or local workforce investment strat-
egy,’’ after ‘‘access,’’. 
(b) APPROVAL OF OTHER PLAN.—Section 302(c) (42 
U.S.C. 3162(c)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: ‘‘To the maximum extent practicable, a plan sub-
mitted under this paragraph shall be consistent and co-
ordinated with any existing comprehensive economic devel-
opment strategy for the area.’’. 
TITLE IV—ECONOMIC 
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS 
SEC. 401. PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DE-
VELOPMENT 
STRATEGIES 
TO 
REGIONAL 
COMMISSIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 404 (42 U.S.C. 3174) is 
amended to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 404. PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DE-
VELOPMENT 
STRATEGIES 
TO 
REGIONAL 
COMMISSIONS. 
‘‘If any part of an economic development district is 
in a region covered by one or more of the Regional Com-
missions (as defined in section 3), the economic develop-
ment district shall ensure that a copy of the comprehen-
sive economic development strategy of the district is pro-
vided to the affected Regional Commission.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions contained in section 1(b) is amended by striking the 
item relating to section 404 and inserting the following:
‘‘Sec. 404. Provision of comprehensive economic development strategies to Re-
gional Commissions.’’.
TITLE V—ADMINISTRATION 
SEC. 501. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION CLEAR-
INGHOUSE. 
Section 502 (42 U.S.C. 3192) is amended—
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) maintain a central information clearing-
house on the Internet with—
‘‘(A) information on economic develop-
ment, economic adjustment, disaster recovery, 
defense conversion, and trade adjustment pro-
grams and activities of the Federal Govern-
ment; 
‘‘(B) links to State economic development 
organizations; and 
‘‘(C) links to other appropriate economic 
development resources;’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(2); 
(3) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (3) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) obtain appropriate information from other 
Federal agencies needed to carry out the duties 
under this Act.’’. 
SEC. 502. BUSINESSES DESIRING FEDERAL CONTRACTS. 
Section 505 (42 U.S.C. 3195), and the item relating 
to section 505 in the table of contents contained in section 
1(b), are repealed. 
SEC. 503. PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS OF GRANT RECIPI-
ENTS. 
Section 506(c) (42 U.S.C. 3196(c)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘after the effective date of the Economic Develop-
ment Administration Reform Act of 1998’’.
‘‘SEC. 701. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS. 
‘‘(a) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAMS.—There are authorized to be appropriated for eco-
nomic development assistance programs to carry out this 
Act—
‘‘(1) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; 
‘‘(2) $425,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; 
‘‘(3) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; 
‘‘(4) $475,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and 
‘‘(5) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008. 
Such sums shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(b) SALARIES AND EXPENSES.—There are author-
ized to be appropriated for salaries and expenses of admin-
istering this Act $33,377,000 for fiscal year 2004 and 
such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year there-
after. Such sums shall remain available until expended.’’.
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