the extent such commercial services meet the needs of
the applicant in the most efficient and economical
manner;
‘‘(4) the applicant has participated in com-
prehensive planning for such facilities, systems, or
networks and such planning has included an evalua-
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 extraordinary
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 pri-
ority 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 pref-
erence in the award of assistance for projects that increase
utilization and efficiency of existing telecommunications
and information facilities. The Secretary shall seek the
views of the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health
and Human Services, and the Director of the National
Science Foundation in developing the regulations author-
ized under this part. Such regulations shall include such
regulations for purposes of subsection (b)(6) as the Sec-
retary determines to be necessary to prevent an applicant
from using commercial resale of excess capacity to compete
unfairly with providers of telecommunications 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 facilities
and services. The Secretary shall take affirmative steps to
inform minorities, individuals with disabilities, women,
and other underserved populations of the availability of
funds under this part, and to provide such other assistance
and information as may be appropriate.
‘‘SEC. 133. TRAINING AND PLANNING.
‘‘(a) TRAINING EXPENSES.—The Secretary is author-
ized to provide funds for necessary and reasonable expenses
for training in the operation of the facilities, systems, or
networks developed pursuant to this part, except that such
expenditures shall be authorized only for a period not to
exceed one year after termination of the grant for the tele-
communications 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 planning
projects or studies that will promote the development or en-
hancement of the national telecommunications and infor-
mation infrastructure. Any plans or studies conducted by
or for any grant recipient under this section shall be pro-
vided to the Secretary. An applicant for a planning grant
shall provide such information with respect to such project
as the Secretary may require and shall provide assurances
satisfactory to the Secretary that the applicant meets the
requirements of section 132(b)(1).