H. R. 2419—536 
if the Secretary determines that action would best effectuate the 
purposes of this Act. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To the extent that 
financing is not available from fees and the proceeds from the 
sales of samples, there are authorized to be appropriated such 
sums as are necessary to carry out this section.’’. 
SEC. 14202. DESIGNATION OF STATES FOR COTTON RESEARCH AND 
PROMOTION. 
Section 17(f) of the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (7 
U.S.C. 2116(f)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(f) The term’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) COTTON-PRODUCING STATE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The term’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘more, and the term’’ and all that follows 
through the end of the subsection and inserting the following: 
‘‘more. 
‘‘(2) 
INCLUSIONS.—The 
term 
‘cotton-producing 
State’ 
includes— 
‘‘(A) any combination of States described in paragraph 
(1); and 
‘‘(B) effective beginning with the 2008 crop of cotton, 
the States of Kansas, Virginia, and Florida.’’. 
SEC. 
14203. 
GRANTS 
TO 
REDUCE 
PRODUCTION 
OF 
METHAMPHETAMINES FROM ANHYDROUS AMMONIA. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means— 
(A) a producer of agricultural commodities; 
(B) a cooperative association, a majority of the mem-
bers of which produce or process agricultural commodities; 
or 
(C) a person in the trade or business of— 
(i) selling an agricultural product (including an 
agricultural chemical) at retail, predominantly to 
farmers and ranchers; or 
(ii) aerial and ground application of an agricultural 
chemical. 
(2) NURSE TANK.—The term ‘‘nurse tank’’ shall be consid-
ered to be a cargo tank (within the meaning of section 
173.315(m) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect 
as of the date of the enactment of this Act). 
(b) GRANT AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may make a grant to 
an eligible entity to enable the eligible entity to obtain and add 
to an anhydrous ammonia fertilizer nurse tank a physical lock 
or a substance to reduce the amount of methamphetamine that 
can be produced from any anhydrous ammonia removed from the 
nurse tank. 
(c) GRANT AMOUNT.—The amount of a grant made under this 
section to an eligible entity shall be the product obtained by multi-
plying— 
(1) an amount not less than $40 and not more than $60, 
as determined by the Secretary; and 
(2) the number of fertilizer nurse tanks of the eligible 
entity. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary to make grants under this
H. R. 2419—537 
section $15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 
2012. 
SEC. 14204. GRANTS TO IMPROVE SUPPLY, STABILITY, SAFETY, AND 
TRAINING OF AGRICULTURAL LABOR FORCE. 
(a) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible entity’’ means an entity described in section 379C(a) of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
2008q(a)). 
(b) GRANTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—To assist agricultural employers and 
farmworkers by improving the supply, stability, safety, and 
training of the agricultural labor force, the Secretary may pro-
vide grants to eligible entities for use in providing services 
to assist farmworkers who are citizens or otherwise legally 
present in the United States in securing, retaining, upgrading, 
or returning from agricultural jobs. 
(2) ELIGIBLE SERVICES.—The services referred to in para-
graph (1) include— 
(A) agricultural labor skills development; 
(B) the provision of agricultural labor market informa-
tion; 
(C) transportation; 
(D) short-term housing while in transit to an agricul-
tural worksite; 
(E) workplace literacy and assistance with English as 
a second language; 
(F) health and safety instruction, including ways of 
safeguarding the food supply of the United States; and 
(G) such other services as the Secretary determines 
to be appropriate. 
(c) LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 
15 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section 
for a fiscal year may be used to pay for administrative expenses. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
SEC. 14205. AMENDMENT TO THE RIGHT TO FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT 
OF 1978. 
Section 1113(k) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 
(12 U.S.C. 3413(k)) is amended— 
(1) by striking the subsection heading and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(k) DISCLOSURE NECESSARY FOR PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF 
PROGRAMS OF CERTAIN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES.—’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) Nothing in this title shall apply to the disclosure by 
the financial institution of information contained in the finan-
cial records of any customer to any Government authority that 
certifies, disburses, or collects payments, where the disclosure 
of such information is necessary to, and such information is 
used solely for the purpose of— 
‘‘(A) verification of the identity of any person or proper 
routing and delivery of funds in connection with the 
issuance of a Federal payment or collection of funds by 
a Government authority; or
H. R. 2419—538 
‘‘(B) the investigation or recovery of an improper Fed-
eral payment or collection of funds or an improperly nego-
tiated Treasury check. 
‘‘(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a request 
authorized by paragraph (1) or (2) (and the information con-
tained therein) may be used by the financial institution or 
its agents solely for the purpose of providing information con-
tained in the financial records of the customer to the Govern-
ment authority requesting the information, and the financial 
institution and its agents shall be barred from redisclosure 
of such information. Any Government authority receiving 
information pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) may not disclose 
or use the information, except for the purposes set forth in 
such paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 14206. REPORT ON STORED QUANTITIES OF PROPANE. 
(a) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 240 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall submit 
to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives a report describing the effect of interim 
or final regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to section 
550(a) of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations 
Act, 2007 (6 U.S.C. 121 note; Public Law 109–295), with respect 
to possession of quantities of propane that meet or exceed 
the screening threshold quantity for propane established in 
the final rule under that section. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The report under paragraph (1) shall 
include a description of— 
(A) the number of facilities that completed a top screen 
consequence assessment due to possession of quantities 
of propane that meet or exceed the listed screening 
threshold quantity for propane; 
(B) the number of agricultural facilities that completed 
the top screen consequence assessment due to possession 
of quantities of propane that meet or exceed the listed 
screening threshold quantity for propane; 
(C) the number of propane facilities initially deter-
mined to be high risk by the Secretary; 
(D) the number of propane facilities— 
(i) required to complete a security vulnerability 
assessment or a site security plan; or 
(ii) that submit to the Secretary an alternative 
security program; 
(E) the number of propane facilities that file an appeal 
of a finding under the final rule described in paragraph 
(1); and 
(F) to the extent available, the average cost of— 
(i) completing a top screen consequence assessment 
requirement; 
(ii) completing a security vulnerability assessment; 
and 
(iii) completing and implementing a site security 
plan; and
H. R. 2419—539 
(3) FORM.—The report under paragraph (1) shall be sub-
mitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. 
(b) EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct 
educational outreach activities for rural facilities that may be 
required to complete a top screen consequence assessment due 
to possession of propane in a quantity that meets or exceeds the 
listed screening threshold quantity for propane. 
SEC. 14207. PROHIBITIONS ON DOG FIGHTING VENTURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 
U.S.C. 2156) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘, if any animal in 
the venture was moved in interstate or foreign commerce’’; 
and 
(B) in the heading of paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘STATE’’ 
and inserting ‘‘STATE’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(b) It shall be’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) BUYING, SELLING, DELIVERING, POSSESSING, TRAINING, OR 
TRANSPORTING ANIMALS FOR PARTICIPATION IN ANIMAL FIGHTING 
VENTURE.—It shall be’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘transport, deliver’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘participate’’ and inserting ‘‘possess, train, trans-
port, deliver, or receive any animal for purposes of having 
the animal participate’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(c) It shall be’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) USE OF POSTAL SERVICE OR OTHER INTERSTATE INSTRUMEN-
TALITY FOR PROMOTING OR FURTHERING ANIMAL FIGHTING VEN-
TURE.—It shall be’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘advertising an animal, or an 
instrument described in subsection (e), for use in an animal 
fighting venture,’’ after ‘‘for purposes of’’; 
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘(d) Notwithstanding’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) VIOLATION OF STATE LAW.—Notwithstanding’’; 
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘(e) It shall be’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(e) BUYING, SELLING, DELIVERING, OR TRANSPORTING SHARP 
INSTRUMENTS FOR USE IN ANIMAL FIGHTING VENTURE.—It shall 
be’’; 
(6) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(f) The Secretary’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(f) INVESTIGATION OF VIOLATIONS BY SECRETARY; ASSISTANCE 
BY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES; ISSUANCE
OF SEARCH WARRANT; 
FORFEITURE; COSTS
RECOVERABLE
IN
FORFEITURE
OR
CIVIL 
ACTION.—The Secretary’’; and 
(B) in the last sentence— 
(i) by striking ‘‘by the United States’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘owner of the animals’’; 
and
H. R. 2419—540 
(iii) by striking ‘‘proceeding or in’’ and inserting 
‘‘proceeding, or (2) in’’; 
(7) in subsection (g)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(g) For purposes of’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(g) DEFINITIONS.—In’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘any event’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘entertainment’’ and inserting ‘‘any 
event, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, that 
involves a fight conducted or to be conducted between 
at least 2 animals for purposes of sport, wagering, or enter-
tainment,’’; 
(C) by striking paragraph (2); 
(D) in paragraph (5)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘dog or other’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting a period; 
and 
(E) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as 
paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; 
(8) by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections 
(i) and (j), respectively; 
(9) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘(i)(1) 
The provisions’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions’’; 
(10) in subsection (j) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘(j) 
The criminal’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(j) CRIMINAL PENALTIES.—The criminal’’; and 
(11) in subsection (g)(6), by striking ‘‘(6) the conduct’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(h) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROVISIONS.—The conduct’’. 
(b) ENFORCEMENT OF ANIMAL FIGHTING PROHIBITIONS.—Section 
49 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘3 
years’’ and inserting ‘‘5 years’’. 
SEC. 14208. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE TRANS-
PARENCY. 
(a) REPORT.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than September 30 of each 
year, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate, a report on conferences sponsored or held by the 
Department of Agriculture or attended by employees of the 
Department of Agriculture. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Each report under paragraph (1) shall con-
tain— 
(A) for each conference sponsored or held by the 
Department or attended by employees of the Department— 
(i) the name of the conference; 
(ii) the location of the conference; 
(iii) the number of Department of Agriculture 
employees attending the conference; and 
(iv) the costs (including travel expenses) relating 
to such conference; and 
(B) for each conference sponsored or held by the 
Department of Agriculture for which the Department
H. R. 2419—541 
awarded a procurement contract, a description of the con-
tracting procedures related to such conference. 
(3) EXCLUSIONS.—The requirement in paragraph (1) shall 
not apply to any conference— 
(A) for which the cost to the Federal Government was 
less than $10,000; or 
(B) outside of the United States that is attended by 
the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee as an official 
representative of the United States government. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF REPORT.—Each report submitted in accord-
ance with subsection (a) shall be posted in a searchable format 
on a Department of Agriculture website that is available to the 
public. 
(c) DEFINITION OF CONFERENCE.—In this section, the term ‘‘con-
ference’’— 
(1) means a meeting that— 
(A) is held for consultation, education, awareness, or 
discussion; 
(B) includes participants from at least one agency of 
the Department of Agriculture; 
(C) is held in whole or in part at a facility outside 
of an agency of the Department of Agriculture; and 
(D) involves costs associated with travel and lodging 
for some participants; and 
(2) does not include any training program that is continuing 
education or a curriculum-based educational program, provided 
that such training program is held independent of a conference 
of a non-governmental organization. 
SEC. 14209. FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE, AND RODENTICIDE 
ACT AMENDMENTS. 
(a) PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.—Section 17(d) of the Federal Insec-
ticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136o(d)) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Administrator’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) DEPARTMENT
OF
STATE
EXPENSES.—Any expenses 
incurred by an employee of the Environmental Protection 
Agency who participates in any international technical, eco-
nomic, or policy review board, committee, or other official body 
that is meeting in relation to an international treaty shall 
be paid by the Department of State.’’. 
(b) CONTAINER RECYCLING.—Section 19(a) of the Federal Insec-
ticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136q(a)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) CONTAINER RECYCLING.—The Secretary may promul-
gate a regulation for the return and recycling of disposable 
pesticide containers used for the distribution or sale of reg-
istered pesticide products in interstate commerce. Any such 
regulation requiring recycling of disposable pesticide containers 
shall not apply to antimicrobial pesticides (as defined in section 
2) or other pesticide products intended for non-agricultural 
uses.’’.
H. R. 2419—542 
SEC. 14210. IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Animal Welfare Act is amended by 
adding after section 17 (7 U.S.C. 2147) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 18. IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) IMPORTER.—The term ‘importer’ means any person 
who, for purposes of resale, transports into the United States 
puppies from a foreign country. 
‘‘(2) RESALE.—The term ‘resale’ includes any transfer of 
ownership or control of an imported dog of less than 6 months 
of age to another person, for more than de minimis consider-
ation. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
no person shall import a dog into the United States for purposes 
of resale unless, as determined by the Secretary, the dog— 
‘‘(A) is in good health; 
‘‘(B) has received all necessary vaccinations; and 
‘‘(C) is at least 6 months of age, if imported for resale. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, by regulation, shall 
provide an exception to any requirement under paragraph 
(1) in any case in which a dog is imported for— 
‘‘(i) research purposes; or 
‘‘(ii) veterinary treatment. 
‘‘(B) LAWFUL
IMPORTATION
INTO
HAWAII.—Paragraph 
(1)(C) shall not apply to the lawful importation of a dog 
into the State of Hawaii from the British Isles, Australia, 
Guam, or New Zealand in compliance with the applicable 
regulations of the State of Hawaii and the other require-
ments of this section, if the dog is not transported out 
of the State of Hawaii for purposes of resale at less than 
6 months of age. 
‘‘(c) IMPLEMENTATION AND REGULATIONS.—The Secretary, the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Com-
merce, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate 
such regulations as the Secretaries determine to be necessary to 
implement and enforce this section. 
‘‘(d) ENFORCEMENT.—An importer that fails to comply with 
this section shall— 
‘‘(1) be subject to penalties under section 19; and 
‘‘(2) provide for the care (including appropriate veterinary 
care), forfeiture, and adoption of each applicable dog, at the 
expense of the importer.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 14211. PERMANENT DEBARMENT FROM PARTICIPATION IN 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
AGRICULTURE 
PROGRAMS 
FOR 
FRAUD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall permanently debar an individual, organization, 
corporation, or other entity convicted of a felony for knowingly 
defrauding the United States in connection with any program 
administered by the Department of Agriculture from any subse-
quent participation in Department of Agriculture programs.
H. R. 2419—543 
(b) EXCEPTIONS.— 
(1) SECRETARY DETERMINATION.—The Secretary may reduce 
a debarment under subsection (a) to a period of not less than 
10 years if the Secretary considers it appropriate. 
(2) FOOD ASSISTANCE.—A debarment under subsection (a) 
shall not apply with respect to participation in domestic food 
assistance programs (as defined by the Secretary). 
SEC. 14212. PROHIBITION ON CLOSURE OR RELOCATION OF COUNTY 
OFFICES FOR THE FARM SERVICE AGENCY. 
(a) TEMPORARY PROHIBITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), until the date 
that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Agriculture may not close or relocate a county 
or field office of the Farm Service Agency. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to— 
(A) an office that is located not more than 20 miles 
from another office of the Farm Service Agency; or 
(B) the relocation of an office within the same county 
in the course of routine leasing operations. 
(b) LIMITATION ON CLOSURE; NOTICE.— 
(1) LIMITATION.—After the period referred to in subsection 
(a)(1), the Secretary shall, before closing any office of the Farm 
Service Agency that is located more than 20 miles from another 
office of the Farm Service Agency, to the maximum extent 
practicable, first close any offices of the Farm Service Agency 
that— 
(A) are located less than 20 miles from another office 
of the Farm Service Agency; and 
(B) have two or fewer permanent full-time employees. 
(2) NOTICE.—After the period referred to in subsection 
(a)(1), the Secretary of Agriculture may not close a county 
or field office of the Farm Service Agency unless— 
(A) not later than 30 days after the Secretary proposes 
to close such office, the Secretary holds a public meeting 
regarding the proposed closure in the county in which 
such office is located; and 
(B) after the public meeting referred to in subpara-
graph (A), but not less than 90 days before the date on 
which the Secretary approves the closure of such office, 
the Secretary notifies the Committee on Agriculture and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate, each Senator representing the State in which the 
office proposed to be closed is located, and the member 
of the House of Representatives who represents the 
Congressional district in which the office proposed to be 
closed is located of the proposed closure of such office. 
SEC. 14213. USDA GRADUATE SCHOOL. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Section 921 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2279b) is amended— 
(1) in the heading, to read as follows:
H. R. 2419—544 
‘‘SEC. 921. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EDUCATIONAL, TRAINING, 
AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(b) OPERATION
AS
NONAPPROPRIATED
FUND
INSTRUMEN-
TALITY.— 
‘‘(1) CEASE OPERATIONS.—Not later than October 1, 2009, 
the Secretary of Agriculture shall cease to maintain or operate 
a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the United States 
to develop, administer, or provide educational training and 
professional development activities, including educational 
activities for Federal agencies, Federal employees, non-profit 
organizations, other entities, and members of the general 
public. 
‘‘(2) TRANSITION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture is 
authorized to use funds available to the Department of 
Agriculture and such resources of the Department as the 
Secretary considers appropriate (including the assignment 
of such employees of the Department as the Secretary 
considers appropriate) to assist the General Administrative 
Board of the Graduate School in the conversion of the 
Graduate School to an entity that is non-governmental 
and not a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the 
United States, including such privatization activities not 
otherwise inconsistent with law or regulation. 
‘‘(B) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority under 
paragraph (1) shall terminate on the earlier of— 
‘‘(i) the completion of the transition of the Graduate 
School to an entity that is non-governmental and not 
a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the United 
States, as determined by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(ii) September 30, 2009.’’. 
(b) PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES.—Notwithstanding the amend-
ments made by subsection (a), effective on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Graduate School of the Department of Agriculture 
shall be subject to Federal procurement laws and regulations in 
the same manner and subject to the same requirements as a private 
entity providing services to the Federal Government. 
SEC. 14214. FINES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT. 
Section 19(b) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2149(b)) 
is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘not more than $2,500 
for each such violation’’ and inserting ‘‘not more than $10,000 
for each such violation’’. 
SEC. 14215. DEFINITION OF CENTRAL FILING SYSTEM. 
Section 1324(c)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 
1631(c)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C)(ii)(II), by inserting after ‘‘such 
debtors’’ the following: ‘‘, except that the numerical list con-
taining social security or taxpayer identification numbers may 
be encrypted for security purposes if the Secretary of State 
provides a method by which an effective search of the encrypted 
numbers may be conducted to determine whether the farm 
product at issue is subject to 1 or more liens’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (E)—
H. R. 2419—545 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraph (C)’’ and inserting ‘‘subpara-
graph (C)’’; and 
(B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the 
following: ‘‘except that— 
‘‘(i) the distribution of the portion of the master 
list may be in electronic, written, or printed form; 
and 
‘‘(ii) if social security or taxpayer identification 
numbers on the master list are encrypted, the Sec-
retary of State may distribute the master list only— 
‘‘(I) by compact disc or other electronic media 
that contains— 
‘‘(aa) the recorded list of debtor names; 
and 
‘‘(bb) an encryption program that enables 
the buyer, commission merchant, and selling 
agent to enter a social security number for 
matching against the recorded list of encrypted 
social security or taxpayer identification num-
bers; and 
‘‘(II) on the written request of the buyer, 
commission merchant, or selling agent, by paper 
copy of the list to the requestor’’. 
SEC. 14216. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS OF 
STUDY ON USE OF CATS AND DOGS IN FEDERAL 
RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall— 
(1) review— 
(A) any independent reviews conducted by a nationally 
recognized panel of experts of the use of Class B dogs 
and cats in federally supported research to determine how 
frequently such dogs and cats are used in research by 
the National Institutes of Health; and 
(B) any recommendations proposed by such panel out-
lining the parameters of such use; and 
(2) submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report on how recommenda-
tions referred to in paragraph (1)(B) can be applied within 
the Department of Agriculture to ensure such dogs and cats 
are treated in accordance with regulations of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(b) CLASS B DOGS AND CATS DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘Class B dogs and cats’’ means dogs and cats obtained from 
a Class ‘‘B’’ licensee, as such term is defined in section 1.1 of 
title 9, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 14217. REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOP-
MENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title 40, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subtitle V as subtitle VI; and 
(2) by inserting after subtitle IV the following:
H. R. 2419—546 
‘‘Subtitle V—Regional Economic and 
Infrastructure Development 
‘‘Chapter ..................................................................................................................
‘‘151. GENERAL PROVISIONS ............................................................................ 15101 
‘‘153. REGIONAL COMMISSIONS ...................................................................... 15301 
‘‘155. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ......................................................................... 15501 
‘‘157. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................. 15701 
‘‘CHAPTER 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘15101. Definitions. 
‘‘§ 15101. Definitions 
‘‘In this subtitle, the following definitions apply: 
‘‘(1) 
COMMISSION.—The 
term 
‘Commission’ 
means 
a 
Commission established under section 15301. 
‘‘(2) LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT.—The term ‘local 
development district’ means an entity that— 
‘‘(A)(i) is an economic development district that is— 
‘‘(I) in existence on the date of the enactment of 
this chapter; and 
‘‘(II) located in the region; or 
‘‘(ii) if an entity described in clause (i) does not exist— 
‘‘(I) is organized and operated in a manner that 
ensures broad-based community participation and an 
effective opportunity for local officials, community 
leaders, and the public to contribute to the development 
and implementation of programs in the region; 
‘‘(II) is governed by a policy board with at least 
a simple majority of members consisting of— 
‘‘(aa) elected officials; or 
‘‘(bb) designees or employees of a general pur-
pose unit of local government that have been 
appointed to represent the unit of local govern-
ment; and 
‘‘(III) is certified by the Governor or appropriate 
State officer as having a charter or authority that 
includes the economic development of counties, por-
tions of counties, or other political subdivisions within 
the region; and 
‘‘(B) has not, as certified by the Federal Cochair-
person— 
‘‘(i) inappropriately used Federal grant funds from 
any Federal source; or 
‘‘(ii) appointed an officer who, during the period 
in which another entity inappropriately used Federal 
grant funds from any Federal source, was an officer 
of the other entity. 
‘‘(3) FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM.—The term ‘Federal grant 
program’ means a Federal grant program to provide assistance 
in carrying out economic and community development activities. 
‘‘(4) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
H. R. 2419—547 
‘‘(5) NONPROFIT ENTITY.—The term ‘nonprofit entity’ means 
any organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 501(a) 
of that Code that has been formed for the purpose of economic 
development. 
‘‘(6) REGION.—The term ‘region’ means the area covered 
by a Commission as described in subchapter II of chapter 
157. 
‘‘CHAPTER 2—REGIONAL COMMISSIONS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘15301. Establishment, membership, and employees. 
‘‘15302. Decisions. 
‘‘15303. Functions. 
‘‘15304. Administrative powers and expenses. 
‘‘15305. Meetings. 
‘‘15306. Personal financial interests. 
‘‘15307. Tribal participation. 
‘‘15308. Annual report. 
‘‘§ 15301. Establishment, membership, and employees 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There are established the following 
regional Commissions: 
‘‘(1) The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. 
‘‘(2) The Southwest Border Regional Commission. 
‘‘(3) The Northern Border Regional Commission. 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) FEDERAL
AND
STATE
MEMBERS.—Each Commission 
shall be composed of the following members: 
‘‘(A) A Federal Cochairperson, to be appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate. 
‘‘(B) The Governor of each participating State in the 
region of the Commission. 
‘‘(2) ALTERNATE MEMBERS.— 
‘‘(A) ALTERNATE FEDERAL COCHAIRPERSON.—The Presi-
dent shall appoint an alternate Federal Cochairperson for 
each Commission. The alternate Federal Cochairperson, 
when not actively serving as an alternate for the Federal 
Cochairperson, shall perform such functions and duties 
as are delegated by the Federal Cochairperson. 
‘‘(B) STATE
ALTERNATES.—The State member of a 
participating State may have a single alternate, who shall 
be appointed by the Governor of the State from among 
the members of the Governor’s cabinet or personal staff. 
‘‘(C) VOTING.—An alternate member shall vote in the 
case of the absence, death, disability, removal, or resigna-
tion of the Federal or State member for which the alternate 
member is an alternate. 
‘‘(3) COCHAIRPERSONS.—A Commission shall be headed by— 
‘‘(A) the Federal Cochairperson, who shall serve as 
a liaison between the Federal Government and the 
Commission; and 
‘‘(B) a State Cochairperson, who shall be a Governor 
of a participating State in the region and shall be elected 
by the State members for a term of not less than 1 year. 
‘‘(4) CONSECUTIVE TERMS.—A State member may not be 
elected to serve as State Cochairperson for more than 2 consecu-
tive terms.
H. R. 2419—548 
‘‘(c) COMPENSATION.— 
‘‘(1) FEDERAL
COCHAIRPERSONS.—Each Federal Cochair-
person shall be compensated by the Federal Government at 
level III of the Executive Schedule as set out in section 5314 
of title 5. 
‘‘(2) ALTERNATE FEDERAL COCHAIRPERSONS.—Each Federal 
Cochairperson’s alternate shall be compensated by the Federal 
Government at level V of the Executive Schedule as set out 
in section 5316 of title 5. 
‘‘(3) 
STATE
MEMBERS
AND
ALTERNATES.—Each 
State 
member and alternate shall be compensated by the State that 
they represent at the rate established by the laws of that 
State. 
‘‘(d) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A Commission shall appoint and fix the 
compensation of an executive director and such other personnel 
as are necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its 
duties. Compensation under this paragraph may not exceed 
the maximum rate of basic pay established for the Senior 
Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5, including any 
applicable locality-based comparability payment that may be 
authorized under section 5304(h)(2)(C) of that title. 
‘‘(2) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The executive director shall be 
responsible for carrying out the administrative duties of the 
Commission, directing the Commission staff, and such other 
duties as the Commission may assign. 
‘‘(e) NO FEDERAL EMPLOYEE STATUS.—No member, alternate, 
officer, or employee of a Commission (other than the Federal 
Cochairperson, the alternate Federal Cochairperson, staff of the 
Federal Cochairperson, and any Federal employee detailed to the 
Commission) shall be considered to be a Federal employee for 
any purpose. 
‘‘§ 15302. Decisions 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL.—Except as provided in sec-
tion 15304(c)(3), decisions by the Commission shall require the 
affirmative vote of the Federal Cochairperson and a majority of 
the State members (exclusive of members representing States delin-
quent under section 15304(c)(3)(C)). 
‘‘(b) CONSULTATION.—In matters coming before the Commission, 
the Federal Cochairperson shall, to the extent practicable, consult 
with the Federal departments and agencies having an interest 
in the subject matter. 
‘‘(c) QUORUMS.—A Commission shall determine what constitutes 
a quorum for Commission meetings; except that— 
‘‘(1) any quorum shall include the Federal Cochairperson 
or the alternate Federal Cochairperson; and 
‘‘(2) a State alternate member shall not be counted toward 
the establishment of a quorum. 
‘‘(d) PROJECTS AND GRANT PROPOSALS.—The approval of project 
and grant proposals shall be a responsibility of each Commission 
and shall be carried out in accordance with section 15503. 
‘‘§ 15303. Functions 
‘‘A Commission shall— 
‘‘(1) assess the needs and assets of its region based on 
available research, demonstration projects, investigations,
H. R. 2419—549 
assessments, and evaluations of the region prepared by Federal, 
State, and local agencies, universities, local development dis-
tricts, and other nonprofit groups; 
‘‘(2) develop, on a continuing basis, comprehensive and 
coordinated economic and infrastructure development strategies 
to establish priorities and approve grants for the economic 
development of its region, giving due consideration to other 
Federal, State, and local planning and development activities 
in the region; 
‘‘(3) not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this section, and after taking into account State plans devel-
oped under section 15502, establish priorities in an economic 
and infrastructure development plan for its region, including 
5-year regional outcome targets; 
‘‘(4)(A) enhance the capacity of, and provide support for, 
local development districts in its region; or 
‘‘(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; 
‘‘(5) encourage private investment in industrial, commer-
cial, and other economic development projects in its region; 
‘‘(6) cooperate with and assist State governments with the 
preparation of economic and infrastructure development plans 
and programs for participating States; 
‘‘(7) formulate and recommend to the Governors and legisla-
tures of States that participate in the Commission forms of 
interstate cooperation and, where appropriate, international 
cooperation; and 
‘‘(8) work with State and local agencies in developing appro-
priate model legislation to enhance local and regional economic 
development. 
‘‘§ 15304. Administrative powers and expenses 
‘‘(a) POWERS.—In carrying out its duties under this subtitle, 
a Commission 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 distribute a description of the pro-
ceedings and reports on actions by the Commission as the 
Commission considers appropriate; 
‘‘(2) authorize, through the Federal or State Cochairperson 
or any other member of the Commission designated by the 
Commission, the administration of oaths if the Commission 
determines that testimony should be taken or evidence received 
under oath; 
‘‘(3) request from any Federal, State, or local agency such 
information as may be available to or procurable by the agency 
that may be of use to the Commission in carrying out the 
duties of the Commission; 
‘‘(4) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws and rules governing 
the conduct of business and the performance of duties by the 
Commission; 
‘‘(5) request the head of any Federal agency, State agency, 
or local government to detail to the Commission such personnel 
as the Commission requires to carry out its duties, each such 
detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee 
status;
H. R. 2419—550 
‘‘(6) provide for coverage of Commission employees in a 
suitable retirement and employee benefit system by making 
arrangements or entering into contracts with any participating 
State government or otherwise providing retirement and other 
employee coverage; 
‘‘(7) accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations or services 
or real, personal, tangible, or intangible property; 
‘‘(8) enter into and perform such contracts, cooperative 
agreements, or other transactions as are necessary to carry 
out Commission duties, including any contracts or cooperative 
agreements with a department, agency, or instrumentality of 
the United States, a State (including a political subdivision, 
agency, or instrumentality of the State), or a person, firm, 
association, or corporation; and 
‘‘(9) maintain a government relations office in the District 
of Columbia and establish and maintain a central office at 
such location in its region as the Commission may select. 
‘‘(b) FEDERAL AGENCY COOPERATION.—A Federal agency shall— 
‘‘(1) cooperate with a Commission; and 
‘‘(2) provide, to the extent practicable, on request of the 
Federal Cochairperson, appropriate assistance in carrying out 
this subtitle, in accordance with applicable Federal laws 
(including regulations). 
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the administra-
tive expenses of a Commission shall be paid— 
‘‘(A) by the Federal Government, in an amount equal 
to 50 percent of the administrative expenses of the Commis-
sion; and 
‘‘(B) by the States participating in the Commission, 
in an amount equal to 50 percent of the administrative 
expenses. 
‘‘(2) EXPENSES
OF
THE
FEDERAL
COCHAIRPERSON.—All 
expenses of the Federal Cochairperson, including expenses of 
the alternate and staff of the Federal Cochairperson, shall 
be paid by the Federal Government. 
‘‘(3) STATE SHARE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
share of administrative expenses of a Commission to be 
paid by each State of the Commission shall be determined 
by a unanimous vote of the State members of the Commis-
sion. 
‘‘(B) 
NO
FEDERAL
PARTICIPATION.—The 
Federal 
Cochairperson shall not participate or vote in any decision 
under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(C) DELINQUENT STATES.—During any period in which 
a State is more than 1 year delinquent in payment of 
the State’s share of administrative expenses of the Commis-
sion under this subsection— 
‘‘(i) no assistance under this subtitle shall be pro-
vided to the State (including assistance to a political 
subdivision or a resident of the State) for any project 
not approved as of the date of the commencement 
of the delinquency; and 
‘‘(ii) no member of the Commission from the State 
shall participate or vote in any action by the Commis-
sion.
H. R. 2419—551 
‘‘(4) EFFECT ON ASSISTANCE.—A State’s share of administra-
tive expenses of a Commission under this subsection shall 
not be taken into consideration when determining the amount 
of assistance provided to the State under this subtitle. 
‘‘§ 15305. Meetings 
‘‘(a) INITIAL MEETING.—Each Commission shall hold an initial 
meeting not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this section. 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL MEETING.—Each Commission shall conduct at 
least 1 meeting each year with the Federal Cochairperson and 
at least a majority of the State members present. 
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL MEETINGS.—Each Commission shall conduct 
additional meetings at such times as it determines and may conduct 
such meetings by electronic means. 
‘‘§ 15306. Personal financial interests 
‘‘(a) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.— 
‘‘(1) NO ROLE ALLOWED.—Except as permitted by paragraph 
(2), an individual who is a State member or alternate, or 
an officer or employee of a Commission, shall not participate 
personally and substantially as a member, alternate, officer, 
or employee of the Commission, through decision, approval, 
disapproval, recommendation, request for a ruling, or other 
determination, contract, claim, controversy, or other matter 
in which, to the individual’s knowledge, any of the following 
has a financial interest: 
‘‘(A) The individual. 
‘‘(B) The individual’s spouse, minor child, or partner. 
‘‘(C) An organization (except a State or political subdivi-
sion of a State) in which the individual is serving as an 
officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee. 
‘‘(D) Any person or organization with whom the indi-
vidual is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning 
prospective employment. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the indi-
vidual, in advance of the proceeding, application, request for 
a ruling or other determination, contract, claim controversy, 
or other particular matter presenting a potential conflict of 
interest— 
‘‘(A) advises the Commission of the nature and cir-
cumstances of the matter presenting the conflict of interest; 
‘‘(B) makes full disclosure of the financial interest; 
and 
‘‘(C) receives a written decision of the Commission 
that the interest is not so substantial as to be considered 
likely to affect the integrity of the services that the 
Commission may expect from the individual. 
‘‘(3) VIOLATION.—An individual violating this subsection 
shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 
1 year, or both. 
‘‘(b) STATE MEMBER OR ALTERNATE.—A State member or alter-
nate member may not receive any salary, or any contribution to, 
or supplementation of, salary, for services on a Commission from 
a source other than the State of the member or alternate. 
‘‘(c) DETAILED EMPLOYEES.—
H. R. 2419—552 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—No person detailed to serve a Commis-
sion shall receive any salary, or any contribution to, or 
supplementation of, salary, for services provided to the Commis-
sion from any source other than the State, local, or intergovern-
mental department or agency from which the person was 
detailed to the Commission. 
‘‘(2) VIOLATION.—Any person that violates this subsection 
shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned not more than 1 
year, or both. 
‘‘(d) FEDERAL COCHAIRMAN, ALTERNATE TO FEDERAL COCHAIR-
MAN, AND
FEDERAL
OFFICERS
AND
EMPLOYEES.—The Federal 
Cochairman, the alternate to the Federal Cochairman, and any 
Federal officer or employee detailed to duty with the Commission 
are not subject to this section but remain subject to sections 202 
through 209 of title 18. 
‘‘(e) RESCISSION.—A Commission may declare void any contract, 
loan, or grant of or by the Commission in relation to which the 
Commission determines that there has been a violation of any 
provision under subsection (a)(1), (b), or (c), or any of the provisions 
of sections 202 through 209 of title 18. 
‘‘§ 15307. Tribal participation 
‘‘Governments of Indian tribes in the region of the Southwest 
Border Regional Commission shall be allowed to participate in 
matters before that Commission in the same manner and to the 
same extent as State agencies and instrumentalities in the region. 
‘‘§ 15308. Annual report 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the last day 
of each fiscal year, each Commission shall submit to the President 
and Congress a report on the activities carried out by the Commis-
sion under this subtitle in the fiscal year. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The report shall include— 
‘‘(1) a description of the criteria used by the Commission 
to designate counties under section 15702 and a list of the 
counties designated in each category; 
‘‘(2) an evaluation of the progress of the Commission in 
meeting the goals identified in the Commission’s economic and 
infrastructure development plan under section 15303 and State 
economic and infrastructure development plans under section 
15502; and 
‘‘(3) any policy recommendations approved by the Commis-
sion. 
‘‘CHAPTER 3—FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘15501. Economic and infrastructure development grants. 
‘‘15502. Comprehensive economic and infrastructure development plans. 
‘‘15503. Approval of applications for assistance. 
‘‘15504. Program development criteria. 
‘‘15505. Local development districts and organizations. 
‘‘15506. Supplements to Federal grant programs. 
‘‘§ 15501. Economic and infrastructure development grants 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A Commission may make grants to States 
and local governments, Indian tribes, and public and nonprofit 
organizations for projects, approved in accordance with section 
15503—
H. R. 2419—553 
‘‘(1) to develop the transportation infrastructure of its 
region; 
‘‘(2) to develop the basic public infrastructure of its region; 
‘‘(3) to develop the telecommunications infrastructure of 
its region; 
‘‘(4) to assist its region in obtaining job skills training, 
skills 
development 
and 
employment-related 
education, 
entrepreneurship, technology, and business development; 
‘‘(5) to provide assistance to severely economically dis-
tressed and underdeveloped areas of its region that lack finan-
cial resources for improving basic health care and other public 
services; 
‘‘(6) to promote resource conservation, tourism, recreation, 
and preservation of open space in a manner consistent with 
economic development goals; 
‘‘(7) to promote the development of renewable and alter-
native energy sources; and 
‘‘(8) to otherwise achieve the purposes of this subtitle. 
‘‘(b) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—A Commission shall allocate at 
least 40 percent of any grant amounts provided by the Commission 
in a fiscal year for projects described in paragraphs (1) through 
(3) of subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) SOURCES OF GRANTS.—Grant amounts may be provided 
entirely from appropriations to carry out this subtitle, in combina-
tion with amounts available under other Federal grant programs, 
or from any other source. 
‘‘(d) MAXIMUM COMMISSION CONTRIBUTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the 
Commission may contribute not more than 50 percent of a 
project or activity cost eligible for financial assistance under 
this section from amounts appropriated to carry out this sub-
title. 
‘‘(2) DISTRESSED
COUNTIES.—The maximum Commission 
contribution for a project or activity to be carried out in a 
county for which a distressed county designation is in effect 
under section 15702 may be increased to 80 percent. 
‘‘(3) SPECIAL RULE FOR REGIONAL PROJECTS.—A Commission 
may increase to 60 percent under paragraph (1) and 90 percent 
under paragraph (2) the maximum Commission contribution 
for a project or activity if— 
‘‘(A) the project or activity involves 3 or more counties 
or more than one State; and 
‘‘(B) the Commission determines in accordance with 
section 15302(a) that the project or activity will bring 
significant interstate or multicounty benefits to a region. 
‘‘(e) MAINTENANCE
OF EFFORT.—Funds may be provided by 
a Commission for a program or project in a State under this 
section only if the Commission determines that the level of Federal 
or State financial assistance provided under a law other than this 
subtitle, for the same type of program or project in the same 
area of the State within region, will not be reduced as a result 
of funds made available by this subtitle. 
‘‘(f) NO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.—Financial assistance author-
ized by this section may not be used to assist a person or entity 
in relocating from one area to another.
H. R. 2419—554 
‘‘§ 15502. 
Comprehensive 
economic 
and 
infrastructure 
development plans 
‘‘(a) STATE PLANS.—In accordance with policies established by 
a Commission, each State member of the Commission shall submit 
a comprehensive economic and infrastructure development plan 
for the area of the region represented by the State member. 
‘‘(b) CONTENT OF PLAN.—A State economic and infrastructure 
development plan shall reflect the goals, objectives, and priorities 
identified in any applicable economic and infrastructure develop-
ment plan developed by a Commission under section 15303. 
‘‘(c) CONSULTATION WITH INTERESTED LOCAL PARTIES.—In car-
rying out the development planning process (including the selection 
of programs and projects for assistance), a State shall— 
‘‘(1) consult with local development districts, local units 
of government, and local colleges and universities; and 
‘‘(2) take into consideration the goals, objectives, priorities, 
and recommendations of the entities described in paragraph 
(1). 
‘‘(d) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A Commission and applicable State and 
local development districts shall encourage and assist, to the 
maximum extent practicable, public participation in the 
development, revision, and implementation of all plans and 
programs under this subtitle. 
‘‘(2) GUIDELINES.—A Commission shall develop guidelines 
for providing public participation, including public hearings. 
‘‘§ 15503. Approval of applications for assistance 
‘‘(a) EVALUATION
BY STATE MEMBER.—An application to a 
Commission for a grant or any other assistance for a project under 
this subtitle shall be made through, and evaluated for approval 
by, the State member of the Commission representing the applicant. 
‘‘(b) CERTIFICATION.—An application to a Commission for a 
grant or other assistance for a project under this subtitle shall 
be eligible for assistance only on certification by the State member 
of the Commission representing the applicant that the application 
for the project— 
‘‘(1) describes ways in which the project complies with 
any applicable State economic and infrastructure development 
plan; 
‘‘(2) meets applicable criteria under section 15504; 
‘‘(3) adequately ensures that the project will be properly 
administered, operated, and maintained; and 
‘‘(4) otherwise meets the requirements for assistance under 
this subtitle. 
‘‘(c) VOTES FOR DECISIONS.—On certification by a State member 
of a Commission of an application for a grant or other assistance 
for a specific project under this section, an affirmative vote of 
the Commission under section 15302 shall be required for approval 
of the application. 
‘‘§ 15504. Program development criteria 
‘‘In considering programs and projects to be provided assistance 
by a Commission under this subtitle, and in establishing a priority 
ranking of the requests for assistance provided to the Commission, 
the Commission shall follow procedures that ensure, to the max-
imum extent practicable, consideration of—