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relating to the development and maintenance of
strong local and regional economies;
‘‘(E) to assist in the development of unique
new collaborations that link public, private, and
philanthropic resources, including community
foundations;
‘‘(F) to provide support for business and en-
trepreneurial investment, strategy, expansion,
and development, including feasibility strategies,
technical assistance, peer networks, and business
development funds;
‘‘(G) to carry out other broad activities re-
lating to strengthening the economic competitive-
ness of the region; and
‘‘(H) to provide matching funds to enable
community foundations located within the region
to build endowments which provide permanent
philanthropic resources to implement a regional
investment strategy.
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—The funds made
available to a Regional Board or any other eligible
grantee through a regional innovation grant shall re-
main available for the 7-year period beginning on the
date on which the award is provided, on the condition
that the Regional Board or other grantee continues to
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be certified by the Secretary as making adequate
progress toward achieving established benchmarks.
‘‘(g) COST SHARING.—
‘‘(1) WAIVER
OF
GRANTEE
SHARE.—The Sec-
retary may waive the share of a grantee of the costs
of a project funded by a regional innovation grant
under this section if the Secretary determines that
such a waiver is appropriate, including with respect
to special circumstances within tribal regions, in the
event an area experiences—
‘‘(A) a sudden or severe economic disloca-
tion;
‘‘(B) significant chronic unemployment or
poverty;
‘‘(C) a natural disaster; or
‘‘(D) other severe economic, social, or cul-
tural duress.
‘‘(2) OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS.—For the pur-
pose of determining cost-sharing requirements for any
other Federal program, funds provided as a regional
innovation grant under this section shall be consid-
ered to be non-Federal funds.
‘‘(h) NONCOMPLIANCE.—If a Regional Board or other
eligible grantee fails to comply with any requirement relat-
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ing to the use of funds provided under this section, the Sec-
retary may—
‘‘(1) take such actions as are necessary to obtain
reimbursement of unused grant funds; and
‘‘(2) reprogram the recaptured funds for pur-
poses relating to implementation of this subtitle.
‘‘(i) PRIORITY TO AREAS WITH AWARDS AND AP-
PROVED STRATEGIES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), in
providing rural development assistance under other
programs, the Secretary shall give a high priority to
areas that receive innovation grants under this sec-
tion.
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall con-
sult with the heads of other Federal agencies to pro-
mote the development of priorities similar to those de-
scribed in paragraph (1).
‘‘(3) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS.—Para-
graph (1) shall not apply to the provision of rural de-
velopment assistance under any program relating to
basic health, safety, or infrastructure, including
broadband deployment or minimum environmental
needs.
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‘‘SEC. 385G. RURAL ENDOWMENT LOANS PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide long-
term loans to eligible community foundations to assist in
the implementation of regional investment strategies.
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS.—To be eli-
gible to receive a loan under this section, a community
foundation shall—
‘‘(1) be located in an area that is covered by a
regional investment strategy;
‘‘(2) match the amount of the loan with an
amount that is at least 250 percent of the amount of
the loan; and
‘‘(3) use the loan and the matching amount to
carry out the regional investment strategy targeted to
community and economic development, including
through the development of community foundation en-
dowments.
‘‘(c) TERMS.—A loan made under this section shall—
‘‘(1) have a term of not less than 10, nor more
than 20, years;
‘‘(2) bear an interest rate of 1 percent per
annum; and
‘‘(3) be subject to such other terms and condi-
tions as are determined appropriate by the Secretary.
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‘‘SEC. 385H. FUNDING.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use $135,000,000 to
carry out this subtitle, to remain available until expended.
‘‘(b) USE
BY SECRETARY.—Of the amounts made
available to the Secretary under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall use—
‘‘(1) $15,000,000 to be provided for regional in-
vestment strategy grants to Regional Boards under
section 385E;
‘‘(2) $110,000,000 to provide innovation grants
to Regional Boards under section 385F and for the
cost of rural endowment loans under section 385G;
‘‘(3) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 to admin-
ister the duties of the National Board, to remain
available until expended; and
‘‘(4) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 to admin-
ister the National Institute, to remain available until
expended.
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addi-
tion to funds otherwise made available to carry out this
subtitle, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary such sums as are necessary to carry out this sub-
title.’’.
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SEC. 6033. FUNDING OF PENDING RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOAN AND GRANT APPLICATIONS.
(a) DEFINITION OF APPLICATION.—In this section, the
term ‘‘application’’ does not include an application for a
loan or grant that, as of the date of enactment of this Act,
is in the preapplication phase of consideration under regu-
lations of the Secretary in effect on the date of enactment
of this Act.
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Subject to subsection (c), the Sec-
retary shall use funds made available under subsection (d)
to provide funds for applications that are pending on the
date of enactment of this Act for—
(1) water or waste disposal grants or direct
loans under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 306(a) of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1926(a)); and
(2) emergency community water assistance
grants under section 306A of that Act (7 U.S.C.
1926a).
(c) LIMITATIONS.—
(1) APPROPRIATED
AMOUNTS.—Funds made
available under this section shall be available to the
Secretary to provide funds for applications for loans
and grants described in subsection (b) that are pend-
ing on the date of enactment of this Act only to the
extent that funds for the loans and grants appro-
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priated in the annual appropriations Act for fiscal
year 2007 have been exhausted.
(2) PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary
may use funds made available under this section to
provide funds for a pending application for a loan or
grant described in subsection (b) only if the Secretary
processes, reviews, and approves the application in
accordance with regulations in effect on the date of
enactment of this Act.
(3) PRIORITY.—In providing funding under this
section for pending applications for loans or grants
described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide
funding in the following order of priority (until funds
made available under this section are exhausted):
(A) Pending applications for water systems.
(B) Pending applications for waste disposal
systems.
(4) INDIVIDUAL
STATES.—In allocating funds
made available under subsection (d), the Secretary
shall use not more 5 percent of the funds for pending
applications for loans or grants described in sub-
section (b) that are made in any individual State.
(d) FUNDING.—Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation,
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the Secretary shall use to carry out this section
$135,000,000, to remain available until expended.
SEC. 6034. NORTHERN BORDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION.
The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
‘‘Subtitle J—Northern Border
Economic Development Commission
‘‘SEC. 386A. DEFINITIONS.
‘‘In this subtitle:
‘‘(1) 
COMMISSION.—The 
term 
‘Commission’
means the Northern Border Economic Development
Commission established by section 386B.
‘‘(2) FEDERAL
GRANT
PROGRAM.—The term
‘Federal grant program’ means a Federal grant pro-
gram to provide assistance in carrying out economic
and community development activities and conserva-
tion activities that are consistent with economic de-
velopment.
‘‘(3) NON-PROFIT ENTITY.—The term ‘non-profit
entity’ means any entity with tax-exempt or non-
profit status, as defined by the Internal Revenue
Service.
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‘‘(4) REGION.—The term ‘region’ means the area
covered by the Commission (as described in section
386N).
‘‘SEC. 386B. NORTHERN BORDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—There is established the
Northern Border Economic Development Commission.
‘‘(2) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be
composed of—
‘‘(A) a Federal member, to be appointed by
the President, with the advice and consent of the
Senate; and
‘‘(B) the Governor of each State in the re-
gion that elects to participate in the Commis-
sion.
‘‘(3) COCHAIRPERSONS.—The Commission shall
be headed by—
‘‘(A) the Federal member, who shall serve—
‘‘(i) as the Federal cochairperson; and
‘‘(ii) as a liaison between the Federal
Government and the Commission; and
‘‘(B) a State cochairperson, who—
‘‘(i) shall be a Governor of a partici-
pating State in the region; and
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‘‘(ii) shall be elected by the State mem-
bers for a term of not less than 1 year.
‘‘(b) ALTERNATE MEMBERS.—
‘‘(1) STATE ALTERNATES.—
‘‘(A) APPOINTMENT.—The State member of
a participating State may have a single alter-
nate, who shall be appointed by the Governor of
the State from among the Governor’s cabinet or
personal staff.
‘‘(B) VOTING.—An alternate shall vote in
the event of the absence, death, disability, re-
moval, or resignation of the member for whom
the individual is an alternate.
‘‘(2) ALTERNATE
FEDERAL
COCHAIRPERSON.—
The President shall appoint an alternate Federal co-
chairperson.
‘‘(3) QUORUM.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the require-
ments of this paragraph, the Commission shall
determine what constitutes a quorum of the Com-
mission.
‘‘(B) FEDERAL COCHAIRPERSON.—The Fed-
eral cochairperson or the Federal cochairperson’s
designee must be present for the establishment of
a quorum of the Commission.
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‘‘(C) STATE ALTERNATES.—A State alter-
nate shall not be counted toward the establish-
ment of a quorum of the Commission.
‘‘(4) DELEGATION OF POWER.—No power or re-
sponsibility of the Commission specified in para-
graphs (3) and (4) of subsection (c), and no voting
right of any Commission member, shall be delegated
to any person—
‘‘(A) who is not a Commission member; or
‘‘(B) who is not entitled to vote in Commis-
sion meetings.
‘‘(c) DECISIONS.—
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL.—Except as
provided in subsection (g), decisions by the Commis-
sion shall require the affirmative vote of the Federal
cochairperson and of a majority of the State members,
exclusive of members representing States delinquent
under subsection (g)(2)(C).
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—In matters coming before
the Commission, the Federal cochairperson, to the ex-
tent practicable, shall consult with the Federal de-
partments and agencies having an interest in the sub-
ject matter.
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‘‘(3) DECISIONS REQUIRING QUORUM OF STATE
MEMBERS.—The following decisions may not be made
without a quorum of State members:
‘‘(A) A decision involving Commission pol-
icy.
‘‘(B) Approval of State, regional, or sub-
regional development plans or strategy state-
ments.
‘‘(C) Modification or revision of the Com-
mission’s code.
‘‘(D) Allocation of amounts among the
States.
‘‘(4) PROJECT AND GRANT PROPOSALS.—The ap-
proval of project and grant proposals is a responsi-
bility of the Commission and shall be carried out in
accordance with section 386H.
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The Commission 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 develop-
ment activities in the region;
‘‘(2) not later than 365 days after the date of en-
actment of this Act, establish priorities in a develop-
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ment plan for the region (including 5-year regional
outcome targets);
‘‘(3) assess the needs and capital assets of the re-
gion based on available research, demonstration
projects, assessments, and evaluations of the region
prepared by Federal, State, or local agencies, local de-
velopment districts, and any other relevant source;
‘‘(4)(A) enhance the capacity of, and provide
support for, local development districts in the 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) actively solicit the participation of rep-
resentatives of local development districts, industry
groups, and other appropriate organizations as ap-
proved by the Commission, in all public proceedings
of the Commission conducted under subsection (e)(1),
either in-person or through interactive telecommuni-
cations; and
‘‘(6) encourage private investment in industrial,
commercial, and other economic development projects
in the region.
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out subsection
(d), the Commission may—
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‘‘(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 Commission as the Commission con-
siders appropriate;
‘‘(2) authorize, through the Federal or State co-
chairperson 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 de-
partment or agency such information as may be
available to or procurable by the department or agen-
cy that may be of use to the Commission in carrying
out duties of the Commission;
‘‘(4) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws and rules
governing the conduct of Commission business and the
performance of Commission duties;
‘‘(5) request the head of any Federal department
or agency to detail to the Commission such personnel
as the Commission requires to carry out duties of the
Commission, each such detail to be without loss of se-
niority, pay, or other employee status;
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‘‘(6) request the head of any State department or
agency or local government to detail to the Commis-
sion such personnel as the Commission requires to
carry out duties of the Commission, each such detail
to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee
status;
‘‘(7) provide for coverage of Commission employ-
ees in a suitable retirement and employee benefit sys-
tem by—
‘‘(A) making arrangements or entering into
contracts with any participating State govern-
ment; or
‘‘(B) otherwise providing retirement and
other employee benefit coverage;
‘‘(8) accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations
of services or real, personal, tangible, or intangible
property;
‘‘(9) enter into and perform such contracts or
other transactions as are necessary to carry out Com-
mission duties;
‘‘(10) establish and maintain a central office lo-
cated within the Northern Border Economic Develop-
ment Commission region and field offices at such lo-
cations as the Commission may select; and
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‘‘(11) provide for an appropriate level of rep-
resentation in Washington, DC.
‘‘(f) FEDERAL AGENCY COOPERATION.—A Federal
agency shall—
‘‘(1) cooperate with the Commission; and
‘‘(2) provide, on request of the Federal cochair-
person, appropriate assistance in carrying out this
subtitle, in accordance with applicable Federal laws
(including regulations).
‘‘(g) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Administrative expenses of
the Commission (except for the expenses of the Federal
cochairperson, including expenses of the alternate and
staff of the Federal cochairperson, which shall be paid
solely by the Federal Government) shall be paid—
‘‘(A) by the Federal Government, in an
amount equal to 50 percent of the administrative
expenses; and
‘‘(B) by the States in the region partici-
pating in the Commission, in an amount equal
to 50 percent of the administrative expenses.
‘‘(2) STATE SHARE.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The share of adminis-
trative expenses of the Commission to be paid by
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each State shall be determined by the Commis-
sion.
‘‘(B) NO
FEDERAL
PARTICIPATION.—The
Federal cochairperson shall not participate or
vote in any decision under subparagraph (A).
‘‘(C) DELINQUENT STATES.—If a State is
delinquent in payment of the State’s share of ad-
ministrative expenses of the Commission under
this subsection—
‘‘(i) no assistance under this subtitle
shall be furnished to the State (including
assistance to a political subdivision or a
resident of the State); and
‘‘(ii) no member of the Commission
from the State shall participate or vote in
any action by the Commission.
‘‘(h) COMPENSATION.—
‘‘(1) FEDERAL
COCHAIRPERSON.—The Federal
cochairperson shall be compensated by the Federal
Government at level III of the Executive Schedule in
subchapter II of chapter 53 of title V, United States
Code.
‘‘(2) ALTERNATE
FEDERAL
COCHAIRPERSON.—
The alternate Federal cochairperson—
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‘‘(A) shall be compensated by the Federal
Government at level V of the Executive Schedule
described in paragraph (1); and
‘‘(B) when not actively serving as an alter-
nate for the Federal cochairperson, shall perform
such functions and duties as are delegated by the
Federal cochairperson.
‘‘(3) STATE MEMBERS AND ALTERNATES.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A State shall com-
pensate each member and alternate representing
the State on the Commission at the rate estab-
lished by law of the State.
‘‘(B) NO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION.—No
State member or alternate member shall receive
any salary, or any contribution to or sup-
plementation of salary from any source other
than the State for services provided by the mem-
ber or alternate to the Commission.
‘‘(4) DETAILED EMPLOYEES.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—No person detailed to
serve the Commission under paragraph (5) or
(6) of subsection (e) shall receive any salary or
any contribution to or supplementation of salary
for services provided to the Commission from—
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‘‘(i) any source other than the Federal,
State, local, or intergovernmental depart-
ment or agency from which the person was
detailed; or
‘‘(ii) the Commission.
‘‘(B) VIOLATION.—Any person that violates
this paragraph shall be fined not more than
$5,000, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or
both.
‘‘(C) APPLICABLE
LAW.—The Federal co-
chairperson, the alternate Federal cochairperson,
and any Federal officer or employee detailed to
duty on the Commission under subsection (e)(5)
shall not be subject to subparagraph (A), but
shall remain subject to sections 202 through 209
of title 18, United States Code.
‘‘(5) ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL.—
‘‘(A) COMPENSATION.—
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission
may appoint and fix the compensation of
an executive director and such other per-
sonnel as are necessary to enable the Com-
mission to carry out the duties of the Com-
mission.
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‘‘(ii) 
EXCEPTION.—Compensation
under clause (i) shall not exceed the max-
imum rate for the Senior Executive Service
under section 5382 of title 5, United States
Code, including any applicable locality-
based comparability payment that may be
authorized under section 5304(h)(2)(C) of
that title.
‘‘(B) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The executive
director shall be responsible for—
‘‘(i) the carrying out of the adminis-
trative duties of the Commission;
‘‘(ii) direction of the Commission staff;
and
‘‘(iii) such other duties as the Commis-
sion may assign.
‘‘(C) NO FEDERAL EMPLOYEE STATUS.—No
member, alternate, officer, or employee of the
Commission (except the Federal cochairperson of
the Commission, the alternate and staff for the
Federal cochairperson, and any Federal em-
ployee detailed to the Commission under sub-
section (e)(5)) shall be considered to be a Federal
employee for any purpose.
‘‘(i) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under
paragraph (2), no State member, alternate, officer, or
employee of the Commission shall participate person-
ally and substantially as a member, alternate, officer,
or employee of the Commission, through decision, ap-
proval, disapproval, recommendation, the rendering
of advice, investigation, or otherwise, in any pro-
ceeding, application, request for a ruling or other de-
termination, contract, claim, controversy, or other
matter in which, to knowledge of the member, alter-
nate, officer, or employee any of the following persons
has a financial interest:
‘‘(A) The member, alternate, officer, or em-
ployee.
‘‘(B) The spouse, minor child, partner, or
organization (other than a State or political sub-
division of the State) of the member, alternate,
officer, or employee, in which the member, alter-
nate, officer, or employee is serving as officer, di-
rector, trustee, partner, or employee.
‘‘(C) Any person or organization with
whom the member, alternate, officer, or employee
is negotiating or has any arrangement con-
cerning prospective employment.
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‘‘(2) DISCLOSURE.—Paragraph (1) shall not
apply if the State member, alternate, officer, or
employee—
‘‘(A) immediately advises the Commission
of the nature and circumstances of the pro-
ceeding, application, request for a ruling or other
determination, contract, claim, controversy, or
other particular matter presenting a potential
conflict of interest;
‘‘(B) makes full disclosure of the financial
interest; and
‘‘(C) before the proceeding concerning the
matter presenting the conflict of interest, receives
a written determination by the Commission that
the interest is not so substantial as to be likely
to affect the integrity of the services that the
Commission may expect from the State member,
alternate, officer, or employee.
‘‘(3) VIOLATION.—Any person that violates this
subsection shall be fined not more than $10,000, im-
prisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
‘‘(j) VALIDITY OF CONTRACTS, LOANS, AND GRANTS.—
The 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
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any provision under subsection (h)(4), subsection (i), or sec-
tions 202 through 209 of title 18, United States Code.
‘‘SEC. 386C. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
GRANTS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may approve
grants to States, local development districts (as defined in
section 386E(a)), and public and nonprofit entities for
projects, approved in accordance with section 386H—
‘‘(1) to develop the infrastructure of the region
for the purpose of facilitating economic development
in the region (except that grants for this purpose may
only be made to a State or local government);
‘‘(2) to assist the region in obtaining job train-
ing, employment-related education, business develop-
ment, and small business development and entrepre-
neurship;
‘‘(3) to assist the region in community and eco-
nomic development;
‘‘(4) to support the development of severely dis-
tressed and underdeveloped areas;
‘‘(5) to promote resource conservation, forest
management, tourism, recreation, and preservation of
open space in a manner consistent with economic de-
velopment goals;
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‘‘(6) to promote the development of renewable
and alternative energy sources; and
‘‘(7) to achieve the purposes of this subtitle.
‘‘(b) FUNDING.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds for grants under sub-
section (a) may be provided—
‘‘(A) entirely from appropriations to carry
out this section;
‘‘(B) in combination with funds available
under another State or Federal grant program;
or
‘‘(C) from any other source.
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE
PROJECTS.—The Commission
may provide assistance, make grants, enter into con-
tracts, and otherwise provide funds to eligible entities
in the region for projects that promote—
‘‘(A) business development;
‘‘(B) job training or employment-related
education;
‘‘(C) small businesses and entrepreneurship,
including—
‘‘(i) training and education to aspir-
ing entrepreneurs, small businesses, and
students;
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‘‘(ii) access to capital and facilitating
the establishment of small business venture
capital funds;
‘‘(iii) existing entrepreneur and small
business 
development 
programs 
and
projects; and
‘‘(iv) projects promoting small business
innovation and research;
‘‘(D) local planning and leadership develop-
ment;
‘‘(E) basic public infrastructure, including
high-tech infrastructure and productive natural
resource conservation;
‘‘(F) information and technical assistance
for the modernization and diversification of the
forest products industry to support value-added
forest products enterprises;
‘‘(G) forest-related cultural, nature-based,
and heritage tourism;
‘‘(H) energy conservation and efficiency in
the region to enhance its economic competitive-
ness;
‘‘(I) the use of renewable energy sources in
the region to produce alternative transportation
fuels, electricity and heat; and
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‘‘(J) any other activity facilitating eco-
nomic development in the region.
‘‘(3) FEDERAL
SHARE.—Notwithstanding any
provision of law limiting the Federal share in any
grant program, funds appropriated or otherwise made
available to carry out this section may be used to in-
crease a Federal share in a grant program, as the
Commission determines appropriate.
‘‘SEC. 386D. SUPPLEMENTS TO FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAMS.
‘‘(a) FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING.—In ac-
cordance with subsection (b), the Federal cochairperson
may use amounts made available to carry out this subtitle,
without regard to any limitations on areas eligible for as-
sistance or authorizations for appropriation under any
other Act, to fund all or any portion of the basic Federal
contribution to a project or activity under a Federal grant
program in the region in an amount that is above the fixed
maximum portion of the cost of the project otherwise au-
thorized by applicable law, but not to exceed 80 percent of
the costs of the project.
‘‘(b) CERTIFICATION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any program
or project for which all or any portion of the basic
Federal contribution to the project under a Federal
grant program is proposed to be made under this sec-
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tion, no Federal contribution shall be made until the
Federal official administering the Federal law au-
thorizing the contribution certifies that the program
or project—
‘‘(A) meets the applicable requirements of
the applicable Federal grant law; and
‘‘(B) could be approved for Federal con-
tribution under the law if funds were available
under the law for the program or project.
‘‘(2) CERTIFICATION BY COMMISSION.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The certifications and
determinations required to be made by the Com-
mission for approval of projects under this sub-
title in accordance with section 386H—
‘‘(i) shall be controlling; and
‘‘(ii) shall be accepted by the Federal
agencies.
‘‘(B) ACCEPTANCE BY FEDERAL COCHAIR-
PERSON.—Any finding, report, certification, or
documentation required to be submitted to the
head of the department, agency, or instrumen-
tality of the Federal Government responsible for
the administration of any Federal grant pro-
gram shall be accepted by the Federal cochair-
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person with respect to a supplemental grant for
any project under the program.
‘‘SEC. 386E. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS; CERTIFI-
CATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
‘‘(a) DEFINITION
OF
LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT
DIS-
TRICT.—In this section, the term ‘local development district’
means an entity designated by the State that—
‘‘(1) is—
‘‘(A)(i) a planning district in existence on
the date of enactment of this Act that is recog-
nized by the Economic Development Administra-
tion of the Department of Commerce; or
‘‘(ii) a development district recognized by
the State; or
‘‘(B) if an entity described in subparagraph
(A)(i) or (A)(ii) does not exist, an entity des-
ignated by the Commission that satisfies the cri-
teria developed by the Economic Development
Administration for a local development district;
and
‘‘(2) has not, as certified by the Federal
cochairperson—
‘‘(A) inappropriately used Federal grant
funds from any Federal source; or
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‘‘(B) 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.
‘‘(b) GRANTS TO LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may make
grants for administrative expenses under this section.
‘‘(2) CONDITIONS FOR GRANTS.—
‘‘(A) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The amount of
any grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall
not exceed 80 percent of the administrative ex-
penses of the local development district receiving
the grant.
‘‘(B) LOCAL SHARE.—The contributions of
a local development district for administrative
expenses may be in cash or in kind, fairly evalu-
ated, including space, equipment, and services.
‘‘(c) DUTIES OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS.—
A local development district shall—
‘‘(1) operate as a lead organization serving
multicounty areas in the region at the local level; and
‘‘(2) serve as a liaison between State and local
governments, nonprofit organizations (including com-
munity-based groups and educational institutions),
the business community, and citizens that—
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‘‘(A) are involved in multijurisdictional
planning;
‘‘(B) provide technical assistance to local
jurisdictions and potential grantees; and
‘‘(C) provide leadership and civic develop-
ment assistance.
‘‘SEC. 386F. DEVELOPMENT PLANNING PROCESS.
‘‘(a) STATE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.—In accordance
with policies established by the Commission, each State
member shall submit a development plan for the area of
the region represented by the State member.
‘‘(b) CONTENT OF PLAN.—A State development plan
submitted under subsection (a) shall reflect the goals, objec-
tives, and priorities identified in the regional development
plan developed under section 386B(d)(2).
‘‘(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the development
planning process, a State shall—
‘‘(1) consult with—
‘‘(A) local development districts;
‘‘(B) local units of government;
‘‘(C) institutions of higher learning; and
‘‘(D) stakeholders; and
‘‘(2) take into consideration the goals, objectives,
priorities, and recommendations of the entities de-
scribed in paragraph (1).
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‘‘(d) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—The Commission and
applicable State and local development districts shall en-
courage and assist, to the maximum extent practicable, pub-
lic participation in the development, revision, and imple-
mentation of all plans and programs under this subtitle.
‘‘SEC. 386G. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In considering programs and
projects to be provided assistance under this subtitle, and
in establishing a priority ranking of the requests for assist-
ance provided by the Commission, the Commission shall fol-
low procedures that ensure, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, consideration of—
‘‘(1) the relationship of the project to overall re-
gional development;
‘‘(2) the economic distress of an area, including
the per capita income, outmigration, poverty and un-
employment rates, and other socioeconomic indicators
for the area;
‘‘(3) the financial resources available to the ap-
plicants for assistance seeking to carry out the
project, with emphasis on ensuring that projects are
adequately financed to maximize the probability of
successful economic development;
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‘‘(4) the importance of the project in relation to
other projects that may be in competition for the same
funds;
‘‘(5) the prospects that the project for which as-
sistance is sought will improve, on a continuing rath-
er than a temporary basis, the opportunities for em-
ployment, the average level of income, or the economic
development of the area served by the project;
‘‘(6) the extent to which the project design pro-
vides for detailed outcome measurements by which
grant expenditures and the results of the expenditures
may be evaluated; and
‘‘(7) the preservation of multiple uses, including
conservation, of natural resources.
‘‘(b) NO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.—No financial as-
sistance authorized by this subtitle shall be used to assist
an establishment in relocating from 1 area to another.
‘‘(c) REDUCTION OF FUNDS.—Funds may be provided
for a program or project in a State under this subtitle 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 the region, will not be
reduced as a result of funds made available by this subtitle.
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‘‘SEC. 386H. APPROVAL OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND
PROJECTS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A State or regional development
plan or any multistate subregional plan that is proposed
for development under this subtitle shall be reviewed by the
Commission.
‘‘(b) EVALUATION BY STATE MEMBER.—An applica-
tion for a grant or any other assistance for a project under
this subtitle shall be made through and evaluated for ap-
proval by the State member of the Commission representing
the applicant.
‘‘(c) CERTIFICATION.—An application for a grant or
other assistance for a project shall be approved only on cer-
tification by the State member and Federal cochairperson
that the application for the project—
‘‘(1) describes ways in which the project complies
with any applicable State development plan;
‘‘(2) meets applicable criteria under section
386G;
‘‘(3) provides adequate assurance that the pro-
posed project will be properly administered, operated,
and maintained; and
‘‘(4) otherwise meets the requirements of this sub-
title.
‘‘(d) VOTES FOR DECISIONS.—Upon certification of an
application for a grant or other assistance for a specific
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project under this section, an affirmative vote of the Com-
mission under section 386B(c) shall be required for ap-
proval of the application.
‘‘SEC. 386I. CONSENT OF STATES.
‘‘Nothing in this subtitle requires any State to engage
in or accept any program under this subtitle without the
consent of the State.
‘‘SEC. 386J. RECORDS.
‘‘(a) RECORDS OF THE COMMISSION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall main-
tain accurate and complete records of all transactions
and activities of the Commission.
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY.—All records required under
paragraph (1) shall be available for audit by the
Comptroller General of the United States and the
Commission (including authorized representatives of
the Comptroller General and the Commission).
‘‘(b) RECORDS OF RECIPIENTS OF FEDERAL ASSIST-
ANCE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A recipient of Federal funds
under this subtitle shall, as required by the Commis-
sion, maintain accurate and complete records of
transactions and activities financed with Federal
funds and report on the transactions and activities to
the Commission.
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‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY.—All records required under
paragraph (1) shall be available for audit by the
Comptroller General of the United States and the
Commission (including authorized representatives of
the Comptroller General and the Commission).
‘‘SEC. 386K. ANNUAL REPORT.
‘‘Not later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal
year, the Commission shall submit to the President and to
Congress a report describing the activities carried out under
this subtitle.
‘‘SEC. 386L. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Commission to carry out this subtitle
$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to
remain available until expended.
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 5
percent of the amount appropriated under subsection (a)
for a fiscal year shall be used for administrative expenses
of the Commission.
‘‘SEC. 386M. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
‘‘This subtitle shall have no force or effect on or after
October 1, 2012.
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‘‘SEC. 386N. REGION OF NORTHERN BORDER ECONOMIC DE-
VELOPMENT COMMISSION.
‘‘(a) GOAL.—It shall be the goal of the Commission
to address economic distress along the northern border of
the United States east of, and including, Cayuga County,
New York, especially in rural areas.
‘‘(b) COUNTIES INCLUDED IN NORTHERN BORDER RE-
GION.—Consistent with the goal described in subsection (a),
the region of Commission shall include the following coun-
ties:
‘‘(1) In Maine, the counties of Aroostook, Frank-
lin, Oxford, Somerset, and Washington.
‘‘(2) In New Hampshire, the county of Coos.
‘‘(3) In New York, the counties of Cayuga, Clin-
ton, Franklin, Jefferson, Oswego, and St. Lawrence.
‘‘(4) In Vermont, the counties of Essex, Franklin,
Grand Isle, and Orleans.
‘‘(c) CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), in
addition to the counties listed in subsection (b), the
region of Commission shall include the following
counties:
‘‘(A) 
In 
Maine, 
the 
counties 
of
Androscoggin, Kennebec, Penobscot, Piscataquis,
and Waldo.
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‘‘(B) In New York, the counties of Essex,
Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Oneida, and Sen-
eca.
‘‘(C) In Vermont, the county of Caledonia.
‘‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS
TO
CONGRESS.—As
part of an annual report submitted under section
386K, the Commission may recommend to Congress
removal of a county listed in paragraph (1) from the
region on the basis that the county no longer exhibits
2 or more of the following economic distress factors:
population loss, poverty, income levels, and unem-
ployment.
‘‘(d) EXAMINATION OF ADDITIONAL COUNTIES AND
AREAS FOR INCLUSION IN THE REGION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission—
‘‘(A) shall examine all counties that border
the region of the Commission specified in sub-
section (a), including the political subdivisions
and census tracts within such counties; and
‘‘(B) may add a county or any portion of
a county examined under subparagraph (A)to
the region, if the Commission determines that the
county or portion—
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‘‘(i) is predominantly rural in nature;
and
‘‘(ii) exhibits significant economic dis-
tress in terms of population loss, poverty,
income levels, unemployment, or other eco-
nomic indicator that the Commission con-
siders appropriate.
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—In carrying out paragraph
(1)(A), the Commission shall first examine the fol-
lowing counties:
‘‘(A) In Maine, the counties of Hancock and
Knox.
‘‘(B) In New Hampshire, the counties of
Grafton, Carroll, and Sullivan.
‘‘(C) In New York, the counties of Fulton,
Madison, Warren, Saratoga, and Washington.
‘‘(D) In Vermont, the county of Lamoille.
‘‘(e) ADDITION OF COUNTIES AND OTHER AREAS.—
‘‘(1) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Following the one-
year period beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act, as part of an annual report submitted under sec-
tion 386K, the Commission may recommend to Con-
gress additional counties or portions of counties for
inclusion in the region.
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‘‘(2) AREAS OF ECONOMIC DISTRESS.—The Com-
mission may recommend that an entire county be in-
cluded in the region on the basis of one or more dis-
tressed areas within the county.
‘‘(3) ASSESSMENTS OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.—
The Commission may provide technical and financial
assistance to a county that is not included in the re-
gion for the purpose of conducting an economic as-
sessment of the county. The results of such an assess-
ment may be used by the Commission in making rec-
ommendations under paragraph (1).
‘‘(f) LIMITATION.—A county eligible for assistance
from the Appalachian Regional Commission under subtitle
IV of title 40, United States Code, shall not be eligible for
assistance from the Northern Border Economic Develop-
ment Commission.’’.
Subtitle B—Rural Electrification
Act of 1936
SEC. 6101. ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS.
Sections 2(a) and 4 of the Rural Electrification Act
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 902(a), 904) are amended by inserting
‘‘efficiency and’’ before ‘‘conservation’’ each place it ap-
pears.
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SEC. 6102. LOANS AND GRANTS FOR ELECTRIC GENERA-
TION AND TRANSMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4 of the Rural Electrifica-
tion Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 904) is amended in the first
sentence by striking ‘‘authorized and empowered, from the
sums hereinbefore authorized, to’’ and inserting ‘‘shall’’.
(b) RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH EXTREMELY HIGH
ENERGY COSTS.—Section 19(a) of the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 918a(a)) is amended in the matter
preceding paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘may’’ and inserting
‘‘shall’’.
SEC. 6103. FEES FOR ELECTRIFICATION BASELOAD GEN-
ERATION LOAN GUARANTEES.
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is amended by
inserting after section 4 (7 U.S.C. 904) the following:
‘‘SEC. 5. FEES FOR ELECTRIFICATION BASELOAD GENERA-
TION LOAN GUARANTEES.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For electrification baseload gen-
eration loan guarantees, the Secretary shall, at the request
of the borrower, charge an upfront fee to cover the costs of
the loan guarantee.
‘‘(b) FEE.—
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The fee described in sub-
section (a) for a loan guarantee shall be at least equal
to the costs of the loan guarantee (within the meaning
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of section 502(5)(C) of the Federal Credit Reform Act
of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a(5)(C)).
‘‘(2) SEPARATE FEE.—The Secretary may estab-
lish a separate fee for each loan.
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for an electrification
baseload generation loan guarantee under this section, a
borrower shall—
‘‘(1) provide a rating of the loan, exclusive of the
Federal guarantee, by an organization identified by
the Securities and Exchange Commission as a nation-
ally recognized statistical rating organization that de-
termines that the loan has at least a AA rating, or
equivalent rating, as determined by the Secretary; or
‘‘(2) obtain insurance or a guarantee for the full
and timely repayment of principal and interest on
the loan from an entity that has at least an AA or
equivalent rating by a nationally recognized statis-
tical rating organization.
‘‘(d) LIMITATION.—Funds received from a borrower to
pay for the fees described in this section shall not be derived
from a loan or other debt obligation that is made or guaran-
teed by the Federal Government.’’.
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SEC. 6104. DEFERMENT OF PAYMENTS TO ALLOWS LOANS
FOR IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND DE-
MAND REDUCTION.
Section 12 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7
U.S.C. 912) is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(c) DEFERMENT OF PAYMENTS TO ALLOW LOANS
FOR IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND DEMAND REDUC-
TION.—
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall allow
borrowers to defer payment of principal and interest
on any direct loan made under this Act to enable the
borrower to make loans to residential, commercial,
and industrial consumers to install energy efficient
measures or devices that reduce the demand on elec-
tric systems.
‘‘(2) AMOUNT.—The total amount of a deferment
under this subsection shall not exceed the sum of the
principal and interest on the loans made to a cus-
tomer of the borrower, as determined by the Secretary.
‘‘(3) TERM.—The term of a deferment under this
subsection shall not exceed 60 months.’’.
SEC. 6105. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ASSISTANCE.
Section 13 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7
U.S.C. 913) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS.
‘‘In this Act:
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‘‘(1) FARM.—The term ‘farm’ means a farm, as
defined by the Bureau of the Census.
‘‘(2) 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).
‘‘(3) RURAL AREA.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided oth-
erwise in this Act, the term ‘rural area’ means
the farm and nonfarm population of—
‘‘(i) any area described in section
343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(A)); and
‘‘(ii) any area within a service area of
a borrower for which a borrower has an
outstanding loan made under titles I
through V as of the date of enactment of this
paragraph.
‘‘(B) RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS.—For the
purpose of loans and loan guarantees made
under section 601, the term ‘rural area’ has the
meaning given the term in section 343(a)(13)(C)
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(C)).
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‘‘(4) TERRITORY.—The term ‘territory’ includes
any insular possession of the United States.
‘‘(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means
the Secretary of Agriculture.’’.
SEC. 6106. GUARANTEES FOR BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED
FOR ELECTRIFICATION OR TELEPHONE PUR-
POSES.
Section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936
(7 U.S.C. 940c–1) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘for elec-
trification’’ and all that follows through the end
and inserting ‘‘for eligible electrification or tele-
phone purposes consistent with this Act.’’; and
(B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting
the following:
‘‘(4) ANNUAL
AMOUNT.—The total amount of
guarantees provided by the Secretary under this sec-
tion 
during 
a 
fiscal 
year 
shall 
not 
exceed
$1,000,000,000, subject to the availability of funds
under subsection (e).’’;
(2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraphs (2)
and (3) and inserting the following:
‘‘(2) AMOUNT.—
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The amount of the an-
nual fee paid for the guarantee of a bond or note
under this section shall be equal to 30 basis
points of the amount of the unpaid principal of
the bond or note guaranteed under this section.
‘‘(B) PROHIBITION.—Except as otherwise
provided in this subsection and subsection (e)(2),
no other fees shall be assessed.
‘‘(3) PAYMENT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A lender shall pay the
fees required under this subsection on a semi-
annual basis.
‘‘(B) STRUCTURED
SCHEDULE.—The Sec-
retary shall, with the consent of the lender, struc-
ture the schedule for payment of the fee to ensure
that sufficient funds are available to pay the
subsidy costs for note or bond guarantees as pro-
vided for in subsection (e)(2).’’; and
(3) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘2007’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2012’’.
SEC. 6107. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS.
Section 315 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936
(7 U.S.C. 940e) is amended to read as follows:
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‘‘SEC. 315. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to such terms and condi-
tions as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may
make loans under this title to entities eligible to borrow
from the Rural Utilities Service, emergency communica-
tions equipment providers, State or local governments, In-
dian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)),
or other public entities for facilities and equipment to ex-
pand or improve—
‘‘(1) 911 access;
‘‘(2) integrated interoperable emergency commu-
nications, including multiuse networks that—
‘‘(A) serve rural areas; and
‘‘(B) provide commercial services or trans-
portation information services in addition to
emergency communications services;
‘‘(3) homeland security communications;
‘‘(4) transportation safety communications; or
‘‘(5) location technologies used outside an urban-
ized area.
‘‘(b) LOAN SECURITY.—Government-imposed fees re-
lated to emergency communications (including State or
local 911 fees) may be considered to be security for a loan
under this section.
‘‘(c) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall—
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‘‘(1) not later than 90 days after the date of en-
actment of this subsection, promulgate proposed regu-
lations to carry out this section; and
‘‘(2) not later than 90 days after the publication
of proposed rules to carry out this section, adopt final
rules.
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—The Sec-
retary shall use to make loans under this section any funds
otherwise made available for telephone or broadband loans
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012.’’.
SEC. 6108. ELECTRIC LOANS TO RURAL ELECTRIC CO-
OPERATIVES.
Title III of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is
amended by inserting after section 316 (7 U.S.C. 940f) the
following:
‘‘SEC. 317. ELECTRIC LOANS TO RURAL ELECTRIC CO-
OPERATIVES.
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE.—
In this section, the term ‘renewable energy source’ has the
meaning given the term ‘qualified energy resources’ in sec-
tion 45(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
‘‘(b) LOANS.—In addition to any other funds or au-
thorities otherwise made available under this Act, the Sec-
retary may make electric loans under this title for—
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‘‘(1) electric generation from renewable energy
resources for resale to rural and nonrural residents;
and
‘‘(2) transmission lines principally for the pur-
pose of wheeling power from 1 or more renewable en-
ergy sources.
‘‘(c) RATE.—The rate of a loan under this section shall
be equal to the average tax-exempt municipal bond rate of
similar maturities.’’.
SEC. 6109. AGENCY PROCEDURES.
Title III of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is
amended by inserting after section 317 (as added by section
6108) the following:
‘‘SEC. 318. AGENCY PROCEDURES.
‘‘(a) CUSTOMER SERVICE.—The Secretary shall ensure
that loan applicants under this Act are contacted at least
once each month by the Rural Utilities Service regarding
the status of any pending loan applications.
‘‘(b) FINANCIAL NEED.—The Secretary shall ensure
that—
‘‘(1) an applicant for any grant program ad-
ministered by the Rural Utilities Service has an op-
portunity to present special economic circumstances
in support of the grant, such as the high cost of liv-
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ing, out migration, low levels of employment, weather
damage, or environmental loss; and
‘‘(2) the special economic circumstances pre-
sented by the applicant are considered in determining
the financial need of the applicant.
‘‘(c) MOBILE DIGITAL WIRELESS.—To facilitate the
transition from analog wireless service to digital mobile
wireless service, the Secretary may adjust population limi-
tations under this Act related to digital mobile wireless
service up to the level permitted under section 601.
‘‘(d) BONDING REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall
review the bonding requirements for all programs adminis-
tered by the Rural Utilities Service under this Act to ensure
that bonds are not required if—
‘‘(1) the interests of the Secretary are adequately
protected by product warranties; or
‘‘(2) the costs or conditions associated with a
bond exceed the benefit of the bond to the Secretary.’’.
SEC. 6110. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 601 of the Rural Elec-
trification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) is amended to read
as follows:
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‘‘SEC. 601. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS.
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to pro-
vide loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the costs
of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facili-
ties and equipment for broadband service in rural areas.
‘‘(b) DEFINITION OF BROADBAND SERVICE.—In this
section:
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘broadband service’
means any technology identified by the Secretary as
having the capacity to transmit data to enable a sub-
scriber to the service to originate and receive high-
quality voice, data, graphics, and video.
‘‘(2) 
MOBILE
BROADBAND.—The 
term
‘broadband service’ includes any service described in
paragraph (1) that is provided over a licensed spec-
trum through the use of a mobile station or receiver
communicating with a land station or other mobile
stations communicating among themselves.
‘‘(c) LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make or
guarantee loans to eligible entities described in sub-
section (d) to provide funds for the construction, im-
provement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment
for the provision of broadband service in rural areas.
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‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—In making or guaranteeing
loans under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give
the highest priority to applicants that offer to provide
broadband service to the greatest proportion of house-
holds that, prior to the provision of the service, had
no terrestrial broadband service provider.
‘‘(3) OFFER OF SERVICE.—For purposes of this
section, a provider shall be considered to offer
broadband service in a rural area if the provider
makes the broadband service available to households
in the rural area at not more than average prices as
compared to the prices at which similar services are
made available in the nearest urban area, as deter-
mined by the Secretary.
‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to obtain
a loan or loan guarantee under this section, an
entity shall—
‘‘(i) have the ability to furnish, im-
prove, or extend a broadband service to a
rural area;
‘‘(ii) submit to the Secretary a pro-
posal that meets the requirements of this
section for a project to offer to provide serv-
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ice to at least 25 percent of households in a
specified rural area that, as of the date on
which the proposal is submitted, are not of-
fered broadband service by a terrestrial
broadband service provider; and
‘‘(iii) agree to complete buildout of the
broadband service described in the proposal
not later than 3 years after the date on
which a loan or loan guarantee under this
section is received.
‘‘(B) PROHIBITION.—In carrying out this
section, the Secretary may not make a loan or
loan guarantee for a project in any specific area
in which broadband service is offered by 3 or
more terrestrial service providers that offer serv-
ices that are comparable to the services proposed
by the applicant.
‘‘(C) EQUITY
AND
MARKET
SURVEY
RE-
QUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may
require an entity to provide a cost share in
an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the
amount of the loan or loan guarantee re-
quested in the application of the entity.
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‘‘(ii) CREDIT.—Recurring revenues of
an entity, including broadband service cli-
ent revenues, may be credited toward the
cost share required under clause (i).
‘‘(iii) MARKET SURVEY.—
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary
may require an entity that proposes to
have a subscriber projection of more
than 20 percent of the broadband serv-
ice market in a rural area to submit to
the Secretary a market survey.
‘‘(II) LESS THAN 20 PERCENT.—
The Secretary may not require an en-
tity that proposes to have a subscriber
projection of less than 20 percent of the
broadband service market in a rural
area to submit to the Secretary a mar-
ket survey.
‘‘(2) STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND IN-
DIAN TRIBES.—Subject to paragraph (1), a State or
local government (including any agency, subdivision,
or instrumentality thereof (including consortia there-
of)) and an Indian tribe shall be eligible for a loan
or loan guarantee under this section to provide
broadband services to a rural area.
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‘‘(3) ADEQUACY
OF
SECURITY.—The Secretary
shall ensure that the type, amount, and method of se-
curity used to secure any loan or loan guarantee pro-
vided under this section is commensurate to the risk
involved with the loan or loan guarantee, particularly
if the loan or loan guarantee is issued to a finan-
cially-healthy, strong, and stable entity.
‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—No entity (including subsidi-
aries of an entity) may acquire more than 20 percent
of the resources of the program under this section in
any fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary.
‘‘(5) NOTICE
REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary
shall include a notice of applications under this sec-
tion on the website of the Secretary for a period of
not less than 90 days.
‘‘(6) PROPOSAL INFORMATION.—
‘‘(A) PUBLIC ACCESS.—The Secretary shall
make available on the website of the Secretary
during the consideration of a loan by the
Secretary—
‘‘(i) the name of the applicant;
‘‘(ii) a description and geographical
representation of the proposed area of
broadband service;
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‘‘(iii) a geographical representation
and numerical estimate of the households
that have no terrestrial broadband service
offered in the proposed service area of the
project; and
‘‘(iv) such other relevant information
that the Secretary determines to be appro-
priate.
‘‘(B) 
PROPRIETARY
INFORMATION.—In
making information available relating to a loan
proposal as described in subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall not make available information
that is proprietary (within the meaning of sec-
tion 552(b)(4) of title 5, United States Code) to
the business interests of the loan applicant.
‘‘(7) TIMELINE.—The Secretary shall establish a
timeline on the website for the Secretary for tracking
applications received under this section.
‘‘(8) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND DETERMINA-
TION.—
‘‘(A) PROMPT
PROCESSING
OF
APPLICA-
TIONS.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall
establish, by regulation, procedures to en-
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sure prompt processing of loan and loan
guarantee applications under this section.
‘‘(ii) TIME LIMITS.—Subject to clause
(iii), the regulations shall establish general
time limits for action by the Secretary and
applicant response.
‘‘(iii) 
EXTENSIONS.—The 
Secretary
may grant an extension for a time limit es-
tablished under clause (ii).
‘‘(iv) ANNUAL
REPORTS.—The Sec-
retary shall publish an annual report
that—
‘‘(I) describes processing times for
loan and loan guarantee applications
under this section; and
‘‘(II) provides an explanation for
any processing time extensions re-
quired by the Secretary.
‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—Not later
than 60 days after the date on which an appli-
cant submits an application, the Secretary shall
request any additional information required for
the application to be complete.
‘‘(C) DETERMINATION.—Not later than 180
days after the date on which an applicant sub-
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mits a completed application, the Secretary shall
make a determination of whether to approve the
application.
‘‘(9) LOAN CLOSING.—Not later than 45 days
after the date on which the Secretary approves an ap-
plication, documents necessary for the closing of the
loan or loan guarantee shall be provided to applicant.
‘‘(10) FUND DISBURSEMENT.—Not later than 10
business days after the date of the receipt of valid doc-
umentation requesting disbursement of the approved,
closed loan, the disbursement of loan funds shall
occur.
‘‘(11) PREAPPLICATION
PROCESS.—The Sec-
retary shall establish an optional preapplication
process under which an applicant may apply to the
Rural Utilities Service for a binding determination of
area eligibility prior to preparing a full loan appli-
cation.
‘‘(12) PENDING APPLICATIONS.—An application
for a loan or loan guarantee under this section, or a
petition for reconsideration of a decision on such an
application, that is pending on the date of enactment
of this paragraph shall be considered under eligibility
and feasibility criteria that are no less favorable to
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the applicant than the criteria in effect on the origi-
nal date of submission of the application.
‘‘(e) BROADBAND SERVICE.—
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, from
time to time as advances in technology warrant, re-
view and recommend modifications of rate-of-data
transmission criteria for purposes of the identifica-
tion of broadband service technologies under sub-
section (b).
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION.—The Secretary shall not es-
tablish requirements for bandwidth or speed that have
the effect of precluding the use of evolving technologies
appropriate for rural areas outside rural commu-
nities.
‘‘(f) TECHNOLOGICAL NEUTRALITY.—For purposes of
determining whether to make a loan or loan guarantee for
a project under this section, the Secretary shall use criteria
that are technologically neutral.
‘‘(g) TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR LOANS AND LOAN
GUARANTEES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, a loan or loan guarantee under sub-
section (c) shall—
‘‘(A) bear interest at an annual rate of, as
determined by the Secretary—
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‘‘(i) in the case of a direct loan, the
lower of—
‘‘(I) the cost of borrowing to the
Department of the Treasury for obliga-
tions of comparable maturity; or
‘‘(II) 4 percent; and
‘‘(ii) in the case of a guaranteed loan,
the current applicable market rate for a
loan of comparable maturity; and
‘‘(B) except as provided in paragraph (2),
have a term not to exceed the useful life of the
assets constructed, improved, or acquired with
the proceeds of the loan or extension of credit.
‘‘(2) TERM
OF
LOAN
EXCEPTION.—A loan or
loan guarantee under subsection (c) may have a term
not to exceed 30 years if the Secretary determines that
the loan security is sufficient.
‘‘(3) RECURRING REVENUE.—The Secretary shall
consider the recurring revenues of the entity at the
time of application in determining an adequate level
of credit support.
‘‘(h) USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS TO REFINANCE LOANS
FOR DEPLOYMENT
OF BROADBAND SERVICE.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of this Act, the proceeds of
any loan made or guaranteed by the Secretary under this
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Act may be used by the recipient of the loan for the purpose
of refinancing an outstanding obligation of the recipient on
another telecommunications-related loan made under this
Act if the use of the proceeds for that purpose will further
the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities
and equipment for the provision of broadband service in
rural areas.
‘‘(i) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007,
and biennially thereafter, the Administrator shall submit
to Congress a report that—
‘‘(1) describes the ways in which the Adminis-
trator determines under subsection (b)(1) that a serv-
ice enables a subscriber to originate and receive high-
quality voice, data, graphics, and video; and
‘‘(2) provides a detailed list of services that have
been granted assistance under this section.
‘‘(j) FUNDING.—
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
‘‘(2) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—From amounts made
available for each fiscal year under this sub-
section, the Secretary shall—
‘‘(i) establish a national reserve for
loans and loan guarantees to eligible enti-
ties in States under this section; and
‘‘(ii) allocate amounts in the reserve to
each State for each fiscal year for loans and
loan guarantees to eligible entities in the
State.
‘‘(B) 
AMOUNT.—Based 
on 
information
available from the most recent decennial census,
the amount of an allocation made to a State for
a fiscal year under subparagraph (A) shall bear
the same ratio to the amount of allocations made
for all States for the fiscal year as—
‘‘(i) the number of communities with a
population of 2,500 inhabitants or less in
the State; bears to
‘‘(ii) the number of communities with
a population of 2,500 inhabitants or less in
all States.
‘‘(C) 
UNOBLIGATED
AMOUNTS.—Any
amounts in the reserve established for a State for
a fiscal year under subparagraph (B) that are
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not obligated by April 1 of the fiscal year shall
be available to the Secretary to make loans and
loan guarantees under this section to eligible en-
tities in any State, as determined by the Sec-
retary.
‘‘(k) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—No loan or loan
guarantee may be made under this section after September
30, 2012.’’.
(b) NATIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS ASSESSMENT.—Title VI of Rural Electrification
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
‘‘SEC. 602. NATIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS ASSESSMENT.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF CENTER.—The Secretary
shall designate a National Center for Rural Telecommuni-
cations Assessment (referred to in this section as the ‘Cen-
ter’).
‘‘(b) CRITERIA.—In designating the Center, the Sec-
retary shall ensure that—
‘‘(1) the Center is an entity with a focus on
rural policy research and a minimum of 5 years ex-
perience in rural telecommunications research and as-
sessment;
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‘‘(2) the Center is capable of assessing broadband
services in rural areas; and
‘‘(3) the Center has significant experience with
other rural economic development centers and organi-
zations in the assessment of rural policies and formu-
lation of policy solutions at the local, State, and Fed-
eral levels.
‘‘(c) DUTIES.—The Center shall—
‘‘(1) assess the effectiveness of programs under
this section in increasing broadband availability and
use in rural areas, especially in those rural commu-
nities identified by the Secretary as having no service
before award of a broadband loan or loan guarantee
under section 601(c);
‘‘(2) develop assessments of broadband avail-
ability in rural areas, working with existing rural de-
velopment centers selected by the Center;
‘‘(3) identify policies and initiatives at the local,
State, 
and 
Federal 
level 
that 
have 
increased
broadband availability and use in rural areas;
‘‘(4) conduct national studies of rural households
and businesses focusing on the adoption of, barriers
to, and use of broadband services, with specific atten-
tion addressing the economic, social and educational
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consequences of inaccessibility to affordable broadband
services;
‘‘(5) provide reports to the public on the activi-
ties carried out and funded under this section; and
‘‘(6) conduct studies and provide recommenda-
tions to local, State, and Federal policymakers on ef-
fective strategies to bring affordable broadband serv-
ices to rural citizens residing outside of the municipal
boundaries of rural cities and towns.
‘‘(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than De-
cember 1, 2008, and each year thereafter through December
1, 2012, the Center shall submit to the Secretary a report
that—
‘‘(1) describes the activities of the Center, the re-
sults of research carried out by the Center, and any
additional information for the preceding fiscal year
that the Secretary may request; and
‘‘(2) includes—
‘‘(A) assessments of the programs carried
out under this section and section 601;
‘‘(B) annual assessments on the effects of the
policy initiatives identified under subsection
(c)(3); and
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‘‘(C) results from the national studies of
rural households and businesses conducted under
subsection (c)(4).
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out
this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through
2012.’’.
(c) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary may promulgate
such regulations as are necessary to implement the amend-
ments made by this section.
SEC. 6111. COMPREHENSIVE RURAL BROADBAND.
(a) COMPREHENSIVE
RURAL
BROADBAND
STRAT-
EGY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually there-
after, the Chairman of the Federal Communications
Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, shall
submit to the Committees on Energy and Commerce
and Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a report describing a comprehensive rural
broadband strategy that includes—
(A) recommendations—
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(i) to promote interagency coordina-
tion of Federal agencies in regards to poli-
cies, procedures, and targeted resources, and
to improve and streamline the polices, pro-
grams, and services;
(ii) to coordinate among Federal agen-
cies regarding existing rural broadband or
rural initiatives that could be of value to
rural broadband development;
(iii) to address both short- and long-
term solutions and needs assessments for a
rapid build-out of rural broadband solu-
tions and applications for Federal, State,
regional, and local government policy mak-
ers; and
(iv) to identify how specific Federal
agency programs and resources can best re-
spond to rural broadband requirements and
overcome obstacles that currently impede
rural broadband deployment; and
(B) a description of goals and timeframes to
achieve the strategic plans and visions identified
in the report.
(2) UPDATES.—The Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission, in coordination with
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the Secretary shall update and evaluate the report de-
scribed in paragraph (1) on an annual basis.
(b) RURAL BROADBAND.—Section 306(a)(20)(E) of the
Consolidated 
Rural 
Development 
Act 
(7 
U.S.C.
1926(a)(20)(E)) is amended by striking ‘‘dial-up Internet
access or’’.
SEC. 6112. SUBSTANTIALLY UNDERSERVED TRUST AREAS.
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is amended by
inserting after section 306E (7 U.S.C. 936e) the following:
‘‘SEC. 306F. SUBSTANTIALLY UNDERSERVED TRUST AREAS.
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) 
SUBSTANTIALLY
UNDERSERVED
TRUST
AREA.—The term ‘substantially underserved trust
area’ means a community in ‘trust land’ (as defined
in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code) in
which more than 20 percent of the beneficiaries do not
have modern, affordable, or reliable utility services, as
determined by the Secretary.
‘‘(2) UTILITY SERVICE.—The term ‘utility serv-
ice’ means electric, telecommunications, broadband, or
water service.
‘‘(b) INITIATIVE.—The Secretary, in consultation with
local governments and Federal agencies, may implement an
initiative to identify and improve the availability and
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quality of utility services in communities in substantially
underserved trust areas.
‘‘(c) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.—In carrying out
subsection (b), the Secretary—
‘‘(1) may make available from loan or loan
guarantee programs administered by the Rural Utili-
ties Service to qualified utilities or applicants financ-
ing with an interest rate as low as 2 percent, and ex-
tended repayment terms, for use in facilitating im-
proved utility service in substantially underserved
trust areas;
‘‘(2) may waive nonduplication restrictions,
matching fund requirements, credit support require-
ments, or other regulations from any loan or grant
program administered by the Rural Utilities Service
to facilitate the construction, acquisition, or improve-
ment of infrastructure used to deliver affordable util-
ity services to substantially underserved trust areas;
‘‘(3) may assign the highest funding priority to
projects in substantially underserved trust areas;
‘‘(4) shall make any loan or loan guarantee
found to be financially feasible to provide service to
substantially underserved trust areas; and
‘‘(5) may conduct research and participate in
regulatory proceedings to recommend policy changes
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to enhance utility service in substantially underserved
trust areas.
‘‘(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes—
‘‘(1) the progress of the initiative implemented
under subsection (b); and
‘‘(2) recommendations for any regulatory or leg-
islative changes that would be appropriate to improve
services to substantially underserved trust areas.’’.
SEC. 
6113. 
STUDY 
OF 
FEDERAL 
ASSISTANCE 
FOR
BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct a study of—
(1) how the Rural Utilities Service takes into ac-
count economic factors in the decisionmaking process
of the Service in allocating Federal broadband bene-
fits;
(2) what other considerations the Rural Utilities
Service takes into account in making benefit awards;
(3) what economic forces prompt Rural Utilities
Service broadband loan applicants to seek Federal
funding rather than relying on the private market
alone;
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(4) how awards made by the Rural Utilities
Service of Federal benefits impact the expansion of
broadband infrastructure by the private sector; and
(5) what changes to Federal policy are needed to
further encourage technology expansion by private
broadband service providers.
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 30 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that
describes the results of the study conducted under subsection
(a), including any findings and recommendations.
Subtitle C—Connect the Nation Act
SEC. 6201. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Connect the Nation
Act’’.
SEC. 6202. GRANTS TO ENCOURAGE STATE INITIATIVES TO
IMPROVE BROADBAND SERVICE.
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) 
BROADBAND
SERVICE.—The 
term
‘‘broadband service’’ means any service that connects
the public to the Internet with a data transmission-
rate equivalent that is at least 200 kilobits per second
or 200,000 bits per second, or any successor trans-
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mission-rate established by the Federal Communica-
tions Commission for broadband, in at least 1 direc-
tion.
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means a nonprofit organization that, in conjunc-
tion with State agencies and private sector partners,
carries out an initiative under the section to identify
and track the availability and adoption of broadband
services within States.
(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘non-
profit organization’’ means an organization that—
(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
tax under section 501(a) of that Code;
(B) has net earnings that do not inure to
the benefit of any member, founder, contributor,
or individual associated with the organization;
(C) has an established record of competence
and working with public and private sectors to
accomplish widescale deployment and adoption
of broadband services and information tech-
nology; and
(D) has a board of directors that does not
have a majority of individuals who are employed
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by, or otherwise associated with, any Federal,
State, or local government or agency.
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of Commerce.
(b) PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall award grants to
eligible entities to pay the Federal share of the cost of the
development and implementation of statewide initiatives to
identify and track the availability and adoption of
broadband services within States.
(c) PURPOSES.—The purpose of a grant made this sec-
tion shall be—
(1) to ensure, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, that all citizens and businesses in States have
access to affordable and reliable broadband service;
(2) to promote improved technology literacy, in-
creased computer ownership, and home broadband use
among those citizens and businesses;
(3) to establish and empower local grassroots
technology teams in States to plan for improved tech-
nology use across multiple community sectors; and
(4) to establish and sustain an environment that
supports broadband services and information tech-
nology investment.
(d) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant for
an initiative under this section, an eligible entity shall—
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(1) submit an application to the Secretary at
such time, in such manner, and containing such in-
formation as the Secretary may require; and
(2) provide matching non-Federal funds in an
amount that is equal to not less than 20 percent of
the total cost of the initiative.
(e) COMPETITIVE BASIS.—Grants under this section
shall be awarded on a competitive basis.
(f) PEER REVIEW.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall require
technical and scientific peer review of applications for
grants under this section.
(2) REVIEW PROCEDURES.—The Secretary shall
require that any technical and scientific peer review
group—
(A) be provided a written description of the
grant to be reviewed;
(B) provide the results of any review by the
group to the Secretary; and
(C) certify that the group will enter into
such voluntary nondisclosure agreements as are
necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure
of confidential and propriety information pro-
vided by broadband service providers in connec-
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tion with projects funded by a grant under this
section.
(g) USE OF FUNDS.—A grant awarded to an eligible
entity under this section shall be used—
(1) 
to 
provide 
a 
baseline 
assessment 
of
broadband service deployment in 1 or more partici-
pating States;
(2) to identify and track—
(A) areas in the participating States that
have low levels of broadband service deployment;
(B) the rate at which individuals and busi-
nesses adopt broadband service and other related
information technology services; and
(C) possible suppliers of the services;
(3) to identify barriers to the adoption by indi-
viduals and businesses of broadband service and re-
lated information technology services, including
whether—
(A) the demand for the services is absent;
and
(B) the supply for the services is capable of
meeting the demand for the services;
(4) to create and facilitate in each county or des-
ignated region in the participating States a local
technology planning team—
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(A) with members representing a cross sec-
tion of communities, including representatives of
business, telecommunications labor organiza-
tions, K–12 education, health care, libraries,
higher education, community-based organiza-
tions, local government, tourism, parks and
recreation, and agriculture; and
(B) that shall—
(i) benchmark technology use across
relevant community sectors;
(ii) set goals for improved technology
use within each sector; and
(iii) develop a tactical business plan
for achieving the goals of the team, with
specific recommendations for online appli-
cation development and demand creation;
(5) to work collaboratively with broadband serv-
ice providers and information technology companies
to encourage deployment and use, especially in
unserved, underserved, and rural areas, through the
use of local demand aggregation, mapping analysis,
and the creation of market intelligence to improve the
business case for providers to deploy;
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(6) to establish programs to improve computer
ownership and Internet access for unserved, under-
served, and rural populations;
(7) to collect and analyze detailed market data
concerning the use and demand for broadband service
and related information technology services;
(8) to facilitate information exchange regarding
the use and demand for broadband services between
public and private sectors; and
(9) to create within the participating States a
geographic inventory map of broadband service that
shall—
(A) identify gaps in the service through a
method of geographic information system map-
ping of service availability at the census block
level; and
(B) provide a baseline assessment of state-
wide broadband deployment in terms of house-
holds with high-speed availability.
(h) PARTICIPATION LIMITATION.—For each partici-
pating State, an eligible entity may not receive a new grant
under this section to carry out the activities described in
subsection (g) within the participating State if the eligible
entity obtained prior grant awards under this section to
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carry out the same activities in the participating State for
each of the previous 4 fiscal years.
(i) REPORT.—Each recipient of a grant under this sec-
tion shall submit to the Secretary a report describing the
use of the funds provided by the grant.
(j) NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this
section provides any public or private entity with any regu-
latory jurisdiction or oversight authority over providers of
broadband services or information technology.
(k) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
Subtitle D—Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990
SEC. 6301. RURAL ELECTRONIC COMMERCE EXTENSION
PROGRAM.
Section 1670(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation,
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5923(e)) is amended by
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’.
SEC. 6302. TELEMEDICINE, LIBRARY CONNECTIVITY, PUB-
LIC TELEVISION, AND DISTANCE LEARNING
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of subtitle D of title
XXII of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.) is amended in the chapter