I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3196
To amend title 40, United States Code, to provide a comprehensive regional 
approach to economic and infrastructure development in the most se-
verely distressed regions in the Nation. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 29, 2003
Mr. OBERSTAR (for himself and Ms. NORTON) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To amend title 40, United States Code, to provide a com-
prehensive regional approach to economic and infrastruc-
ture development in the most severely distressed regions 
in the Nation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Regional Economic 
and Infrastructure Development Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
(1) between January 2001 and September 
2003, the number of unemployed workers in the 
United 
States 
increased 
from 
5,900,000 
to 
8,900,000, an increase of 50 percent; 
(2) people living in economically distressed, un-
derdeveloped regions are among the most affected by 
the economic downturn; 
(3) certain regions of the Nation, including Ap-
palachia, the Mississippi Delta Region, the Northern 
Great Plains Region, the Southeast Crescent Region, 
the Southwest Border Region, and rural Alaska, 
have suffered from chronic distress far above the na-
tional average; 
(4) an economically distressed region can suffer 
unemployment and poverty at a rate that is 150 per-
cent of the national average; and 
(5) regional commissions are unique Federal-
State partnerships that can provide targeted re-
sources to alleviate pervasive economic distress. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are—
(1) to provide a comprehensive regional ap-
proach to economic and infrastructure development 
in the most severely distressed regions in the Nation; 
and
(2) to ensure that the most severely distressed 
regions in the Nation have the necessary tools to de-
velop the basic building blocks for economic develop-
ment, such as transportation and basic public infra-
structure, job skills training, and business develop-
ment. 
SEC. 3. REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DE-
VELOPMENT. 
(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:
‘‘SUBTITLE V—REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND 
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
‘‘CHAPTER 
Sec. 
‘‘151. GENERAL PROVISIONS ............................................................
15101
‘‘153. REGIONAL COMMISSIONS .......................................................
15301
‘‘155. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE .........................................................
15501
‘‘157. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS .............................................
15701
‘‘CHAPTER 151—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 enact-
ment 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 commu-
nity participation and an effective oppor-
tunity for local officials, community lead-
ers, and the public to contribute to the de-
velopment 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 purpose unit of local govern-
ment that have been appointed to rep-
resent the unit of local government; 
and 
‘‘(III) is certified by the Governor or 
appropriate State officer as having a char-
ter or authority that includes the economic 
development of counties, portions of coun-
ties, or other political subdivisions within 
the region; and 
‘‘(B) has not, as certified by the Federal 
Cochairperson—
‘‘(i) 
inappropriately 
used 
Federal 
grant funds from any Federal source; or 
‘‘(ii) appointed an officer who, during 
the period in which another entity inappro-
priately 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 pro-
gram 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).
‘‘(5) NONPROFIT ENTITY.—The term ‘nonprofit 
entity’ means any entity with tax-exempt or non-
profit status, as defined by the Internal Revenue 
Service, that has been formed for the purpose of eco-
nomic development. 
‘‘(6) REGION.—The term ‘region’ means the 
area covered by a Commission as described in sub-
chapter II of chapter 157. 
‘‘CHAPTER 153—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 representation on Northern Great Plains Regional Commission. 
‘‘15308. Tribal participation. 
‘‘15309. Annual report.
‘‘§ 15301. Establishment, membership, and employees 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There are established the 
following regional Commissions: 
‘‘(1) The Delta Regional Commission. 
‘‘(2) The Northern Great Plains Regional Com-
mission. 
‘‘(3) The Southeast Crescent Regional Commis-
sion. 
‘‘(4) The Southwest Border Regional Commis-
sion. 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
‘‘(1) FEDERAL
AND
STATE
MEMBERS.—Each 
Commission shall be composed of the following mem-
bers: 
‘‘(A) A Federal Cochairperson, to be ap-
pointed by the President, by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate. 
‘‘(B) The Governor of each participating 
State in the region of the Commission. 
‘‘(2) ALTERNATE MEMBERS.—
‘‘(A) 
ALTERNATE
FEDERAL
COCHAIR-
PERSON.—The President shall appoint an alter-
nate Federal Cochairperson for each Commis-
sion. 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, dis-
ability, removal, or resignation of the Federal
or State member for which the alternate mem-
ber is an alternate. 
‘‘(3) COCHAIRPERSONS.—A Commission shall 
be headed by—
‘‘(A) the Federal Cochairperson, who shall 
serve as a liaison between the Federal Govern-
ment and the Commission; and 
‘‘(B) a State Cochairperson, who shall be 
a Governor of a participating State in the re-
gion 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 consecutive terms. 
‘‘(c) COMPENSATION.—
‘‘(1) FEDERAL COCHAIRPERSONS.—Each Fed-
eral Cochairperson shall be compensated by the Fed-
eral Government at level III of the Executive Sched-
ule as set out in section 5314 of title 5. 
‘‘(2) 
ALTERNATE
FEDERAL
COCHAIR-
PERSONS.—Each Federal Cochairperson’s alternate 
shall be compensated by the Federal Government at 
level V of the Executive Schedule as set out in sec-
tion 5316 of title 5.
‘‘(3) STATE
MEMBERS
AND
ALTERNATES.—
Each State member and alternate shall be com-
pensated 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 ap-
point and fix the compensation of an executive direc-
tor and such other personnel as are necessary to en-
able the Commission to carry out its duties. Com-
pensation under this paragraph may not exceed the 
maximum rate of basic pay established for the Sen-
ior 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 di-
rector shall be responsible for carrying out the ad-
ministrative duties of the Commission, directing the 
Commission staff, and such other duties as the Com-
mission may assign. 
‘‘(e) NO FEDERAL EMPLOYEE STATUS.—No mem-
ber, alternate, officer, or employee of a Commission (other 
than the Federal Cochairperson, the alternate Federal Co-
chairperson, staff of the Federal Cochairperson, and any
Federal employee detailed to the Commission) shall be 
considered to a Federal employee for any purpose. 
‘‘§ 15302. Decisions 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENTS
FOR APPROVAL.—Except as 
provided in section 15304(c)(3), decisions by the Commis-
sion shall require the affirmative vote of the Federal Co-
chairperson and a majority of the State members (exclu-
sive of members representing States delinquent under sec-
tion 15304(c)(3)(C)). 
‘‘(b) CONSULTATION.—In matters coming before the 
Commission, the Federal Cochairperson shall, to the ex-
tent 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 Co-
chairperson 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 ap-
proval of project and grant proposals shall be a responsi-
bility of each Commission and shall be carried out in ac-
cordance with section 15503.
‘‘§ 15303. Functions 
‘‘A Commission shall—
‘‘(1) assess the needs and assets of its region 
based on available research, demonstration projects, 
investigations, assessments, and evaluations of the 
region prepared by Federal, State, and local agen-
cies, universities, local development districts, and 
other nonprofit groups; 
‘‘(2) develop, on a continuing basis, comprehen-
sive and coordinated economic and infrastructure de-
velopment strategies to establish priorities and ap-
prove grants for the economic development of its re-
gion, giving due consideration to other Federal, 
State, and local planning and development activities 
in the region; 
‘‘(3) not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this section, and after taking into ac-
count State plans developed under section 15502, es-
tablish priorities in an economic and infrastructure 
development plan for its region, including 5-year re-
gional 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, 
commercial, 
and 
other 
economic 
development 
projects in its region; 
‘‘(6) cooperate with and assist State govern-
ments with the preparation of economic and infra-
structure development plans and programs for par-
ticipating States; 
‘‘(7) formulate and recommend to the Gov-
ernors and legislatures 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 de-
veloping appropriate 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 dis-
tribute a description of the proceedings 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 Commis-
sion designated by the Commission, the administra-
tion of oaths if the Commission determines that tes-
timony 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 Com-
mission; 
‘‘(4) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws and rules 
governing the conduct of business and the perform-
ance 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 re-
quires to carry out its duties, each such detail to be 
without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee sta-
tus; 
‘‘(6) provide for coverage of Commission em-
ployees 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 em-
ployee coverage; 
‘‘(7) accept, use, and dispose of gifts or dona-
tions or services or real, personal, tangible, or intan-
gible property; 
‘‘(8) enter into and perform such contracts, co-
operative agreements, or other transactions as are 
necessary to carry out Commission duties, including 
any contracts or cooperative agreements with a de-
partment, 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 re-
quest of the Federal Cochairperson, appropriate as-
sistance in carrying out this subtitle, in accordance 
with applicable Federal laws (including regulations).
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 
the administrative expenses of a Commission shall 
be paid—
‘‘(A) by the Federal Government, in an 
amount equal to 50 percent of the administra-
tive expenses of the Commission; 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
COCHAIR-
PERSON.—All expenses of the Federal Cochair-
person, 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 subpara-
graph (B), the share of administrative expenses 
of a Commission to be paid by each State of the 
Commission shall be determined by a unani-
mous vote of the State members of the Com-
mission. 
‘‘(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 de-
linquent 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 provided 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 commence-
ment of the delinquency; and 
‘‘(ii) no member of the Commission 
from the State shall participate or vote in 
any action by the Commission. 
‘‘(4) EFFECT ON ASSISTANCE.—A State’s share 
of administrative 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 enactment of this section. 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL MEETING.—Each Commission shall 
conduct at least 1 meeting each year with the Federal Co-
chairperson and at least a majority of the State members 
present. 
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL
MEETINGS.—Each Commission 
shall conduct additional meetings at such times as it deter-
mines 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 mem-
ber or alternate, or an officer or employee of a Com-
mission, shall not participate personally and sub-
stantially as a member, alternate, officer, or em-
ployee of the Commission, through decision, ap-
proval, disapproval, recommendation, request for a 
ruling, or other determination, contract, claim, con-
troversy, or other matter in which, to the individ-
ual’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 subdivision of a State) in which the in-
dividual is serving as an officer, director, trust-
ee, partner, or employee. 
‘‘(D) Any person or organization with 
whom the individual is negotiating or has any 
arrangement concerning prospective employ-
ment. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not 
apply if the individual, in advance of the proceeding, 
application, request for a ruling or other determina-
tion, contract, claim controversy, or other particular 
matter presenting a potential conflict of interest—
‘‘(A) advises the Commission of the nature 
and circumstances 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 substan-
tial as to be considered likely to affect the in-
tegrity 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 alternate 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.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—No person detailed to serve 
a Commission shall receive any salary, or any con-
tribution to, or supplementation of, salary, for serv-
ices provided to the Commission from any source 
other than the State, local, or intergovernmental de-
partment or agency from which the person was de-
tailed 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 FED-
ERAL COCHAIRMAN, AND FEDERAL OFFICERS AND EM-
PLOYEES.—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 representation on Northern Great 
Plains Regional Commission 
‘‘(a) TRIBAL COCHAIRPERSON.—
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT.—In addition to the mem-
bers specified in section 15301(b)(1), the member-
ship of the Northern Great Plains Regional Commis-
sion shall include a Tribal Cochairperson, to be ap-
pointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate. The Tribal Cochairperson 
shall be a member of an Indian tribe in the Commis-
sion’s region. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—In addition to the Federal Co-
chairperson and State Cochairperson, the Commis-
sion shall be headed by the Tribal Cochairperson, 
who shall serve as a liaison between the governments 
of Indian tribes in the region and the Commission. 
‘‘(b) ALTERNATE TRIBAL COCHAIRPERSON.—
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT.—The President shall ap-
point an alternate to the Tribal Cochairperson. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The alternate Tribal Cochair-
person, when not actively serving as an alternate for
the Tribal Cochairperson, shall perform such func-
tions and duties as are delegated by the Tribal Co-
chairperson. 
‘‘(3) VOTING.—The alternate Tribal Cochair-
person shall vote in the case of the absence, death, 
disability, removal, or resignation of the Tribal Co-
chairperson. 
‘‘(c) COMPENSATION.—
‘‘(1) TRIBAL COCHAIRPERSON.—The Tribal Co-
chairperson 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
TRIBAL
COCHAIRPERSON.—
The Tribal Cochairperson’s alternate shall be com-
pensated by the Federal Government at level V of 
the Executive Schedule as set out in section 5316 of 
title 5. 
‘‘(d) EXPENSES OF TRIBAL COCHAIRPERSON.—All 
expenses of the Tribal Cochairperson, including expenses 
of the alternate and staff of the Tribal Cochairperson, 
shall be paid by the Federal Government. 
‘‘(e) DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES.—Except as provided 
in subsections (c) and (d), the Tribal Cochairperson shall 
have the same duties and privileges as the State Cochair-
person.
‘‘§ 15308. Tribal participation 
‘‘Governments of Indian tribes in the region of the 
Northern Great Plains Regional Commission or the South-
west Border Regional Commission shall be allowed to par-
ticipate in matters before that Commission in the same 
manner and to the same extent as State agencies and in-
strumentalities in the region. 
‘‘§ 15309. 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 Commission 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 Com-
mission in meeting the goals identified in the Com-
mission’s economic and infrastructure development 
plan under section 15303 and State economic and 
infrastructure development plans under section 
15502; 
‘‘(3) any policy recommendations approved by 
the Commission.
‘‘CHAPTER 155—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 ac-
cordance with section 15503—
‘‘(1) to develop the transportation infrastruc-
ture of its region; 
‘‘(2) to develop the basic public infrastructure 
of its region; 
‘‘(3) to develop the telecommunications infra-
structure of its region; 
‘‘(4) to assist its region in obtaining job skills 
training, skills development and employment-related 
education, entrepreneurship, technology, and busi-
ness development; 
‘‘(5) to provide assistance to severely distressed 
and underdeveloped areas of its region that lack fi-
nancial resources for improving basic health care 
and other public services; and
‘‘(6) to otherwise achieve the purposes of this 
subtitle. 
‘‘(b) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—A Commission shall 
allocate at least 50 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 combination 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 subtitle. 
‘‘(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 per-
cent under paragraph (1) and 90 percent under 
paragraph (2) the maximum Commission contribu-
tion for a project or activity if the Commission de-
termines in accordance with section 15302(a) that 
the project or activity will bring significant inter-
state 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 deter-
mines that the level of Federal or State financial assist-
ance 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 as-
sistance authorized by this section may not be used to as-
sist a person or entity in relocating from one area to an-
other. 
‘‘§ 15502. Comprehensive economic and infrastruc-
ture development plans 
‘‘(a) STATE PLANS.—In accordance with policies es-
tablished 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 in-
frastructure development plan shall reflect the goals, ob-
jectives, and priorities identified in any applicable eco-
nomic and infrastructure development plan developed by 
a Commission under section 15303. 
‘‘(c) CONSULTATION WITH INTERESTED LOCAL PAR-
TIES.—In carrying out the development planning process 
(including the selection of programs and projects for as-
sistance), a State shall—
‘‘(1) consult with local development districts, 
local units of government, and local colleges and uni-
versities; and 
‘‘(2) take into consideration the goals, objec-
tives, priorities, and recommendations of the entities 
described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(d) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A Commission and applica-
ble State and local development districts shall en-
courage and assist, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, public participation in the development, revi-
sion, and implementation of all plans and programs 
under this subtitle. 
‘‘(2) GUIDELINES.—A Commission shall de-
velop guidelines for providing public participation, 
including public hearings.
‘‘§ 15503. Approval of applications for assistance 
‘‘(a) EVALUATION BY STATE MEMBER.—An applica-
tion 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 Commis-
sion for a grant or other assistance for a project under 
this subtitle shall be eligible for assistance only on certifi-
cation by the State member of the Commission rep-
resenting the applicant that the application for the 
project—
‘‘(1) describes ways in which the project com-
plies with any applicable State economic and infra-
structure 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 as-
sistance 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 sec-
tion 15302 shall be required for approval of the applica-
tion. 
‘‘§ 15504. Program development criteria 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—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 
maximum extent practicable, consideration of—
‘‘(1) the relationship of the project or class of 
projects to overall regional development; 
‘‘(2) the per capita income and poverty and un-
employment and outmigration rates in an 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; 
‘‘(4) the importance of the project or class of 
projects in relation to the other projects or classes 
of 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 eco-
nomic development of the area to be served by the 
project; and 
‘‘(6) the extent to which the project design pro-
vides for detailed outcome measurements by which 
grant expenditures and the results of the expendi-
tures may be evaluated. 
‘‘§ 15505. Local development districts and organiza-
tions 
‘‘(a) GRANTS
TO
LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT
DIS-
TRICTS.—Subject to the requirements of this section, a 
Commission may make grants to a local development dis-
trict to assist in the payment of development planning and 
administrative expenses. 
‘‘(b) CONDITIONS FOR GRANTS.—
‘‘(1) MAXIMUM
AMOUNT.—The amount of a 
grant awarded under this section may not exceed 80 
percent of the administrative and planning expenses 
of the local development district receiving the grant. 
‘‘(2) MAXIMUM
PERIOD
FOR
STATE
AGEN-
CIES.—In the case of a State agency certified as a 
local development district, a grant may not be 
awarded to the agency under this section for more 
than 3 fiscal years.
‘‘(3) LOCAL
SHARE.—The contributions of a 
local development district for administrative ex-
penses may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, 
including space, equipment, and services. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES
OF
LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT
DIS-
TRICTS.—A local development district shall—
‘‘(1) operate as a lead organization serving 
multicounty areas in the region at the local level; 
‘‘(2) assist the Commission in carrying out out-
reach activities for local governments, community 
development groups, the business community, and 
the public; 
‘‘(3) serve as a liaison between State and local 
governments, 
nonprofit 
organizations 
(including 
community-based groups and educational institu-
tions), the business community, and citizens; and 
‘‘(4) assist the individuals and entities described 
in paragraph (3) in identifying, assessing, and facili-
tating projects and programs to promote the eco-
nomic development of the region. 
‘‘§ 15506. Supplements to Federal grant programs 
‘‘(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that certain States 
and local communities of the region, including local devel-
opment districts, may be unable to take maximum advan-
tage of Federal grant programs for which the States and 
communities are eligible because—
‘‘(1) they lack the economic resources to pro-
vide the required matching share; or 
‘‘(2) there are insufficient funds available under 
the applicable Federal law with respect to a project 
to be carried out in the region. 
‘‘(b) FEDERAL
GRANT
PROGRAM
FUNDING.—A 
Commission, with the approval of the Federal Cochair-
person, may use amounts made available to carry out this 
subtitle—
‘‘(1) for any part of the basic Federal contribu-
tion to projects or activities under the Federal grant 
programs authorized by Federal laws; and 
‘‘(2) to increase the Federal contribution to 
projects and activities under the programs above the 
fixed maximum part of the cost of the projects or 
activities otherwise authorized by the applicable law. 
‘‘(c) CERTIFICATION REQUIRED.—For a program, 
project, or activity for which any part of the basic Federal 
contribution to the project or activity under a Federal 
grant program is proposed to be made under subsection 
(b), the Federal contribution shall not be made until the 
responsible Federal official administering the Federal law 
authorizing the Federal contribution certifies that the pro-
gram, project, or activity meets the applicable require-
ments of the Federal law and could be approved for Fed-
eral contribution under that law if amounts were available 
under the law for the program, project, or activity. 
‘‘(d) LIMITATIONS
IN
OTHER
LAWS
INAPPLI-
CABLE.—Amounts provided pursuant to this subtitle are 
available without regard to any limitations on areas eligi-
ble for assistance or authorizations for appropriation in 
any other law. 
‘‘(e) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the 
cost of a project or activity receiving assistance under this 
section shall not exceed 80 percent. 
‘‘(f) MAXIMUM COMMISSION CONTRIBUTION.—Sec-
tion 15501(d), relating to limitations on Commission con-
tributions, shall apply to a program, project, or activity 
receiving assistance under this section. 
‘‘CHAPTER 157—ADMINISTRATIVE 
PROVISIONS 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘15701. Consent of States. 
‘‘15702. Distressed counties and areas. 
‘‘15703. Counties eligible for assistance in more than one region. 
‘‘15704. Inspector General; Records. 
‘‘15705. Biannual meetings of representatives of all commissions. 
‘‘15706. Relationship to other laws. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—DESIGNATION OF REGIONS 
‘‘15731. Delta Regional Commission. 
‘‘15732. Northern Great Plains Regional Commission. 
‘‘15733. Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. 
‘‘15734. Southwest Border Regional Commission.
‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
‘‘15751. Authorization of appropriations.
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
‘‘§ 15701. Consent of States 
‘‘This subtitle does not require a State to engage in 
or accept a program under this subtitle without its con-
sent. 
‘‘§ 15702. Distressed counties and areas 
‘‘(a) DESIGNATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this section, and annually there-
after, each Commission shall make the following designa-
tions: 
‘‘(1) DISTRESSED COUNTIES.—The Commission 
shall designate as distressed counties those counties 
in its region that are the most severely and persist-
ently distressed and underdeveloped and have high 
rates of poverty, unemployment, or outmigration. 
‘‘(2) TRANSITIONAL COUNTIES.—The Commis-
sion shall designate as transitional counties those 
counties in its region that are distressed and under-
developed or have recently suffered high rates of 
poverty, unemployment, or outmigration. 
‘‘(3) ATTAINMENT
COUNTIES.—The Commis-
sion shall designate as attainment counties, those 
counties in its region that are not designated as dis-
tressed or transitional counties under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(4) ISOLATED
AREAS
OF
DISTRESS.—The 
Commission shall designate as isolated areas of dis-
tress, areas located in counties designated as attain-
ment counties under paragraph (3) that have high 
rates of poverty, unemployment, or outmigration. 
‘‘(b) ALLOCATION.—A Commission shall allocate at 
least 50 percent of the appropriations made available to 
the Commission to carry out this subtitle for programs 
and projects designed to serve the needs of distressed 
counties and isolated areas of distress in the region. 
‘‘(c) ATTAINMENT COUNTIES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), funds may not be provided under this 
subtitle for a project located in a county designated 
as an attainment county under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTIONS.—
‘‘(A) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES
OF 
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS.—The fund-
ing prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not 
apply to grants to fund the administrative ex-
penses of local development districts under sec-
tion 15505.
‘‘(B) 
MULTICOUNTY
AND
OTHER 
PROJECTS.—A Commission may waive the ap-
plication of the funding prohibition under para-
graph (1) with respect to—
‘‘(i) a multicounty project that in-
cludes participation by an attainment 
county; and 
‘‘(ii) any other type of project, if a 
Commission determines that the project 
could bring significant benefits to areas of 
the region outside an attainment county. 
‘‘(3) ISOLATED
AREAS
OF
DISTRESS.—For a 
designation of an isolated area of distress to be ef-
fective, the designation shall be supported—
‘‘(A) by the most recent Federal data 
available; or 
‘‘(B) if no recent Federal data are avail-
able, by the most recent data available through 
the government of the State in which the iso-
lated area of distress is located. 
‘‘§ 15703. Counties eligible for assistance in more 
than one region 
‘‘(a) LIMITATION.—A political subdivision of a State 
may not receive assistance under this subtitle in a fiscal 
year from more than one Commission.
‘‘(b) SELECTION OF COMMISSION.—A political sub-
division included in the region of more than one Commis-
sion shall select the Commission with which it will partici-
pate by notifying, in writing, the Federal Cochairperson 
and the appropriate State member of that Commission. 
‘‘(c) CHANGES IN SELECTIONS.—The selection of a 
Commission by a political subdivision shall apply in the 
fiscal year in which the selection is made, and shall apply 
in each subsequent fiscal year unless the political subdivi-
sion, at least 90 days before the first day of the fiscal 
year, notifies the Cochairpersons of another Commission 
in writing that the political subdivision will participate in 
that Commission and also transmits a copy of such notifi-
cation to the Cochairpersons of the Commission in which 
the political subdivision is currently participating. 
‘‘(d) INCLUSION OF APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COM-
MISSION.—In this section, the term ‘Commission’ includes 
the Appalachian Regional Commission established under 
chapter 143. 
‘‘§ 15704. Inspector General; Records 
‘‘(a) APPOINTMENT
OF
INSPECTOR
GENERAL.—
There shall be an Inspector General for the Commissions 
appointed in accordance with section 3(a) of the Inspector 
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.). All of the Commis-
sions shall be subject to a single Inspector General.
‘‘(b) RECORDS OF A COMMISSION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A Commission shall main-
tain accurate and complete records of all its trans-
actions and activities. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY.—All records of a Commis-
sion shall be available for audit and examination by 
the Inspector General (including authorized rep-
resentatives of the Inspector General). 
‘‘(c) RECORDS OF RECIPIENTS OF COMMISSION AS-
SISTANCE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A recipient of funds from 
a Commission under this subtitle shall maintain ac-
curate and complete records of transactions and ac-
tivities financed with the funds and report to the 
Commission on the transactions and activities. 
‘‘(2) 
AVAILABILITY.—All 
records 
required 
under paragraph (1) shall be available for audit by 
the Commission and the Inspector General (includ-
ing authorized representatives of the Commission 
and the Inspector General). 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL AUDIT.—The Inspector General shall 
audit the activities, transactions, and records of each 
Commission on an annual basis.
‘‘§ 15705. Biannual meetings of representatives of all 
commissions 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Representatives of each Com-
mission, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the 
Denali Commission shall meet biannually to discuss issues 
confronting regions suffering from chronic and contiguous 
distress and successful strategies for promoting regional 
development. 
‘‘(b) CHAIR OF MEETINGS.—The chair of each meet-
ing shall rotate among the Commissions, with the Appa-
lachian Regional Commission and the Denali Commission 
to host the first and second meetings, respectively. 
‘‘§ 15706. Relationship to other laws 
‘‘Projects receiving assistance under this subtitle 
shall be treated in the manner provided in section 602 of 
the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 
(42 U.S.C. 3212). 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—DESIGNATION OF REGIONS 
‘‘§ 15731. Delta Regional Commission 
‘‘The Delta Regional Commission shall consist of the 
following political subdivisions: 
‘‘(1) ALABAMA.—The counties of Barbour, Bul-
lock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, 
Escambia, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, 
Monroe, Perry, Pickens, Russell, Sumter, Wash-
ington, and Wilcox in the State of Alabama.
‘‘(2) ARKANSAS.—The counties of Arkansas, 
Ashley, Baxter, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clay, 
Cleveland, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, 
Desha, Drew, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Independence, 
Izard, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, 
Lonoke, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Ouachita, 
Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, St. 
Francis, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Union, Van Buren, 
White, and Woodruff in the State of Arkansas. 
‘‘(3) ILLINOIS.—The counties of Alexander, 
Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, 
Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, 
Saline, Union, White, and Woodruff in the State of 
Illinois. 
‘‘(4) KENTUCKY.—The counties of Ballard, 
Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, 
Fulton, Graves, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Liv-
ingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Muh-
lenberg, Todd, Trigg, Union, and Webster in the 
State of Kentucky. 
‘‘(5) LOUISIANA.—The parishes of Acadia, 
Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Caldwell, 
Catahoula, Concordia, E. Baton Rouge, E. Carroll, 
E. Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Iberia, 
Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafourche, La Salle,
Lincoln, 
Livingston, 
Madison, 
Morehouse, 
Natchitoches, 
Orleans, 
Ouachita, 
Plaquemines, 
Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Richland, St. Bernard, St. 
Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Bap-
tist, St. Landry, St. Martin, Tangipahoa, Tensas, 
Union, Washington, W. Baton Rouge, W. Carroll, 
W. Feliciana, and Winn in the State of Louisiana. 
‘‘(6) MISSISSIPPI.—The counties of Adams, 
Amite, Attala, Benton, Bolivar, Carroll, Claiborne, 
Coahoma, Copiah, Covington, Desoto, Franklin, Gre-
nada, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jef-
ferson, 
Jefferson 
Davis, 
Lafayette, 
Lawrence, 
Leflore, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mont-
gomery, Panola, Pike, Quitman, Rankin, Sharkey, 
Simpson, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, 
Tunica, Union, Walthall, Warren, Washington, 
Wilkinson, Yalobusha, and Yazoo in the State of 
Mississippi. 
‘‘(7) MISSOURI.—The counties Bollinger, But-
ler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Crawford, Dent, Doug-
las, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, 
New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscott, Perry, 
Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, St. Fran-
cois, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Washington, 
Wayne, and Wright in the State of Missouri.
‘‘(8) TENNESSEE.—The counties of Benton, 
Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, 
Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, 
Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, McNairy, Madison, Obion, 
Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley in the State of Ten-
nessee. 
‘‘§ 15732. Northern Great Plains Regional Commis-
sion 
‘‘The Northern Great Plains Regional Commission, 
shall consist of all counties of the States of Iowa, Min-
nesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 
‘‘§ 15733. Southeast Crescent Regional Commission 
‘‘The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission shall 
consist of all counties of the States of Virginia, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, 
and Florida not already served by the Appalachian Re-
gional Commission or the Delta Regional Commission. 
‘‘§ 15734. Southwest Border Regional Commission 
‘‘The Southwest Border Regional Commission shall 
consist of the following political subdivisions: 
‘‘(1) ARIZONA.—The counties of Cochise, Gila, 
Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, 
Santa Cruz, and Yuma in the State of Arizona.
‘‘(2) CALIFORNIA.—The counties of Imperial, 
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, 
San Diego, and Ventura in the State of California. 
‘‘(3) NEW MEXICO.—The counties of Catron, 
Chaves, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, 
Luna, Otero, Sierra, and Socorro in the State of 
New Mexico. 
‘‘(4) 
TEXAS.—The 
counties 
of 
Atascosa, 
Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, 
Coke, Concho, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, 
Duval, Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Gillespie, 
Glasscock, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Irion, Jeff Davis, 
Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kenedy, 
Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, 
Loving, Mason, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Men-
ard, Midland, Nueces, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, 
Real, Reeves, San Patricio, Shleicher, Sutton, Starr, 
Sterling, Terrell, Tom Green Upton, Uvalde, Val 
Verde, Ward, Webb, Willacy, Wilson, Winkler, Za-
pata, and Zavala in the State of Texas. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS 
‘‘§ 15751. Authorization of appropriations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to each Commission to carry out this subtitle—
‘‘(1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; 
‘‘(2) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; 
‘‘(3) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; 
‘‘(4) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and 
‘‘(5) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2008. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 
10 percent of the funds made available to a Commission 
in a fiscal year under this section may be used for admin-
istrative expenses.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sub-
titles for chapter 40, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to subtitle V and inserting the 
following:
‘‘V. REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE 
DEVELOPMENT .....................................................15101
‘‘VI. MISCELLANEOUS ...................................................................17101.’’.
SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) REPEALS.—Subtitles F and G of the Consoli-
dated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
2009aa–2009bb–13) are repealed. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL ACT.—Section 11 of the 
Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amend-
ed—
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘or the Presi-
dent of the Export-Import Bank;’’ and inserting 
‘‘the President of the Export-Import Bank; or the 
Federal Cochairpersons of the Commissions estab-
lished under section 15301 of title 40, United States 
Code;’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘or the Ex-
port-Import Bank,’’ and inserting ‘‘the Export-Im-
port Bank, or the Commissions established under 
section 15301 of title 40, United States Code,’’. 
SEC. 5. TRANSFERS OF AUTHORITY AND SAVINGS PROVI-
SIONS. 
(a) TRANSFERS OF AUTHORITY.—Subject to the re-
quirements of this Act (including the amendments made 
by this Act)—
(1) all of the functions of the Delta Regional 
Authority are transferred to the Delta Regional 
Commission; and 
(2) all of the functions of the Northern Great 
Plains Regional Authority are transferred to the 
Northern Great Plains Regional Commission. 
(b) LEGAL DOCUMENTS.—All orders, determinations, 
rules, regulations, grants, loans, contracts, and agree-
ments—
(1) that have been issued, made, granted, or al-
lowed to become effective by the Delta Regional Au-
thority or the Northern Great Plains Regional Au-
thority in the performance of any function that is 
transferred by this section, and
(2) that are in effect on the effective date of 
such transfer (or become effective after such date 
pursuant to their terms as in effect on such effective 
date), 
shall continue in effect according to their terms until 
modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in 
accordance with law by an authorized official, a court of 
competent jurisdiction, or operation of law. 
(c) TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND PERSONNEL.—
(1) DELTA
REGIONAL
COMMISSION.—There 
shall be transferred to the Delta Regional Commis-
sion such assets, funds, personnel, records, and 
other property of the Delta Regional Authority relat-
ing to the functions of the Authority as the Commis-
sion determines appropriate. 
(2) NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL COM-
MISSION.—There shall be transferred to the North-
ern Great Plains Regional Commission such assets, 
funds, personnel, records, and other property of the 
Northern Great Plains Regional Authority as the 
Commission determines appropriate.
SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, 
shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year 
beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.
Æ