I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4739 
To establish the Northeast Regional Development Commission, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 25, 2004 
Mr. MICHAUD (for himself, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. BASS, Mr. SANDERS, and Mr. 
MCHUGH) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined 
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Northeast Regional Development 
Commission, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Northeast Regional Development Commission Act of 
2004’’. 
(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
(1) The northeastern border region of the Na-
tion, while abundant in natural resources and rich in 
potential, lags behind much of the Nation in its eco-
nomic growth, and its people have not shared prop-
erly in the Nation’s prosperity. 
(2) The region’s historic reliance on a few basic 
industries and agriculture has failed to provide an 
adequate economic base for vigorous, self-sustaining 
growth. 
(3) Manufacturing sector losses and out migra-
tion in the region have contributed greatly to the re-
gion’s difficulties in entrepreneurial development and 
sustainability. 
(4) State and local governments and the people 
of the region have made progress in addressing the 
region’s economic problems and will continue to 
work purposefully toward their solution. 
(5) Economic development of the region is fea-
sible, desirable, and urgently needed. 
(6) Providing Federal assistance to the region 
is necessary to address the region’s special economic 
problems and promote its economic development on 
a coordinated and concerted regional basis. 
(7) In directing Federal assistance to the re-
gion, the traditional industries of the region should
be preserved, including the manufacturing, tourism, 
forestry, natural resources, agriculture, alternative 
transportation, snowmobiling, and recreation indus-
tries. In addition, it is desirable to support growing 
industries such as the creative economy. 
(8) In directing Federal assistance to the re-
gion, the historic character, recreational value, eco-
logical integrity, and productive capacity of the his-
toric forestlands are valuable resources that should 
be preserved to maximize prosperity in the region. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Northeast Regional Development Com-
mission established by section 3. 
(2) FEDERAL
GRANT
PROGRAM.—The term 
‘‘Federal grant program’’ means a Federal grant 
program to provide assistance in carrying out eco-
nomic and community development activities. 
(3) NON-PROFIT ENTITY.—The term ‘‘non-prof-
it entity’’ means any entity with tax-exempt or non- 
profit status, as defined by the Internal Revenue 
Service.
(4) REGION.—The term ‘‘region’’ means the 
area covered by the Commission (as described in sec-
tion 15). 
SEC. 3. NORTHEAST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMIS-
SION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—There is established the 
Northeast Regional 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
(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 
Commission. 
(B) 
FEDERAL
COCHAIRPERSON.—The 
Federal cochairperson or the Federal cochair-
person’s designee must be present for the estab-
lishment of a quorum of the Commission.