I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1548 
To establish the Northern Border Economic Development Commission, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 15, 2007 
Mr. HODES (for himself, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. ARCURI, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. 
ALLEN, and Mr. WELCH of Vermont) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
in addition to the Committee 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 con-
cerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Northern Border Economic 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Northern Border Economic Development Commission 
Act of 2007’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.— 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
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Sec. 3. Northern Border Economic Development Commission. 
Sec. 4. Economic and community development grants. 
Sec. 5. Supplements to Federal grant programs. 
Sec. 6. Local development districts; certification and administrative expenses. 
Sec. 7. Development planning process. 
Sec. 8. Program development criteria. 
Sec. 9. Approval of development plans and projects. 
Sec. 10. Consent of States. 
Sec. 11. Records. 
Sec. 12. Annual report. 
Sec. 13. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 14. Termination of Commission. 
Sec. 15. Region of Northern Border Economic Development Commission. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Northern Border Economic Development 
Commission 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 and 
conservation activities that are consistent with eco-
nomic development. 
(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). 
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SEC. 3. NORTHERN BORDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—There is established the 
Northern Border Economic Development Commis-
sion. 
(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.— 
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(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. 
(C) STATE ALTERNATES.—A State alter-
nate shall not be counted toward the establish-
ment of a quorum of the Commission. 
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(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 Com-
mission shall require the affirmative vote of the Fed-
eral 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 
extent practicable, shall consult with the Federal de-
partments and agencies having an interest in the 
subject matter. 
(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. 
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(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 9. 
(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 devel-
opment activities in the region; 
(2) not later than 365 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, establish priorities in a devel-
opment plan for the region (including 5-year re-
gional outcome targets); 
(3) assess the needs and capital assets of the 
region based on available research, demonstration 
projects, assessments, and evaluations of the region 
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prepared by Federal, State, or local agencies, local 
development 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 tele-
communications; 
(6) encourage private investment in industrial, 
commercial, 
and 
other 
economic 
development 
projects in the region; and 
(7) not later than 365 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, initiate a special resource 
study for the north woods of Maine, which study— 
(A) shall be carried out in cooperation with 
appropriate local, State, and Federal officials; 
and 
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(B) shall examine land use, ownership, and 
development trends and propose options for fu-
ture management, ownership, conservation, and 
development of land to maximize job creation 
and ecological value. 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out subsection 
(d), the 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 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 
department or agency such information as may be 
available to or procurable by the department or 
agency that may be of use to the Commission in car-
rying out duties of the Commission; 
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(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 per-
sonnel as the Commission requires to carry out du-
ties of the Commission, each such detail to be with-
out loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status; 
(6) request the head of any State department 
or agency or local government to detail to the Com-
mission such personnel as the Commission requires 
to carry out duties of the Commission, each such de-
tail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other em-
ployee status; 
(7) provide for coverage of Commission employ-
ees in a suitable retirement and employee benefit 
system 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 dona-
tions of services or real, personal, tangible, or intan-
gible property; 
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(9) enter into and perform such contracts or 
other transactions as are necessary to carry out 
Commission duties; 
(10) establish and maintain a central office lo-
cated within the Northern Border Economic Devel-
opment Commission region and field offices at such 
locations as the Commission may select; and 
(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 
Act, in accordance with applicable Federal laws (in-
cluding regulations). 
(g) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Administrative expenses of 
the Commission (except for the expenses of the Fed-
eral cochairperson, including expenses of the alter-
nate and staff of the Federal cochairperson, which 
shall be paid solely by the Federal Government) 
shall be paid— 
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(A) by the Federal Government, in an 
amount equal to 50 percent of the administra-
tive 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 each State shall be determined by the Com-
mission. 
(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 
administrative expenses of the Commission 
under this subsection— 
(i) no assistance under this Act shall 
be furnished to the State (including assist-
ance 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. 
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(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— 
(A) shall be compensated by the Federal 
Government at level V of the Executive Sched-
ule described in paragraph (1); and 
(B) when not actively serving as an alter-
nate for the Federal cochairperson, shall per-
form 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 rep-
resenting the State on the Commission at the 
rate established 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 
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than the State for services provided by the 
member or alternate to the Commission. 
(4) DETAILED EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—No person detailed to 
serve the Commission under subsection (e)(6) 
shall receive any salary or any contribution to 
or supplementation of salary for services pro-
vided to the Commission from— 
(i) any source other than the State, 
local, or intergovernmental department 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 cochair-
person, and any Federal officer or employee de-
tailed to duty on the Commission under sub-
section (e)(5) shall not be subject to subpara-
graph (A), but shall remain subject to sections 
202 through 209 of title 18, United States 
Code. 
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(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. 
(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 local-
ity-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 administra-
tive duties of the Commission; 
(ii) direction of the Commission staff; 
and 
(iii) such other duties as the Commis-
sion may assign. 
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(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 Fed-
eral employee for any purpose. 
(i) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under 
paragraph (2), no State member, alternate, officer, 
or employee of the Commission shall participate per-
sonally and substantially as a member, alternate, of-
ficer, or employee of the Commission, through deci-
sion, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the 
rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise, in 
any proceeding, application, request for a ruling or 
other determination, contract, claim, controversy, or 
other matter in which, to knowledge of the member, 
alternate, 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 
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subdivision of the State) of the member, alter-
nate, officer, or employee, in which the member, 
alternate, officer, or employee is serving as offi-
cer, director, trustee, partner, or employee. 
(C) Any person or organization with whom 
the member, alternate, officer, or employee is 
negotiating or has any arrangement concerning 
prospective employment. 
(2) DISCLOSURE.—Paragraph (1) shall not 
apply if the State member, alternate, officer, or em-
ployee— 
(A) immediately advises the Commission of 
the nature and circumstances of the proceeding, 
application, request for a ruling or other deter-
mination, 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, re-
ceives a written determination by the Commis-
sion that the interest is not so substantial as to 
be likely to affect the integrity of the services 
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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 con-
tract, 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 (h)(4), sub-
section (i), or sections 202 through 209 of title 18, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 
4. 
ECONOMIC 
AND 
COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT 
GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may approve 
grants to States, local development districts (as defined 
in section 6(a)), and public and nonprofit entities for 
projects, approved in accordance with section 9— 
(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-
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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, tourism, 
recreation, and preservation of open space in a man-
ner consistent with economic development goals; 
(6) to promote the development of renewable 
and alternative energy sources; and 
(7) to achieve the purposes of this Act. 
(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 enti-
ties in the region for projects that promote— 
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(A) business development; 
(B) job training or employment-related 
education; 
(C) small business and entrepreneurship; 
(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 
(J) any other activity facilitating economic 
development in the region. 
(3) FEDERAL
SHARE.—Notwithstanding any 
provision of law limiting the Federal share in any 
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grant program, funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available to carry out this section may be used 
to increase a Federal share in a grant program, as 
the Commission determines appropriate. 
SEC. 5. 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 Act, 
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 
section, no Federal contribution shall be made until 
the Federal official administering the Federal law 
authorizing the contribution certifies that the pro-
gram or project— 
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(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 
Commission for approval of projects under this 
Act in accordance with section 9— 
(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-
person with respect to a supplemental grant for 
any project under the program. 
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SEC. 6. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS; CERTIFICATION 
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. 
(a) DEFINITION
OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DIS-
TRICT.—In this section, the term ‘‘local development dis-
trict’’ 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 Adminis-
tration 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 
criteria developed by the Economic Develop-
ment Administration for a local development 
district; and 
(2) has not, as certified by the Federal cochair-
person— 
(A) inappropriately used Federal grant 
funds from any Federal source; or 
(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. 
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(b) GRANTS TO LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may make 
grants for administrative expenses under this sec-
tion. 
(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 receiv-
ing 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 
community-based groups and educational institu-
tions), the business community, and citizens that— 
(A) are involved in multijurisdictional plan-
ning; 
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(B) provide technical assistance to local ju-
risdictions and potential grantees; and 
(C) provide leadership and civic develop-
ment assistance. 
SEC. 7. 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, ob-
jectives, and priorities identified in the regional develop-
ment plan developed under section 3(d)(2). 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the develop-
ment planning process, a State shall— 
(1) consult with— 
(A) local development districts; 
(B) local units of government; and 
(C) institutions of higher learning; and 
(2) take into consideration the goals, objectives, 
priorities, and recommendations of the entities de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
(d) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—The Commission and 
applicable State and local development districts shall en-
courage and assist, to the maximum extent practicable, 
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public participation in the development, revision, and im-
plementation of all plans and programs under this Act. 
SEC. 8. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In considering programs and 
projects to be provided assistance under this Act, and in 
establishing a priority ranking of the requests for assist-
ance provided by the Commission, the Commission shall 
follow procedures that ensure, to the maximum extent 
practicable, 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 indica-
tors 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; 
(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-
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er than a temporary basis, the opportunities for em-
ployment, the average level of income, or the eco-
nomic 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 expendi-
tures may be evaluated; and 
(7) the preservation of multiple uses, or con-
servation, of natural resources. 
(b) NO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.—No financial as-
sistance authorized by this Act 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 Act only 
if the Commission determines that the level of Federal or 
State financial assistance provided under a law other than 
this Act, for the same type of program or project in the 
same area of the State within the region, will not be re-
duced as a result of funds made available by this Act. 
SEC. 
9. 
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 Act shall be reviewed by the 
Commission. 
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(b) EVALUATION BY STATE MEMBER.—An applica-
tion for a grant or any other assistance for a project under 
this Act shall be made through and evaluated for approval 
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 
certification by the State member and Federal cochair-
person 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 8; 
(3) provides adequate assurance that the pro-
posed project will be properly administered, oper-
ated, and maintained; and 
(4) otherwise meets the requirements of this 
Act. 
(d) VOTES FOR DECISIONS.—Upon certification of an 
application for a grant or other assistance for a specific 
project under this section, an affirmative vote of the Com-
mission under section 3(c) shall be required for approval 
of the application. 
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SEC. 10. CONSENT OF STATES. 
Nothing in this Act requires any State to engage in 
or accept any program under this Act without the consent 
of the State. 
SEC. 11. RECORDS. 
(a) RECORDS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall main-
tain accurate and complete records of all trans-
actions 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 Act shall, as required by the Commission, 
maintain accurate and complete records of trans-
actions and activities financed with Federal funds 
and report on the transactions and activities to 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 
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Commission (including authorized representatives of 
the Comptroller General and the Commission). 
SEC. 12. 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 Act. 
SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Commission to carry out this Act 
$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. 14. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION. 
This Act shall have no force or effect on or after Oc-
tober 1, 2012. 
SEC. 15. 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. 
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(b) COUNTIES INCLUDED IN NORTHERN BORDER 
REGION.—Consistent with the goal described in sub-
section (a), the region of Commission shall include the fol-
lowing counties: 
(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, Frank-
lin, 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. 
(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 12, 
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the Commission may recommend to Congress re-
moval of a county listed in paragraph (1) from the 
region on the basis that the county no longer exhib-
its 2 or more of the following economic distress fac-
tors: population loss, poverty, income levels, and un-
employment. 
(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 Commis-
sion— 
(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— 
(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-
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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 
and Madison. 
(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 section 12, the Commission may recommend 
to Congress additional counties or portions of coun-
ties for inclusion in the region. 
(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
CONDI-
TIONS.—The Commission may provide technical and 
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financial assistance to a county that is not included 
in the region for the purpose of conducting an eco-
nomic assessment of the county. The results of such 
an assessment may be used by the Commission in 
making recommendations 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 Devel-
opment Commission. 
Æ 
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