To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make predevelopment grants, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.7085 | Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Troy (D-LA)
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
This bill authorizes the Economic Development Administration to make predevelopment grants to specified entities for activities such as community asset mapping, technical assistance, and feasibility and environmental studies.

To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to 
authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make predevelopment grants, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PREDEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 207 
the following:

``SEC. 208. PREDEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) Predevelopment Grants.--On the application of an eligible 
recipient, the Secretary may make grants or cooperative agreements 
for--
            ``(1) community asset mapping;
            ``(2) training;
            ``(3) technical assistance and organizational development;
            ``(4) feasibility, environmental, and market studies;
            ``(5) demonstration projects;
            ``(6) organizational capacity building;
            ``(7) organizing and facilitating convenings;
            ``(8) site preparation and infrastructure;
            ``(9) permitting, including professional services; and
            ``(10) other predevelopment activities determined by the 
        Secretary to be appropriate.
    ``(b) Application Assistance.--In the case of a project under this 
section that provides assistance to 1 or more eligible entities with 
low organizational capacity, the Secretary may waive the provision in 
section 213 prohibiting the use of assistance made under this title in 
connection with obtaining grants under this title.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 
note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 207 
the following:

``Sec. 208. Predevelopment.''.
    (c) Grant Rate for Predevelopment Grants.--Section 204(c)(3) of the 
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 
3144(c)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in the heading by striking ``and technical assistance'' 
        and inserting ``, technical assistance, and predevelopment''; 
        and
            (2) by striking ``section 207'' and inserting ``sections 
        207 and 208''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) University center.--Section 3(12) of the Public Works 
        and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3122(12)) is 
        amended by striking ``section 207(a)(2)(D)'' and inserting 
        ``section 207(c)''.
            (2) Direct expenditure or redistribution by recipient.--
        Section 217(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act 
        of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3154c(a)) is amended by striking ``or 207'' 
        and inserting ``207, or 208''.
            (3) Powers of secretary.--Section 601(a)(12) of the Public 
        Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 is amended by 
        striking ``section 207'' and inserting ``sections 207 and 
        208''.
                                 <all>