Southern New England Regional Commission Act
Bill: S.900 | Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon (D-RI)
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
Southern New England Regional Commission Act
This bill establishes the Southern New England Regional Commission. (Federal regional commissions address perceived regional economic underdevelopment.) The commission is given the same structure and duties as the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, Southwest Border Regional Commission, and Northern Border Regional Commission.
The bill authorizes those commissions, in addition to their current authorities, to (1) support the maritime economy, (2) assist in developing defense manufacturing industries, and (3) promote the adoption of innovative materials in public transportation.

To amend title 40, United States Code, to establish a Southern New 
          England Regional Commission, 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. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Southern New England Regional 
Commission Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--Section 15301(a) of title 40, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) The Southern New England Regional Commission.''.
    (b) Purposes for Economic and Infrastructure Development Grants.--
Section 15501 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking 
subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--A Commission may make grants to States and local 
governments, Indian Tribes, and public and nonprofit organizations for 
projects, approved in accordance with section 15503--
            ``(1) to develop the transportation infrastructure of the 
        region of the Commission;
            ``(2) to develop the basic public infrastructure of the 
        region of the Commission;
            ``(3) to develop the telecommunications infrastructure of 
        the region of the Commission;
            ``(4) to assist the region of the Commission in obtaining 
        job skills training, skills development and employment-related 
        education, career pathways, apprenticeship opportunities, 
        entrepreneurship, technology, job coaching to address the cliff 
        effect, work supports (including child care), and business 
        development;
            ``(5) to provide assistance to severely economically 
        distressed and underdeveloped areas of a region that lack 
        financial resources for improving--
                    ``(A) basic health care;
                    ``(B) two-generational practices that improve 
                school and workforce readiness and success; and
                    ``(C) other public services, including work 
                supports critical for families seeking employment, 
                which may include quality child care, transportation, 
                health, and housing;
            ``(6) to promote resource conservation, tourism, 
        recreation, and preservation of open space in a manner 
        consistent with economic development goals;
            ``(7) to promote the development of renewable and 
        alternative energy sources;
            ``(8) to support the maritime economy, including boat and 
        ship building and repair industries;
            ``(9) to assist in developing defense manufacturing 
        industries;
            ``(10) to promote the adoption of composite and other 
        innovative materials in public transportation;
            ``(11) to grow the capacity for successful community 
        economic development in the region of the Commission;
            ``(12) to provide for employment training for populations 
        seeking employment, including parents in poverty, adults in 
        recovery, and reentry adults, in areas with worker shortages; 
        and
            ``(13) to otherwise achieve the purposes of this 
        subtitle.''.
    (c) Designation of Region.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 157 of title 40, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
``Sec. 15734. Southern New England Regional Commission
    ``The region of the Southern New England Regional Commission shall 
include the following counties:
            ``(1) Rhode island.--Each county in the State of Rhode 
        Island.
            ``(2) Connecticut.--The counties of Hartford, New Haven, 
        Windham, Tolland, Middlesex, and New London in the State of 
        Connecticut.
            ``(3) Massachusetts.--The counties of Hampden, Plymouth, 
        Barnstable, Essex, Worcester, and Bristol in the State of 
        Massachusetts.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for subchapter II of 
        chapter 157 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following:

``15734. Southern New England Regional Commission.''.
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