[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7131 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7131
To promote economic growth and recovery throughout the Great Lakes
region, to restore and to protect America's principal source of fresh
water, which holds twenty percent of the world's freshwater, making it
the largest system in the world, to foster innovation and to advance
world-class workforce, education, training, and adjustment institutions
for better jobs in the Great Lakes region, to strengthen and to expand
the core U.S. manufacturing and industrial base, and the required
energy systems to sustain and to power production, and to work with the
Federal Government and provinces of Canada on our mutual Great Lakes
challenges including the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 17, 2022
Ms. Kaptur (for herself, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Rush, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Moore
of Wisconsin, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Morelle, and Ms. Stevens)
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 concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote economic growth and recovery throughout the Great Lakes
region, to restore and to protect America's principal source of fresh
water, which holds twenty percent of the world's freshwater, making it
the largest system in the world, to foster innovation and to advance
world-class workforce, education, training, and adjustment institutions
for better jobs in the Great Lakes region, to strengthen and to expand
the core U.S. manufacturing and industrial base, and the required
energy systems to sustain and to power production, and to work with the
Federal Government and provinces of Canada on our mutual Great Lakes
challenges including the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, 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 ``Great Lakes Authority Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The 8 States that comprise the United States portion of
the Great Lakes watershed contain the core of America's
commercial and industrial base.
(2) The Department of Homeland Security defines these
industries as ``America's Critical Manufacturing Sector''.
(3) The total economy for the United States Great Lakes
region generated $3.1 trillion in gross domestic product while
employing 25.8 million people and supporting $1.3 trillion in
wages.
(4) Maritime commerce supports more than 147,500 jobs in
the 8 Great Lakes States and generates annual binational
economic benefits of $35 billion in economic activity ($26
billion in the United States), $10.5 billion in personal income
and local consumption expenditures in the United States), and
$4.6 billion in Federal, State, and local tax revenue in the
United States.
(5) The Great Lakes region's 5 Great Lakes--Erie, Huron,
Michigan, Ontario, and Superior--are the source of 21 percent
of the world's surface fresh water and 84 percent of North
America's fresh water, making it the largest freshwater system
in the world.
(6) Since the early 1980s, the inequalities between the few
and the many, the coasts and the interior, and the developed
and underdeveloped regions of the United States have widened.
(7) The United States has closed 91,000 factories and lost
5 million manufacturing jobs since NAFTA was enacted in 1993
and since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2000.
The 8-State Great Lakes region lost 1.5 million of those jobs--
that is, 30 percent.
(8) The losses of factories and jobs, in turn, have greatly
weakened the fiscal capacity of the Great Lakes region's State
and local governments. A measure of this fiscal crisis is found
in the high municipal indebtedness of the region's cities, as
well as debt burdens due to Federal Government mandates.
(9) When workers' jobs are outsourced or eliminated by
increased foreign competition, entire communities feel the
impact. Communities throughout the Great Lakes, including
communities of color, have struggled to rebuild the economic
conditions that once supported thriving working and middle
class lives for their residents.
(10) The loss of factories and jobs has hollowed out entire
communities, leading to the spread of blight, pollution and
vacant and abandoned properties that destabilize rural,
suburban and urban communities across the Great Lakes region.
(11) The Great Lakes States have not kept pace with
innovation. Specifically, in 1990, 51,000 United States patents
were issued and in 2020 the United States Patent and Trademark
Office granted 188,000--an increase of 265 percent, but not a
single State in the Great Lakes region reached the national
average by 2020.
(12) The Great Lakes region faces numerous ecological
threats, including invasive species, toxic algae, erosion,
development, waste plastics, and toxic pollutants, among other
sources.
(13) Heavy power demands across the region require a
dependable baseload energy supply with a highly skilled
workforce. Today, the region has 17 nuclear reactors at 15
sites in operation. Nuclear power provides 15 percent of the
electricity for Ohio and Wisconsin, 23 percent for Minnesota,
29 percent for Michigan, 33 percent for New York, 41 percent
for Pennsylvania, and 53 percent for Illinois; however,
competitive pressures from massive, new natural gas supplies
have created financial pressures that can make nuclear power
less competitive and more expensive.
(14) Building back better in the Great Lakes region is a
challenge that requires an empowered and well-financed Great
Lakes Authority.
(15) The Great Lakes Authority can support sustained growth
and innovation through public and private sector initiatives
and collaboration with regional stakeholders.
SEC. 3. GREAT LAKES AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Subtitle VI of title 40, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 185--GREAT LAKES AUTHORITY
``subchapter i--general provisions
``Sec.
``18501. Purpose.
``18502. Definitions.
``subchapter ii--organization and administration
``18510. Establishment; members.
``18511. Meetings; decisions.
``18512. Functions.
``18513. Administrative powers and expenses.
``18514. Information.
``18515. Regional development plan.
``subchapter iii--financial assistance
``18520. Authority to provide financial assistance.
``18521. Revolving loan fund.
``subchapter iv--national energy recycling and conservation laboratory
``18530. National Energy Recycling and Conservation Laboratory.
``subchapter v--authorization of appropriations
``18540. Authorization of appropriations.
``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
``Sec. 18501. Purpose
``The purpose of this chapter shall be to establish the Great Lakes
Authority to--
``(1) promote economic development and job creation and to
create world-class workforce education, training, and
adjustment institutions to spur economic growth, especially in
communities that have been disproportionately affected by the
outsourcing of jobs;
``(2) restore and to protect the principal source of
surface fresh water in North America;
``(3) foster innovation to strengthen and expand the core
United States manufacturing and industrial base and promote
cleaner and more sustainable power production;
``(4) establish and administer funding mechanisms to
finance clean energy, green infrastructure, water
infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, and broadband
infrastructure projects in the Great Lakes region;
``(5) create a regional development plan;
``(6) promote affordable access to energy and broadband
services in the Great Lakes region; and
``(7) provide technical assistance to entities receiving
financial assistance from the Great Lakes Authority.
``Sec. 18502. Definitions
``In this chapter:
``(1) Apprenticeship program.--The term `apprenticeship
program' means an apprenticeship program registered under the
Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the `National
Apprenticeship Act'; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et
seq.).
``(2) Bond.--The term `bond' means any bond issued in
accordance with this chapter if--
``(A) the proceeds from the sale of the bond are to
be used for expenditures incurred after the date of
issuance with respect to any eligible project, subject
to such rules as the Great Lakes Authority may provide;
``(B) the bond is issued in registered form;
``(C) the bond has such terms and carries interest
in such an amount as determined by the Authority; and
``(D) payments of interest and principal with
respect to the bond is the obligation of the Authority
and is backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States.
``(3) Broadband infrastructure project.--
``(A) In general.--The term `broadband
infrastructure project' means any project for the
planning, design, construction, maintenance, or
enhancement of any cables, fiber optics, wiring,
wireless facility (including any pole, tower, base
station, or other structure, whether or not such
structure has an existing antenna facility, that is
used or to be used for the provision of wireless
service), or other permanent infrastructure integral to
the provision of advanced telecommunications capability
(as such term is defined in section 706(d) of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302(d)) and
as specified by the Federal Communications Commission
as part of the annual inquiry conducted under section
706(b) of such Act (47 U.S.C. 1302(b))).
``(B) Annual inquiry.--For purposes of subparagraph
(A), the term `annual inquiry' means the most recent
inquiry that concluded before the date on which an
eligible entity submits an application for assistance
under this chapter for a broadband infrastructure
project.
``(4) Clean energy infrastructure project.--The term `clean
energy infrastructure project' means a project that
demonstrates 1 or more of the following technologies:
``(A) Solar.
``(B) Wind.
``(C) Geothermal.
``(D) Direct air capture.
``(E) Diverse clean hydrogen sources.
``(F) Clean, low-carbon fuels.
``(G) Hydropower.
``(H) Wave energy technologies.
``(I) Fossil-fueled electricity generation with
carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration.
``(J) Thermal energy capture systems or other
regional energy infrastructure systems.
``(K) Energy storage, including pumped storage
hydropower and compressed air storage.
``(L) Advanced nuclear technologies.
``(M) Biomass.
``(N) Any technology that supports a technology
described in subparagraphs (A) through (M), including
micro-grid, electric grid infrastructure, or other
regional infrastructure systems.
``(O) Any other technology that is similar to, or a
successor to, the technologies described in
subparagraphs (A) through (N), as determined by the
Authority.
``(5) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a State or a political subdivision thereof;
``(B) a public agency or publicly chartered
authority established by 1 or more States;
``(C) a special purpose district with a
transportation, energy, environmental, or economic
development function;
``(D) an Indian Tribe (as such term is defined in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304), without
regard to capitalization), or a consortium of Indian
Tribes;
``(E) a multistate or multijurisdictional group of
entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D);
``(F) an institution of higher education (as such
term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a));
``(G) a nonprofit entity; and
``(H) an entity described in subparagraphs (A)
through (G) jointly with a private entity or group of
private entities.
``(6) Eligible project.--The term `eligible project'
means--
``(A) a project carried out in the Great Lakes
region that is a--
``(i) wastewater infrastructure project;
``(ii) clean energy infrastructure project;
``(iii) port infrastructure project;
``(iv) broadband infrastructure project;
``(v) green infrastructure project;
``(vi) lead abatement project;
``(vii) water infrastructure project; or
``(viii) weatherization project; and
``(B) any of the following activities carried out
in the Great Lakes region:
``(i) The acquisition or development of
land and improvements of such land for use for
public works, public service, or development
facilities.
``(ii) The acquisition, construction,
rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or
improvement of development facilities,
including related machinery and equipment.
``(iii) Preparation for events that may
cause economic, social, health, or
infrastructure failures or contribute to
inequities in the Great Lakes region, including
development of mechanisms to respond to such
events.
``(iv) The development of, and reinvestment
in, land banks in the Great Lakes region.
``(v) The protection and restoration of the
environmental resources of the Great Lakes
region, including increasing the resilience of
facilities in the Great Lakes region to protect
against threats to such facilities such as
harmful algal blooms, invasive species, rising
water levels, pollution, and coastal erosion.
``(vi) The development of plans to increase
the adoption of emerging technologies in rail,
maritime, and surface transportation systems
(including medium and heavy duty clean fueling
corridors) of the Great Lakes region, including
multi-modal transportation and technologies
that significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
``(vii) Promotion of workforce education
and training programs in the Great Lakes region
that can support a project described in
subparagraph (A), including programs that--
``(I) promote access to--
``(aa) apprenticeship
programs across skilled trades
leading to publicly certified
integrated certificates; and
``(bb) community college
credit, associate, bachelor,
and advanced degrees;
``(II) support a major, seamless,
nationally relevant workforce training
program for vehicle conversion, repair,
and innovation for mechanics and
engineers; and
``(III) are funded by State boards
and local boards.
``(7) Great lakes authority; authority.--The terms `Great
Lakes Authority' and `Authority' mean the Great Lakes Authority
established under this chapter.
``(8) Great lakes region.--The term `Great Lakes region'
means areas in the watershed of the Great Lakes and the Great
Lakes System (as such terms are defined in section 118(a)(3) of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1268(a)(3))), in each of the following States:
``(A) Illinois.
``(B) Indiana.
``(C) Michigan.
``(D) Minnesota.
``(E) New York.
``(F) Ohio.
``(G) Pennsylvania.
``(H) Wisconsin.
``(9) Green infrastructure project.--The term `green
infrastructure project' means any project for the planning,
design, construction, maintenance, or enhancement of green
infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 502 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)),
including through the use of any technology that the Authority
determines to be consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
``(10) Land bank.--The term `land bank' means a government
entity, agency, or program, or a special purpose nonprofit
entity formed by 1 or more units of government in accordance
with a State or local land bank enabling law, that has been
designated by 1 or more State or local governments to acquire,
steward, dispose of, or repurpose vacant, abandoned, or other
problem properties in accordance with locally determined
priorities and goals.
``(11) Loan guarantee.--The term `loan guarantee' has the
meaning given the term in section 502 of the Federal Credit
Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a).
``(12) Local board; state board.--The terms `local board'
and `State board' have the meanings given such terms in section
3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3102).
``(13) Local development district.--The term `local
development district' means any of the following entities for
which the Governor of the State in which the entity is located,
or the appropriate State officer, certifies to the Authority
that the entity has a charter or authority that includes the
economic development of counties or parts of counties or other
political subdivisions within the Great Lakes region:
``(A) A nonprofit incorporated body organized or
chartered under the law of the State in which such
nonprofit incorporated body is located.
``(B) A nonprofit agency or instrumentality of a
State or local government.
``(C) A nonprofit agency or instrumentality created
through an interstate compact.
``(D) A nonprofit association or combination of
entities described in this paragraph.
``(14) Port infrastructure project.--The term `port
infrastructure project' means construction, reconstruction,
environmental rehabilitation of a port facility, or the
acquisition of land, property, or equipment--
``(A) that is--
``(i) within the boundary of a port;
``(ii) outside the boundary of a port, but
directly related to port operations; or
``(iii) an intermodal connection to a port;
and
``(B) will be used to improve the safety,
efficiency or reliability of the loading or unloading
of goods or passengers at a port.
``(15) Resilience.--The term `resilience' means, with
respect to a facility, the ability to--
``(A) anticipate, prepare for, or adapt to
conditions;
``(B) withstand, respond to, or recover rapidly
from disruptions;
``(C) resist hazards or withstand impacts from
disruptions;
``(D) reduce the magnitude, duration, or impact of
a disruption; or
``(E) have the absorptive capacity, adaptive
capacity, and recoverability to decrease vulnerability
to a disruption.
``(16) Severely and persistently distressed area.--The term
`severely and persistently distressed area' means an area--
``(A) with a high proportion of residential and
commercial properties that are vacant due to
foreclosure, eviction, abandonment, or other causes;
``(B) with racial disparities in homeownership
rates;
``(C) with population loss;
``(D) where economic inequities have grown
substantially due to job dislocation and outsourcing;
and
``(E) in the case of a census tract located within
a metropolitan area, where the median family income for
such census tract does not exceed 80 percent of the
greater of statewide median family income or the
metropolitan area median family income.
``(17) Water infrastructure project.--The term `water
infrastructure project' means a project or activity described
in section 603(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1383(c)).
``(18) Wastewater infrastructure project.--The term
`wastewater infrastructure project' means a project for the
planning, design, construction, maintenance, or enhancement of
a treatment works (as such term is defined in section 212 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292) to
intercept, transport, control, treat, or reuse municipal
combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or
stormwater.
``(19) Weatherization project.--The term `weatherization
project' means a project that, through the use of
weatherization materials (as such term is defined in section
412 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C.
6862)), weatherizes dwelling units that are energy inefficient.
``SUBCHAPTER II--ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
``Sec. 18510. Establishment; members
``(a) Establishment.--There is established the Great Lakes
Authority to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
``(b) Members.--
``(1) In general.--The Great Lakes Authority shall be
composed of 9 individuals as follows:
``(A) 1 Chairperson, to be appointed by the
President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
``(B) 1 member from each State in the Great Lakes
region, to be appointed by the Governor of each such
State.
``(2) Qualifications.--To be eligible to be appointed as
the Chairperson or a member of the Great Lakes Authority, an
individual shall meet the following qualifications:
``(A) The individual shall be a citizen of the
United States and, in the case of a member appointed
under paragraph (1)(B), a legal resident of the State
for which such member is appointed to represent.
``(B) The individual shall have management
expertise relative to a large for profit or nonprofit
corporate, government, or academic institution in the
field of study or industries related to--
``(i) clean energy;
``(ii) green infrastructure;
``(iii) water infrastructure;
``(iv) wastewater infrastructure; or
``(v) broadband infrastructure.
``(C) The individual may not be an employee of the
Great Lakes Authority.
``(D) The individual shall affirm that such
individual does not have any financial interest in the
industries described in subparagraph (B).
``(E) The individual may not be employed by, hold
any official relation to, or be financially interested
in any company or other entity engaged in the
manufacture, business, control, or sale of technologies
related to the industries described in subparagraph
(B).
``(F) The individual shall affirm support for the
purposes of the Great Lakes Authority, including being
a national leader in the industries described in
subparagraph (B).
``(3) Party affiliation.--Including the Chairperson, there
may not be more than 5 members from the same political party.
``(c) Chairperson.--
``(1) Initial appointment.--Not later than 60 days after
the date of enactment of this chapter, the President shall
appoint the Chairperson.
``(2) Responsibilities.--The Chairperson shall be
responsible for the executive and administrative operation of
the Great Lakes Authority, including chairing meetings and
functions of the Great Lakes Authority, with respect to the
supervision of personnel employed by, or assigned to, the
Authority.
``(d) Vice Chairperson.--
``(1) In general.--The members of the Authority shall
select a Vice Chairperson from the State members described in
subsection (b)(1)(B) by a majority vote.
``(2) Chairperson vacancy.--The Vice Chairperson shall
serve as acting Chairperson when the position of the
Chairperson is vacant.
``(3) Qualifications.--The Vice Chairperson selected under
paragraph (1) may not be a resident of the same State as the
Chairperson.
``(4) Term.--The Vice Chairperson selected under paragraph
(1) shall serve a term of not more than 2 years.
``(e) Term and Vacancies.--
``(1) In general.--Each member of the Great Lakes Authority
shall be appointed for a term of 5 years, except as provided in
paragraph (2), and such term shall begin upon appointment of
such member.
``(2) Vacancies.--
``(A) In general.--Any member appointed to fill a
vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for
which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be
appointed only for the remainder of such term.
``(B) Interim service.--A member may serve after
the expiration of such member's term until a successor
has taken office, and if the Chairperson has taken the
oath of office, may not continue to serve after the
expiration of the session of Congress that begins after
the expiration of the fixed term of office of the
successor.
``(C) Effect of vacancy.--No vacancy shall impair
the right of the remaining members to exercise all the
powers of the Great Lakes Authority.
``(f) Removal.--Members of the Authority may be removed by the
President only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in
office.
``(g) Operations.--The Authority shall begin operations upon the
appointment of the Chairperson and at least 2 State members described
in subsection (b)(1)(B).
``(h) Executive Director.--
``(1) Appointment.--The Chairperson shall appoint an
Executive Director of the Great Lakes Authority, who shall meet
the qualifications described in subsection (b)(2).
``(2) Duties.--The Executive Director shall be responsible
for--
``(A) carrying out the administrative duties of the
Great Lakes Authority;
``(B) directing the staff of the Authority; and
``(C) any other duties as the members of the
Authority may assign.
``(3) Tenure.--The Executive Director shall serve at the
pleasure of the Chairperson.
``(i) Personnel; Compensation.--
``(1) Personnel.--The Chairperson and each State member of
the Great Lakes Authority may select and supervise personnel as
personal staff for such Chairperson or member.
``(2) Compensation.--The Great Lakes Authority may appoint
and fix the compensation of the Executive Director and other
personnel as necessary to enable the Authority to carry out its
functions, except that the compensation shall not exceed the
maximum rate of basic pay for the Senior 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 title 5.
``(j) Offices.--The Great Lakes Authority--
``(1) shall establish a permanent office and headquarters
located in close proximity to the center of the Great Lakes
region, near the mouth of the largest watershed of any of the
rivers feeding the Great Lakes System;
``(2) may maintain an office in the District of Columbia;
and
``(3) may establish field offices at other locations
throughout the Great Lakes region, as the Authority determines
appropriate.
``Sec. 18511. Meetings; decisions
``(a) Meetings.--
``(1) Initial meeting.--The Authority shall conduct an
initial meeting not later than 30 days after the Authority
begins operations under section 18510(g).
``(2) Subsequent meetings.--The Authority shall conduct at
least 1 meeting every 6 months, and may conduct meetings by
electronic means as the Authority considers advisable,
including meetings to decide matters requiring an affirmative
vote.
``(b) Decisions.--
``(1) Requirements for approval.--Policy decisions by the
Great Lakes Authority require the affirmative, majority vote of
the members of the Authority.
``(2) Consultation.--The Great Lakes Authority, to the
extent practicable, may consult with the Federal and State
agencies having an interest in a particular matter, including
transportation planning entities in the Great Lakes region.
``(c) Quorum.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a
quorum of at least 5 members of the Authority shall be required
to be present for the Authority to make, modify, or revise any
policy decision.
``(2) Effect of quorum requirement.--The quorum requirement
under paragraph (1) shall not apply until at least 5 members of
the Authority have been appointed.
``(d) Policy Decision Defined.--In this section, the term `policy
decision' means a decision regarding--
``(1) the approval of an annual budget for the Authority;
``(2) the approval of the regional development plan
established under section 18515;
``(3) any conflict of interest policy that is applicable to
members of the Board and employees of the Authority and is
submitted to Congress;
``(4) the approval of compensation for personnel of the
Authority; and
``(5) the creation of committees of members of the
Authority.
``Sec. 18512. Functions
``(a) In General.--In carrying out the purposes of this chapter,
the Great Lakes Authority shall--
``(1) develop, on a continuing basis, comprehensive and
coordinated economic and workforce development programs through
State boards and local boards and establish priorities under
such programs, giving consideration to other Federal, State,
Tribal, and local planning in the Great Lakes region;
``(2) review and study, in cooperation with the appropriate
agencies and economic and workforce development programs,
including State boards and local boards, in the Great Lakes
region and, when appropriate, recommend modifications or
additions to such programs to increase the effectiveness of
such programs in the Great Lakes region;
``(3) seek to coordinate the economic development
activities of, and the use of economic development resources
by, Federal agencies in the Great Lakes region, including--
``(A) the Department of Energy;
``(B) the Department of the Interior;
``(C) the Department of Transportation;
``(D) the Department of Commerce;
``(E) the Environmental Protection Agency;
``(F) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
``(G) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
``(H) the Corps of Engineers;
``(I) the Coast Guard;
``(J) the Department of Health and Human Services;
``(K) the Federal Communications Commission;
``(L) the Department of Agriculture;
``(M) the Department of Education;
``(N) the Department of Labor; and
``(O) any other Federal agency the Authority
determines appropriate;
``(4) promote coordination with the Government of Canada,
including its provinces and local governmental entities located
near the Great Lakes region;
``(5) formulate and recommend, where appropriate,
interstate compacts and other forms of interstate cooperation
to work with State and local agencies in developing appropriate
model legislation;
``(6) support Tribal and local governments in the Great
Lakes region that have incurred significant municipal debt;
``(7) encourage the formation and support of local
development districts;
``(8) conduct and sponsor investigations, research, and
studies, including an inventory and analysis of the economic
resources of the Great Lakes region, and, in cooperation with
Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, sponsor
demonstration projects designed to foster regional productivity
and growth;
``(9) encourage private investment in industrial,
commercial, and recreational projects in the Great Lakes
region;
``(10) encourage the use of eco-industrial development
technologies and approaches;
``(11) support broadband access and adoption in the Great
Lakes region;
``(12) serve as a focal point and coordinating unit for
programs and regional planning organizations in the Great Lakes
region; and
``(13) provide a forum for consideration of economic and
environmental problems of the Great Lakes region and proposed
solutions to such problems, including promoting conservation
and establishing and using, as appropriate, special advisory
councils and public conferences.
``(b) Needs and Goals of Subregional Areas.--In carrying out its
functions under this section, the Great Lakes Authority shall identify
the characteristics of, and may distinguish between the economic needs
and goals of, appropriate subregional areas in the Great Lakes region,
including the respective watersheds of each of the Great Lakes.
``(c) Recommendations.--The Great Lakes Authority may make
recommendations to the President, Governors, and appropriate Tribal and
local officials of States in the Great Lakes region with respect to--
``(1) the expenditure of amounts by Federal, State, and
local agencies in the Great Lakes region in the fields of
natural resources, agriculture, education, technology, advanced
manufacturing, training, health and welfare, and other fields
related to the purposes of this chapter; and
``(2) additional Federal, State, and local legislation or
administrative actions as the Great Lakes Authority considers
necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
``Sec. 18513. Administrative powers and expenses
``(a) Powers.--To carry out its duties under this subtitle, the
Authority may--
``(1) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws and regulations
governing the conduct of its business and the performance of
its functions;
``(2) request the head of any Federal agency to detail to
temporary duty with the Great Lakes Authority personnel within
the administrative jurisdiction of the head of the agency that
the Authority may need for carrying out its functions, each
detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee
status;
``(3) arrange for the services of personnel from any State
or local government, subdivision or agency of a State or local
government, or intergovernmental agency;
``(4) make arrangements, including contracts, with any
participating State government for inclusion in a suitable
retirement and employee benefit system of Great Lakes Authority
personnel who may not be eligible for, or continue in, another
governmental retirement or employee benefit system; or
otherwise provide for coverage of such personnel;
``(5) accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of
services or any property;
``(6) enter into and perform contracts, leases (including
the lease of office space for any term), cooperative
agreements, or other transactions, necessary in carrying out
its functions, on terms as it may consider appropriate, with
any person, department, agency, or instrumentality of the
Federal Government, or State or political subdivision, agency,
or instrumentality of such State;
``(7) provide technical assistance to entities receiving
financing from the Great Lakes Authority;
``(8) serve as a liaison between Congress, the executive
branch, and State and local governments, and to represent the
interests of the Great Lakes Authority; and
``(9) take other actions and incur other expenses as may be
necessary or appropriate.
``(b) Expenses.--
``(1) Chairperson staff expenses.--The expenses of the
Chairperson and the staff of the Chairperson of the Authority
shall be paid solely by the Federal Government.
``(2) Administrative expenses.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided under
paragraph (1), 50 percent of the administrative
expenses of the Great Lakes Authority shall be paid by
the States participating in the Great Lakes Authority.
``(B) State shares.--
``(i) In general.--The share of
administrative expenses of the Great Lakes
Authority to be paid by the States shall be
divided equally among the States participating
in the Great Lakes Authority.
``(ii) Delinquent states.--In the case of a
State that is delinquent in paying the share of
administrative expenses for such State under
this paragraph--
``(I) no assistance under this
chapter may be provided to the
government of such State; and
``(II) the member representing such
State may not participate in the Great
Lakes Authority or vote in any proposed
action to be taken by the Authority.
``(iii) Assistance to eligible recipients
located in delinquent state.--An eligible
entity located in, or carrying out an eligible
project in, a State described in clause (ii),
that is not the government of such State, or a
political subdivision thereof, may receive
financial assistance from the Great Lakes
Authority.
``Sec. 18514. Information
``(a) In General.--To obtain information needed to carry out its
duties, the Great Lakes Authority shall--
``(1) hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take
testimony, receive evidence, and print or otherwise reproduce
and distribute so much of its proceedings and reports on the
proceedings as the Authority may deem advisable;
``(2) arrange for the head of any Federal, State, or local
agency to furnish to the Great Lakes Authority information as
may be available to, or procurable by, such agency; and
``(3) keep accurate and complete records of its doings and
transactions which shall be made available for public
inspection and audit and examination by the Comptroller General
of the United States.
``(b) Authorizations.--
``(1) Administer oaths.--The Chairperson of the Authority
may administer oaths when the Authority decides that testimony
shall be taken or evidence received under oath.
``(2) Furnish information.--The head of any Federal, State,
or local agency, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by law,
may carry out subsection (a)(2).
``(c) Public Participation.--
``(1) In general.--The Great Lakes Authority shall provide
for public participation in the development, revision, and
implementation of all plans and programs under this chapter.
``(2) Regulations required.--The Great Lakes Authority
shall develop and publish regulations specifying minimum
guidelines for public participation, including regular public
hearings held throughout the Great Lakes region, which shall
include Tribal communities.
``(3) Consideration of public participation.--In
establishing any plans or programs under this chapter, the
Great Lakes Authority shall identify how public comments were
considered in the development and implementation of such plans
or programs.
``Sec. 18515. Regional development plan
``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which
the Great Lakes Authority begins operations under section 18510(g), the
Authority shall develop a regional development plan (in this section
referred to as the `plan') that--
``(1) identifies priorities, major development objectives,
and strategic guidelines for eligible projects in the Great
Lakes region;
``(2) establishes budgetary guidelines for the full life
funding of such projects, including the planning, construction,
repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of such projects; and
``(3) identifies responsibilities between the Great Lakes
Authority, the Federal Government, and State and local
governments for the development of infrastructure in the Great
Lakes region.
``(b) Submission.--
``(1) Initial submission.--Upon developing the plan under
subsection (a), the Authority shall submit the plan to the
Committees on Appropriations and Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committees on Appropriations and Environment and Public Works
of the Senate.
``(2) Biennial updates.--Not later than 2 years after the
date on which the plan is submitted under paragraph (1), and
every 2 years thereafter, the Authority shall review, update,
and submit such plan to the committees described in paragraph
(1).
``(c) Consultation Required.--In developing and updating the plan
under this section, the Authority shall--
``(1) consult with--
``(A) the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Economic Development;
``(B) the Chief of Engineers;
``(C) the Secretaries of Transportation and the
Interior;
``(D) the Governors of each of the States in the
Great Lakes region;
``(E) regional planning organizations; and
``(F) any other stakeholders that the Authority
considers appropriate, including Tribes; and
``(2) consider the Great Lakes coastal resiliency study
carried out by the Secretary of the Army under section 729 of
the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2267a),
as required by section 1219 of the America's Water
Infrastructure Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3811).
``SUBCHAPTER III--FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
``Sec. 18520. Authority to provide financial assistance
``In carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the Great Lakes
Authority may--
``(1) make loans on such terms as the Authority may
determine to be appropriate to assist eligible entities in the
financing, development, or operation of an eligible project;
``(2) make loan guarantees on such terms as the Authority
may determine to be appropriate to assist eligible entities in
the financing or refinancing of an eligible project;
``(3) issue bonds and provide financing to eligible
entities to carry out eligible projects from amounts made
available from the issuance of such bonds;
``(4) make grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts
with eligible entities to carry out eligible projects; and
``(5) provide technical assistance to entities receiving
financing from the Great Lakes Authority.
``Sec. 18521. Revolving loan fund
``(a) Establishment.--There is established a Great Lakes Fund (in
this section referred to as the `Fund').
``(b) Source of Amounts in Fund.--Amounts made available to the
Great Lakes Authority to carry out this section shall be deposited in
the Fund.
``(c) Use of Amounts in Fund.--The Great Lakes Authority shall use
the Fund as a revolving fund to make grants and loans from the Fund,
under terms and conditions the Great Lakes Authority may prescribe, to
eligible entities to carry out eligible projects.
``(d) Unused Amounts.--
``(1) In general.--Amounts in the Fund not needed for
operation of the revolving fund established under this section
may be invested in bonds or other obligations the Federal
Government guarantees as to principal and interest.
``(2) Administrative expenses.--General expenses of
administration of this section may be charged to the Fund.
``(e) Considerations.--In awarding funds under this section, the
Great Lakes Authority shall consider the following with respect to a
project proposed to be carried out with such funds:
``(1) The relationship of the project to overall regional
development and poverty alleviation, including consideration of
whether a project will be carried out in a severely and
persistently distressed area.
``(2) The population and area to be served by the project,
including the per capita market income and the unemployment
rates in such area.
``(3) The relative financial resources available to an
eligible entity that seeks to undertake the project.
``(4) The relevance of the project in relation to other
projects proposed to be carried out with a grant under this
section.
``(5) The amount of potential revenue the project may
generate.
``(6) The potential for the project to improve, on a
continuing basis, opportunities for employment, including
opportunities for individuals in populations with the highest
unemployment rates, the average level of income, or the
economic and social development of the area served by the
project, including areas where the median income has decreased
due to significant job losses.
``(7) The extent to which the project design provides for
detailed outcome measurements by which the project may be
evaluated.
``(8) Whether the project is identified as a priority in
the regional development plan under section 18515.
``(9) Whether the project is also funded by a regional
commission established under this title or a Federal agency and
the possibility of partnering and sharing costs with such
commission or agency to carry out the project.
``SUBCHAPTER IV--NATIONAL ENERGY RECYCLING AND CONSERVATION LABORATORY
``Sec. 18530. National Energy Recycling and Conservation Laboratory
``(a) In General.--There is established a National Energy Recycling
and Conservation Laboratory (in this section referred to as the
`Laboratory') to perform--
``(1) advanced research projects related to energy
recycling technologies, including hydrogen, thermal heat
extraction, biomass and waste conversion, geothermal, water
recycling, and methane capture; and
``(2) any research, development, and related functions as
the Great Lakes Authority may determine to be necessary or
appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Great Lakes
Authority.
``(b) Partnerships; Coordination.--In carrying out the research,
development, or other related functions under this section, the
Laboratory may coordinate with the Department of Energy or enter into
partnerships with any nuclear power plant in the United States.
``(c) Location.--The Great Lakes Authority shall select a location
for the Laboratory that is--
``(1) in close proximity to the center of the Great Lakes
region, near the mouth of the largest watershed of any of the
rivers feeding the Great Lakes region;
``(2) in close proximity to a nuclear power plant;
``(3) in an area with heavy industry and manufacturing;
``(4) in an area with a high proportion of residential and
commercial properties that are vacant due to foreclosure,
eviction, abandonment, or other causes;
``(5) in an area with racial disparities in homeownership
rates;
``(6) in an area with population loss;
``(7) in an area where economic inequities have grown
substantially due to job dislocation and outsourcing; and
``(8) in the case of a census tract located within a
metropolitan area, where the median family income for such
census tract does not exceed 80 percent of the greater of
statewide median family income or the metropolitan area median
family income.
``SUBCHAPTER V--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
``Sec. 18540. Authorization of appropriations
``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
chapter--
``(a) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
``(b) $50,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for subtitle VI of
title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
``185. Great Lakes Authority................................ 18501''.
<all>
Great Lakes Authority Act of 2022
#7131 | HR Congress #117
Policy Area: Environmental Protection
Subjects:
Last Action: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4011-4012) (3/31/2022)
Bill Text Source: Congress.gov
Summary and Impacts
Original Text