Economic Development Administration and Appalachian Regional Development Reform Act of 1998

Summary

Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (the Act) to replace titles I through VI of such Act with the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to cooperate with States and other entities to ensure that Federal economic development programs are compatible with and further the objectives of State, regional, and local economic development plans and comprehensive economic development strategies. Authorizes the Secretary to provide appropriate technical assistance to such entities in order to alleviate economic distress, encourage partnerships for economic development strategies, and promote investment in infrastructure and technological capacity to keep pace with the changing global economy. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations for intergovernmental review of proposed economic development projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into economic development cooperation agreements with two or more adjoining States. Defines an "eligible recipient," for purposes of this Act, as: (1) an area with a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average or an unemployment rate at least one percent greater than the national average or one which has experienced or is about to experience actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems; (2) an economic development district; (3) an Indian tribe; (4) a State; (5) a political subdivision; (6) an institution of higher education; or (7) a nonprofit organization acting in cooperation with local officials. Sets forth provisions similar to existing provisions of law authorizing grants to eligible recipients for acquisition or development of public works and development facilities. Retains a limitation that prohibits more than 15 percent of the amounts made available for such assistance from being expended in any one State. Authorizes assistance for public works and economic development to be available for a project to be carried out on a military or Department of Energy installation that is closed or scheduled for closure or realignment without requiring an eligible recipient to have title to the property or a leasehold interest for any specified term. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law authorizing grants for economic planning. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for related administrative expenses as well. Provides a Federal cost-share limit of 50 percent of project costs. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplementary grants for a project for which the recipient is eligible but for which the recipient cannot provide the required non-Federal share. Provides supplementary grant conditions and requirements, authorizing the Secretary to reduce or waive the required non-Federal share in certain cases. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law that authorize technical assistance useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment. Authorizes grants for training and research for such purposes as well. Permits the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project so assisted if the project is not feasible without, and merits, such a reduction or waiver. Retains an existing provision of law regarding the prevention of unfair competition. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law which authorize grants for economic adjustment to alleviate long-term economic deterioration and sudden economic dislocation. Revises criteria for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) approve the use of grant funds for projects the scope or purpose for which has been modified after the grant has been made; and (2) use funds for projects constructed for less than the projected costs to improve such projects. Bars assistance for public works and economic development from being used for attorney's or consultants' fees incurred in connection with obtaining grants and contracts. Requires areas to have per capita incomes of 80 percent or less of the national average or unemployment rates at least one percent greater than the national average or to have experienced or be about to experience actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems in order to be eligible for grants for public works and economic development or economic adjustment. Requires from such applicants: (1) documentation of meeting such criteria; and (2) evidence of a comprehensive economic development strategy which identifies the economic problems to be addressed through such assistance, as well as related information. Revises conditions under which areas may be designated as economic development districts by the Secretary. Retains: (1) existing incentives for increasing grant assistance in districts where participants are actively participating in economic development activities and the project is consistent with the district's comprehensive economic development strategy; and (2) provisions authorizing assistance to parts of districts not in eligible areas. Directs the Secretary to carry out this Act through an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development who shall serve as the Administrator of the Economic Development Administration. Directs the Secretary to maintain an information clearinghouse on all matters relating to economic development and adjustment, disaster recovery, defense conversion, and trade adjustment programs and activities of Federal and State governments and to assist applicants for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish procurement divisions of the Federal Government with a list of business firms located in distressed areas that desire Federal contracts. Requires the Secretary to conduct reviews of university centers that receive grant assistance under this Act to assess their performance and contribution toward retention and creation of employment. Provides for penalty, administrative, and recordkeeping provisions similar to those under existing law. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. Authorizes additional appropriations for defense conversion activities and disaster economic recovery activities. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding economic recovery for disaster areas, special economic development and adjustment assistance, and the job opportunities program.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 28 July 1998

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 28 July 1998

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 29 July 1998

   Reported

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

   Source: Committee

4. 14 September 1998

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 575.

   Source: Calendars

5. 14 September 1998

   Reported

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee without amendment. With written report No. 105-332.

   Source: Committee

6. 14 September 1998

   Reported

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee without amendment. With written report No. 105-332.

   Source: Committee

7. 12 October 1998

   Floor

   Held at the desk.

   Source: Floor

8. 12 October 1998

   Floor

   Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12395)

   Source: Floor

9. 12 October 1998

   Floor

   Received in the House.

   Source: Floor

10. 12 October 1998

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

11. 13 October 1998

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

12. 13 October 1998

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

13. 13 October 1998

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

14. 13 October 1998

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

15. 13 October 1998

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10734-10748)

    Source: Floor

16. 13 October 1998

    Floor

    Mr. Shuster moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

17. 2 November 1998

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

18. 2 November 1998

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

19. 13 November 1998

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 105-393.

    Source: President

20. 13 November 1998

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

21. 13 November 1998

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Public Law · 13 November 1998 · Official file
• Enrolled Bill · 13 October 1998 · Official file
• Engrossed in Senate · 12 October 1998 · Official file
• Reported to Senate · 14 September 1998 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 28 July 1998 · Official file

Documents

12 official files

• Public Law (text)

  Public Law · EN · 13 November 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 13 November 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Enrolled Bill (text)

  Enrolled Bill · EN · 13 October 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Enrolled Bill (PDF)

  Enrolled Bill · EN · 13 October 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in Senate (text)

  Engrossed in Senate · EN · 12 October 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

  Engrossed in Senate · EN · 12 October 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 12 October 1998

  Open at official source

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 14 September 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 14 September 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 28 July 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 28 July 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 28 July 1998

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Chafee, John H. [R-RI] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Baucus, Max [D-MT-1] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Warner, John [R-VA] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME-2] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Kempthorne, Dirk [R-ID] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA-6] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC] · D · Sponsor
• Susan Collins · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Robb, Charles S. [D-VA] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
• John Reed · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] · D · Cosponsor
• Richard Durbin · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Johnson, Tim [D-SD-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Cleland, Max [D-GA] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Faircloth, Lauch [R-NC] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN] · D · Cosponsor
• Patty Murray · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [D-SD] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Sessions, Jeff [R-AL] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [D-CO-3] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Jeffords, James M. [R-VT-At Large] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Bumpers, Dale [D-AR] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Torricelli, Robert G. [D-NJ-9] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Kerrey, J. Robert [D-NE] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Cochran, Thad [R-MS-4] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Moseley-Braun, Carol [D-IL] · D · Cosponsor

Showing 48 of 63 sponsors and actors.

Related records

• related to → Economic Development Partnership Act of 1998