,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ddje ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,august #c1 #bjbj,mr4 ,van ,hollen introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to establish a pilot program to provide grants to nongovernmental entities1 including nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations1 to provide economic support in urban areas of the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,neighborhood ,economic ,development and ,opportunity ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,neighborhood ,economic ,development and ,opportunity ,pilot ,program 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 residents of certain urban communities in the ,united ,states have experienced decades-long1 complex1 and systemic racial1 economic1 social1 and other impediments that prevent the best solutions and equal opportunities for certain urban residents compared to those in outlying communities2 7#b7 the efforts and work of nonprofit and faith-based community organizations are essential to revitalizing the urban communities referred to in paragraph 7#a7 and delivering meaningful1 positive change in people and improvement of physical infrastructure of neighborhoods1 resulting in better communities2 and 7#c7 cities are in need of immediate and emergency action and streamlined delivery of ,federal assistance through local nonprofit and faith-based organizations within or directly contributing to severely distressed urban neighborhoods1 especially in areas designated as opportunity zones4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a nongovernmental1 nonprofit1 faith-based1 or charitable organization1 including a ,community ,development ,corporation1 or a combination of such organizations1 that-- 7,a7 is described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and is exempt from taxation under section #eja7;a7 of that ,code2 and 7,b7 delivers-- 7i7 services that improve employment skills1 promote self-sufficiency and self-empowerment1 and help individuals achieve their full potential through the development and provision of skills and capacities that promote productive individuals2 or 7ii7 development projects that revitalize physical infrastructure needed in severely distressed urban neighborhoods1 especially opportunity zones4 7#b7 ,faith-based organization ,the term faith-based organization means a nonprofit organization or group of organizations that is affiliated with or composed of congregations or networks of worship organizations that deliver social1 human1 or community redevelopment services or activities for the purpose of improving the human condition or lives of people4 7#c7 ,opportunity zone ,the term opportunity zone has the meaning given the term qualified opportunity zone in section #adjj,z-#a7;a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7#d7 ,review board ,the term review board means the review board established under subsection 7d77#a74 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,commerce4 7#f7 ,severely distressed urban neighborhood ,the term severely distressed urban neighborhood means-- 7,a7 an opportunity zone2 or 7,b7 an area that has experienced severe long-term poverty1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7c7 ,neighborhood economic development and opportunity pilot program for nonprofit and faith-,based partnerships ,to support severely distressed urban neighborhoods 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a grant program to provide grants to eligible entities to carry out activities to achieve urban community revitalization in severely distressed urban neighborhoods4 7#b7 ,eligible activities ,an eligible entity may use a grant under this section to carry out-- 7,a7 a social or economic program that improves employment skills1 promotes self-sufficiency and self-empowerment1 or helps individuals achieve their full potential through development and provision of skills and capacities that promote productive individuals2 or 7,b7 a development project that revitalizes physical infrastructure in a severely distressed urban neighborhood1 in combination with activities described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,applications 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application that describes funding needs of the eligible entity1 including a description of any funding needed to complete ongoing projects1 development plans1 and sustainable services for residents in severely distressed urban neighborhoods and how that funding will achieve urban community revitalization results with such people and in neighborhoods4 7,b7 ,requirement ,an application under subparagraph 7,a7 shall-- 7i7 describe the total cost of the activities 7including non-,federal contributions7 to be carried out with a grant under this section2 7ii7 describe the amount of non-,federal funds that will be contributed to carry out the activities described in clause 7i72 7iii7 describe the measurable results expected as a result of the activities described in clause 7i72 and 7iv7 include a clear1 itemized statement that demonstrates how the activities described in clause 7i7 will achieve the goals of-- 7,i7 restoring communities-- 7aa7 by bettering people through building core personal attributes needed for successful1 functioning communities and individuals1 including by improving skills1 character1 and economic productive capacity of individuals2 and 7bb7 by building economically translatable skills2 and 7,,ii7 improving severely distressed urban neighborhoods through comprehensive development projects that revitalize physical infrastructure in such neighborhoods4 7#d7 ,grant requirements 7,a7 ,total cost of activities ,the total cost of activities carried out with a grant under this section 7including non-,federal contributions7 shall be-- 7i7 not less than #b1ejj1jjj2 and 7ii7 not more than #ej1jjj1jjj4 7,b7 ,non-,federal share ,the non-,federal share of the cost of activities carried out with a grant under this section shall be not less than #e percent4 7d7 ,review board 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a review board to review and evaluate applications for grants under this section4 7#b7 ,composition 7,a7 ,in general ,the review board shall be composed of #i members1 of which-- 7i7 one shall be the ,secretary 7or a designee72 7ii7 two shall be appointed by the ,president2 7iii7 two shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives2 7iv7 one shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives2 7v7 two shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate2 and 7vi7 one shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,senate4 7,b7 ,deadline for appointment ,members of the review board shall be appointed not later than the date that is #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,duties 7,a7 ,in general ,the review board shall-- 7i7 review1 evaluate1 and rank applications for grants under this section2 and 7ii7 not later than #abj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 submit to the ,secretary the priority list under subparagraph 7,c77ii7 for consideration in the final selection of grant recipients by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,evaluation 7i7 ,in general ,the review board shall evaluate each application received under this section based on the following criteria3 7,i7 ,the extent of existing poverty and crime issues in the severely distressed urban neighborhood4 7,,ii7 ,the likelihood that activities proposed to be carried out with a grant under this section will achieve the goals described in subsection 7c77#c77;,b77iv74 7,,iii7 ,the support for the application1 as demonstrated through meaningful1 substantive roles of one or more ,federal1 ,state1 or local government and one or more private1 nongovernmental entity in carrying out the proposed activities4 7,,iv7 ,the proportion of non-,federal funds contributed to carry out the activities described in the application1 including private1 ,state1 local1 and other sources of funds1 with a preference given to those applications that commit a larger non-,federal share4 7,v7 ,the demonstrated success of the eligible entity in providing services or projects in the severely distressed urban neighborhood4 7,,vi7 ,the management and administrative capacity of the eligible entity to carry out the activities4 7,,vii7 ,the accountability measures proposed in the application1 such as metered release of ,federal funds1 audits1 transparency measures1 public disclosure1 and third-party reviews to ensure funding is spent as budgeted and results are measured1 reported1 and shared4 7ii7 ,priority ,in evaluating applications under this section1 the review board shall give priority-- 7,i7 to applications that reflect direct community neighborhood input2 and 7,,ii7 to applications from eligible entities that are based in the community served by the eligible entity4 7,c7 ,rankings 7i7 ,in general ,based on the evaluations under subparagraph 7,b7-- 7,i7 the review board shall determine which applications meet the requirements of this section2 7,,ii7 each member of the review board shall provide a score for each application described in subclause 7,i7 on a scale of #j to #ajj2 7,,iii7 for each application that is scored1 the scores of each member shall be averaged to create an average score for the application2 and 7,,iv7 the applications shall be listed by average score in the applicable category on the priority list under clause 7ii74 7ii7 ,priority list ,the review board shall develop a priority list that includes each application that receives a score under clause 7i71 in the following categories3 7,i7 ,applications with a total cost 7including non-,federal contributions7 of #aj1jjj1jjj or less1 from the highest average score to the lowest average score of those applications4 7,,ii7 ,applications with a total cost 7including non-,federal contributions7 of more than #aj1jjj1jjj1 from the highest average score to the lowest average score of those applications4 7#d7 ,staff 7,a7 ,in general ,the review board may hire temporary staff to support the review board in carrying out the duties of the review board under paragraph 7#c74 7,b7 ,funding ,the review board may use not more than #a1jjj1jjj of the amounts made available to carry out this section for staff salaries and expenses under subparagraph 7,a74 7#e7 ,termination 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the review board shall terminate on the date on which the ,secretary has selected all grant recipients under this section and section #c4 7,b7 ,extension ,the ,secretary may grant the review board not more than #a extension of not more than #ahj days1 if the ,secretary determines an extension to be necessary4 7e7 ,selection and distribution 7#a7 ,initial grants 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date on which the review board submits the priority list to the ,secretary under subsection 7d77#c77;,a77ii71 the ,secretary shall select #ab applications to receive grants under this section1 after taking into consideration the priority list4 7,b7 ,regional selection ,the applications selected under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include #b applications from each region served by an ,economic ,development ,administration regional office4 7,c7 ,distribution ,of the amounts made available to carry out this section-- 7i7 not less than #bjj1jjj1jjj shall be used to provide grants for applications on the priority list under the category described in subsection 7d77#c77;,c77ii77,i71 with priority given to providing full funding to the applications that received the highest rankings2 and 7ii7 not less than #cjj1jjj1jjj shall be used to provide grants for applications on the priority list under the category described in subsection 7d77#c77;,c77ii77,,ii71 with priority given to providing full funding to the applications that received the highest rankings4 7#b7 ,additional selections 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date on which the review board submits the priority list to the ,secretary under subsection 7d77#c77;,a77ii71 after providing #ab grants in accordance with paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall use any remaining amounts to provide grants as described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,selections ,in making selections under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7i7 select to receive grant applications that were not selected to receive grants under paragraph 7#c72 7ii7 give priority consideration to the highest ranked applications remaining in the category described in subsection 7d77#c77;,c77ii77,i7 or the category described in subsection 7d77#c77;,c77ii77,,ii71 as applicable2 and 7iii7 consider equitable regional distribution4 7#c7 ,multiple disbursements ,the ,secretary may provide a grant under this section in multiple disbursements1 with subsequent disbursements contingent on a report to the ,secretary by the eligible entity that demonstrates that the previous disbursement was-- 7,a7 expended consistent with this section and all applicable ,federal laws2 and 7,b7 free of fraud1 waste1 and excessive spending1 as verified to the satisfaction of the ,secretary4 7f7 ,coordination ,in providing grants under this section1 the ,secretary may coordinate with the heads of other ,federal agencies to ensure the best implementation of this section4 7g7 ,reports 7#a7 ,reports by grant recipients 7,a7 ,accounting ,not later than #bj days after the end of each quarter1 beginning with the first full quarter after grant funds are disbursed1 until the grant funds are expended1 each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the ,secretary a report that-- 7i7 details the expenditures made for each activity carried out with the grant funds2 and 7ii7 certifies that the expenditures were used to carry out the activities described in the application of the eligible entity4 7,b7 ,final report ,not later than #a year after the date on which the activities carried out with a grant under this section have been completed1 the eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary a report that describes-- 7i7 the results and effectiveness of the grant in carrying out those activities2 and 7ii7 improvements to communities1 jobs created1 and other factors that have contributed to community improvement in the severely distressed urban neighborhood as a result of those activities4 7#b7 ,reports by ,secretary ,not later than #a year after the date on which the amounts made available under subsection 7h7 have been disbursed for grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives a report that evaluates the program under this section1 including an evaluation of-- 7,a7 the quality of the grant applications2 and 7,b7 the outcomes and impacts of the projects and activities carried out with a grant1 including health outcomes and the impact on determining characteristics of severely distressed urban neighborhoods4 7h7 ,funding 7#a7 ,in general ,there is appropriated1 out of amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 to the ,secretary to carry out this section #fjj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 7#b7 ,emergency designation 7,a7 ,in general ,the amounts provided by paragraph 7#a7 are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #d7;g7 of the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;g774 7,b7 ,designation in ,senate ,in the ,senate1 this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #daab7;a7 of ,h4 ,con4 ,res4 #ga 7#aaeth ,congress71 the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year #bjah4 #c4 ,baltimore neighborhood economic development and opportunity initiative 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,city ,the term ,city means the ,city of ,baltimore1 ,maryland4 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 an eligible entity 7as defined in section #b7;b77 that is located in or serves the ,city2 7,b7 the ,city2 or 7,c7 the ,state of ,maryland4 7#c7 ,review ,board ,the term review board means the review board established under section #b7;d77#a74 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,commerce4 7#e7 ,severely distressed urban neighborhood ,the term severely distressed urban neighborhood has the meaning given the term in section #b7;b74 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary may provide grants to eligible entities to carry out activities to achieve urban community revitalization in severely distressed urban neighborhoods in the ,city4 7c7 ,eligible activities ,an eligible entity may use a grant under this section to carry out-- 7#a7 a social or economic program that improves skills1 character1 or productive capacity of individuals that reside in a severely distressed urban neighborhood in the ,city2 or 7#b7 a development project that revitalizes physical infrastructure in a severely distressed urban neighborhood in the ,city1 in combination with activities described in paragraph 7#a74 7d7 ,applications ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application that describes funding needs of the eligible entity1 including a description of any funding needed to complete ongoing projects1 development plans1 and sustainable services for residents in severely distressed urban neighborhoods in the ,city and how that funding will achieve urban community revitalization results with such people and in such neighborhoods4 7e7 ,grant requirements 7#a7 ,total cost of activities ,the total cost of activities carried out with a grant under this section 7including non-,federal contributions7 shall be-- 7,a7 not less than #b1ejj1jjj2 and 7,b7 not more than #ej1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,non-,federal share ,the non-,federal share of the cost of activities carried out with a grant under this section shall be not less than #e percent4 7f7 ,ranking by review board ,the review board shall-- 7#a7 review1 evaluate1 and rank the applications received under this section in accordance with the procedures and requirements described in section #b7;d77#c71 except that the review board shall only develop #a priority list for applications under this section2 and 7#b7 not later than #abj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 submit to the ,secretary the priority list for the applications received under this section for consideration by the ,secretary in selecting grant recipients under this section4 7g7 ,selection 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date on which the review board submits the priority list to the ,secretary under subsection 7f77#b71 the ,secretary shall select eligible entities to receive grants under this section4 7#b7 ,priority2 consideration ,in providing grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 give priority to providing full funding to the applications that received the highest rankings from the review board2 7,b7 consider equitable regional distribution of grants in all areas of the ,city2 and 7,c7 give priority-- 7i7 to applications that reflect direct community neighborhood input2 and 7ii7 to applications from eligible entities that are based in the community served by the eligible entity4 7h7 ,coordination ,in providing grants under this section1 the ,secretary may coordinate with the heads of other ,federal agencies and the ,mayor of the ,city 7or a designee7 to ensure the best implementation of this section4 7i7 ,reports 7#a7 ,accounting ,not later than #bj days after the end of each quarter1 beginning with the first full quarter after the grant funds are disbursed1 until the grant funds are expended1 each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the ,secretary a report that-- 7,a7 details the expenditures made for each activity carried out with the grant funds2 and 7,b7 certifies that the expenditures were used to carry out the activities described in the application of the eligible entity4 7#b7 ,final report ,not later than #a year after the date on which the activities carried out with a grant under this section have been completed1 the eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary a short report that describes-- 7,a7 the results and effectiveness of the grant in carrying out those activities2 and 7,b7 improvements to communities1 jobs created1 and other factors that have contributed to community improvement in the severely distressed urban neighborhood in the ,city as a result of those activities4 7j7 ,funding 7#a7 ,in general ,there is appropriated1 out of amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 to the ,secretary to carry out this section #bjj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 7#b7 ,emergency designation 7,a7 ,in general ,the amounts provided by paragraph 7#a7 are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #d7;g7 of the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;g774 7,b7 ,designation in ,senate ,in the ,senate1 this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #daab7;a7 of ,h4 ,con4 ,res4 #ga 7#aaeth ,congress71 the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year #bjah4