,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cfih ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #ag1 #bjbb ,mrs4 ,shaheen 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,leahy1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,mr4 ,king1 ,ms4 ,hassan1 and ,mr4 ,schumer7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 to modify certain requirements for ,regional ,commissions1 to reauthorize the ,northern ,border ,regional ,commission1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,northern ,border ,regional ,commission ,reauthorization ,act of #bjbb4 #b4 ,regional ,commissions modifications 7a7 ,membership of ,commissions ,section #aecja of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#b77;,c7-- 7,a7 by striking ,an alternate member and inserting the following3 7i7 ,in general ,an alternate member 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7ii7 ,state alternates ,if the alternate ,state member is unable to vote in accordance with clause 7i71 the alternate ,state member may delegate voting authority to a designee1 subject to the condition that the executive director shall be notified1 in writing1 of the designation not less than #a week before the applicable vote is to take place4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7f71 by striking a ,federal employee and inserting an employee4 7b7 ,decisions of ,commissions ,section #aecjb of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by inserting or ,state alternate members1 including designees after ,state members2 and 7#b7 by striking subsection 7c7 and inserting the following3 7c7 ,quorums 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 a ,commission shall determine what constitutes a quorum for meetings of the ,commission4 7#b7 ,requirements ,any quorum for meetings of a ,commission shall include-- 7,a7 the ,federal ,cochairperson or the alternate ,federal ,cochairperson2 and 7,b7 a majority of ,state members or alternate ,state members1 including designees 7exclusive of members representing ,states delinquent under section #aecjd7;c77#c77;,c774 4 7c7 ,administrative powers and expenses of ,commissions ,section #aecjd7;a77#i7 of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking maintain a government relations office in the ,district of ,columbia and4 7d7 ,meetings of ,commissions ,section #aecje7;b7 of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking with the ,federal ,cochairperson and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following3 8with-- 7#a7 the ,federal ,cochairperson2 and 7#b7 at least a majority of the ,state members or alternate ,state members 7including designees7 present in-person or via electronic means4 4 #c4 ,economic and infrastructure development grants ,section #aeeja of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#i7 as paragraphs 7#f7 through 7#aa71 respectively2 and 7,b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#c7 the following3 7#d7 to design1 build1 implement1 or upgrade transportation or basic public infrastructure or workforce capacity to support the adaption to and mitigation of climate challenges2 7#e7 to promote the production of housing to meet economic development and workforce needs2 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking paragraph 7#a71 7#b71 7#c71 or 7#g7 and inserting paragraph 7#a71 7#b71 7#c71 7#d71 or 7#i74 #d4 ,northern ,border ,regional ,commission 7a7 ,counties in ,maine and ,new ,hampshire ,section #aegcc of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting ,lincoln1 after ,knox12 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting ,merrimack1 after ,grafton14 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #aegea of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subsection 7a7 and inserting the following3 7a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to each ,commission to carry out this subtitle-- 7#a7 #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf2 and 7#b7 #fj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 4 #e4 ,northern ,forest region programs 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,v of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #aei ,northern ,forest ,region ,programs #aeija4 ,definitions ,in this chapter3 7#a7 ,,nbrc ,the term ,,nbrc means the ,northern ,border ,regional ,commission established by section #aecja7;a77#c74 7#b7 ,northern ,forest region ,the term ,northern ,forest region means the counties included in the ,,nbrc under section #aegcc4 #aeijb4 ,state capacity building grant program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,commission state ,the term ,commission ,state means each of the ,states of ,maine1 ,new ,hampshire1 ,new ,york1 and ,vermont4 7#b7 ,eligible county ,the term eligible county means a county described in section #aegcc4 7#c7 ,program ,the term program means the ,state capacity building grant program established under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,,nbrc shall establish a ,state capacity building grant program to provide grants to ,commission ,states to carry out the purpose under subsection 7c74 7c7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the program is to support the efforts of the ,,nbrc-- 7#a7 to better support business retention and expansion in eligible counties2 7#b7 to create programs to encourage job creation and workforce development in eligible counties2 7#c7 to prepare economic and infrastructure plans for eligible counties2 7#d7 to expand access to high-speed broadband in eligible counties2 7#e7 to provide technical assistance that results in ,,nbrc investments in transportation1 water1 wastewater1 and other critical infrastructure2 7#f7 to create initiatives to increase the effectiveness of local development districts in eligible counties2 and 7#g7 to implement new or innovative economic development practices that will better position the eligible counties of ,commission ,states to compete in the global economy4 7d7 ,use of funds 7#a7 ,in general ,funds from a grant under the program may be used to support a project1 program1 or related expense of the ,commission ,state in an eligible county4 7#b7 ,limitation ,funds from a grant under the program shall not be used for-- 7,a7 the purchase of furniture1 fixtures1 or equipment2 7,b7 the compensation of-- 7i7 any ,state member of the ,commission 7as described in section #aecja7;b77#a77;,b772 or 7ii7 any ,state alternate member of the ,commission 7as described in section #aecja7;b77#b77;,b772 or 7,c7 the cost of supplanting existing ,state programs4 7e7 ,annual work plan 7#a7 ,in general ,for each fiscal year1 before providing a grant under the program1 each ,commission ,state shall provide to the ,,nbrc an annual work plan that includes the proposed use of the grant4 7#b7 ,approval ,no grant under the program shall be provided to a ,commission ,state unless the ,,nbrc has approved the annual work plan of the ,state4 7f7 ,amount of grant 7#a7 ,in general ,the amount of a grant provided to a ,commission ,state under the program for a fiscal year shall be based on the proportion that-- 7,a7 the amount paid by the ,commission ,state 7including any amounts paid on behalf of the ,commission ,state by a nonprofit organization7 for administrative expenses for the applicable fiscal year 7as determined under section #aecjd7;c772 bears to 7,b7 the amount paid by all ,commission ,states 7including any amounts paid on behalf of a ,commission ,state by a nonprofit organization7 for administrative expenses for that fiscal year 7as determined under that section74 7#b7 ,requirement ,to be eligible to receive a grant under the program for a fiscal year1 a ,commission ,state 7or a nonprofit organization on behalf of the ,commission ,state7 shall pay the amount of administrative expenses of the ,commission ,state for the applicable fiscal year 7as determined under section #aecjd7;c774 7#c7 ,approval ,for each fiscal year1 a grant provided under the program shall be approved and made available as part of the approval of the annual budget of the ,,nbrc4 7g7 ,grant availability ,funds from a grant under the program shall be available only during the fiscal year for which the grant is provided4 7h7 ,report ,each fiscal year1 each ,commission ,state shall submit to the ,,nbrc and make publicly available a report that describes the use of the grant funds and the impact of the program in the ,commission ,state4 7i7 ,continuation of program ,the program under this section shall be a continuation of the program under section #fcjd7;c7 of the ,agriculture ,improvement ,act of #bjah 7#dj ,u4,s4,c4 #aeeja note2 ,public ,law #aae-ccd7 7as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this section74 7j7 ,funding 7#a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbh4 7#b7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds made available to carry out this section shall supplement and not supplant funds made available for the ,,nbrc and other activities of the ,,nbrc4 #aeijc4 ,demonstration health projects 7a7 ,purpose ,to demonstrate the value of adequate health facilities and services to the economic development of the ,northern ,forest region1 the ,,nbrc may make grants for the planning1 construction1 equipment1 and operation of demonstration health1 nutrition1 and child care projects1 including hospitals1 regional health diagnostic and treatment centers1 and other facilities and services necessary for the purposes of this section4 7b7 ,planning grants 7#a7 ,authority to provide amounts and make grants ,the ,,nbrc may make grants for expenses of planning necessary for the development and operation of demonstration health projects for the ,northern ,forest region4 7#b7 ,maximum ,,nbrc contributions ,the maximum ,,nbrc contributions for a grant for the construction or equipment of any component of a demonstration health project shall be made in accordance with section #aeeja7;d74 7#c7 ,sources of assistance ,the ,,nbrc contribution may be provided entirely from amounts authorized under this section or in combination with amounts provided under other ,federal grant programs4 7#d7 ,federal share ,notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the ,federal share in other ,federal grant programs described in paragraph 7#c71 amounts appropriated to carry out this section may be used to increase the ,federal share to the maximum percentage cost of a grant authorized by paragraph 7#b74 7c7 ,construction and equipment grants 7#a7 ,additional uses for construction grants ,grants under this section for construction may also be used for-- 7,a7 the acquisition of privately owned facilities-- 7i7 not operated for profit2 or 7ii7 previously operated for profit if the ,,nbrc finds that health services would not otherwise be provided in the area served by the facility if the acquisition is not made2 and 7,b7 initial equipment4 7#b7 ,standards for making grants ,grants under this section for construction shall be made in accordance with section #aeeja and shall not be incompatible with the applicable provisions of title ,,vi of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bia et seq471 the ,developmental ,disabilities ,assistance and ,bill of ,rights ,act of #bjjj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejja et seq471 and other laws authorizing grants for the construction of health-related facilities1 without regard to any provisions in those laws relating to appropriation authorization ceilings or to allotments among the ,states4 7#c7 ,maximum ,,nbrc contributions ,the maximum ,,nbrc contributions for a grant for the construction or equipment of any component of a demonstration health project shall be made in accordance with section #aeeja7;d74 7#d7 ,sources of assistance ,the ,,nbrc contribution may be provided entirely from amounts authorized under this section or in combination with amounts provided under other ,federal grant programs for the construction or equipment of health-related facilities4 7#e7 ,federal share ,notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the ,federal share in other ,federal grant programs described in paragraph 7#d71 amounts authorized under this section may be used to increase ,federal grants for component facilities of a demonstration health project to a maximum of #hj percent of the cost of the facilities4 7d7 ,operation grants 7#a7 ,standards for making grants ,a grant for the operation of a demonstration health project shall not be made unless the facility is publicly owned1 or owned by a public or private nonprofit organization1 and is not operated for profit4 7#b7 ,maximum ,,nbrc contributions ,grants under this section for the operation 7including initial operating amounts and operating deficits1 including the cost of attracting1 training1 and retaining qualified personnel7 of a demonstration health project1 whether or not constructed with amounts authorized to be appropriated by this section1 shall be made in accordance with section #aeeja7;d74 7#c7 ,sources of assistance ,the ,,nbrc contribution may be provided entirely from amounts appropriated to carry out this section or in combination with amounts provided under other ,federal grant programs for the operation of health related facilities and the provision of health and child development services1 including parts ,a and ,b of title ,,iv and title ,,xx of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq41 #fbj et seq41 #acig et seq474 7#d7 ,federal share ,notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the ,federal share in those other programs1 amounts appropriated to carry out this section may be used to increase ,federal grants for operating components of a demonstration health project to the maximum percentage cost of a grant authorized by this subsection4 7#e7 ,state deemed to meet requirement of providing assistance or services on statewide basis ,notwithstanding any provision of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cja et seq47 requiring assistance or services on a statewide basis1 a ,state providing assistance or services under a ,federal grant program described in paragraph 7#c7 in any area of the region approved by the ,,nbrc is deemed to be meeting that requirement4 7e7 ,emphasis on programs ,to address substance use disorders ,to provide for the further development of the human resources of the ,northern ,forest region1 grants under this section shall give special emphasis to projects and activities to address substance use disorders1 including opioid and methamphetamine use1 in the ,northern ,forest region1 including projects and activities-- 7#a7 to increase access to and disseminate information on the availability of substance use disorder treatment programs2 7#b7 to strengthen the substance use disorder workforce operating in the ,northern ,forest region1 including programs to attract and retain relevant health care services1 businesses1 and staff2 7#c7 to facilitate the sharing of best practices among ,states1 counties1 and other experts in the ,northern ,forest region with respect to reducing substance use disorders2 7#d7 to initiate or expand programs designed to eliminate or reduce the harm to the workforce and economic growth of the region that results from that abuse2 and 7#e7 to develop relevant infrastructure1 including broadband infrastructure that supports the use of telemedicine4 4 7b7 ,repeal ,section #fcjd7;c7 of the ,agriculture ,improvement ,act of #bjah 7#dj ,u4,s4,c4 #aeeja note2 ,public ,law #aae-ccd7 is repealed4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for subtitle ,v of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter #aeg the following3 8,chapter #aei--,northern ,forest ,region ,programs #aeija4 ,definitions4 #aeijb4 ,state capacity building grant program4 #aeijc4 ,demonstration health projects4 4