,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #eahj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #a1 #bjbb,ms4 ,stabenow 7for herself and ,mr4 ,portman7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,great ,lakes ,authority1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,great ,lakes ,authority ,act of #bjbb4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,authority ,the term ,authority means the ,great ,lakes ,authority established by section #c7;a77#a74 7#b7 ,great ,lakes ,the term ,great ,lakes has the meaning given the term in section #aah7;a77#c7 of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abfh7;a77#c774 7#c7 ,great ,lakes ,commission ,the term ,great ,lakes ,commission means the ,great ,lakes ,commission established by article ,,iv of the ,great ,lakes ,basin ,compact4 7#d7 ,great ,lakes ,basin ,compact ,the term ,great ,lakes ,basin ,compact means the ,great ,lakes ,basin ,compact to which ,congress granted consent in the ,act of ,july #bd1 #aifh 7,public ,law #ij-dai2 #hb ,stat4 #dad74 7#e7 ,great ,lakes region ,the term ,great ,lakes region means counties in the ,states of-- 7,a7 ,ohio 7other than counties served by the ,appalachian ,regional ,commission established by section #adcja7;a7 of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code72 7,b7 ,illinois 7other than counties served by the ,delta ,regional ,authority established under subtitle ,f of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjji;aa et seq4772 7,c7 ,indiana2 7,d7 ,michigan2 and 7,e7 ,wisconsin4 7#f7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#g7 ,land bank ,the term land bank means a government entity1 agency1 or program1 or a special purpose nonprofit entity formed by #a or more units of government in accordance with a ,state or local land bank enabling law1 that has been designated by #a or more ,state or local governments to acquire1 steward1 repurpose1 or dispose of vacant1 abandoned1 or other problem properties in accordance with locally determined priorities and goals4 7#h7 ,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 located1 or the appropriate ,state officer1 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 region3 7,a7 ,a nonprofit incorporated body organized or chartered under the law of the ,state in which it is located4 7,b7 ,a nonprofit agency or instrumentality of a ,state or local government4 7,c7 ,a nonprofit agency or instrumentality created through an interstate compact4 7,d7 ,an economic development district 7as defined in section #c of the ,public ,works and ,economic ,development ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cabb774 7,e7 ,a nonprofit association or combination of bodies1 agencies1 entities1 and instrumentalities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d74 7#i7 ,participating ,state ,the term participating ,state means a ,state located within the ,great ,lakes region that elects to participate in the ,authority4 #c4 ,great ,lakes ,authority 7a7 ,establishment1 membership1 and employees 7#a7 ,in general ,there is established the ,great ,lakes ,authority4 7#b7 ,membership 7,a7 ,federal and ,state members ,the ,authority shall be composed of the following members3 7i7 ,a ,federal ,cochairperson1 to be appointed by the ,president1 not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate4 7ii7 ,a ,state ,cochairperson1 to be appointed in accordance with subparagraph 7,c77ii74 7iii7 ,the ,governor of each participating ,state4 7,b7 ,alternate members 7i7 ,alternate federal cochairperson 7,i7 ,in general ,the ,president shall appoint an alternate ,federal ,cochairperson for the ,authority4 7,,ii7 ,duties ,the alternate ,federal ,cochairperson appointed under subclause 7,i71 when not actively serving as an alternate for the ,federal ,cochairperson1 shall perform such functions and duties as are delegated by the ,federal ,cochairperson4 7ii7 ,state alternates ,the ,state member of a participating ,state may have a single alternate1 who shall be appointed by the ,governor of the participating ,state from among the members of the cabinet or personal staff of the ,governor4 7iii7 ,voting ,an alternate member shall vote in the case of the absence1 death1 disability1 removal1 or resignation of the ,federal or ,state member for which the alternate member is an alternate4 7,c7 ,cochairpersons ,the ,authority shall be headed by-- 7i7 the ,federal ,cochairperson1 who shall serve as a liaison between the ,federal ,government and the ,authority2 and 7ii7 a ,state ,cochairperson1 who shall be a ,governor of a participating ,state and shall be elected by the ,state members for a term of not less than #a year4 7,d7 ,consecutive terms ,a ,state member may not be elected to serve as ,state ,cochairperson for more than #b consecutive terms4 7,e7 ,qualifications ,to be eligible to be appointed as the ,federal ,cochairperson under subparagraph 7,a7 or the alternate ,federal ,cochairperson under subparagraph 7,b77i71 an individual-- 7i7 shall-- 7,i7 be a citizen of the ,united ,states2 7,,ii7 be a legal resident of a ,state within the ,great ,lakes region2 7,,iii7 have management expertise relating to a large for-profit or nonprofit corporate1 government1 or academic institution in a field of study or industry relating to the functions of the ,authority2 and 7,,iv7 make full disclosure to ,congress of any investments or other financial interests that the individual may hold2 and 7ii7 shall not be an employee of the ,authority4 7#c7 ,compensation 7,a7 ,federal ,cochairperson ,the ,federal ,cochairperson shall be compensated by the ,federal ,government at level ,,iii of the ,executive ,schedule as described in section #ecad of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,b7 ,alternate ,federal ,cochairpersons ,each alternate ,federal ,cochairperson shall be compensated by the ,federal ,government at level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule as described in section #ecaf of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,c7 ,state members and alternates ,each ,state member and alternate shall be compensated by the applicable participating ,state represented by the member or alternate at an appropriate rate in accordance with the laws of that ,state4 7#d7 ,executive ,director and ,staff 7,a7 ,in general 7i7 ,in general ,subject to clause 7ii71 the ,authority shall fix the compensation of an ,executive ,director and such other personnel as are necessary to enable the ,authority to carry out the duties of the ,authority4 7ii7 ,maximum compensation ,compensation fixed under clause 7i7 may not exceed the maximum rate of basic pay established for the ,senior ,executive ,service under section #echb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 including any applicable locality-based comparability payment that may be authorized under section #ecjd7;h77#b77;,c7 of that title4 7,b7 ,eligibility ,the ,executive ,director shall comply with the same qualification requirements for the ,federal ,cochairperson and ,state members of the ,authority1 as described in paragraph 7#b77;,e74 7,c7 ,duties of ,executive ,director ,the ,executive ,director shall be responsible for-- 7i7 carrying out the administrative duties of the ,authority2 7ii7 directing the ,authority staff2 and 7iii7 such other duties as the ,authority may assign4 7#e7 ,no ,federal employee status ,no member1 alternate1 officer1 or employee of the ,authority 7other than the ,federal ,cochairperson1 the alternate ,federal ,cochairperson1 staff of the ,federal ,cochairperson1 and any ,federal employee detailed to the ,authority7 shall be considered to be a ,federal employee for any purpose4 7#f7 ,removal ,the ,federal ,cochairperson and the alternate ,federal ,cochairperson may be removed by the ,president only for inefficiency1 neglect of duty1 or malfeasance in office4 7#g7 ,commencement of operations ,the ,authority shall begin operations when-- 7,a7 the ,federal ,cochairperson has been appointed by the ,president and confirmed by the ,senate2 and 7,b7 not fewer than #b ,states in the ,great ,lakes region have elected to participate in the ,authority4 7b7 ,decisions of the ,authority 7#a7 ,requirements for approval ,except as provided in subsection 7d77#c77;,c71 decisions by the ,authority shall require the affirmative vote of the ,federal ,cochairperson and a majority of the ,state members 7exclusive of members representing participating ,states that are delinquent under clause 7iii7 of that subsection7 at the applicable meeting in which the decision is being considered4 7#b7 ,consultation ,in matters coming before the ,authority1 the ,federal ,cochairperson shall1 to the extent practicable1 consult with the ,federal and ,state departments and agencies having an interest in the subject matter1 including transportation planning entities in the ,great ,lakes region4 7#c7 ,quorum ,a quorum of the ,federal ,cochairperson or the alternate ,federal ,cochairperson and #b ,state members of the ,authority shall be required to be present at any meeting in order for the ,authority to make any policy decision1 including a modification or revision of a ,authority policy decision4 7c7 ,functions 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,authority shall-- 7,a7 promote economic development and job creation and to create worldclass worker education and training institutions to spur economic growth1 especially in communities that have been disproportionately affected by the outsourcing of jobs1 in the ,great ,lakes region2 7,b7 foster innovation and strengthen and expand the core manufacturing and industrial base in the ,great ,lakes region2 7,c7 not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and after taking into account ,state plans developed under section #f1 develop an economic development plan for the ,great ,lakes region1 including priorities and #e-year regional outcome targets2 7,d7 provide technical assistance to eligible entities receiving a grant from the ,authority under the economic development grant program under section #e2 7,e7 develop1 on a continuing basis1 comprehensive and coordinated economic and workforce development plans and programs and establish priorities under those plans and programs1 giving due consideration to other ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local planning efforts in the ,great ,lakes region2 7,f7 enhance the capacity of1 and provide support for1 local development districts in the ,great ,lakes region2 7,g7 review and study1 in cooperation with the applicable ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 or local agency or department involved1 ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local public and private economic and workforce development programs and1 where appropriate1 recommend modifications or additions that will increase the effectiveness of those programs in the ,great ,lakes region2 7,h7 consult with ,federal agencies in the ,great ,lakes region on economic development activities2 7,i7 promote coordination with the government of ,canada1 including the provinces and local governmental entities around the ,great ,lakes region1 on economic and workforce development activities2 7,j7 consult with economic development districts throughout the ,great ,lakes region to advance the functions of the ,authority2 7,k7 conduct and sponsor investigations1 research1 and studies1 including an inventory and analysis of the economic resources of the ,great ,lakes region2 7,l7 in cooperation with ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local agencies1 sponsor demonstration projects designed to foster productivity and growth in the ,great ,lakes region2 7,m7 encourage private investment in industrial1 commercial1 and recreational projects in the ,great ,lakes region2 7,n7 support broadband access and adoption in the ,great ,lakes region2 and 7,o7 in coordination with the ,great ,lakes ,commission1 provide a forum for consideration of economic and environmental problems of the ,great ,lakes region1 and proposed solutions to those problems1 and establish and utilize1 as appropriate1 citizens and special advisory councils and public conferences4 7#b7 ,identify needs and goals of subregional areas ,in carrying out the functions of the ,authority under paragraph 7#a71 the ,authority shall identify the characteristics1 and may distinguish between the economic needs and goals1 of appropriate subregional areas1 including the respective watersheds of each of the ,great ,lakes4 7d7 ,administrative powers and expenses 7#a7 ,powers ,in carrying out the duties of the ,authority under this ,act1 the ,authority may-- 7,a7 enter into agreements and contracts with eligible recipients 7as defined in section #e7;a77 in furtherance of the business of the ,authority2 7,b7 provide technical assistance to eligible recipients 7as so defined7 receiving or seeking a grant from the ,authority2 7,c7 adopt1 amend1 and repeal bylaws and regulations governing the conduct of the business of the ,authority and the performance of the functions of the ,authority2 7,d7 make arrangements1 including contracts1 with any participating ,state for inclusion in a suitable retirement and employee benefit system of ,authority personnel who may not be eligible for1 or continue in1 another governmental retirement or employee benefit system1 or otherwise provide for that coverage of the personnel of the ,authority2 7,e7 enter into and perform contracts1 leases 7including the lease of office space for any term71 cooperative agreements1 or other transactions necessary in order to carry out the functions of the ,authority1 on such terms as the ,authority considers to be appropriate1 with any-- 7i7 department1 agency1 or instrumentality of the ,federal ,government2 or 7ii7 participating ,state or political subdivision1 agency1 or instrumentality of a participating ,state2 7,f7 accept1 use1 and dispose of gifts1 donations1 services1 or any property2 7,g7 maintain a governmental relations office in the ,district of ,columbia2 7,h7 establish a permanent office and headquarters in the ,great ,lakes region2 7,i7 establish field offices at other places throughout the ,great ,lakes region1 as determined appropriate by the ,authority2 and 7,j7 take any other actions and incur any other expenses as may be necessary or appropriate4 7#b7 ,federal agency cooperation ,each ,federal agency shall-- 7,a7 cooperate with the ,authority2 and 7,b7 provide1 to the extent practicable1 on request of the ,federal ,cochairperson1 appropriate assistance in carrying out this ,act1 in accordance with applicable ,federal laws 7including regulations74 7#c7 ,administrative expenses 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the administrative expenses of the ,authority shall be paid-- 7i7 by the ,federal ,government1 in an amount equal to #ej percent of the administrative expenses of the ,authority2 and 7ii7 by participating ,states1 in an amount equal to #ej percent of those administrative expenses4 7,b7 ,expenses of the ,federal chairperson ,all expenses of the ,federal ,cochairperson1 including expenses of the alternate and staff of the ,federal ,cochairperson1 shall be paid by the ,federal ,government4 7,c7 ,state share 7i7 ,in general ,subject to clause 7ii71 the share of administrative expenses of the ,authority to be paid by each participating ,state shall be determined by a majority vote of the ,state members of the ,authority4 7ii7 ,no ,federal participation ,the ,federal ,cochairperson shall not participate or vote in any decision under clause 7i74 7iii7 ,delinquent ,states 7,i7 ,in general ,during any period in which a participating ,state is more than #a year delinquent in payment of the share of the participating ,state of administrative expenses of the ,authority under this paragraph-- 7aa7 no assistance under this ,act shall be furnished to that participating ,state2 and 7bb7 no member of the ,authority from that participating ,state shall participate or vote in any action by the ,authority4 7,,ii7 ,economic development program ,any ongoing projects in a delinquent ,state that are funded under section #e may continue during the period in which the ,state is delinquent4 7e7 ,meetings 7#a7 ,initial meeting ,the ,authority shall hold an initial meeting not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,annual meeting ,the ,authority shall conduct at least #a meeting each year with the ,federal ,cochairperson and at least a majority of the ,state members present4 7#c7 ,additional meetings 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,authority shall conduct additional meetings at such times as the ,authority determines appropriate4 7,b7 ,format ,the ,authority may conduct meetings in person or via electronic means4 7f7 ,personal financial interests 7#a7 ,conflicts of interest 7,a7 ,no role allowed ,except as permitted by subparagraph 7,b71 an individual who is the ,federal ,cochairperson or alternate ,federal ,cochairperson1 a ,state member or alternate1 or an officer or employee of the ,authority shall not participate personally and substantially as a member1 alternate1 officer1 or employee of the ,authority1 through decision1 approval1 disapproval1 recommendation1 request for a ruling1 or other determination1 contract1 claim1 controversy1 or other matter in which1 to the knowledge of the individual1 any of the following has a financial interest3 7i7 ,the individual4 7ii7 ,a spouse1 minor child1 or partner of the individual4 7iii7 ,an organization 7except a ,state or political subdivision of a ,state7 in which the individual is serving as an officer1 director1 trustee1 partner1 or employee4 7iv7 ,any person or organization with whom the individual is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment4 7,b7 ,exception ,subparagraph 7,a7 shall not apply if the individual1 in advance of the proceeding1 application1 request for a ruling1 or other determination1 contract1 claim controversy1 or other particular matter presenting a potential conflict of interest-- 7i7 advises the ,authority of the nature and circumstances of the matter presenting the conflict of interest2 7ii7 makes full disclosure of the financial interest2 and 7iii7 receives a written decision of the ,authority that the interest is not so substantial as to be considered likely to affect the integrity of the services that the ,authority may expect from the individual4 7,c7 ,violation ,an individual violating this paragraph shall be fined under title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 imprisoned for not more than #a year1 or both4 7#b7 ,state member or alternate ,a ,state member or alternate ,state member of the ,authority may not receive any salary1 or any contribution to1 or supplementation of1 salary1 for services on the ,authority from a source other than the participating ,state represented by the member or alternate4 7#c7 ,detailed employees 7,a7 ,in general ,no person detailed to serve the ,authority shall receive any salary1 or any contribution to1 or supplementation of1 salary1 for services provided to the ,authority from any source other than the ,state1 local1 or intergovernmental department or agency from which the person was detailed to the ,authority4 7,b7 ,violation ,any person that violates this paragraph shall be fined under title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 imprisoned not more than #a year1 or both4 7#d7 ,federal ,cochairperson1 alternate to ,federal ,co,chairperson1 and federal officers and employees ,the ,federal ,cochairperson1 the alternate to the ,federal ,cochairperson1 and any ,federal officer or employee detailed with the ,authority are not subject to this subsection but remain subject to sections #bjb through #bji of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,rescission ,the ,authority may declare void any contract1 loan1 or grant of or by the ,authority in relation to which the ,authority determines that there has been a violation of any of paragraphs 7#a77;,a71 7#b71 or 7#c71 or any of sections #bjb through #bji of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 7g7 ,tribal participation ,governments of ,indian ,tribes in the ,great ,lakes region shall be allowed to participate in matters before the ,authority in the same manner and to the same extent as ,state agencies and instrumentalities in the ,great ,lakes region4 7h7 ,annual report ,not later than #ij days after the last day of each fiscal year1 the ,authority shall prepare and submit to the ,governor of each participating ,state and the ,president1 for transmittal to ,congress1 a report on the activities carried out under this ,act during the preceding fiscal year4 #d4 ,inspector general ,section #h;,g7a77#b7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended by inserting the ,great ,lakes ,authority1 after the ,federal ,trade ,commission14 #e4 ,economic development grant program 7a7 ,definition of eligible recipient ,in this section1 the term eligible recipient means-- 7#a7 a ,state2 7#b7 a political subdivision of a ,state or a local government2 7#c7 a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by #a or more ,states2 7#d7 a special purpose district with a transportation1 energy1 environmental1 or economic development function2 7#e7 an ,indian ,tribe or a consortium of ,indian ,tribes2 7#f7 an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7772 7#g7 a nonprofit entity2 7#h7 a local development district2 7#i7 a multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities described in any of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#h72 and 7#aj7 an entity described in any of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#h7 acting jointly with a private entity or group of private entities4 7b7 ,grants ,the ,authority may award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible recipients to promote economic and workforce development1 and to combat poverty and economic decline1 in the ,great ,lakes region4 7c7 ,use of funds ,an eligible recipient receiving a grant under this section may use the grant to carry out projects in the ,great ,lakes region1 which shall include #a or more of the following activities3 7#a7 ,acquiring or developing land1 including making improvements to that land1 for use for public works1 public service1 or development facilities4 7#b7 ,supporting the development of1 and reinvestment in1 land banks in the ,great ,lakes region4 7#c7 ,supporting wastewater infrastructure projects4 7#d7 ,broadband infrastructure projects4 7#e7 ,water infrastructure projects4 7#f7 ,weatherization and lead abatement projects4 7#g7 ,supporting port infrastructure projects1 including supporting and expanding seaport infrastructure-- 7,a7 to enhance the movement of people or goods2 7,b7 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions2 7,c7 to improve water quality2 and 7,d7 to improve resiliency4 7#h7 ,promoting workforce education and training programs in the ,great ,lakes region1 including programs that support incumbent workers that have experienced economic displacement or train youth to assume in-demand occupations within the ,great ,lakes region4 7#i7 ,promoting the development of renewable and alternative energy sources4 7#aj7 ,promoting resource conservation1 tourism1 recreation1 and preservation of open space in a manner consistent with economic development goals for the ,great ,lakes region4 7#aa7 ,supporting entrepreneurship1 business development1 and technology development in the ,great ,lakes region4 7#ab7 ,growing the capacity for successful community economic development in the ,great ,lakes region4 7#ac7 ,facilitating the construction or rehabilitation of housing to meet the needs of low-income and moderate-income families and individuals in the ,great ,lakes region4 7#ad7 ,developing surface transportation infrastructure in the ,great ,lakes region4 7#ae7 ,supporting severely economically distressed communities in the ,great ,lakes region by improving basic health care and other public services4 7#af7 ,any other activity that achieves the purpose of the grants described in subsection 7b71 as determined by the ,authority4 7d7 ,considerations ,in selecting activities to receive a grant from the ,authority under this section1 and in establishing a priority ranking for applications submitted to the ,authority for assistance under this section1 the ,authority shall follow procedures that ensure1 to the maximum extent practicable1 consideration of-- 7#a7 the relationship of the project or class of projects to overall development and poverty alleviation in the ,great ,lakes region1 including whether the location of the project is in a severely and persistently distressed county or area2 7#b7 the population and area to be served by the project or class of projects1 including the per capita market income and the unemployment rates in the area2 7#c7 the relative financial resources available to the eligible recipient that seeks to undertake the project2 7#d7 the importance of the project or class of projects in relation to other projects or classes of projects that may be in competition for the same amounts under this section2 7#e7 the prospects that the project for which assistance is sought will improve1 on a continuing rather than a temporary basis1 the opportunities for employment in the ,great ,lakes region1 including for populations with the highest unemployment rates1 the average level of income1 or the economic and social development of the area served by the project2 and 7#f7 the extent to which the project design provides for detailed outcome measurements by which financing expenditures may be evaluated4 7e7 ,request for data for broadband infrastructure projects ,before making a grant for a project or activity described in subsection 7c77#d71 the ,authority shall request from the ,federal ,communications ,commission1 the ,national ,telecommunications and ,information ,administration1 the ,economic ,development ,administration1 and the ,department of ,agriculture data on-- 7#a7 the level and extent of broadband service that exists in the area proposed to be served by the broadband service-related infrastructure2 and 7#b7 the level and extent of broadband service that will be deployed in the area proposed to be served by the broadband service-related infrastructure pursuant to another ,federal program4 7f7 ,maximum ,authority contributions 7#a7 ,in general ,in accordance with paragraph 7#b71 the ,authority may contribute not more than #ij percent of a project or activity cost eligible for financial assistance under this section from amounts appropriated to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,distressed communities ,in making a contribution under paragraph 7#a71 the ,authority shall ensure that the ,authority contributes a higher percentage for a project or activity to be carried out in a distressed community as compared to a project or activity to be carried out in a non-distressed community4 7g7 ,maintenance of effort ,funds may be provided by the ,authority for a program or project in a participating ,state under this section only if the ,authority determines that the level of ,federal or ,state financial assistance provided under a law other than this ,act1 for the same type of program or project in the same area of the ,state within the ,great ,lakes region1 will not be reduced as a result of funds made available by this ,act4 7h7 ,approval of applications for assistance 7#a7 ,evaluation by state member ,an application submitted by an eligible recipient to the ,authority for a grant under this section shall be made through1 and evaluated for approval by1 the ,state member of the ,authority representing the eligible recipient4 7#b7 ,certification ,an application submitted by an eligible recipient to the ,authority for a grant under this section shall be eligible for assistance only on certification by the ,state member of the ,authority representing the eligible recipient that the application for the project-- 7,a7 describes ways in which the project complies with any applicable ,state economic development plan developed under section #f7;a72 7,b7 describes the #a or more activities intended to be carried out using grant funds2 7,c7 adequately ensures that the project will be properly administered1 operated1 and maintained2 and 7,d7 otherwise meets the requirements for assistance under this section4 7#c7 ,votes for decisions ,on certification by a ,state member of the ,authority of an application for a grant under this section1 an affirmative vote of the ,authority under section #c7;b77#a7 shall be required for approval of the application4 7i7 ,consultation with the ,great ,lakes ,commission on certain projects ,the ,authority shall consult with the ,great ,lakes ,commission on any project submitted by an eligible recipient to the ,authority under this section that impacts the water resources of the ,great ,lakes basin1 as described in the ,great ,lakes ,basin ,compact1 prior to awarding a grant under this section for the applicable project4 7j7 ,savings provision ,nothing in this section limits1 alters1 or amends the ,great ,lakes ,basin ,compact4 #f4 ,comprehensive economic development plans 7a7 ,state plans ,in accordance with policies established by the ,authority1 each ,state member of the ,authority shall develop and submit a comprehensive economic development plan for the area of the ,great ,lakes region represented by that member4 7b7 ,content of plan ,a ,state economic development plan developed under subsection 7a7 shall reflect the goals1 objectives1 and priorities identified in any applicable economic development plan developed by the ,authority under section #c7;c74 7c7 ,consultation with interested local parties ,in carrying out the development planning process 7including the selection of programs and projects for assistance7 under subsection 7a71 a participating ,state shall-- 7#a7 consult with local development districts1 local units of government1 and local colleges and universities2 and 7#b7 take into consideration the goals1 objectives1 priorities1 and recommendations of the entities described in paragraph 7#a74 #g4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated not less than #hj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc and each fiscal year thereafter-- 7#a7 to carry out the economic development grant program under section #e2 and 7#b7 for administrative expenses of the ,authority4