Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2004 Implementation; Regulatory Revision

AGENCY:

Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Interim final rule; amendments.

SUMMARY:

The Economic Development Administration (“EDA”) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 11, 2005. EDA is publishing this interim final rule to effect those changes to the August 11, 2005 interim final rule specified in the conference report, accompanying the FY 2006 Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this interim final rule have the meanings ascribed to them in the August 11, 2005 interim final rule.

DATES:

This rule is effective as of December 15, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Hina Shaikh, Esq., Attorney Advisor, Office of Chief Counsel, Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce, Room 7005, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4687.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Preamble

EDA published an interim final rule in the Federal Register (70 FR 47002) on August 11, 2005. The interim final rule reflects the amendments made to EDA's authorizing statute, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) (“PWEDA”), by the Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-373). In addition to tracking the statutory amendments to PWEDA, the interim final rule reflects EDA's current practices and policies in administering its economic development programs that have evolved since the promulgation of EDA's former regulations. The interim final rule provided for a public comment period from August 11, 2005 through October 11, 2005. Additionally, on September 1, 2005, EDA held a public hearing on the August 11, 2005 interim final rule.

On September 30, 2005, EDA published a final rule in the Federal Register (70 FR 57124) delaying the effective date, from October 1, 2005 until November 14, 2005, of (i) Section 304.2(c)(2) of the interim final rule, pertaining to membership of a District Organization's governing body; and (ii) Section 301.4 of the interim final rule, as the provisions of this section pertain to Investment Rates for EDA Planning Investments. The September 30, 2005 final rule also extended the deadline for submitting public comments on the interim final rule from October 11, 2005 until November 14, 2005. All other provisions of the interim final rule became effective on October 1, 2005. On November 14, 2005, EDA published another final rule in the Federal Register (70 FR 69053) delaying the effective date, from November 14, 2005 until January 31, 2006, of those provisions of the interim final rule for which the effective date was previously delayed by the final rule published on September 30, 2005.

The conference report (H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 109-272; the “Conference Report”) accompanying the FY 2006 Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 109-108) expresses Congressional intent as to specific changes to EDA's interim final rule. EDA is publishing this interim final rule to effect only those changes to the August 11, 2005 interim final rule specified in the Conference Report.

EDA will consider and respond to all comments received during the public comment period on all aspects of this rulemaking, and will make additional revisions to the August 11, 2005 interim final rule in publishing a final rule during 2006. All section citations used herein refer to those same sections of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule.

Section 300.3—Definitions

In Section 300.3, the definition of “Private Sector Representative” is expanded from the definition set forth in the August 11, 2005 interim final rule and now includes a designee of any senior management official or executive holding a key decision-making position in any for-profit enterprise.

Section 301.4—Investment Rates

The August 11, 2005 interim final rule provided maximum allowable Investment Rate categories of 30% and 40% for those Regions eligible for Investment Assistance under PWEDA, but which are experiencing lower levels of economic distress. As discussed in the Conference Report, Table 1 in Section 301.4 is revised to show that projects located in Regions demonstrating (i) a 24-month unemployment rate at least 1% greater than the national average or (ii) per capita income not more than 80% of the national average will be eligible to receive a maximum allowable Investment Rate of 50%. This revision eliminates the 30% and 40% maximum allowable Investment Rate categories. The higher threshold levels of economic distress for the 60%, 70% and 80% maximum allowable Investment Rate categories remain the same as provided in the August 11, 2005 interim final rule.

Subsection 301.4(b) of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule never became effective to the extent that it pertains to Investment Rates for EDA Planning Investments (see the October 1, 2005 and November 14, 2005 final rules delaying the effective date for this provision). Accordingly, subsection 306.3(b)(2) and (3) of EDA's former regulations continued to apply. This interim final rule replaces section 306.3(b)(2) and (3) of EDA's former regulations and revises section 301.4(b) of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule to the extent that it applies to Planning Investments.

Specifically, this interim final rule includes a new subsection titled Projects Under Part 303, which includes the following provisions for determining the Investment Rates for Planning Investments: (i) All Planning Investments will receive a minimum Investment Rate of 50%; (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 204(c) of PWEDA, the maximum allowable Investment Rate for Planning Investments will be the maximum allowable Investment Rate set forth in Table 1 of Section 301.4 for the most economically distressed county or other equivalent political unit (e.g., parish) within the Region; (iii) the maximum allowable Investment Rate will not exceed 80%; and (iv) in compelling circumstances, the Assistant Secretary may waive the requirement in paragraph (ii) above. The Assistant Secretary cannot delegate the authority to grant this waiver.

Section 304.2—District Organizations: Formation, Organizational Requirements and Operations

Subsection 304.2(c)(2) of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule requires that a District Organization's governing body must include a majority of Private Sector Representatives. This provision, however, never became effective as the October 1, 2005 and November 14, 2005 final rules delayed its effective date until January 31, 2006. Accordingly, Section 302.3(c) of EDA's former regulations continued to apply. This interim final rule replaces Section 302.3(c) of EDA's former regulations and revises Section 304.2(c) of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule as follows: (i) A District Organization's governing body must include at least one (1) Private Sector Representative, together with one (1) or more of the following: Executive Directors of Chambers of Commerce, or representatives of institutions of post-secondary education, workforce development groups, or labor groups, all of which must comprise in the aggregate a minimum of 35% of the District Organization's governing body; and (ii) if the District Organization demonstrates an inability to locate a Private Sector Representative to serve on its governing body following extensive due diligence (acceptable to EDA), the Assistant Secretary may waive the Private Sector Representative requirement. This interim final rule also adds a provision stating that the District Organization's governing body will also have at least a simple majority of its membership who are elected officials and/or employees of a general purpose unit of local government who have been appointed to represent the government.

Subsection 304.2(d) of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule provided that District Organizations may contract for services to accomplish approved scopes of work for Planning Investments. This subsection is revised in this interim final rule to specify that the District Organization will engage in the full range of economic development activities listed in its EDA-approved CEDS, which may include (i) coordinating and implementing economic development activities in the District; (ii) carrying out economic development research, planning, implementation and advisory functions identified in the CEDS; and (iii) coordinating the development and implementation of the CEDS with other local, State, federal and private organizations. This subsection continues to give District Organizations the discretion to contract for services as necessary.

Section 304.3—District Modification and Termination

Subsection 304.3(b)(2) of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule provides that EDA may terminate a Region's designation as an Economic Development District when EDA determines that the District Organization fails to execute its CEDS according to the development, implementation and other performance measures set forth in the CEDS. This interim final rule adds a new subsection (c) to Section 304.3 to clarify that prior to terminating a District's designation under subsection 304.3(b)(2), EDA will (a) consult with the District Organization and (b) consider all facts and circumstances surrounding the District Organization's operations. New subsection (c) also provides that EDA will not terminate a District's designation based on circumstances beyond the control of the District Organization (e.g., natural disaster, plant closure, overall economic downturn, sudden and severe economic dislocation, or other situation).

Section 308.2—Performance Awards

EDA revises Section 308.2 of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule to better adhere to Section 215 of PWEDA. In subsection 308.2(b) of this interim final rule, consistent with the “meet or exceeds” threshold in Section 215 of PWEDA, EDA eliminates the requirement that project performance be “exceptional.” Additionally, this interim final rule revises and redesignates subsection 308.2(d) (new subsection 308.2(e)) to clarify that EDA will set forth in an annual FFO the requirements, qualifications, guidelines and procedures for performance awards, with all performance awards being subject to the availability of funds.

Classification

Prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not required for rules concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared.

Executive Order No. 12866

It has been determined that this interim final rule is significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

Congressional Review Act

This interim final rule is not “major” under the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.)

Executive Order No. 13132

Executive Order 13132 requires agencies to develop an accountable process to ensure “meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.” “Policies that have federalism implications” is defined in Executive Order 13132 to include regulations that have “substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.” It has been determined that this interim final rule does not contain policies that have federalism implications.

List of Subjects

13 CFR Part 300

• Grant administration
• Grant programs
• Financial assistance
• Private sector representative

13 CFR Part 301

• Grant administration
• Grant programs
• Eligibility requirements
• Applicant and application requirements
• Economic distress levels
• Investment rates
• Proposal selection

13 CFR Part 304

• Grant administration
• Grant programs
• Economic development district
• Organizational requirements
• District modification and Termination, performance evaluations

13 CFR Part 308

• Grant administration
• Grant programs
• Performance awards
• Planning performance awards

Regulatory Text

For reasons stated in the preamble, Chapter III of Title 13 of the CFR is amended as follows:

PART 300—GENERAL INFORMATION

1. The authority citation for part 300 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3121; 42 U.S.C. 3122; 42 U.S.C. 3211; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4.

2. Amend § 300.3 by revising the definition of “ Private Sector Representative” to read as follows:

PART 301—ELIGIBILITY, INVESTMENT RATE AND PROPOSAL AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3121; 42 U.S.C. 3141-3147; 42 U.S.C. 3149; 42 U.S.C. 3161; 42 U.S.C. 3175; 42 U.S.C. 3192; 42 U.S.C. 3194; 42 U.S.C. 3211; 42 U.S.C. 3233; Department of Commerce Delegation Order 10-4.

2. Amend § 301.4 by revising paragraph (b)(1)(ii); by redesignating paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) as paragraphs (b)(4) and (b)(5), respectively; and by adding new paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:

PART 304—ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS

1. The authority citation for part 304 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3122; 42 U.S.C. 3171; 42 U.S.C. 3172; 42 U.S.C. 3196; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4.

2. Amend § 304.2 by revising paragraphs (c)(2) and (d) to read as follows:

3. Amend § 304.3 by redesignating paragraph (c) as paragraph (d); and by adding new paragraph (c) to read as follows:

PART 308—PERFORMANCE MEASURES

1. The authority citation for part 308 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3151; 42 U.S.C. 3154a; 42 U.S.C. 3154b; Department of Commerce Delegation Order 10-4.

2. Amend § 308.2 by revising it to read as follows: