Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73
§2009bb–1 Northern Great Plains Regional Authority
Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 50— - AGRICULTURAL CREDIT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VII— - NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL AUTHORITY › § 2009bb–1
Summary
Creates the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority to plan and help the region’s economic and social development. The group includes a Federal member chosen by the President with Senate approval, the Governors (or their designees) of any State that joins, and one Indian tribe member who is a tribal chairperson or that chairperson’s designee and who is also appointed by the President with Senate approval. The Authority is led by three co‑chairs: a Federal cochair (the Federal member) who acts as the federal liaison, a State cochair (a participating Governor elected by the State members for at least 1 year), and a tribal cochair (the tribal member who acts as the tribal liaison). If the Federal cochair is not confirmed within 180 days after enactment, the Authority may still organize and work without that Federal cochair; if no tribal cochair is confirmed, the Authority must consult tribal leaders. The President also appoints an alternate Federal cochair and an alternate tribal cochair; each State member may have one State alternate chosen by that State’s Governor. Alternates vote only when the main member is absent. Major actions need a majority vote (excluding members from States that are late in paying their share) and a quorum of State members for policy choices, plans, or money allocations. The Authority must make ongoing regional plans, set priorities within 220 days after May 13, 2002 (including 5‑year targets), assess needs and assets, recommend interstate cooperation in areas like renewable energy, transportation, information technology, research, and land conservation, support local and regional groups, encourage private investment, and approve project and grant proposals. The Authority can hold hearings, take testimony under oath, set rules, request staff help from Federal, State, tribal, or local agencies without loss of pay or status, accept gifts, sign contracts, and keep offices. Federal agencies must help when asked. Federal government pays administrative costs at 100% for fiscal years 2008–2009, 75% for 2010, and 50% for 2011 and after; the rest must come from non‑Federal sources in participating States, with each State’s share set by the Authority (the Federal cochair cannot vote on that choice). If a State is late paying, it gets no assistance and its Authority member cannot vote. The Federal and tribal cochairs are paid at Executive Schedule level III; the alternate Federal and alternate tribal cochairs are paid at level V and may do other duties when not acting as alternates. States pay their own members under State law, and most Authority members and staff are not Federal employees. The Authority may hire an executive director and staff, with pay capped at the Senior Executive Service maximum. Members and staff must avoid conflicts of interest, must fully disclose possible conflicts, and must get a written clearance if they are to take part; violating the pay or disclosure rules can bring fines and jail: up to $5,000 and 1 year for improper pay handling, and up to $10,000 and 2 years for conflict‑of‑interest violations. The Authority may void contracts, loans, or grants if those rules are broken.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §2009bb–1
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)(1)There is established the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority.
(2)The Authority shall be composed of—
(A)a Federal member, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;
(B)the Governor (or a designee of the Governor) of each State in the region that elects to participate in the Authority; and
(C)a member of an Indian tribe, who shall be a chairperson of an Indian tribe in the region or a designee of such a chairperson, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(3)The Authority shall be headed by—
(A)the Federal member, who shall serve—
(i)as the Federal cochairperson; and
(ii)as a liaison between the Federal Government and the Authority;
(B)a State cochairperson, who—
(i)shall be a Governor of a participating State in the region; and
(ii)shall be elected by the State members for a term of not less than 1 year; and
(C)the member of an Indian tribe, who shall serve—
(i)as the tribal cochairperson; and
(ii)as a liaison between the governments of Indian tribes in the region and the Authority.
(4)(A)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a Federal member described in paragraph (2)(A) has not been confirmed by the Senate by not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Authority may organize and operate without the Federal member.
(B)In the case of the Indian Chairperson, if no Indian Chairperson is confirmed by the Senate, the regional authority shall consult and coordinate with the leaders of Indian tribes in the region concerning the activities of the Authority, as appropriate.
(b)(1)The President shall appoint an alternate Federal cochairperson.
(2)(A)The State member of a participating State may have a single alternate, who shall be—
(i)a resident of that State; and
(ii)appointed by the Governor of the State.
(B)A State alternate member shall not be counted toward the establishment of a quorum of the members of the Authority in any case in which a quorum of the State members is required to be present.
(3)The President shall appoint an alternate tribal cochairperson, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(4)No power or responsibility of the Authority specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c), and no voting right of any member of the Authority, shall be delegated to any person who is not—
(A)a member of the Authority; or
(B)entitled to vote in Authority meetings.
(c)(1)A decision by the Authority shall require a majority vote of the Authority (not including any member representing a State that is delinquent under subsection (g)(2)(D)) to be effective.
(2)A quorum of State members shall be required to be present for the Authority to make any policy decision, including—
(A)a modification or revision of an Authority policy decision;
(B)approval of a State or regional development plan; and
(C)any allocation of funds among the States.
(3)The approval of project and grant proposals shall be—
(A)a responsibility of the Authority; and
(B)conducted in accordance with section 2009bb–8 of this title.
(4)An alternate member shall vote in the case of the absence, death, disability, removal, or resignation of the Federal, State, or Indian tribe member for whom the alternate member is an alternate.
(d)The Authority shall—
(1)develop, on a continuing basis, comprehensive and coordinated plans and programs for multistate cooperation to advance the economic and social well-being of the region and to approve grants for the economic development of the region, giving due consideration to other Federal, State, tribal, and local planning and development activities in the region;
(2)not later than 220 days after May 13, 2002, establish priorities in a development plan for the region (including 5-year regional outcome targets);
(3)assess the needs and assets of the region based on available research, demonstrations, investigations, assessments, and evaluations of the region prepared by Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies, universities, regional and local development districts or organizations, regional boards established under subchapter IX, and other nonprofit groups;
(4)formulate and recommend to the Governors and legislatures of States that participate in the Authority forms of interstate cooperation for—
(i)renewable energy development and transmission;
(ii)transportation planning and economic development;
(iii)information technology;
(iv)movement of freight and individuals within the region;
(v)federally-funded research at institutions of higher education; and
(vi)conservation land management;
(5)work with State, tribal, and local agencies in developing appropriate model legislation;
(6)enhance the capacity of, and provide support for, multistate development and research organizations, local development organizations and districts, and resource conservation districts in the region;
(7)encourage private investment in industrial, commercial, renewable energy, and other economic development projects in the region; and
(8)cooperate with and assist State governments with economic development programs of participating States.
(e)In carrying out subsection (d), the Authority may—
(1)hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and print or otherwise reproduce and distribute a description of the proceedings and reports on actions by the Authority as the Authority considers appropriate;
(2)authorize, through the Federal, State, or tribal cochairperson or any other member of the Authority designated by the Authority, the administration of oaths if the Authority determines that testimony should be taken or evidence received under oath;
(3)request from any Federal, State, tribal, or local agency such information as may be available to or procurable by the agency that may be of use to the Authority in carrying out the duties of the Authority;
(4)adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws and rules governing the conduct of business and the performance of duties of the Authority;
(5)request the head of any Federal agency to detail to the Authority such personnel as the Authority requires to carry out duties of the Authority, each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status;
(6)request the head of any State agency, tribal government, or local government to detail to the Authority such personnel as the Authority requires to carry out duties of the Authority, each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status;
(7)provide for coverage of Authority employees in a suitable retirement and employee benefit system by—
(A)making arrangements or entering into contracts with any participating State government or tribal government; or
(B)otherwise providing retirement and other employee benefit coverage;
(8)accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or real, personal, tangible, or intangible property;
(9)enter into and perform such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as are necessary to carry out Authority duties, including any contracts, leases, or cooperative agreements with—
(A)any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States;
(B)any State (including a political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the State);
(C)any Indian tribe in the region; or
(D)any person, firm, association, or corporation; and
(10)establish and maintain a central office and field offices at such locations as the Authority may select.
(f)A Federal agency shall—
(1)cooperate with the Authority; and
(2)provide, on request of a cochairperson, appropriate assistance in carrying out this subchapter, in accordance with applicable Federal laws (including regulations).
(g)(1)The Federal share of the administrative expenses of the Authority shall be—
(A)for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009, 100 percent;
(B)for fiscal year 2010, 75 percent; and
(C)for fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter, 50 percent.
(2)(A)The non-Federal share of the administrative expenses of the Authority shall be paid by non-Federal sources in the States that participate in the Authority.
(B)The share of administrative expenses of the Authority to be paid by non-Federal sources in each State shall be determined by the Authority.
(C)The Federal cochairperson shall not participate or vote in any decision under subparagraph (B).
(D)If a State is delinquent in payment of the State’s share of administrative expenses of the Authority under this subsection—
(i)no assistance under this subchapter shall be provided to the State (including assistance to a political subdivision or a resident of the State); and
(ii)no member of the Authority from the State shall participate or vote in any action by the Authority.
(h)(1)The Federal cochairperson and the tribal cochairperson shall be compensated by the Federal Government at the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level III of the Executive Schedule in subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5.
(2)The alternate Federal cochairperson and the alternate tribal cochairperson—
(A)shall be compensated by the Federal Government at the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule described in paragraph (1); and
(B)when not actively serving as an alternate, shall perform such functions and duties as are delegated by the Federal cochairperson or the tribal cochairperson, respectively.
(3)(A)A State shall compensate each member and alternate representing the State on the Authority at the rate established by State law.
(B)No State member or alternate member shall receive any salary, or any contribution to or supplementation of salary from any source other than the State for services provided by the member or alternate member to the Authority.
(4)(A)No person detailed to serve the Authority under subsection (e)(6) shall receive any salary or any contribution to or supplementation of salary for services provided to the Authority from—
(i)any source other than the State, tribal, local, or intergovernmental agency from which the person was detailed; or
(ii)the Authority.
(B)Any person that violates this paragraph shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
(5)(A)(i)The Authority may appoint and 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 Authority.
(ii)Compensation under clause (i) shall not exceed the maximum rate for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5, including any applicable locality-based comparability payment that may be authorized under section 5304(h)(2)(C) of that title.
(B)The executive director shall be responsible for—
(i)the carrying out of the administrative duties of the Authority;
(ii)direction of the Authority staff; and
(iii)such other duties as the Authority may assign.
(C)No member, alternate, officer, or employee of the Authority (except the Federal cochairperson of the Authority, the alternate and staff for the Federal cochairperson, and any Federal employee detailed to the Authority under subsection (e)(5)) shall be considered to be a Federal employee for any purpose.
(i)(1)Except as provided under paragraph (2), no State member, Indian tribe member, State alternate, officer, or employee of the Authority shall participate personally and substantially as a member, alternate, officer, or employee of the Authority, through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise, in any proceeding, application, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, controversy, or other matter in which, to knowledge of the member, alternate, officer, or employee—
(A)the member, alternate, officer, or employee;
(B)the spouse, minor child, partner, or organization (other than a State or political subdivision of the State or the Indian tribe) of the member, alternate, officer, or employee, in which the member, alternate, officer, or employee is serving as officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee; or
(C)any person or organization with whom the member, alternate, officer, or employee is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment;
(2)Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the State member, Indian tribe member, alternate, officer, or employee—
(A)immediately advises the Authority of the nature and circumstances of the proceeding, application, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, controversy, or other particular matter presenting a potential conflict of interest;
(B)makes full disclosure of the financial interest; and
(C)before the proceeding concerning the matter presenting the conflict of interest, receives a written determination by the Authority that the interest is not so substantial as to be likely to affect the integrity of the services that the Authority may expect from the State member, Indian tribe member, alternate, officer, or employee.
(3)Any person that violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(j)The Authority may declare void any contract, loan, or grant of or by the Authority in relation to which the Authority determines that there has been a violation of any provision under subsection (h)(4) or subsection (i) of this subtitle 11 So in original. Probably should be “section”., or sections 202 through 209 of title 18.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of enactment of this paragraph, referred to in subsec. (a)(4)(A), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–246, which was approved June 18, 2008. Codification Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical
Amendments
to this section. The
Amendments
by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(b)(1), added par. (4). Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(c)(2)(A), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 2009bb–8 of this title. Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(b)(2)(A), substituted “programs for multistate cooperation to advance the economic and social well-being of the region and to” for “programs to establish priorities and”. Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(b)(2)(B), substituted “regional and local development districts or organizations, regional boards established under subchapter IX,” for “local development districts,”. Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(b)(2)(C), substituted “cooperation for—” for “cooperation;” in introductory provisions and added cls. (i) to (vi). Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(b)(2)(D), added par. (6) and struck out former par. (6) which read as follows: “(A) enhance the capacity of, and provide support for, local development districts in the region; or “(B) if no local development district exists in an area in a participating State in the region, foster the creation of a local development district;”. Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(b)(2)(E), inserted “renewable energy,” after “commercial,”. Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(b)(3), substituted “a cochairperson” for “the Federal cochairperson”. Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, § 6026(b)(4), added subpars. (A) to (C) and struck out former subpars. (A) to (C) which read as follows: “(A) for fiscal year 2002, 100 percent; “(B) for fiscal year 2003, 75 percent; and “(C) for fiscal year 2004 and each fiscal year thereafter, 50 percent.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2008 AmendmentAmendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 8701 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 2009bb–1
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73