HB 26-13: Urban Investment and Redevelopment Act (Passed)

[Joseph Cao]

AN ACT
To assist impoverished Atlasians and secure a better future for our posterity.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title
i. The long title of this bill shall be the "Urban Investment and Redevelopment Act."

Section II. Definitions
i. Urban area is defined as a CSA with over 1 million residents as of the most recently completed Census.

Section III. Creation of Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Regional and local governments may apply to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for cities or designated portions of cities to be designated as Urban Economic Action District (UEAD).
     a. For an area to be designated a UEAD, the median household income must be below the national median household income, and the percentage of households receiving federal assistance such as SNAP must exceed 20%.
     b. Once designated, a UEAD retains its status for five years.
ii. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall work with financial institutions to create loan programs to benefit UEADs.

Section IV. Programs for Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Businesses that open new locations within UEADs shall receive (tax incentives) for the new location for up to three tax years.
ii. Businesses within UEADs owned by residents of the UEAD are eligible to apply to receive (tax incentives) for up to three tax years.
iii. Businesses receiving (tax incentives) shall also be exempt from employer-paid payroll taxes on new hires that are residents of the UEAD for up to one tax year.

Section V. Food Desert Prevention Program for Healthy Kids
i. Full-service grocery stores within UEADs can offer a 25% reduction to SNAP and WIC beneficiaries to be reimbursed by the federal government.
ii. A package of pots, pans, utensils, measuring cups, and a cookbook will be offered to all SNAP and WIC beneficiaries.
     a. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will sponsor cooking classes in UEADs every two months.

Section VI. Deconstruction of Blighted Areas
i. UEADs may apply for grant funds to be used for the purpose of deconstructing and rebuilding blighted areas.
     a. UEADs may apply for grant funds to create public parks and housing developments in formerly blighted areas.
ii. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Housing and Urban Development oversight.

Section VII. Public School Improvements
i. (underperforming public schools) can offer up to 33% higher pay to new teacher hires to be covered by the federal government.
     a. The 33% shall apply to the standard starting salary for the school district at the time of the UEAD designation.
ii. (underperforming public schools) more than twenty years old may apply for grant funds for school improvements.
     a. Grant funds may be used for classroom remodels, new equipment, or other maintenance or improvements.
     b. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Education oversight.

Section VIII. Appropriations
i. (TBD)

Sponsor: SevenEleven
House Designation: HB 26-13

72 hours to debate.

[Joseph Cao]

We're way past 72 hours here. Sponsor?

[SevenEleven]

Oops, I didn't even see this somehow. I'll post tomorrow, I have a few things in the background that I can catch up with tomorrow.

[SevenEleven]

The goals of this bill are simple. For too long, we have allowed our cities and neighborhoods to suffer, our families to be left on an island. With this bill, we aim to change that. Though the goals are simple, the solutions are quite complex and that is why, as you can plainly see, many things here aren't quite fleshed out.

By creating these districts we can employ targeted assistance in order to guarantee a better return on our investment. As the saying goes, "when you lead a thirsty horse to water, he will drink". By improving education and the job market, we can revitalize underprivileged areas to the benefit of all.

[Joseph Cao]

This area of policy is not exactly within my wheelhouse, so my apologies for not having offered any substantive input on the bill. That said, I like the idea of a tax incentive for small businesses within these districts.

Do other representatives have any thoughts on this?

[OBD]

Bumping this.

This looks like a great bill and I'd be happy to support it. One thing though - I'm a little concerned that Section VI will allow cities to demolish and rebuild homes in 'blighted areas' (a term used frequently as justification for redlining) without the permission of current inhabitants. Would an amendment stipulating that resident approval be required be friendly?

[SevenEleven]

Bumping this.

This looks like a great bill and I'd be happy to support it. One thing though - I'm a little concerned that Section VI will allow cities to demolish and rebuild homes in 'blighted areas' (a term used frequently as justification for redlining) without the permission of current inhabitants. Would an amendment stipulating that resident approval be required be friendly?

Yeah I don't see any problem with that.

[OBD]

Great! I propose the following amendment:

AN ACT
To assist impoverished Atlasians and secure a better future for our posterity.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title
i. The long title of this bill shall be the "Urban Investment and Redevelopment Act."

Section II. Definitions
i. Urban area is defined as a CSA with over 1 million residents as of the most recently completed Census.

Section III. Creation of Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Regional and local governments may apply to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for cities or designated portions of cities to be designated as Urban Economic Action District (UEAD).
     a. For an area to be designated a UEAD, the median household income must be below the national median household income, and the percentage of households receiving federal assistance such as SNAP must exceed 20%.
     b. Once designated, a UEAD retains its status for five years.
ii. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall work with financial institutions to create loan programs to benefit UEADs.

Section IV. Programs for Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Businesses that open new locations within UEADs shall receive (tax incentives) for the new location for up to three tax years.
ii. Businesses within UEADs owned by residents of the UEAD are eligible to apply to receive (tax incentives) for up to three tax years.
iii. Businesses receiving (tax incentives) shall also be exempt from employer-paid payroll taxes on new hires that are residents of the UEAD for up to one tax year.

Section V. Food Desert Prevention Program for Healthy Kids
i. Full-service grocery stores within UEADs can offer a 25% reduction to SNAP and WIC beneficiaries to be reimbursed by the federal government.
ii. A package of pots, pans, utensils, measuring cups, and a cookbook will be offered to all SNAP and WIC beneficiaries.
     a. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will sponsor cooking classes in UEADs every two months.

Section VI. Deconstruction of Blighted Areas
i. UEADs may apply for grant funds to be used for the purpose of deconstructing and rebuilding blighted areas, with the consent of current residents of the affected blighted areas.
     a. UEADs may apply for grant funds to create public parks and housing developments in formerly blighted areas.
ii. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Housing and Urban Development oversight.

Section VII. Public School Improvements
i. (underperforming public schools) can offer up to 33% higher pay to new teacher hires to be covered by the federal government.
     a. The 33% shall apply to the standard starting salary for the school district at the time of the UEAD designation.
ii. (underperforming public schools) more than twenty years old may apply for grant funds for school improvements.
     a. Grant funds may be used for classroom remodels, new equipment, or other maintenance or improvements.
     b. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Education oversight.

Section VIII. Appropriations
i. (TBD)

[Joseph Cao]

A good, common-sense amendment. 24 hours to object to its adoption.

[Joseph Cao]

With no objections, the amendment is adopted.

[SevenEleven]

There's still some blanks that need filled in here that I was hoping to have some more input on.

[Sirius_]

Not a rep but this looks like a great bill! There are a few things I'd like to address.
First of all, it seems that the definition of "urban areas" doesn't carry relevancy? Could this be clarified?
I believe that the UEAD status should be renewable after 5 years if needed, and possibly with additional investigation as to why it is needed.
As a potential governor following the Lincoln election, would I be able to send UEAD proposals to HUD myself?
Is there a funding mechanism that the sponsor has in mind?

[OBD]

There's still some blanks that need filled in here that I was hoping to have some more input on.

Hmm. Would it be adequate to count underperforming schools as all schools with >50% of the attendance population being from residents of a UEAD? I'm a little unsure about the exact text of tax incentives and appropriations, if a more experienced member could assist.

a. First of all, it seems that the definition of "urban areas" doesn't carry relevancy? Could this be clarified?
b. I believe that the UEAD status should be renewable after 5 years if needed, and possibly with additional investigation as to why it is needed.
As a potential governor following the Lincoln election, would I be able to send UEAD proposals to HUD myself?
Is there a funding mechanism that the sponsor has in mind?

On point (a.), I think the definition is fairly clear. Elaborate?

Regarding (b.), I agree and I think something addressing this should be added to the next amendment.

[Sirius_]

There's still some blanks that need filled in here that I was hoping to have some more input on.

Hmm. Would it be adequate to count underperforming schools as all schools with >50% of the attendance population being from residents of a UEAD? I'm a little unsure about the exact text of tax incentives and appropriations, if a more experienced member could assist.

a. First of all, it seems that the definition of "urban areas" doesn't carry relevancy? Could this be clarified?
b. I believe that the UEAD status should be renewable after 5 years if needed, and possibly with additional investigation as to why it is needed.
As a potential governor following the Lincoln election, would I be able to send UEAD proposals to HUD myself?
Is there a funding mechanism that the sponsor has in mind?

On point (a.), I think the definition is fairly clear. Elaborate?

Regarding (b.), I agree and I think something addressing this should be added to the next amendment.

The definition is clear but the term "urban area" isn't mentioned anywhere else in the bill.

[OBD]

There's still some blanks that need filled in here that I was hoping to have some more input on.

Hmm. Would it be adequate to count underperforming schools as all schools with >50% of the attendance population being from residents of a UEAD? I'm a little unsure about the exact text of tax incentives and appropriations, if a more experienced member could assist.

a. First of all, it seems that the definition of "urban areas" doesn't carry relevancy? Could this be clarified?
b. I believe that the UEAD status should be renewable after 5 years if needed, and possibly with additional investigation as to why it is needed.
As a potential governor following the Lincoln election, would I be able to send UEAD proposals to HUD myself?
Is there a funding mechanism that the sponsor has in mind?

On point (a.), I think the definition is fairly clear. Elaborate?

Regarding (b.), I agree and I think something addressing this should be added to the next amendment.

The definition is clear but the term "urban area" isn't mentioned anywhere else in the bill.

Ah. That makes sense. For the next amendment (which should be drafted once we figure out the other blanks), we should probably replace "cities" with "urban areas", which would resolve that problem.

[Sirius_]

There's still some blanks that need filled in here that I was hoping to have some more input on.

Hmm. Would it be adequate to count underperforming schools as all schools with >50% of the attendance population being from residents of a UEAD? I'm a little unsure about the exact text of tax incentives and appropriations, if a more experienced member could assist.

a. First of all, it seems that the definition of "urban areas" doesn't carry relevancy? Could this be clarified?
b. I believe that the UEAD status should be renewable after 5 years if needed, and possibly with additional investigation as to why it is needed.
As a potential governor following the Lincoln election, would I be able to send UEAD proposals to HUD myself?
Is there a funding mechanism that the sponsor has in mind?

On point (a.), I think the definition is fairly clear. Elaborate?

Regarding (b.), I agree and I think something addressing this should be added to the next amendment.

The definition is clear but the term "urban area" isn't mentioned anywhere else in the bill.

Ah. That makes sense. For the next amendment (which should be drafted once we figure out the other blanks), we should probably replace "cities" with "urban areas", which would resolve that problem.

I do think that brings up another problem that not every city is in a CSA. For example, San Diego, its a huge city, but ineligible according to that definition.

[Sirius_]

Ok here's a proposal, if any rep would like to sponsor it.

AN ACT
To assist impoverished Atlasians and secure a better future for our posterity.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title
i. The long title of this bill shall be the "Urban Investment and Redevelopment Act."

Section II. Definitions
i. Urban area is defined as a CSA MSA with over 1 million 500,000 residents as of the most recently completed Census.

Section III. Creation of Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Regional and local governments may apply to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for cities or designated portions of cities to be designated as Urban Economic Action District (UEAD).
     a. For an area to be designated a UEAD, the median household income must be below the national median household income, and the percentage of households receiving federal assistance such as SNAP must exceed 20%.
     b. Once designated, a UEAD retains its status for five years.
     c. A UEAD may be renewed if it still meets the requirements after five years, however The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall launch an inquiry to determine why renewal was necessary.
ii. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall work with financial institutions to create loan programs to benefit UEADs.

Section IV. Programs for Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Businesses that open new locations within UEADs shall receive (tax incentives) for the new location for up to three tax years.
ii. Businesses within UEADs owned by residents of the UEAD are eligible to apply to receive (tax incentives) for up to three tax years.
iii. Businesses receiving (tax incentives) shall also be exempt from employer-paid payroll taxes on new hires that are residents of the UEAD for up to one tax year.

Section V. Food Desert Prevention Program for Healthy Kids
i. Full-service grocery stores within UEADs can offer a 25% reduction to SNAP and WIC beneficiaries to be reimbursed by the federal government.
ii. A package of pots, pans, utensils, measuring cups, and a cookbook will be offered to all SNAP and WIC beneficiaries.
     a. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will sponsor cooking classes in UEADs every two months.

Section VI. Deconstruction of Blighted Areas
i. UEADs may apply for grant funds to be used for the purpose of deconstructing and rebuilding blighted areas, with the consent of current residents of the affected blighted areas.
     a. UEADs may apply for grant funds to create public parks and housing developments in formerly blighted areas.
ii. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Housing and Urban Development oversight.

Section VII. Public School Improvements
i. (underperforming public schools) can offer up to 33% higher pay to new teacher hires to be covered by the federal government.
     a. The 33% shall apply to the standard starting salary for the school district at the time of the UEAD designation.
ii. (underperforming public schools) more than twenty years old may apply for grant funds for school improvements.
     a. Grant funds may be used for classroom remodels, new equipment, or other maintenance or improvements.
     b. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Education oversight.

Section VIII. Appropriations
i. (TBD)

[OBD]

Ok here's a proposal, if any rep would like to sponsor it.

AN ACT
To assist impoverished Atlasians and secure a better future for our posterity.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title
i. The long title of this bill shall be the "Urban Investment and Redevelopment Act."

Section II. Definitions
i. Urban area is defined as a CSA MSA with over 1 million 500,000 residents as of the most recently completed Census.

Section III. Creation of Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Regional and local governments may apply to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for citiesurban areas or designated portions of citiesurban areas to be designated as Urban Economic Action District (UEAD).
     a. For an area to be designated a UEAD, the median household income must be below the national median household income, and the percentage of households receiving federal assistance such as SNAP must exceed 20%.
     b. Once designated, a UEAD retains its status for five years.
     c. A UEAD may be renewed if it still meets the requirements after five years, however The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall launch an inquiry to determine why renewal was necessary.
ii. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall work with financial institutions to create loan programs to benefit UEADs.

Section IV. Programs for Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Businesses that open new locations within UEADs shall receive (tax incentives) for the new location for up to three tax years.
ii. Businesses within UEADs owned by residents of the UEAD are eligible to apply to receive (tax incentives) for up to three tax years.
iii. Businesses receiving (tax incentives) shall also be exempt from employer-paid payroll taxes on new hires that are residents of the UEAD for up to one tax year.

Section V. Food Desert Prevention Program for Healthy Kids
i. Full-service grocery stores within UEADs can offer a 25% reduction to SNAP and WIC beneficiaries to be reimbursed by the federal government.
ii. A package of pots, pans, utensils, measuring cups, and a cookbook will be offered to all SNAP and WIC beneficiaries.
     a. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will sponsor cooking classes in UEADs every two months.

Section VI. Deconstruction of Blighted Areas
i. UEADs may apply for grant funds to be used for the purpose of deconstructing and rebuilding blighted areas, with the consent of current residents of the affected blighted areas.
     a. UEADs may apply for grant funds to create public parks and housing developments in formerly blighted areas.
ii. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Housing and Urban Development oversight.

Section VII. Public School Improvements
i. (underperforming public schools) can offer up to 33% higher pay to new teacher hires to be covered by the federal government.
     a. The 33% shall apply to the standard starting salary for the school district at the time of the UEAD designation.
ii. (underperforming public schools) more than twenty years old may apply for grant funds for school improvements.
     a. Grant funds may be used for classroom remodels, new equipment, or other maintenance or improvements.
     b. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Education oversight.

Section VIII. Appropriations
i. (TBD)

I'll sponsor a modified version (just changed cities to urban areas so the definition is utilized).

[Joseph Cao]

24 hours to object to the amendment.

[SevenEleven]

Friendly.

[Joseph Cao]

The amendment is adopted.

[Joseph Cao]

That Appropriations section could do with a little debate. Are we in shape to add this to the budget discussion?

[OBD]

That Appropriations section could do with a little debate. Are we in shape to add this to the budget discussion?

Yeah I think this can be submitted to the Comptroller now, unless the sponsor wishes to object.

[SevenEleven]

That Appropriations section could do with a little debate. Are we in shape to add this to the budget discussion?

Yeah I think this can be submitted to the Comptroller now, unless the sponsor wishes to object.

I'm fine with that.

[SevenEleven]

Bumping this.

Only 1/3 of this House has even bothered commenting here on what should be a major bill. We can do better than this.