Establishing the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 18, 2018)]

[Presidential Documents]

[Pages 65071-65074]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2018-27515]

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Vol. 83

Tuesday,

No. 242

December 18, 2018

Part III

The President

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Executive Order 13853--Establishing the White House Opportunity and

Revitalization Council

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 242 / Tuesday, December 18, 2018 /

Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--

The President

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Executive Order 13853 of December 12, 2018

Establishing the White House Opportunity and

Revitalization Council

By the authority vested in me as President by the

Constitution and the laws of the United States of

America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Purpose. Fifty-two million Americans live in

economically distressed communities. Despite the

growing national economy, these communities are plagued

by high poverty levels, failing schools, and a scarcity

of jobs. In December 2017, I signed into law a bill

originally introduced as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

(Act), which established a historic new Federal tax

incentive that promotes long-term equity investments in

low-income communities designated as ``qualified

opportunity zones'' by the Governors of States or

territories

17, I signed into law a bill

originally introduced as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

(Act), which established a historic new Federal tax

incentive that promotes long-term equity investments in

low-income communities designated as ``qualified

opportunity zones'' by the Governors of States or

territories. In order to further facilitate such

investment, my Administration will implement reforms

that streamline existing regulations, protect taxpayers

by optimizing use of Federal resources, stimulate

economic opportunity and mobility, encourage

entrepreneurship, expand quality educational

opportunities, develop and rehabilitate quality housing

stock, promote workforce development, and promote

safety and prevent crime in urban and economically

distressed communities.

This order establishes a White House Council to carry

out my Administration's plan to encourage public and

private investment in urban and economically distressed

areas, including qualified opportunity zones. The

Council shall lead joint efforts across executive

departments and agencies (agencies) to engage with

State, local, and tribal governments to find ways to

better use public funds to revitalize urban and

economically distressed communities.

istressed

areas, including qualified opportunity zones. The

Council shall lead joint efforts across executive

departments and agencies (agencies) to engage with

State, local, and tribal governments to find ways to

better use public funds to revitalize urban and

economically distressed communities.

Sec. 2. Establishment. There is established a White

House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (Council).

The Council shall be chaired by the Secretary of

Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or the Secretary's

designee. The Assistant to the President for Domestic

Policy, or the designee of the Assistant to the

President for Domestic Policy, shall serve as Vice

Chair of the Council.

(a) Membership. In addition to the Chair and Vice

Chair, the Council shall consist of the following

members, or their designees:

(i) the Secretary of the Treasury;

(ii) the Attorney General;

(iii) the Secretary of the Interior;

(iv) the Secretary of Agriculture;

(v) the Secretary of Commerce;

(vi) the Secretary of Labor;

(vii) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(viii) the Secretary of Transportation;

(ix) the Secretary of Energy;

(x) the Secretary of Education;

(xi) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(xii) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;

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(xiii) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration;

(xiv) the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy;

(xv) the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers;

(xvi) the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality; and

(xvii) the heads of such other agencies, offices, or independent regulatory

agencies as the Chair may, from time to time, designate or invite.

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(xiii) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration;

(xiv) the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy;

(xv) the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers;

(xvi) the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality; and

(xvii) the heads of such other agencies, offices, or independent regulatory

agencies as the Chair may, from time to time, designate or invite.

(b) Administration. The Vice Chair shall convene

regular meetings of the Council, determine its agenda,

and direct its work, all under the guidance of the

Chair. The Department of Housing and Urban Development

shall provide funding and administrative support for

the Council to the extent permitted by law and within

existing appropriations. The Secretary of HUD shall

designate a HUD officer or employee to serve as the

Executive Director of the Council, who shall be

responsible for coordinating the Council's work.

Sec. 3. Mission and Function of the Council. The

Council shall, to the extent permitted by law, work

across agencies, giving consideration to existing

agency initiatives, to:

(a) assess the actions each agency can take under

existing authorities to prioritize or focus Federal

investments and programs on urban and economically

distressed communities, including qualified opportunity

zones;

(b) assess the actions each agency can take under

existing authorities to minimize all regulatory and

administrative costs and burdens that discourage public

and private investment in urban and economically

distressed communities, including qualified opportunity

zones;

y

zones;

(b) assess the actions each agency can take under

existing authorities to minimize all regulatory and

administrative costs and burdens that discourage public

and private investment in urban and economically

distressed communities, including qualified opportunity

zones;

(c) regularly consult with officials from State,

local, and tribal governments and individuals from the

private sector to solicit feedback on how best to

stimulate the economic development of urban and

economically distressed areas, including qualified

opportunity zones;

(d) coordinate Federal interagency efforts to help

ensure that private and public stakeholders--such as

investors; business owners; institutions of higher

education (including Historically Black Colleges and

Universities, as defined by 50 U.S.C. 3224(g)(2), and

tribally controlled colleges and universities, as

defined by 25 U.S.C. 1801(a)(4)); K-12 education

providers; early care and education providers; human

services agencies; State, local, and tribal leaders;

public housing agencies; non-profit organizations; and

economic development organizations--can successfully

develop strategies for economic growth and

revitalization;

(e) recommend policies that would:

arly care and education providers; human

services agencies; State, local, and tribal leaders;

public housing agencies; non-profit organizations; and

economic development organizations--can successfully

develop strategies for economic growth and

revitalization;

(e) recommend policies that would:

(i) reduce and streamline regulatory and administrative burdens, including

burdens on applicants applying for multiple Federal assistance awards;

(ii) help community-based applicants, including recipients of investments

from qualified opportunity funds, identify and apply for relevant Federal

resources; and

(iii) make it easier for recipients to receive and manage multiple types of

public and private investments, including by aligning certain program

requirements;

(f) evaluate the following:

(i) whether and how agencies can prioritize support for urban and

economically distressed areas, including qualified opportunity zones, in

their grants, financing, and other assistance;

(ii) appropriate methods for Federal cooperation with and support for

States, localities, and tribes that are innovatively and strategically

facilitating economic growth and inclusion in urban and economically

distressed communities, including qualified opportunity zones, consistent

with preserving State, local, and tribal control;

(iii) whether and how to develop an integrated web-based tool through which

entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders can see the full

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range of applicable Federal financing programs and incentives available to

projects located in urban and economically distressed areas, including

qualified opportunity zones;

(iv) whether and how to consider urban and economically distressed areas,

including qualified opportunity zones, as possible locations for Federal

buildings, through consultation with the General Services Administration;

range of applicable Federal financing programs and incentives available to

projects located in urban and economically distressed areas, including

qualified opportunity zones;

(iv) whether and how to consider urban and economically distressed areas,

including qualified opportunity zones, as possible locations for Federal

buildings, through consultation with the General Services Administration;

(v) whether and how Federal technical assistance, planning, financing

tools, and implementation strategies can be coordinated across agencies to

assist communities in addressing economic problems, engaging in

comprehensive planning, and advancing regional collaboration; and

(vi) what data, metrics, and methodologies can be used to measure the

effectiveness of public and private investments in urban and economically

distressed communities, including qualified opportunity zones.

Sec. 4. Reports. The Assistant to the President for

Domestic Policy shall, on behalf of the Council, be

responsible for submitting to the President:

(a) Within 90 days of the date of this order, a

detailed work plan for how, and by when, the Council

will accomplish the goals detailed in section 3 of this

order;

(b) Within 210 days of the date of this order, a

list of recommended changes to Federal statutes,

regulations, policies, and programs that would

encourage public and private investment in urban and

economically distressed communities, including

qualified opportunity zones;

order;

(b) Within 210 days of the date of this order, a

list of recommended changes to Federal statutes,

regulations, policies, and programs that would

encourage public and private investment in urban and

economically distressed communities, including

qualified opportunity zones;

(c) Within 1 year of the date of this order, a list

of recommended changes to Federal statutes,

regulations, policies, and programs that would help

State, local, and tribal governments to better

identify, use, and administer Federal resources in

urban and economically distressed communities,

including qualified opportunity zones;

(d) Within 1 year of the date of this order, a list

of best practices that could be integrated into public

and private investments in urban and economically

distressed communities, including qualified opportunity

zones, in order to increase economic growth, encourage

new business formation, and revitalize communities; and

(e) Any subsequent reports that the President may

request or that the Council may deem appropriate.

Sec. 5. Amendments to Executive Order 13845. Executive

Order 13845 of July 19, 2018 (Establishing the

President's National Council for the American Worker)

is hereby amended as follows:

ties; and

(e) Any subsequent reports that the President may

request or that the Council may deem appropriate.

Sec. 5. Amendments to Executive Order 13845. Executive

Order 13845 of July 19, 2018 (Establishing the

President's National Council for the American Worker)

is hereby amended as follows:

(a) Subsection 7(d) of the order is deleted and the

following text is inserted in lieu thereof: ``consider

the recommendations of the American Workforce Policy

Advisory Board (Board) established in section 8 of this

order and, as appropriate, adopt recommendations that

would significantly advance the objectives of the

Council;''; and

(b) Subsection 8(b)(i) of the order is amended by

deleting the text ``appointed by the President'' and

replacing it with the following text: ``appointed by

the Secretary of Commerce''.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) The heads of agencies

shall assist and provide information to the Council,

consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary for

the Council to carry out its functions.

(b) The heads of agencies shall consider the

reports and recommendations of the Council in carrying

out their responsibilities related to urban and

economically distressed communities.

(c) The Council shall terminate on January 21,

2021, unless extended by the President.

(d) Nothing in this order shall be construed to

impair or otherwise affect:

d recommendations of the Council in carrying

out their responsibilities related to urban and

economically distressed communities.

(c) The Council shall terminate on January 21,

2021, unless extended by the President.

(d) Nothing in this order shall be construed to

impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the

head thereof; or

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(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget

relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(e) This order shall be implemented consistent with

applicable law and subject to the availability of

appropriations.

(f) This order is not intended to, and does not,

create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,

enforceable at law or in equity by any party against

the United States, its departments, agencies, or

entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any

other person.

(Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

December 12, 2018.

[FR Doc. 2018-27515

Filed 12-17-18; 11:15 am]

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