---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2009aa–1"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2009aa–1"
heading: "Delta Regional Authority"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2009aa-1"
units:
  - "Chapter 50 — Agricultural Credit"
  - "Subchapter VI — Delta Regional Authority"
---

# §2009aa–1. Delta Regional Authority

- (a) **Establishment—**
  - (1) **In general—** There is established the Delta Regional [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Composition—** The [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) shall be composed of—
    - (A) a Federal member, to be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate; and
    - (B) the Governor (or a designee of the Governor) of each [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2) that elects to participate in the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1).
  - (3) **Cochairpersons—** The [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) 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](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1); and
    - (B) a [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) cochairperson, who—
      - (i) shall be a Governor of a participating [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2); and
      - (ii) shall be elected by the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) members for a term of not less than 1 year.
- (b) **Alternate members—**
  - (1) **State alternates—** The [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) member of a participating [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) may have a single alternate, who shall be—
    - (A) a resident of that [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1); and
    - (B) appointed by the Governor of the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Alternate Federal cochairperson—** The President shall appoint an alternate Federal cochairperson.
  - (3) **Quorum—** A [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) alternate shall not be counted toward the establishment of a quorum of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) in any instance in which a quorum of the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) members is required to be present.
  - (4) **Delegation of power—** No power or responsibility of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) specified in paragraphs [(2)](#c-2) and [(3)](#c-3) of subsection (c), and no voting right of any [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) member, shall be delegated to any [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1)—
    - (A) who is not an [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) member; or
    - (B) who is not entitled to vote in [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) meetings.
- (c) **Voting—**
  - (1) **In general—voting—** A decision by the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) shall require the affirmative vote of the Federal cochairperson and a majority of the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) members (not including any member representing a [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) that is delinquent under [subsection (g)(2)(C)](#g-2-C)) to be effective.
  - (2) **Quorum—** A quorum of [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) members shall be required to be present for the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to make any policy decision, including—
    - (A) a modification or revision of an [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) policy decision;
    - (B) approval of a [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) or regional development plan; and
    - (C) any allocation of funds among the [States](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1).
  - (3) **Project and grant proposals—** The approval of project and grant proposals shall be—
    - (A) a responsibility of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1); and
    - (B) conducted in accordance with [section 2009aa–8 of this title](/usc/7/2009aa–8.md).
  - (4) **Voting by alternate members—** An alternate member shall vote in the case of the absence, death, disability, removal, or resignation of the Federal or [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) representative for which the alternate member is an alternate.
- (d) **Duties—** The [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) shall—
  - (1) develop, on a continuing basis, comprehensive and coordinated plans and programs to establish priorities and approve grants for the economic development of the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2), giving due consideration to other Federal, [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1), and local planning and development activities in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2);
  - (2) not later than 220 days after December 21, 2000, establish priorities in a development plan for the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2) (including 5-year regional outcome targets);
  - (3) assess the needs and assets of the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2) based on available research, demonstrations, investigations, assessments, and evaluations of the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2) prepared by Federal, [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1), and local agencies, universities, local development districts, and other nonprofit groups;
  - (4) formulate and recommend to the Governors and legislatures of [States](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) that participate in the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) forms of interstate cooperation;
  - (5) work with [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) and local agencies in developing appropriate model legislation;
  - (6)
    - (A) enhance the capacity of, and provide support for, local development districts in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2); or
    - (B) if no local development district exists in an area in a participating [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2), foster the creation of a local development district;
  - (7) encourage private investment in industrial, commercial, and other economic development projects in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2); and
  - (8) cooperate with and assist [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) governments with economic development programs of participating [States](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1).
- (e) **Administration—** In carrying out [subsection (d)](#d), the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) 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](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) as the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) considers appropriate;
  - (2) authorize, through the Federal or [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) cochairperson or any other member of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) designated by the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1), the administration of oaths if the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) determines that testimony should be taken or evidence received under oath;
  - (3) request from any Federal, [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1), or local department or agency such information as may be available to or procurable by the department or agency that may be of use to the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) in carrying out duties of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1);
  - (4) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) business and the performance of [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) duties;
  - (5) request the head of any Federal department or agency to detail to the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) such personnel as the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) requires to carry out duties of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1), each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status;
  - (6) request the head of any State department or agency or local government to detail to the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) such personnel as the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) requires to carry out duties of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1), each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status;
  - (7) provide for coverage of [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) employees in a suitable retirement and employee benefit system by—
    - (A) making arrangements or entering into contracts with any participating [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) 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](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) duties, including any contracts, leases, or cooperative agreements with—
    - (A) any department, agency, or instrumentality of the [United States](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-6);
    - (B) any [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) (including a political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1)); or
    - (C) any [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1), firm, association, or corporation;
  - (10) establish and maintain a central office and field offices at such locations as the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) may select; and
  - (11) collect fees for the Delta Doctors program of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) and retain and expend those fees.
- (f) **Federal agency cooperation—** A Federal agency shall—
  - (1) cooperate with the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1); and
  - (2) provide, on request of the Federal cochairperson, appropriate assistance in carrying out this subchapter, in accordance with applicable Federal laws (including regulations).
- (g) **Administrative expenses—**
  - (1) **In general—** Administrative expenses of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) (except for the expenses of the Federal cochairperson, including expenses of the alternate and staff of the Federal cochairperson, which shall be paid solely by the Federal Government) shall be paid—
    - (A) by the Federal Government, in an amount equal to 50 percent of the administrative expenses; and
    - (B) by the [States](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2) participating in the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1), in an amount equal to 50 percent of the administrative expenses.
  - (2) **State share—**
    - (A) **In general—** The share of administrative expenses of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to be paid by each [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) shall be determined by the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1).
    - (B) **No Federal participation—** The Federal cochairperson shall not participate or vote in any decision under [subparagraph (A)](#g-2-A).
    - (C) **Delinquent States—** If a [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) is delinquent in payment of the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1)’s share of administrative expenses of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) under this subsection—
      - (i) no assistance under this subchapter shall be furnished to the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) (including assistance to a political subdivision or a resident of the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1)); and
      - (ii) no member of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) from the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) shall participate or vote in any action by the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1).
- (h) **Compensation—**
  - (1) **Federal cochairperson—** The Federal cochairperson shall be compensated by the Federal Government at level III of the Executive Schedule in subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5.
  - (2) **Alternate Federal cochairperson—** The alternate Federal cochairperson—
    - (A) shall be compensated by the Federal Government at level V of the Executive Schedule described in [paragraph (1)](#h-1); and
    - (B) when not actively serving as an alternate for the Federal cochairperson, shall perform such functions and duties as are delegated by the Federal cochairperson.
  - (3) **State members and alternates—**
    - (A) **In general—** A [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) shall compensate each member and alternate representing the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) on the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) at the rate established by law of the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1).
    - (B) **No additional compensation—** No [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) member or alternate member shall receive any salary, or any contribution to or supplementation of salary from any source other than the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) for services provided by the member or alternate to the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1).
  - (4) **Detailed employees—**
    - (A) **In general—** No [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) detailed to serve the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) under [subsection (e)(6)](#e-6) shall receive any salary or any contribution to or supplementation of salary for services provided to the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) from—
      - (i) any source other than the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1), local, or intergovernmental department or agency from which the [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) was detailed; or
      - (ii) the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1).
    - (B) **Violation—** Any [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) that violates this paragraph shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
    - (C) **Applicable law—** The Federal cochairperson, the alternate Federal cochairperson, and any Federal officer or employee detailed to duty on the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) under [subsection (e)(5)](#e-5) shall not be subject to [subparagraph (A)](#h-4-A), but shall remain subject to sections 202 through 209 of title 18.
  - (5) **Additional personnel—**
    - (A) **Compensation—**
      - (i) **In general—** The [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) may appoint and fix the compensation of an executive director and such other personnel as are necessary to enable the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to carry out the duties of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1).
      - (ii) **Exception—** Compensation under [clause (i)](#h-5-A-i) shall not exceed the maximum rate for the Senior Executive Service under [section 5382 of title 5](/usc/5/5382.md), including any applicable locality-based comparability payment that may be authorized under [section 5304(h)(2)(C)](/usc/5/5304.md?p=h-2-C) of that title.
    - (B) **Executive director—** The executive director shall be responsible for—
      - (i) the carrying out of the administrative duties of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1);
      - (ii) direction of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) staff;
      - (iii) assuming the duties of the Federal cochairperson and the alternate Federal cochairperson for purposes of continuation of normal operations in the event that both positions are vacant; and
      - (iv) such other duties as the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) may assign.
    - (C) **No Federal employee status—** No member, alternate, officer, or employee of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) (except the Federal cochairperson of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1), the alternate and staff for the Federal cochairperson, and any Federal employee detailed to the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) under [subsection (e)(5)](#e-5)) shall be considered to be a Federal employee for any purpose.
- (i) **Conflicts of interest—**
  - (1) **In general—** Except as provided under [paragraph (2)](#i-2), no [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) member, alternate, officer, or employee of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) shall participate personally and substantially as a member, alternate, officer, or employee of the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1), 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](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) or political subdivision of the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1)) 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](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) or organization with whom the member, alternate, officer, or employee is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective [employment](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-10);

    has a financial interest.

  - (2) **Disclosure—** [Paragraph (1)](#i-1) shall not apply if the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) member, alternate, officer, or employee—
    - (A) immediately advises the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) 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](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) that the interest is not so substantial as to be likely to affect the integrity of the services that the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) may expect from the [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) member, alternate, officer, or employee.
  - (3) **Violation—** Any [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) that violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
- (j) **Validity of contracts, loans, and grants—** The [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) may declare void any contract, loan, or grant of or by the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) in relation to which the [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) determines that there has been a violation of any provision under [subsection (h)(4)](#h-4), [subsection (i)](#i), or sections 202 through 209 of title 18.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 382B, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title V, § 503], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–269; amended Pub. L. 107–171, title VI, § 6027(a), (b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 373; Pub. L. 108–447, div. C, title V, § 506, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2963; Pub. L. 111–85, title IV, § 402, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2878; Pub. L. 118–272, div. B, title II, § 2253(c), (d), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3213.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Subsec. (e)(11). Pub. L. 118–272, § 2253(c), added par. (11).

Subsec. (h)(5)(B)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 118–272, § 2253(d), added cl. (iii) and redesignated former cl. (iii) as (iv).

2009—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 111–85, which directed amendment of section 382B(c) of the Delta Regional Authority Act of 2000 by adding par. (1) and striking out former par. (1), was executed to this section, which is section 382B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

“(A) Temporary method.—During the period beginning on May 13, 2002, and ending on December 31, 2008, a decision by the Authority shall require the affirmative vote of the Federal cochairperson and a majority of the State members (not including any member representing a State that is delinquent under subsection (g)(2)(C) of this section) to be effective.

“(B) Permanent method.—Effective beginning on January 1, 2009, 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)(C) of this section) to be effective.”

2004—Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–447, § 506(1), substituted “2008” for “2004”.

Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–447, § 506(2), substituted “2009” for “2005”.

2002—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 107–171, § 6027(a), added par. (1) and struck out heading and text of former par. (1). Text read as follows: “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)(C) of this section) to be effective.”

Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 107–171, § 6027(b), substituted “, rules, and regulations” for “and rules”.