Grants, interagency and other agreements, and assistance

(a) In general In order to carry out the purposes of the program as described in section 201(b) and implement priority projects identified under section 204(c), the Administrator may— (1) provide grants and technical assistance to the Commissioner, State and local governments, Tribal governments, the North American Development Bank, entities described in section 203(c)(9), nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education, in both the United States and Mexico; and (2) enter into interagency agreements with other Federal agencies. (b) Criteria The Administrator, in consultation with the entities described in section 203(c), shall develop criteria for providing grants and technical assistance and entering into interagency agreements under subsection (a) to ensure that activities carried out under an interagency agreement or using those grants or technical assistance— (1) accomplish 1 or more of the purposes identified in section 201(b); and (2) advance the implementation of priority projects identified under section 204(c). (c) Cost sharing The Administrator may establish a Federal share requirement for any project carried out using any assistance provided under this section on an individual project basis. (d) Administration (1) In general The Administrator may enter into an agreement to manage the implementation of this section with the North American Development Bank or a similar organization that offers grant management services. (2) Funding If the Administrator enters into an agreement under paragraph (1), the organization selected shall— (A) for each fiscal year, receive amounts to carry out this section in an advance payment of the entire amount on the date of enactment of an appropriations Act making appropriations to the Administrator for a fiscal year, or as soon as practicable thereafter; and (B) otherwise administer the implementation of this section to support partnerships between the public and private sectors in accordance with this title. (e) Construction, operation, and maintenance The Commissioner may construct, operate, and maintain any project carried out using funds made available to carry out this section. (f) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2036, to remain available until expended. (2) Set aside Of amounts made available to carry out this section, the Administrator may use not more than 5 percent for grants under this section for salaries, expenses, and administration. (3) Transfer The Administrator may transfer amounts made available under this subsection to the Commissioner as the Administrator determines necessary to carry out this section.