[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2137 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2137
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish an Office of Rural
Investment, to ensure that rural communities and regions are equitably
represented in Federal decision making for transportation policy, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 17, 2021
Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Braun) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish an Office of Rural
Investment, to ensure that rural communities and regions are equitably
represented in Federal decision making for transportation policy, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Transportation Equity Act of
2021''.
SEC. 2. RURAL INVESTMENT.
(a) Office of Rural Investment.--
(1) Establishment.--Section 102 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by inserting ``(referred to
in this section as the `Department')'' after
``Department of Transportation'';
(B) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by
inserting ``(referred to in this section as the
`Secretary')'' after ``Secretary of Transportation'';
(C) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``Department
of Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting
``Department'';
(D) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection
(i); and
(E) by inserting after subsection (g) the
following:
``(h) Office of Rural Investment.--
``(1) In general.--There is established in the Department,
within the Office of the Secretary, an Office of Rural
Investment (referred to in this subsection as the `Office').
``(2) Leadership.--The Office shall be headed by a Director
for Rural Investment (referred to in this subsection as the
`Director') who shall be appointed by, and report directly to,
the Secretary.
``(3) Mission.--
``(A) In general.--The mission of the Office shall
be to coordinate with other offices and agencies within
the Department and with other Federal agencies to
further the goals and objectives described in
subparagraph (B).
``(B) Goals and objectives described.--The goals
and objectives referred to in subparagraph (A) are--
``(i) to ensure that the unique needs and
attributes of rural transportation, involving
all modes, are fully addressed and prioritized
during the development and implementation of
transportation policies, programs, and
activities within the Department;
``(ii) to improve coordination of Federal
transportation policies, programs, and
activities within the Department in a manner
that expands economic development in rural
communities and regions, and to provide
recommendations for improvement, including
additional internal realignments;
``(iii) to expand Federal transportation
infrastructure investment in rural communities
and regions, including by providing
recommendations for changes in existing funding
distribution patterns;
``(iv) to use innovation to resolve local
and regional transportation challenges faced by
rural communities and regions;
``(v) to promote and improve planning and
coordination among rural communities and
regions to maximize the unique competitive
advantage in those locations while avoiding
duplicative Federal, State and local
investments; and
``(vi) to ensure that all rural communities
and regions lacking resources receive proactive
outreach, education, and technical assistance
to improve access to Federal transportation
programs.
``(4) Duties of the director.--The Director shall--
``(A) be responsible for engaging in activities to
carry out the mission described in paragraph (3);
``(B) organize, guide, and lead activities within
the Department to address disparities in rural
transportation infrastructure to improve safety,
economic development, and quality of life in rural
communities and regions;
``(C) provide information and outreach to rural
communities and regions concerning the availability and
eligibility requirements of participating in programs
of the Department;
``(D) help rural communities and regions--
``(i) identify competitive economic
advantages and transportation investments that
ensure continued economic growth; and
``(ii) avoid duplicative transportation
investments;
``(E) serve as a resource for assisting rural
communities and regions with respect to Federal
transportation programs;
``(F) identify--
``(i) Federal statutes, regulations, and
polices that may impede the Department from
supporting effective rural infrastructure
projects that address national transportation
goals; and
``(ii) potential measures to solve or
mitigate those issues;
``(G) identify improved, simplified, and
streamlined internal processes to help limited-resource
rural communities and regions access transportation
investments;
``(H) recommend changes and initiatives for the
Secretary to consider;
``(I) ensure and coordinate a routine rural
consultation on the development of policies, programs,
and activities of the Department;
``(J) serve as an advocate within the Department on
behalf of rural communities and regions; and
``(K) work in coordination with the Department of
Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human
Services, the Department of Commerce, the Federal
Communications Commission, and other Federal agencies,
as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, in
carrying out the duties described in subparagraphs (A)
through (J).
``(5) Contracts and agreements.--For the purpose of
carrying out the mission of the Office under paragraph (3), the
Secretary may enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and
other agreements as necessary, including with research centers,
institutions of higher education, States, units of local
government, nonprofit organizations, or a combination of any of
those entities--
``(A) to conduct research on transportation
investments that promote rural economic development;
``(B) to solicit information in the development of
policy, programs, and activities of the Department that
can improve infrastructure investment and economic
development in rural communities and regions;
``(C) to develop educational and outreach
materials, including the conduct of workshops, courses,
and certified training for rural communities and
regions that can further the mission and goals of the
Office and the Department; and
``(D) to carry out any other activities, as
determined by the Secretary to be appropriate.
``(6) Grants.--
``(A) In general.--The Director may award
competitive grants to an entity described in
subparagraph (B) to support expanded education,
outreach, and technical assistance to rural communities
and regions.
``(B) Entity described.--An entity referred to in
subparagraph (A) is a nonprofit organization or an
institution of higher education that has not less than
3 years of experience providing meaningful
transportation technical assistance or advocacy
services to rural communities and regions.
``(7) Employees.--The Secretary shall ensure that not more
than 4 full-time equivalent employees are assigned to the
Office.
``(8) Coordination within and among other offices and
agencies of the department.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall designate
not fewer than 1 representative from each office or
agency of the Department described in subparagraph (B)
who shall be responsible for leading the efforts within
that office or agency to further the goals and
objectives described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph
(3).
``(B) Offices and agencies described.--The offices
and agencies of the Department referred to in
subparagraph (A) are each of the following:
``(i) The Office of the Under Secretary of
Transportation for Policy.
``(ii) The Office of the General Counsel.
``(iii) The Office of the Chief Financial
Officer and Assistant Secretary for Budget and
Programs.
``(iv) The Federal Aviation Administration.
``(v) The Federal Highway Administration.
``(vi) The Federal Railroad Administration.
``(vii) The Federal Transit Administration.
``(viii) The Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Governmental Affairs.
``(ix) The Office of Public Affairs.
``(x) Any other office or agency of the
Department that the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
``(C) Duties.--The Chief Infrastructure Funding
Officer of the Department and the representatives
designated under subparagraph (A)--
``(i) shall--
``(I) meet bimonthly; and
``(II) recommend initiatives to the
Office; and
``(ii) may participate in all meetings and
relevant activities of the Office to provide
input and guidance relevant to rural
transportation infrastructure projects and
issues.
``(9) Additional input.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall seek input
from the offices and agencies of the Department
described in subparagraph (B) to further the goals and
objectives described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph
(3).
``(B) Offices and agencies described.--The offices
and agencies of the Department referred to in
subparagraph (A) are each of the following:
``(i) The Maritime Administration.
``(ii) The Saint Lawrence Seaway
Development Corporation.
``(iii) The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration.
``(10) Report.--Each year, the Office shall submit to the
Secretary a report describing--
``(A) the objectives of the Office for the coming
year; and
``(B) how the objectives of the Office were
accomplished in the previous year.
``(11) Applicability.--In carrying out the mission of the
Office under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall consider as
rural any area considered to be a rural area under a Federal
transportation program of the Department.''.
(2) Council on credit and finance.--Section 117(b)(1) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(I) The Director for Rural Investment.''.
(b) Rural Transportation Advisory Council.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Advisory council.--The term ``advisory
council'' means the rural transportation advisory
council established under paragraph (2).
(B) Relevant committees of congress.--The term
``relevant committees of Congress'' means--
(i) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
(ii) the Committee on Energy and Commerce
of the House of Representatives;
(iii) the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate;
(iv) the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate;
(v) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate;
(vi) the Subcommittee on Transportation,
and Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives; and
(vii) the Subcommittee on Transportation,
Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate.
(C) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of Transportation.
(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a rural
transportation advisory council to consult with and advise the
Office of Rural Investment.
(3) Membership.--
(A) In general.--The advisory council shall be
composed of 15 members, appointed by the Secretary, of
whom--
(i) not fewer than 1 shall be a
representative from an institution of higher
education or extension program;
(ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a
representative from an organization promoting
business and economic development, such as a
chamber of commerce, a local government
institution, or a planning organization;
(iii) not fewer than 1 shall be a
representative from a financing entity;
(iv) not fewer than 1 shall have experience
in health, mobility, or emergency services;
(v) not fewer than 1 shall have experience
in transportation safety;
(vi) not fewer than 1 shall have experience
with workforce access;
(vii) not fewer than 1 shall have
experience with tourism and recreational
activities;
(viii) not fewer than 1 shall have--
(I) experience with rural supply
chains, such as direct-to-consumer
supply chains; and
(II) wholesale distribution
experience;
(ix) not fewer than 1 shall have experience
in emerging or innovative technologies relating
to rural transportation networks;
(x) not fewer than 1 shall have experience
in food, nutrition, and grocery access;
(xi) not fewer than 1 shall represent
agriculture, nutrition, or forestry; and
(xii) not fewer than 1 shall have
experience with historically underserved
regions, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) Requirement.--The Secretary shall appoint
members to the advisory council in a manner that
ensures, to the maximum extent practicable, that the
geographic and economic diversity of rural communities
and regions of the United States are represented.
(C) Timing of initial appointments.--Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall appoint the initial members of the
advisory council.
(D) Period of appointments.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), a member of the advisory council
shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
(ii) Initial appointments.--Of the members
first appointed to the advisory council--
(I) 5, as determined by the
Secretary, shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years;
(II) 5, as determined by the
Secretary, shall be appointed for a
term of 2 years; and
(III) 5, as determined by the
Secretary, shall be appointed for a
term of 1 year.
(E) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the advisory
council--
(i) shall not affect the power of the
advisory council; and
(ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable
and in the same manner as the original
appointment.
(F) Consecutive terms.--An appointee to the
advisory council may serve 1 additional, consecutive
term if the member is reappointed by the Secretary.
(4) Meetings.--
(A) In general.--The advisory council shall meet
not less than twice per year, as determined by the
Secretary.
(B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 days after
the date on which the initial members of the advisory
council are appointed under paragraph (3)(C), the
advisory council shall hold the first meeting of the
advisory council.
(5) Duties.--
(A) In general.--The advisory council shall--
(i) advise the Office of Rural Investment
on issues related to rural needs relating to
Federal transportation programs;
(ii) evaluate and review ongoing research
activities relating to rural transportation
networks, including new and emerging barriers
to economic development and access to
investments;
(iii) develop recommendations for any
changes to Federal law, regulations, internal
Department of Transportation policies or
guidance, or other measures that would
eliminate barriers for rural access or improve
rural equity in transportation investments;
(iv) examine methods of maximizing the
number of opportunities for assistance for
rural communities and regions under Federal
transportation programs, including expanded
outreach and technical assistance;
(v) examine methods of encouraging
intergovernmental and local resource
cooperation to mitigate duplicative investments
in key rural communities and regions and
improve the efficiencies in the delivery of
Federal transportation programs;
(vi) evaluate other methods of creating new
opportunities for rural communities and
regions; and
(vii) address any other relevant issues as
the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(B) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date
on which the initial members of the advisory council
are appointed under paragraph (3)(C), and every 2 years
thereafter through 2026, the advisory council shall
submit to the Secretary and the relevant committees of
Congress a report describing the recommendations
developed under subparagraph (A)(iii).
(6) Personnel matters.--
(A) Compensation.--A member of the advisory council
shall serve without compensation.
(B) Travel expenses.--A member of the advisory
council shall be allowed travel expenses, including per
diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section
5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(7) Termination.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
advisory council shall terminate on the date that is 5
years after the date on which the initial members are
appointed under paragraph (3)(C).
(B) Extension.--Before the date on which the
advisory council terminates, the Secretary may renew
the advisory council for 1 or more 2-year periods.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments made by this
section $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
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