[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 486 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 486
To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to
establish the Rural Innovation and Partnership Administration and to
amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the
Rural Future Partnership Fund to invest in the rural areas of the
United States to achieve their preferred future while maximizing their
contribution to the well-being of the United States, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 25, 2021
Mrs. Gillibrand (for herself, Ms. Smith, Mr. Booker, Mr. Durbin, and
Mr. Casey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to
establish the Rural Innovation and Partnership Administration and to
amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the
Rural Future Partnership Fund to invest in the rural areas of the
United States to achieve their preferred future while maximizing their
contribution to the well-being of the United States, 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 ``Rebuild Rural America Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to create the scale and capacity that enables rural
areas to achieve their preferred future while maximizing their
contribution to the well-being of the United States;
(2) to recognize the significant contributions of rural
areas of the United States to the success of the United States,
including the leading role that the rural areas play in
addressing the critical threat of climate change and building a
resilient United States;
(3) to make a national commitment to the rural communities
and regions of the United States to ensure that the rural
United States benefits from and contributes to the prosperity
of the United States;
(4) to establish a partnership with rural areas of the
United States that provides flexible, long-term, and annual
Federal investment for comprehensive, collaborative, and
locally driven community and economic development that improves
quality of life and economic competitiveness;
(5) to strengthen rural population centers through
collaboration with neighboring rural areas that ensures
economic integration and regional development;
(6) to strengthen connections between rural and urban areas
of the United States for mutual success and for the benefit of
the economy of the United States and the quality of life of the
people of the United States;
(7) to support asset-based development, maximizing the
cost-effectiveness of existing infrastructure;
(8) to ensure economic opportunities that create pathways
to high-quality, family-sustaining jobs for all individuals in
rural areas of the United States, including efforts to address
population loss, to promote the use of cooperatives and other
forms of public and employee ownership, and to expand and
improve access to training, infrastructure, and investment to
adapt to technological change, such as automation, for success
in the digital economy;
(9) to provide for the evolution and expansion of the role
of the Department of Agriculture in ensuring that rural
communities have a dedicated agency and a new delivery system
for Federal assistance for disaster recovery and proactive
mitigation and resiliency efforts;
(10) to rebuild and modernize infrastructure and expand
investment to support local and regional food systems,
sustainable agriculture production, and value added
agricultural industries;
(11) to support infill development, preserve undeveloped
land, and remediate brownfields and other contaminated
properties for re-use; and
(12) to support public health and improve quality of life
in rural communities by delivering--
(A) universal access to clean air and water;
(B) healthy foods available through local and
regional food systems;
(C) quality, affordable, and accessible health care
services in the rural communities, including access to
primary and emergency medical services, mental health
care, and treatment for substance abuse;
(D) affordable and reliable clean energy systems;
and
(E) quality, affordable, and energy-efficient
housing choices in the rural communities.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF RURAL INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIP
ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--Subtitle C of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 237. RURAL INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIP ADMINISTRATION.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish in the
Department a Rural Innovation and Partnership Administration (referred
to in this section as the `Administration').
``(b) Administrator.--
``(1) In general.--The Administration shall be headed by an
Administrator of Rural Innovation and Partnerships (referred to
in this section as the `Administrator'), who shall be appointed
by the Secretary.
``(2) Reporting to under secretary.--The Administrator
shall report to the Under Secretary for Rural Development.
``(c) Functions.--The Secretary shall carry out through the
Administration the functions of the Rural Future Partnership Fund
established under subtitle I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act.
``(d) Requirement for State Offices.--In carrying out the functions
of the Administration, the Secretary shall ensure that each State
office of the rural development mission area is staffed with not less
than 3 new employees to implement the Rural Future Partnership Fund
established under subtitle I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, including providing--
``(1) technical assistance;
``(2) support for capacity building;
``(3) financial controls; and
``(4) performance oversight.
``(e) Coordination With Council on Rural Community Innovation and
Economic Development.--In carrying out the functions of the
Administration, the Administrator shall coordinate with the Council on
Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development established by
section 6306 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C.
2204b-3).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(11) The authority of the Secretary to establish and
maintain in the Department the Rural Innovation and Partnership
Administration under section 237.''.
(2) Section 6306(f) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 (7 U.S.C. 2204b-3(f)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) give priority to coordinating with the Administrator
of Rural Innovation and Partnerships in carrying out the Rural
Future Partnership Fund established under subtitle I of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.''.
SEC. 4. RURAL FUTURE PARTNERSHIP FUND.
The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Subtitle I--Rural Future Partnership Fund
``SEC. 385A. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) Council.--The term `Council' means a rural
partnership council established under paragraph (1)(A)(i),
(2)(A)(i), or (3)(A)(i), as applicable, of section 385C(a).
``(2) Eligible technical assistance provider.--The term
`eligible technical assistance provider' means an entity--
``(A) with a demonstrated national or regional
structure or capacity to deliver and support multiple
rural planning activities across the United States or
within a region of the United States; and
``(B) that is--
``(i) a federally recognized Indian Tribe;
``(ii) an institution of higher education;
``(iii) a nonprofit organization; or
``(iv) a private organization.
``(3) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Rural Future
Partnership Fund established under section 385B.
``(4) Institution of higher education.--
``(A) In general.--The term `institution of higher
education' has the meaning given the term in section
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)).
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `institution of higher
education' includes--
``(i) land-grant colleges and universities
(as defined in section 1404 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)); and
``(ii) associated cooperative extension
services.
``(5) Plan.--The term `Plan' means a rural partnership plan
established under section 385E(a).
``(6) Reservation.--
``(A) In general.--The term `reservation' has the
meaning given the term `Indian country' in section 1151
of title 18, United States Code.
``(B) Inclusion.--The term `reservation' includes
land held by a Native group, a Regional Corporation, or
a Village Corporation (as those terms are defined in
section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
(43 U.S.C. 1602)).
``(7) Rural partnership block grant.--The term `rural
partnership block grant' means a rural partnership block grant
awarded under this subtitle.
``(8) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary,
acting through the Administrator of Rural Innovation and
Partnerships.
``(9) Workforce housing.--The term `workforce housing'
means, with respect to housing for a family, housing the cost
of which does not exceed 30 percent of--
``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), 120 percent of
the median income in the area in which the family
lives, as determined by the Secretary, with appropriate
adjustments for the size of the family; or
``(B) if the Secretary determines that there are
unusually high or low family incomes in the area in
which the family lives, such other percentage, as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate, of the median
income in the area in which the family lives.
``SEC. 385B. ESTABLISHMENT.
``The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the
`Rural Future Partnership Fund', under which the Secretary shall award
rural partnership block grants in accordance with this subtitle.
``SEC. 385C. ELIGIBILITY.
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Micropolitan statistical areas.--
``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a
rural partnership block grant--
``(i) one or more units of local government
that govern a micropolitan statistical area, as
defined by the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget, shall establish a rural
partnership council in accordance with
subsection (b); and
``(ii) that Council shall submit an
application to--
``(I) not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of the Rebuild
Rural America Act of 2021--
``(aa)(AA) the applicable
State; or
``(BB) the applicable
States, if the micropolitan
statistical area spans more
than 1 State; and
``(bb) the applicable State
offices of the rural
development mission area; or
``(II) after the date described in
subclause (I), the Secretary.
``(B) Regional collaboration.--
``(i) In general.--On receipt of an
application under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I), the
one or more States, in coordination with the
applicable State offices of the rural
development mission area, shall advise the
applicant on the inclusion in the Council, if
practicable, of one or more contiguous census
tracts or counties that--
``(I) fall outside of a
micropolitan or metropolitan
statistical area; and
``(II) demonstrate evidence of
economic, social, and cultural
cooperation that enhances the potential
for comprehensive, asset-based regional
development.
``(ii) Decision.--After receipt of advice
under clause (i), the applicant shall--
``(I) decide whether to include one
or more of the applicable contiguous
census tracts or counties in the
Council; and
``(II) modify the application, as
appropriate.
``(C) Approval.--
``(i) States.--The one or more States that
receive an application under subparagraph
(A)(ii)(I)(aa), in coordination with the
applicable State offices of the rural
development mission area, shall approve the
Council as eligible to receive a rural
partnership block grant if the requirements
under subsection (b) for the composition of the
membership of a Council are satisfied.
``(ii) Secretary.--Not less frequently than
once each year, the Secretary, in coordination
with the applicable State offices of the rural
development mission area, may approve
applications received under subparagraph
(A)(ii)(II) if the requirements under
subsection (b) for the composition of the
membership of a Council are satisfied.
``(2) Areas outside of micropolitan and metropolitan
statistical areas.--
``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a
rural partnership block grant--
``(i) one or more entities described in
subsection (b)(1) that are located in, or
represent, two or more contiguous census tracts
or counties in an area that is not within a
micropolitan statistical area or a metropolitan
statistical area, as defined by the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget, and are
not represented by a Council established under
paragraph (1)(A)(i) or (3)(A)(i), shall
establish a rural partnership council in
accordance with subsection (b); and
``(ii) that Council shall submit an
application to--
``(I) not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of the Rebuild
Rural America Act of 2021--
``(aa) the one or more
applicable States; and
``(bb) the applicable State
offices of the rural
development mission area; or
``(II) after the date described in
subclause (I), the Secretary.
``(B) Approval.--
``(i) States.--The one or more States that
receive an application under subparagraph
(A)(ii)(I)(aa), in coordination with the
applicable State offices of the rural
development mission area, shall approve the
Council as eligible to receive a rural
partnership block grant if--
``(I) the requirements under
subsection (b) for the composition of
the membership of a Council are
satisfied; and
``(II) the area to be represented
by the Council--
``(aa) is of practicable
geographic size; and
``(bb) demonstrates
evidence of economic, social,
and cultural cooperation that
enhances the potential for
comprehensive, asset-based
regional development.
``(ii) Secretary.--Not less frequently than
once each year, the Secretary, in coordination
with the applicable State offices of the rural
development mission area, may approve
applications received under subparagraph
(A)(ii)(II) if the requirements described in
clause (i) are satisfied.
``(3) Indian reservations.--
``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a
rural partnership block grant--
``(i) an Indian Tribe that has jurisdiction
over a reservation shall establish a rural
partnership council in accordance with
subsection (b); and
``(ii) that Council shall submit an
application to the Secretary.
``(B) Approval.--
``(i) In general.--On receipt of an
application that was submitted under
subparagraph (A)(ii) not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of the Rebuild
Rural America Act of 2021, the Secretary, in
coordination with the applicable State offices
of the rural development mission area, shall
approve the Council as eligible to receive a
rural partnership block grant if the
requirements under subsection (b) for the
composition of the membership of a Council are
satisfied.
``(ii) Subsequent applications.--Not less
frequently than once each year, the Secretary,
in coordination with the applicable State
offices of the rural development mission area,
may approve applications submitted under
subparagraph (A)(ii) later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of the Rebuild Rural
America Act of 2021 if the requirements under
subsection (b) for the composition of the
membership of a Council are satisfied.
``(b) Membership.--Each Council--
``(1) shall include one or more representatives of--
``(A) a District Organization (as defined in
section 300.3 of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations
(or successor regulations)) or a comparable regional
planning organization if there is no applicable
District Organization;
``(B) one or more units of local government, or one
or more entities designated by a unit of local
government, within the applicable area; and
``(C) a public or nonprofit organization;
``(2) may include one or more representatives of--
``(A) an economic development or other community or
labor organization;
``(B) a financial institution, including a
community development financial institution (as defined
in section 103 of the Community Development Banking and
Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702));
``(C) a philanthropic organization;
``(D) a rural cooperative;
``(E) an entity with experience in the development
of cooperatives;
``(F) an institution of higher education;
``(G) elementary or secondary education;
``(H) a private entity;
``(I) a Tribal organization;
``(J) a metropolitan planning organization (as
defined in section 134(b) of title 23, United States
Code);
``(K) any other regional planning organization; or
``(L) any other entity, as determined to be
appropriate by the Council; and
``(3) shall be composed of an odd number of members.
``(c) Revisions.--
``(1) In general.--Not more frequently than once every 5
years, a Council may submit to the one or more applicable
States, or to the Secretary in the case of a Council
established by an Indian Tribe, an application to revise the
geographic boundary of the applicable area represented by the
Council.
``(2) Final approval by secretary.--An application
submitted to one or more States under paragraph (1) shall be
subject to final approval by the Secretary.
``SEC. 385D. RURAL PARTNERSHIP BLOCK GRANTS.
``(a) Allocation of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall allocate rural partnership block grant funds to
Councils proportionately based on the population of each area
represented by a Council.
``(2) High poverty rates.--The Secretary shall allocate to
a Council an amount equal to 3 times the applicable amount
under paragraph (1) with respect to each individual residing in
a census tract, or a group of contiguous census tracts, that--
``(A) has a poverty rate of 20 percent or greater;
and
``(B) is within or comprises the applicable area.
``(b) Distribution.--The Secretary shall distribute rural
partnership block grant funds annually to each Council during the term
of the rural partnership block grant.
``(c) Term.--A rural partnership block grant--
``(1) shall be for a term of 5 years; and
``(2) may be renewed.
``(d) Grant Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--Each Council shall enter into an
agreement with the Secretary, under which the Council, in
coordination with the Secretary, shall establish performance
measures and reporting requirements that shall be met by the
end of each year for which the Council receives funds under the
Fund.
``(2) Violations.--If the Secretary determines that a
Council has failed to meet any requirements of the applicable
agreement under paragraph (1), is not making reasonable
progress towards meeting that requirement, or is otherwise in
violation of that agreement, the Secretary may--
``(A) withhold funds under the Fund until the
Council remedies the applicable violation; or
``(B) terminate the agreement.
``SEC. 385E. RURAL PARTNERSHIP PLANS.
``(a) Establishment.--Each Council shall establish, maintain,
evaluate, and report to the Secretary progress on a rural partnership
plan in accordance with this section.
``(b) Coordination With Other Plans.--
``(1) In general.--In developing a Plan under this section,
a Council is encouraged to utilize existing Federal plans, and
existing State, regional, or Tribal plans, so as to reduce
duplicative efforts and align Federal investment.
``(2) Federal plans.--Existing Federal plans referred to in
paragraph (1) include--
``(A) the Comprehensive Economic Development
Strategy of the Economic Development Administration;
``(B) a local plan, as defined in section 3 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3102);
``(C) the Consolidated Plan of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development;
``(D) plans developed by metropolitan planning
organizations under section 134 of title 23, United
States Code;
``(E) plans developed by regional transportation
planning organizations designated under section 135(m)
of title 23, United States Code, or section 5304(l) of
title 49, United States Code (commonly known as a
`rural transportation planning organization');
``(F) emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation
plans required by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
``(G) the Drinking Water Action Plan of the
Environmental Protection Agency;
``(H) a good neighbor agreement (as defined in
section 8206(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16
U.S.C. 2113a(a))); and
``(I) strategic plans developed by Federal regional
commissions, including--
``(i) the Appalachian Regional Commission
established by section 14301(a) of title 40,
United States Code;
``(ii) the Delta Regional Authority
established under subtitle F of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2009aa et seq.);
``(iii) the Denali Commission established
under the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42
U.S.C. 3121 note; title III of division C of
Public Law 105-277);
``(iv) the Northern Border Regional
Commission established by section 15301(a)(3)
of title 40, United States Code;
``(v) the Northern Great Plains Regional
Authority established under subtitle G of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2009bb et seq.);
``(vi) the Southeast Crescent Regional
Commission established by section 15301(a)(1)
of title 40, United States Code; and
``(vii) the Southwest Border Regional
Commission established by section 15301(a)(2)
of title 40, United States Code.
``(c) Contents.--To the maximum extent practicable, a Plan shall
include--
``(1) a plan to coordinate and build capacity across
jurisdictions in the applicable area to develop and implement
the Plan, including by targeting assistance to high-poverty and
other struggling areas within that region;
``(2) a plan that outlines feasible steps and achievable
goals, timelines, and strategies for implementing the Plan,
including making interjurisdictional agreements that provide
for cooperative and coordinated approaches to achieving the
goals of the Plan;
``(3) a prioritization of projects for funding and
implementation, when practicable, including by providing--
``(A) a description of each prioritized project
proposed to be carried out; and
``(B) a budget for each project described in
subparagraph (A) that includes--
``(i) preliminary actions that have been or
must be taken at the local or regional level to
implement the project;
``(ii) the anticipated Federal share of the
cost of the project; and
``(iii) a description of the source of the
non-Federal share of funds or in-kind
contributions for the project;
``(4) an assessment of current and future trends in the
applicable area, which may include--
``(A) population growth or loss, and demographic
changes, in the region;
``(B) accessibility of job centers within the
region to public transportation facilities and housing;
``(C) infrastructure needs in the region,
including--
``(i) projected water needs and sources;
``(ii) any need for sewer infrastructure;
``(iii) the existence of flood plains;
``(iv) the needs of local and regional food
systems, agricultural producers, and value-
added agricultural industries; and
``(v) any need for affordable, high-speed
internet, including new technologies for mobile
internet services and for affordable, reliable
cellular phone coverage;
``(D) challenges in basic services within the
region, including pressing health challenges;
``(E) skills and education for in-demand, quality
jobs and for regional economic development, which may
include retraining and education of incumbent or
displaced workers; and
``(F) access to private debt and investment
capital;
``(5) a plan to develop opportunities for economic
diversification and innovation within the applicable area, with
particular attention to--
``(A) agricultural diversification and supply chain
development;
``(B) the conversion of existing businesses to
employee or local ownership, such as a cooperative;
``(C) entrepreneurial support;
``(D) clean energy;
``(E) manufacturing; and
``(F) technological innovation;
``(6) a plan for improving environmental resiliency,
efficient land use, remediation of brownfields and other
contaminated properties for re-use, mixed-use development, and
the preservation of agricultural, green, and open space,
including--
``(A) an assessment of projected loss of
agricultural and rural land and other green space to
development; and
``(B) a description of methods to minimize loss
described in subparagraph (A);
``(7) a plan for ensuring that no community or county in
the applicable area is excluded from receiving assistance
through the rural partnership block grant, including timelines
and goals for targeting assistance to high-poverty census
tracts included in the area;
``(8) a plan for building greater collaboration between--
``(A) rural population centers and neighboring
rural areas of the applicable area; and
``(B) the applicable area and neighboring urban
areas;
``(9) a plan for the creation and preservation of workforce
housing and affordable, energy-efficient housing for all ages,
incomes, races, and ethnicities, including--
``(A) cooperative housing; and
``(B) limited equity cooperative housing;
``(10) a plan to develop opportunities to revitalize
existing communities, including infill development and
utilizing existing assets, such as natural assets and public
infrastructure; and
``(11) such other information or plans as a Council or the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
``(d) Approval.--
``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than annually, each
Council shall approve a Plan by a majority vote of the members
of the Council for submission to the Secretary for final
approval under paragraph (2).
``(2) Approval by secretary.--On receipt of a Plan under
paragraph (1), the Secretary may approve or disapprove the
Plan.
``SEC. 385F. USE OF GRANT FUNDS.
``(a) Planning.--During the first 2 years of the term of a rural
partnership block grant, a Council may use the funds for comprehensive
planning and capacity building to implement a Plan.
``(b) Implementation.--
``(1) In general.--A Council shall use funds under a rural
partnership block grant to implement a Plan.
``(2) Permissible uses.--In using funds to implement a Plan
under paragraph (1), a Council may use the funds--
``(A) to support the development of critical
infrastructure necessary to facilitate economic
development in the applicable area, including high-
speed internet, including new technologies for mobile
internet services and for affordable, reliable cellular
phone coverage;
``(B) to support activities to achieve greater
economic and environmental resiliency, including for
emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, and hazard
mitigation;
``(C) to provide assistance to entities within the
applicable area that provide basic public services,
such as--
``(i) child care centers;
``(ii) nonprofit health care, including
community health centers, primary and emergency
medical care, mental health, and substance
abuse treatment providers;
``(iii) public libraries;
``(iv) community centers;
``(v) public schools; and
``(vi) nonprofit technology centers,
including business incubators and business
accelerators;
``(D) to provide assistance with education, job
training, workforce development, or other needs
relating to the development and maintenance of a strong
workforce and support of youth, unemployed,
underemployed, dislocated, disabled, adult, and
incumbent workers and individuals with a barrier to
employment;
``(E) to provide assistance in the development of
innovative collaborations that link public, private,
and philanthropic resources to achieve collaboratively
designed regional advancement;
``(F) to promote and use employee ownership,
cooperatives, and local ownership in the development of
infrastructure, businesses, and community services;
``(G) to acquire, or demolish improvements on, real
property;
``(H) to construct or rehabilitate residential or
nonresidential structures;
``(I) to develop new affordable low-income and
workforce housing options that ensure mixed-income
development;
``(J) to construct public facilities and
improvements, such as water and sewer facilities,
streets, community centers, and the conversion of
school buildings for other purposes that are eligible
for funding under this subsection;
``(K) to establish new connections between rural
population centers and neighboring rural areas within
the applicable area, and between the applicable area
and urban areas, relating to systems such as the supply
of clean energy, workforce sheds, food systems, supply
chains, commuting patterns, and outdoor recreation;
``(L) to carry out activities relating to--
``(i) energy conservation;
``(ii) the development, storage, and use of
clean energy resources; and
``(iii) bio-based manufacturing;
``(M) to rebuild and modernize infrastructure and
expand investment to support agricultural
diversification and supply chain development;
``(N) to promote integrated transportation,
housing, energy, and economic development activities
carried out across policy areas and governmental
jurisdictions;
``(O) to coordinate business development, land use,
housing, transportation, and infrastructure planning
processes across jurisdictions and agencies;
``(P) to address public health needs, including--
``(i) access to mental health and substance
abuse services; and
``(ii) access to healthy, locally, and
regionally grown foods;
``(Q) to encourage entrepreneurship and the scale-
up of existing business operations by--
``(i) improving access to capital,
including market-based financing, such as
angel, venture, equity, and equity-like
capital;
``(ii) facilitating collaboration between
entrepreneurs and institutions of higher
education and applied research institutions for
the purposes of commercialization of research
or adoption of technology or processes;
``(iii) assisting with integration into a
supply chain; and
``(iv) providing mentor, networking, and
support services for entrepreneurs, including
establishing business incubators or
accelerators;
``(R) to develop innovative public and private
collaborations for investments in the applicable area;
``(S) to use arts and culture for improvements in
economic development, education, training, and quality
of life;
``(T) to revitalize downtown corridors and other
community centers to create vibrant, mixed-use
neighborhoods;
``(U) to expand access to domestic and
international markets for businesses and agricultural
producers;
``(V) to lead development programming for
organizations or cohorts of organizations included in
the Plan;
``(W) to provide matching funds for other Federal
funding if that other Federal funding is for a project
that is in accordance with the goals of the Plan;
``(X) to promote the use of energy efficiency in
applicable projects; and
``(Y) to provide technical assistance for
cooperative conversions, startups, and expansions,
including education on cooperative governance.
``SEC. 385G. ACCESS TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS.
``(a) Definition of Rural Development Program.--In this section,
the term `rural development program' means--
``(1) community facility direct and guaranteed loans under
section 306(a);
``(2) water or waste disposal grants or direct or
guaranteed loans under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 306(a);
``(3) community facility grants under paragraph (19), (20),
or (21) of section 306(a);
``(4) the rural cooperative development grant program
established under section 310B(e);
``(5) business and industry guaranteed loans under section
310B(g);
``(6) the rural microentrepreneur assistance program
established under section 379E;
``(7) the rural broadband access program established under
title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
950bb et seq.);
``(8) value-added producer grants under section 210A(d)(5)
of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C.
1627c(d)(5));
``(9) the Healthy Food Financing Initiative established
under section 243 of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6953);
``(10) the Rural Energy for America Program established
under section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107);
``(11) the rural energy savings program under section 6407
of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.
8107a);
``(12) rural rental housing direct loans under section 515
of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485);
``(13) the housing preservation grant program under section
533 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490m);
``(14) loan guarantees for multifamily rental housing in
rural areas under section 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42
U.S.C. 1490p-2);
``(15) housing preservation and revitalization
demonstration loans and grants provided by the Rural Housing
Service; and
``(16) multifamily housing transfer and prepayment
technical assistance grants provided by the Rural Housing
Service.
``(b) Waiver of Matching Funds Requirements.--The Secretary shall
waive any matching funds requirement under a rural development program
for a project that is carried out in an applicable area that is within
or comprises a census tract, or a group of contiguous census tracts,
that has a poverty rate of 20 percent or greater.
``(c) Priority Consideration for Other Rural Development
Programs.--The Secretary shall give priority under a rural development
program for an application for a project that--
``(1) is included in and supports a Plan;
``(2) is eligible for the applicable program from which the
funds were set aside; and
``(3) is carried out in the applicable area covered by the
Plan.
``(d) Other Federal Agencies.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting
as the Chair of the Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic
Development established by section 6306 of the Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 2204b-3), may invite a member of that Council to
give priority under the programs carried out by the member for a
project that satisfies the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through
(3) of subsection (c).
``SEC. 385H. CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERS.
``(a) Capacity Building.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to a Council
training, education, support, and advice to enhance the
technical assistance, research, organizational, and other
capacities of the Council in carrying out activities under the
Fund.
``(2) Activities.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary, in coordination with the Rural Development
Innovation Center established by the Secretary of Agriculture
or through a contract for services entered into with an
eligible technical assistance provider, may provide training,
education, support, and advice that addresses--
``(A) emergent innovative opportunities that are
not covered by an existing Plan;
``(B) entrepreneurial opportunities to advance the
goals of the Fund;
``(C) opportunities to advance a more integrative
rural policy framework for the United States, including
building regional connections between urban areas and
rural areas;
``(D) with support from the Chief Information
Officer of the Department of Agriculture, the tracking,
collection, and analysis of data and measurements for
assessing the progress of Plans; and
``(E) best practices based on--
``(i) the experiences of Councils; and
``(ii) domestic and international rural
development practices.
``(b) Rural Future Leadership Institute.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a Rural
Future Leadership Institute (referred to in this subsection as
the `Institute').
``(2) Selection of entities.--
``(A) In general.--Under the Institute, each year
the Secretary shall select individuals to participate
in the Institute.
``(B) Preference.--In selecting individuals to
participate in the Institute under subparagraph (A),
the Secretary shall give preference to an individual
residing in, or directly assisting, an area represented
by a Council.
``(3) Activities.--The Secretary shall provide to each
individual that is selected to participate in the Institute
under paragraph (2) year-long programming such as--
``(A) skill-building seminars;
``(B) best practice reviews;
``(C) site visits;
``(D) performance measurement and data analytics;
and
``(E) other training and capacity building
activities.
``(4) Peer exchange program.--In carrying out the
Institute, the Secretary shall establish a peer exchange
program within and across areas represented by Councils to
promote industry-leading practices, innovations relating to the
organizational development, program delivery, and regional
initiatives of the Councils, and opportunities to build
collaborative relationships between urban leaders and rural
leaders.
``(c) Rural Future Corps.--
``(1) Definition of americorps participant.--In this
subsection, the term `AmeriCorps participant' means a
participant under subtitle C of title I of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.) who
received an approved national service position provided under
section 121(b) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 12571(b)).
``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall enter into an
agreement with the Corporation for National and Community
Service under section 121(b) of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571(b)) to establish a Rural
Future Corps in which AmeriCorps participants shall serve in
areas represented by Councils, to implement the Plans of the
Councils, including serving through--
``(A) expansion of critical services such as child
care, health, nutrition assistance, education, and job
training; and
``(B) strengthening the capacity of units of local
government and economic, community, and cooperative
development organizations to implement community and
economic development activities.
``(3) Retention.--On completion of service of an AmeriCorps
participant in the Rural Future Corps, the Secretary shall
encourage the retention of the participant in the applicable
area in which the participant served.
``(4) Relationship to national service programs.--
Notwithstanding section 122(a) of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12752(a)), for purposes of that
Act, the approved national service positions provided under the
agreement for the Rural Future Corps program will be considered
to be used to support a national service program under section
122(b) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 12572(b)).
``(d) Map.--The Secretary, in coordination with the Chief
Information Officer of the Department of Agriculture, shall make
publicly available on a website a map of areas represented by Councils,
including, with respect to each area, the members of the Council.
``(e) Technical Assistance Partners.--The Secretary may enter into
a cooperative agreement under section 607(b)(4) of the Rural
Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4)) with an eligible
technical assistance provider to provide technical assistance to the
Secretary and Councils in carrying out the Fund.
``SEC. 385I. EVALUATION AND REPORTING.
``(a) Evaluations.--Not later than the last day of the fourth year
of the first rural partnership block grant awarded to a Council, and
annually thereafter--
``(1) the Secretary shall evaluate the performance of the
Council in carrying out the Plan of the Council in relation to
the benchmarks established under subsection (b); and
``(2) the Council shall use the evaluation under paragraph
(1) in updating the Plan under section 385E(d)(1).
``(b) Reporting Benchmarks.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with
Councils and national providers of technical assistance under
section 385H(e), shall establish annual reporting benchmarks
relating to the purposes of the Fund.
``(2) Existing measures.--In establishing reporting
benchmarks under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider
relevant existing performance measures used in programs of the
rural development mission area--
``(A) to achieve alignment with those programs; and
``(B) to allow for opportunities for a partnership
block grant to leverage other funding provided under
those programs.
``(c) Reports.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) not less frequently than annually, prepare and submit
to Congress a report describing--
``(A) the implementation of the Fund; and
``(B) an assessment of future goals for the Fund;
and
``(2) include the assessment described in paragraph (1)(B)
in the comprehensive rural development strategy under section
607(c) of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C.
2204b(c)).
``SEC. 385J. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Fund
$10,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, of which--
``(1) $100,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be used for
administrative functions, including staff and information
technology infrastructure, of the Rural Innovation and
Partnership Administration; and
``(2) $40,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be used to
carry out section 385H.''.
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