,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ccic ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,august #bh1 #bjah ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto 7for herself and ,mr4 ,portman7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,council on ,rural ,community ,innovation and ,economic ,development4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,council on ,rural ,community ,innovation and ,economic ,development ,act of #bjah4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,sixteen percent of the population of the ,united ,states lives in rural counties4 7#b7 ,strong1 sustainable rural communities are essential to future prosperity and ensuring ,united ,states competitiveness in the years ahead4 7#c7 ,rural communities supply the food1 fiber1 and energy of the ,united ,states1 safeguard the natural resources of the ,united ,states1 and are essential to the development of science and innovation4 7#d7 ,though rural communities face numerous challenges1 they also present enormous economic potential4 7#e7 ,the ,federal ,government has an important role to play in expanding access to the capital necessary for economic growth1 promoting innovation1 increasing energy resiliency and reliability1 improving access to health care and education1 and expanding outdoor recreational activities on public land4 #c4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to enhance the efforts of the ,federal ,government to address the needs of rural areas in the ,united ,states by-- 7#a7 establishing a council to better coordinate ,federal programs directed to rural communities2 7#b7 maximizing the impact of ,federal investment to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities in the ,united ,states2 and 7#c7 using innovation to resolve local and regional challenges faced by rural communities4 #d4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,council ,the term ,council means the ,council on ,rural ,community ,innovation and ,economic ,development established by section #e4 7#b7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 #e4 ,establishment ,there is established a ,council on ,rural ,community ,innovation and ,economic ,development4 #f4 ,membership 7a7 ,in general ,the membership of the ,council shall be composed of the heads of the following executive branch departments1 agencies1 and offices3 7#a7 ,the ,department of ,agriculture4 7#b7 ,the ,department of the ,treasury4 7#c7 ,the ,department of ,defense4 7#d7 ,the ,department of ,justice4 7#e7 ,the ,department of the ,interior4 7#f7 ,the ,department of ,commerce4 7#g7 ,the ,department of ,labor4 7#h7 ,the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#i7 ,the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7#aj7 ,the ,department of ,transportation4 7#aa7 ,the ,department of ,energy4 7#ab7 ,the ,department of ,education4 7#ac7 ,the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#ad7 ,the ,department of ,homeland ,security4 7#ae7 ,the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#af7 ,the ,federal ,communications ,commission4 7#ag7 ,the ,office of ,management and ,budget4 7#ah7 ,the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy4 7#ai7 ,the ,office of ,national ,drug ,control ,policy4 7#bj7 ,the ,council of ,economic ,advisers4 7#ba7 ,the ,domestic ,policy ,council4 7#bb7 ,the ,national ,economic ,council4 7#bc7 ,the ,small ,business ,administration4 7#bd7 ,the ,council on ,environmental ,quality4 7#be7 ,the ,white ,house ,office of ,public ,engagement4 7#bf7 ,the ,white ,house ,office of ,cabinet ,affairs4 7#bg7 ,such other executive branch departments1 agencies1 and offices as the ,president or the ,secretary may1 from time to time1 designate4 7b7 ,chair ,the ,secretary shall serve as the ,chair of the ,council4 7c7 ,designees ,a member of the ,council may designate1 to perform the ,council functions of the member1 a senior-level official who is-- 7#a7 part of the department1 agency1 or office of the member2 and 7#b7 a full-time officer or employee of the ,federal ,government4 7d7 ,administration ,the ,council shall coordinate policy development through the rural development mission area4 #g4 ,funding ,the ,secretary shall provide funding and administrative support for the ,council to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations4 #h4 ,mission and function of the ,council ,the ,council shall work across executive departments1 agencies1 and offices to coordinate development of policy recommendations-- 7#a7 to maximize the impact of ,federal investment of rural communities2 7#b7 to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities2 and 7#c7 to use innovation to resolve local and regional challenges faced by rural communities4 #i4 ,duties ,the ,council shall-- 7#a7 make recommendations to the ,president1 acting through the ,director of the ,domestic ,policy ,council and the ,director of the ,national ,economic ,council1 on streamlining and leveraging ,federal investments in rural areas1 where appropriate1 to increase the impact of ,federal dollars and create economic opportunities to improve the quality of life in rural areas in the ,united ,states2 7#b7 coordinate and increase the effectiveness of ,federal engagement with rural stakeholders1 including agricultural organizations1 small businesses1 education and training institutions1 health care providers1 telecommunications services providers1 electric service providers1 transportation providers1 research and land grant institutions1 law enforcement1 ,state1 local1 and tribal governments1 and nongovernmental organizations regarding the needs of rural areas in the ,united ,states2 7#c7 coordinate ,federal efforts directed toward the growth and development of rural geographic regions that encompass both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas2 7#d7 identify and facilitate rural economic opportunities associated with energy development1 outdoor recreation1 and other conservation related activities2 and 7#e7 identify common economic and social challenges faced by rural communities that could be served through-- 7,a7 better coordination of existing ,federal and non-,federal resources2 and 7,b7 innovative solutions utilizing governmental and nongovernmental resources4 #aj4 ,executive departments and agencies 7a7 ,in general ,the heads of executive departments and agencies shall assist and provide information to the ,council1 consistent with applicable law1 as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the ,council4 7b7 ,expenses ,each executive department or agency shall be responsible for paying any expenses of the executive department or agency for participating in the ,council4 #aa4 ,report on rural smart communities 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the establishment of the ,council1 the ,council shall submit to ,congress a report describing efforts of rural areas to integrate smart technology into their communities to solve challenges relating to energy1 transportation1 health care1 law enforcement1 housing1 or other relevant local issues1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,smart rural communities ,the report under subsection 7a7 shall include a description of efforts of rural communities to apply innovative and advanced technologies and related mechanisms 7such as telecommunications1 energy1 transportation1 housing1 economic development7-- 7#a7 to improve the health and quality of life of residents2 7#b7 to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of civic operations and services1 including public safety and other vital public functions2 7#c7 to promote economic growth2 7#d7 to enhance the use of electricity in the community and reduce pollution2 and 7#e7 to create a more sustainable and resilient community4 7c7 ,other inclusions ,the report under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 an analysis of efforts to integrate smart technology into rural communities across the ,united ,states2 7#b7 an analysis of barriers and challenges faced by rural areas in integrating smart technology into their communities2 7#c7 an analysis of ,federal efforts to assist rural areas with the development and integration of smart technology into rural communities2 7#d7 recommendations1 if any1 on how to improve coordination and deployment of ,federal efforts to assist rural areas develop and integrate smart technology into their communities2 7#e7 recommendations1 if any1 on how rural areas developing smart communities can better leverage private sector resources2 and 7#f7 guidelines that establish best practices for rural areas that desire to use smart technology to overcome local challenges4 #ab4 ,review of public benefit to rural communities on the creation of rural smart community demonstration projects 7a7 ,in general ,on completion of the report under section #aa7;a71 the ,council shall review the benefits of the creation of a rural smart community demonstration projects program for the purposes of coordinating ,department of ,agriculture rural development1 housing1 energy1 and telecommunication programs1 and other ,federal programs specific to rural communities1 to expand innovative technologies and address local challenges specific to rural communities4 7b7 ,inclusions ,in the review under subsection 7a7 the ,council shall determine whether a rural smart community demonstration projects program would-- 7#a7 demonstrate smart community technologies that can be adapted and repeated by other rural communities2 7#b7 encourage public1 private1 local1 or regional best practices that can be replicated by other rural communities2 7#c7 encourage private sector innovation and investment in rural communities2 7#d7 promote a skilled workforce2 and 7#e7 promote standards that allow for the measurement and validation of the cost savings and performance improvements associated with the installation and use of smart community technologies and practices4 #ac4 ,rural smart community resource guide 7a7 ,in general ,the ,council shall create1 publish1 and maintain a resource guide designed to assist ,states and other rural communities in developing and implementing rural smart community programs4 7b7 ,inclusions ,a resource guide under subsection 7a7 may include-- 7#a7 a compilation of existing related ,federal and non-,federal programs available to rural communities1 including technical assistance1 education1 training1 research and development1 analysis1 and funding2 7#b7 available examples of local rural communities engaging private sector entities to implement smart community solutions1 including public-private partnership models that could be used to leverage private sector funding to solve similar local challenges2 7#c7 available examples of proven methods for local rural communities to facilitate integration of smart technologies with new and existing infrastructure and systems2 7#d7 best practices and lessons learned from demonstration projects1 including return on investment and performance information to help other rural communities decide how to initiate integration of smart technologies2 and 7#e7 such other topics as are requested by industry entities or local governments or determined to be necessary by the ,council4 7c7 ,utilization of existing guides ,in creating1 publishing1 and maintaining the guide under subsection 7a71 the ,council shall consider ,federal1 ,state1 and local guides already published relating to smart community goals1 activities1 and best practices-- 7#a7 to prevent duplication of efforts by the ,federal ,government2 and 7#b7 to leverage existing complementary efforts4 7d7 ,resource guide outreach ,the ,council shall conduct outreach to ,states1 counties1 communities1 and other relevant entities-- 7#a7 to provide interested stakeholders with the guide published under subsection 7a72 7#b7 to promote the consideration of smart community technologies and encourage ,states and local governments to contribute rural smart community program and activity information to the guide published under subsection 7a72 7#c7 to identify-- 7,a7 barriers to rural smart community technology adoption2 and 7,b7 any research1 development1 and assistance that is needed that could be included in the guide published under subsection 7a72 7#d7 to respond to requests for assistance1 advice1 or consultation from rural communities2 and 7#e7 for other purposes1 as identified by the ,council4 7e7 ,subsequent resource guides ,the ,council shall issue an update to the guide published under subsection 7a7 every #e years4 #ad4 ,rural ,broadband ,integration ,working ,group 7a7 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury and is important for ,united ,states families1 businesses1 and consumers4 7#b7 ,affordable1 reliable access to high-speed broadband is critical to ,united ,states economic growth and competitiveness4 7#c7 ,high-speed broadband enables the people of the ,united ,states to use the ,internet in new ways1 expands access to health services and education1 increases the productivity of businesses1 and drives innovation throughout the digital ecosystem4 7#d7 ,the private sector and ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments have made substantial investments to expand broadband access in the ,united ,states1 but more must be done to improve the availability and quality of high-speed broadband1 particularly in areas lacking competitive choices4 7#e7 ,today1 more than #ej1jjj1jjj people of the ,united ,states cannot purchase a wired broadband connection at speeds for adequate broadband service1 and only #bi percent of people of the ,united ,states can choose from more than #a service provider at that speed4 7#f7 ,as a result of the statistics described in paragraph 7#e71 the costs1 benefits1 and availability of high-speed broadband ,internet are not evenly distributed1 with considerable variation among ,states and between urban and rural areas4 7#g7 ,the ,federal ,government has an important role to play in developing coordinated policies to promote broadband deployment and adoption1 including promoting best practices1 breaking down regulatory barriers1 and encouraging further investment1 which will help deliver higher quality1 lower cost broadband to more families1 businesses1 and communities and allow communities to benefit fully from those investments4 7b7 ,policy 7#a7 ,in general ,it is the policy of the ,federal ,government for executive departments and agencies having statutory authorities applicable to broadband deployment 7referred to in this section as the agencies7 to use all available and appropriate authorities-- 7,a7 to identify and address regulatory barriers that may unduly impede either wired broadband deployment or the infrastructure to augment wireless broadband deployment2 7,b7 to encourage further investment in broadband networks and services2 7,c7 to promote the adoption and meaningful use of broadband technology2 and 7,d7 to otherwise encourage or support broadband deployment1 competition1 and adoption in ways that promote the public interest4 7#b7 ,priorities ,in carrying out the policy under paragraph 7#a71 the agencies shall focus on-- 7,a7 opportunities to promote broadband adoption and competition through incentives to new entrants in the market for broadband services2 7,b7 modernizing regulations2 7,c7 accurately measuring real-time broadband availability and speeds2 7,d7 increasing broadband access for underserved communities1 including in rural areas2 7,e7 exploring opportunities to reduce costs for potential low-income users2 and 7,f7 other possible measures1 including supporting ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments interested in encouraging or investing in high-speed broadband networks4 7#c7 ,effect ,in carrying out the policy under paragraph 7#a71 the agencies shall ensure that existing and planned ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal government missions and capabilities for delivering services to the public1 including those missions and capabilities relating to national security1 public safety1 and emergency response1 are maintained4 7#d7 ,coordination ,the agencies shall coordinate the policy under paragraph 7#a7 through the ,rural ,broadband ,integration ,working ,group established under subsection 7c74 7c7 ,establishment of ,rural ,broadband ,integration ,working ,group 7#a7 ,in general ,there is established the ,rural ,broadband ,integration ,working ,group 7referred to in this section as the ,working ,group74 7#b7 ,membership ,the membership of the ,working ,group shall be composed of the heads1 or their designees1 of-- 7,a7 the ,department of ,agriculture2 7,b7 the ,department of ,commerce2 7,c7 the ,department of ,defense2 7,d7 the ,department of ,state2 7,e7 the ,department of the ,interior2 7,f7 the ,department of ,labor2 7,g7 the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services2 7,h7 the ,department of ,homeland ,security2 7,i7 the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 7,j7 the ,department of ,justice2 7,k7 the ,department of ,transportation2 7,l7 the ,department of the ,treasury2 7,m7 the ,department of ,energy2 7,n7 the ,department of ,education2 7,o7 the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 7,p7 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency2 7,q7 the ,general ,services ,administration2 7,r7 the ,small ,business ,administration2 7,s7 the ,institute of ,museum and ,library ,services2 7,t7 the ,national ,science ,foundation2 7,u7 the ,council on ,environmental ,quality2 7,v7 the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy2 7,w7 the ,office of ,management and ,budget2 7,x7 the ,council of ,economic ,advisers2 7,y7 the ,domestic ,policy ,council2 7,z7 the ,national ,economic ,council2 and 7,,aa7 such other ,federal agencies or entities as are determined appropriate in accordance with paragraph 7#e74 7#c7 ,co-,chairs ,the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,commerce shall serve as the ,co-,chairs of the ,working ,group4 7#d7 ,consultation2 coordination 7,a7 ,consultation ,the ,working ,group shall consult1 as appropriate1 with other relevant agencies1 including the ,federal ,communications ,commission4 7,b7 ,coordination ,the ,working ,group shall coordinate with existing ,federal working groups and committees involved with broadband4 7#e7 ,membership changes 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,economic ,council and the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy shall review1 on a periodic basis1 the membership of the ,working ,group to ensure that the ,working ,group-- 7i7 includes necessary ,federal ,government entities2 and 7ii7 is an effective mechanism for coordinating among agencies on the policy described in subsection 7b74 7,b7 ,changes ,the ,director of the ,national ,economic ,council and the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy may add or remove members of the ,council1 as appropriate1 based on the review under subparagraph 7,a74 7d7 ,functions of the ,working ,group 7#a7 ,consultation ,as permitted by law1 the members of the ,working ,group shall consult with ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial governments1 telecommunications companies1 utilities1 trade associations1 philanthropic entities1 policy experts1 and other interested parties to identify and assess regulatory barriers described in subsections 7a77#g7 and 7b77#a77;,a7 and opportunities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,e7 of subsection 7b77#b7 to determine possible actions relating to those barriers and opportunities4 7#b7 ,point of contact ,not later than #ae days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 each member of the ,working ,group shall-- 7,a7 designate a representative to serve as the main point of contact for matters relating to the ,working ,group2 and 7,b7 notify the ,co-,chairs of the ,working ,group of that designee4 7#c7 ,survey ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the members of the ,working ,group shall submit to the ,working ,group a comprehensive survey of-- 7,a7 ,federal programs1 including the allocated funding amounts1 that currently support or could reasonably be modified to support broadband deployment and adoption2 and 7,b7 all agency-specific policies and rules with the direct or indirect effect of facilitating or regulating investment in or deployment of wired and wireless broadband networks4 7#d7 ,list of actions ,not later than #abj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the members of the ,working ,group shall submit to the ,working ,group an initial list of actions that each of the agencies could take to identify and address regulatory barriers1 incentivize investment1 promote best practices1 align funding decisions1 and otherwise support wired broadband deployment and adoption4 7#e7 ,report 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #aej days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 after not fewer than #b meetings of the full ,working ,group1 the ,working ,group shall submit to the ,president1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,economic ,council1 a coordinated1 agreed-to1 and prioritized list of recommendations of the ,working ,group on actions that agencies can take to support broadband deployment and adoption4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the recommendations under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 a list of priority actions and rulemakings2 and 7ii7 timelines to complete the priority actions and rulemakings under clause 7i74 #ae4 ,general provisions 7a7 ,effect ,nothing in this ,act-- 7#a7 impairs or otherwise affects-- 7,a7 the authority granted by law to a department or agency1 or the head thereof2 7,b7 the functions of the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget relating to budgetary1 administrative1 or legislative proposals2 or 7,c7 the authority of the ,federal ,communications ,commission concerning spectrum allocation decisions2 7#b7 requires the disclosure of classified information1 law enforcement sensitive information1 or other information that shall be protected in the interests of national security2 or 7#c7 creates any right or benefit1 substantive or procedural1 enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the ,united ,states1 any ,federal department1 agency1 or entity1 any officer1 employee1 or agent1 of the ,united ,states1 or any other person4 7b7 ,implementation ,this ,act shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations4