,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bacg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ag1 #bjba ,mr4 ,durbin 7for himself and ,mr4 ,braun7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 to establish an ,office of ,rural ,investment1 to ensure that rural communities and regions are equitably represented in ,federal decision making for transportation policy1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,rural ,transportation ,equity ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,rural investment 7a7 ,office of ,rural ,investment 7#a7 ,establishment ,section #ajb of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a71 by inserting 7referred to in this section as the ,department7 after ,department of ,transportation2 7,b7 in subsection 7b71 in the first sentence1 by inserting 7referred to in this section as the ,secretary7 after ,secretary of ,transportation2 7,c7 in subsection 7f77#a71 by striking 8,department of ,transportation0 each place it appears and inserting 8,department02 7,d7 by redesignating subsection 7h7 as subsection 7i72 and 7,e7 by inserting after subsection 7g7 the following3 7h7 ,office of ,rural ,investment 7#a7 ,in general ,there is established in the ,department1 within the ,office of the ,secretary1 an ,office of ,rural ,investment 7referred to in this subsection as the ,office74 7#b7 ,leadership ,the ,office shall be headed by a ,director for ,rural ,investment 7referred to in this subsection as the ,director7 who shall be appointed by1 and report directly to1 the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,mission 7,a7 ,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 7,b74 7,b7 ,goals and objectives described ,the goals and objectives referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 are-- 7i7 to ensure that the unique needs and attributes of rural transportation1 involving all modes1 are fully addressed and prioritized during the development and implementation of transportation policies1 programs1 and activities within the ,department2 7ii7 to improve coordination of ,federal transportation policies1 programs1 and activities within the ,department in a manner that expands economic development in rural communities and regions1 and to provide recommendations for improvement1 including additional internal realignments2 7iii7 to expand ,federal transportation infrastructure investment in rural communities and regions1 including by providing recommendations for changes in existing funding distribution patterns2 7iv7 to use innovation to resolve local and regional transportation challenges faced by rural communities and regions2 7v7 to promote and improve planning and coordination among rural communities and regions to maximize the unique competitive advantage in those locations while avoiding duplicative ,federal1 ,state and local investments2 and 7vi7 to ensure that all rural communities and regions lacking resources receive proactive outreach1 education1 and technical assistance to improve access to ,federal transportation programs4 7#d7 ,duties of the ,director ,the ,director shall-- 7,a7 be responsible for engaging in activities to carry out the mission described in paragraph 7#c72 7,b7 organize1 guide1 and lead activities within the ,department to address disparities in rural transportation infrastructure to improve safety1 economic development1 and quality of life in rural communities and regions2 7,c7 provide information and outreach to rural communities and regions concerning the availability and eligibility requirements of participating in programs of the ,department2 7,d7 help rural communities and regions-- 7i7 identify competitive economic advantages and transportation investments that ensure continued economic growth2 and 7ii7 avoid duplicative transportation investments2 7,e7 serve as a resource for assisting rural communities and regions with respect to ,federal transportation programs2 7,f7 identify-- 7i7 ,federal statutes1 regulations1 and polices that may impede the ,department from supporting effective rural infrastructure projects that address national transportation goals2 and 7ii7 potential measures to solve or mitigate those issues2 7,g7 identify improved1 simplified1 and streamlined internal processes to help limited-resource rural communities and regions access transportation investments2 7,h7 recommend changes and initiatives for the ,secretary to consider2 7,i7 ensure and coordinate a routine rural consultation on the development of policies1 programs1 and activities of the ,department2 7,j7 serve as an advocate within the ,department on behalf of rural communities and regions2 and 7,k7 work in coordination with the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,department of ,commerce1 the ,federal ,communications ,commission1 and other ,federal agencies1 as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate1 in carrying out the duties described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,j74 7#e7 ,contracts and agreements ,for the purpose of carrying out the mission of the ,office under paragraph 7#c71 the ,secretary may enter into contracts1 cooperative agreements1 and other agreements as necessary1 including with research centers1 institutions of higher education1 ,states1 units of local government1 nonprofit organizations1 or a combination of any of those entities-- 7,a7 to conduct research on transportation investments that promote rural economic development2 7,b7 to solicit information in the development of policy1 programs1 and activities of the ,department that can improve infrastructure investment and economic development in rural communities and regions2 7,c7 to develop educational and outreach materials1 including the conduct of workshops1 courses1 and certified training for rural communities and regions that can further the mission and goals of the ,office and the ,department2 and 7,d7 to carry out any other activities1 as determined by the ,secretary to be appropriate4 7#f7 ,grants 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,director may award competitive grants to an entity described in subparagraph 7,b7 to support expanded education1 outreach1 and technical assistance to rural communities and regions4 7,b7 ,entity described ,an entity referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 is a nonprofit organization or an institution of higher education that has not less than #c years of experience providing meaningful transportation technical assistance or advocacy services to rural communities and regions4 7#g7 ,employees ,the ,secretary shall ensure that not more than #d full-time equivalent employees are assigned to the ,office4 7#h7 ,coordination within and among other offices and agencies of the ,department 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall designate not fewer than #a representative from each office or agency of the ,department described in subparagraph 7,b7 who shall be responsible for leading the efforts within that office or agency to further the goals and objectives described in subparagraph 7,b7 of paragraph 7#c74 7,b7 ,offices and agencies described ,the offices and agencies of the ,department referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 are each of the following3 7i7 ,the ,office of the ,under ,secretary of ,transportation for ,policy4 7ii7 ,the ,office of the ,general ,counsel4 7iii7 ,the ,office of the ,chief ,financial ,officer and ,assistant ,secretary for ,budget and ,programs4 7iv7 ,the ,federal ,aviation ,administration4 7v7 ,the ,federal ,highway ,administration4 7vi7 ,the ,federal ,railroad ,administration4 7vii7 ,the ,federal ,transit ,administration4 7viii7 ,the ,office of the ,assistant ,secretary for ,governmental ,affairs4 7ix7 ,the ,office of ,public ,affairs4 7x7 ,any other office or agency of the ,department that the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7,c7 ,duties ,the ,chief ,infrastructure ,funding ,officer of the ,department and the representatives designated under subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 shall-- 7,i7 meet bimonthly2 and 7,,ii7 recommend initiatives to the ,office2 and 7ii7 may participate in all meetings and relevant activities of the ,office to provide input and guidance relevant to rural transportation infrastructure projects and issues4 7#i7 ,additional input 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall seek input from the offices and agencies of the ,department described in subparagraph 7,b7 to further the goals and objectives described in subparagraph 7,b7 of paragraph 7#c74 7,b7 ,offices and agencies described ,the offices and agencies of the ,department referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 are each of the following3 7i7 ,the ,maritime ,administration4 7ii7 ,the ,saint ,lawrence ,seaway ,development ,corporation4 7iii7 ,the ,national ,highway ,traffic ,safety ,administration4 7#aj7 ,report ,each year1 the ,office shall submit to the ,secretary a report describing-- 7,a7 the objectives of the ,office for the coming year2 and 7,b7 how the objectives of the ,office were accomplished in the previous year4 7#aa7 ,applicability ,in carrying out the mission of the ,office under paragraph 7#c71 the ,secretary shall consider as rural any area considered to be a rural area under a ,federal transportation program of the ,department4 4 7#b7 ,council on ,credit and ,finance ,section #aag7;b77#a7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,i7 ,the ,director for ,rural ,investment4 4 7b7 ,rural transportation advisory council 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,advisory council ,the term advisory council means the rural transportation advisory council established under paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,relevant committees of ,congress ,the term relevant committees of ,congress means-- 7i7 the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives2 7ii7 the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives2 7iii7 the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works of the ,senate2 7iv7 the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate2 7v7 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate2 7vi7 the ,subcommittee on ,transportation1 and ,housing and ,urban ,development1 and ,related ,agencies of the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7vii7 the ,subcommittee on ,transportation1 ,housing and ,urban ,development1 and ,related ,agencies of the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate4 7,c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,transportation4 7#b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a rural transportation advisory council to consult with and advise the ,office of ,rural ,investment4 7#c7 ,membership 7,a7 ,in general ,the advisory council shall be composed of #ae members1 appointed by the ,secretary1 of whom-- 7i7 not fewer than #a shall be a representative from an institution of higher education or extension program2 7ii7 not fewer than #a shall be a representative from an organization promoting business and economic development1 such as a chamber of commerce1 a local government institution1 or a planning organization2 7iii7 not fewer than #a shall be a representative from a financing entity2 7iv7 not fewer than #a shall have experience in health1 mobility1 or emergency services2 7v7 not fewer than #a shall have experience in transportation safety2 7vi7 not fewer than #a shall have experience with workforce access2 7vii7 not fewer than #a shall have experience with tourism and recreational activities2 7viii7 not fewer than #a shall have-- 7,i7 experience with rural supply chains1 such as direct-to-consumer supply chains2 and 7,,ii7 wholesale distribution experience2 7ix7 not fewer than #a shall have experience in emerging or innovative technologies relating to rural transportation networks2 7x7 not fewer than #a shall have experience in food1 nutrition1 and grocery access2 7xi7 not fewer than #a shall represent agriculture1 nutrition1 or forestry2 and 7xii7 not fewer than #a shall have experience with historically underserved regions1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,requirement ,the ,secretary shall appoint members to the advisory council in a manner that ensures1 to the maximum extent practicable1 that the geographic and economic diversity of rural communities and regions of the ,united ,states are represented4 7,c7 ,timing of initial appointments ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall appoint the initial members of the advisory council4 7,d7 ,period of appointments 7i7 ,in general ,except as provided in clause 7ii71 a member of the advisory council shall be appointed for a term of #c years4 7ii7 ,initial appointments ,of the members first appointed to the advisory council-- 7,i7 #e1 as determined by the ,secretary1 shall be appointed for a term of #c years2 7,,ii7 #e1 as determined by the ,secretary1 shall be appointed for a term of #b years2 and 7,,iii7 #e1 as determined by the ,secretary1 shall be appointed for a term of #a year4 7,e7 ,vacancies ,any vacancy on the advisory council-- 7i7 shall not affect the power of the advisory council2 and 7ii7 shall be filled as soon as practicable and in the same manner as the original appointment4 7,f7 ,consecutive terms ,an appointee to the advisory council may serve #a additional1 consecutive term if the member is reappointed by the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,meetings 7,a7 ,in general ,the advisory council shall meet not less than twice per year1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,initial meeting ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which the initial members of the advisory council are appointed under paragraph 7#c77;,c71 the advisory council shall hold the first meeting of the advisory council4 7#e7 ,duties 7,a7 ,in general ,the advisory council shall-- 7i7 advise the ,office of ,rural ,investment on issues related to rural needs relating to ,federal transportation programs2 7ii7 evaluate and review ongoing research activities relating to rural transportation networks1 including new and emerging barriers to economic development and access to investments2 7iii7 develop recommendations for any changes to ,federal law1 regulations1 internal ,department of ,transportation policies or guidance1 or other measures that would eliminate barriers for rural access or improve rural equity in transportation investments2 7iv7 examine methods of maximizing the number of opportunities for assistance for rural communities and regions under ,federal transportation programs1 including expanded outreach and technical assistance2 7v7 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 programs2 7vi7 evaluate other methods of creating new opportunities for rural communities and regions2 and 7vii7 address any other relevant issues as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7,b7 ,reports ,not later than #a year after the date on which the initial members of the advisory council are appointed under paragraph 7#c77;,c71 and every #b years thereafter through #bjbf1 the advisory council shall submit to the ,secretary and the relevant committees of ,congress a report describing the recommendations developed under subparagraph 7,a77iii74 7#f7 ,personnel matters 7,a7 ,compensation ,a member of the advisory council shall serve without compensation4 7,b7 ,travel expenses ,a member of the advisory council shall be allowed travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in accordance with section #egjc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#g7 ,termination 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the advisory council shall terminate on the date that is #e years after the date on which the initial members are appointed under paragraph 7#c77;,c74 7,b7 ,extension ,before the date on which the advisory council terminates1 the ,secretary may renew the advisory council for #a or more #b-year periods4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section #g1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4