,,ii  #aag? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #bacg  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,june #ag1 #bjba ,mr4  
,durb9 7= himself & ,mr4 ,braun7        
introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read     
twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on       
,comm]ce1 ,sci5ce1 & ,transportation  ,a
 ,,bill  ,to am5d title #di1 ,unit$     
,/ates ,code1 to e/abli% an ,(fice (    
,rural ,inve/m5t1 to ensure t rural     
communities & regions are equitably     
repres5t$ 9 ,f$]al decision mak+ =      
transportation policy1 & = o!r purposes4
  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ 
z ! ,rural ,transportation ,equity ,act 
( #bjba4  #b4 ,rural inve/m5t  7a7      
,(fice ( ,rural ,inve/m5t  7#a7         
,e/abli%m5t ,section #ajb ( title #di1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--  7,a7 9 
subsection 7a71 by ins]t+ 7ref]r$ to 9  
?is section z ! ,dep>tm5t7 aft]         
,dep>tm5t ( ,transportation2  7,b7 9    
subsection 7b71 9 ! fir/ s5t5ce1 by     
ins]t+ 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z !     
,secret>y7 aft] ,secret>y (             

,transportation2  7,c7 9 subsection     
7f77#a71 by /rik+ 8,dep>tm5t (          
,transportation0 ea* place x appe>s &   
ins]t+ 8,dep>tm5t02  7,d7 by r$esignat+ 
subsection 7h7 z subsection 7i72 &  7,e7
 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7g7 ! foll[+3
  7h7 ,(fice ( ,rural ,inve/m5t  7#a7 ,9
 g5]al ,!re is e/abli%$ 9 ! ,dep>tm5t1  
)9 ! ,(fice ( ! ,secret>y1 an ,(fice (  
,rural ,inve/m5t 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is       
subsection z ! ,(fice74  7#b7 ,lead]%ip 
,! ,(fice %all be head$ by a ,director =
 ,rural ,inve/m5t 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is      
subsection z ! ,director7 :o %all be    
appo9t$ by1 & report directly to1 !     
,secret>y4  7#c7 ,mission  7,a7 ,9 g5]al
 ,! mission ( ! ,(fice %all be to       
coord9ate ) o!r (fices & ag5cies )9 !   
,dep>tm5t & ) o!r ,f$]al ag5cies to     
fur!r ! goals & objectives describ$ 9   
subp>agraph 7,b74  7,b7 ,goals &        
objectives describ$ ,! goals &          
objectives ref]r$ to 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 
are-- 7i7 to ensure t ! unique ne$s &   
attributes ( rural transportation1      

involv+ all modes1 are fully address$ & 
prioritiz$ dur+ ! developm5t &          
implem5tation ( transportation policies1
 programs1 & activities )9 ! ,dep>tm5t2 
7ii7 to improve coord9ation ( ,f$]al    
transportation policies1 programs1 &    
activities )9 ! ,dep>tm5t 9 a mann] t   
exp&s economic developm5t 9 rural       
communities & regions1 & to provide     
recomm5dations = improvem5t1 includ+    
additional int]nal realignm5ts2  7iii7  
to exp& ,f$]al transportation           
infra/ructure inve/m5t 9 rural          
communities & regions1 includ+ by       
provid+ recomm5dations = *anges 9 exi/+ 
fund+ di/ribution patt]ns2  7iv7 to use 
innovation to resolve local & regional  
transportation *all5ges fac$ by rural   
communities & regions2  7v7 to promote &
 improve plann+ & coord9ation among     
rural communities & regions to maximize 
! unique competitive advantage 9 ^?     
locations :ile avoid+ duplicative       
,f$]al1 ,/ate & local inve/m5ts2 &  7vi7
 to ensure t all rural communities &    

regions lack+ res\rces receive proactive
 outrea*1 education1 & te*nical         
assi/ance to improve access to ,f$]al   
transportation programs4  7#d7 ,duties (
 ! ,director ,! ,director %all--  7,a7  
be responsible = engag+ 9 activities to 
c>ry out ! mission describ$ 9 p>agraph  
7#c72  7,b7 organize1 guide1 & lead     
activities )9 ! ,dep>tm5t to address    
disp>ities 9 rural transportation       
infra/ructure to improve safety1        
economic developm5t1 & quality ( life 9 
rural communities & regions2  7,c7      
provide in=mation & outrea* to rural    
communities & regions conc]n+ !         
availability & eligibility requirem5ts (
 p>ticipat+ 9 programs ( ! ,dep>tm5t2   
7,d7 help rural communities & regions-- 
7i7 id5tify competitive economic        
advantages & transportation inve/m5ts t 
ensure cont9u$ economic gr[?2 &  7ii7   
avoid duplicative transportation        
inve/m5ts2  7,e7 s]ve z a res\rce =     
assi/+ rural communities & regions )    
respect to ,f$]al transportation        

programs2  7,f7 id5tify--  7i7 ,f$]al   
/atutes1 regulations1 & polices t may   
imp$e ! ,dep>tm5t f support+ effective  
rural infra/ructure projects t address  
national transportation goals2 &  7ii7  
pot5tial measures to solve or mitigate  
^? issues2  7,g7 id5tify improv$1       
simplifi$1 & /reaml9$ int]nal processes 
to help limit$-res\rce rural communities
 & regions access transportation        
inve/m5ts2  7,h7 recomm5d *anges &      
initiatives = ! ,secret>y to consid]2   
7,i7 ensure & coord9ate a r\t9e rural   
consultation on ! developm5t ( policies1
 programs1 & activities ( ! ,dep>tm5t2  
7,j7 s]ve z an advocate )9 ! ,dep>tm5t  
on behalf ( rural communities & regions2
 &  7,k7 "w 9 coord9ation ) ! ,dep>tm5t 
( ,agriculture1 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? &  
,human ,s]vices1 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,comm]ce1
 ! ,f$]al ,communications ,commission1 &
 o!r ,f$]al ag5cies1 z ! ,secret>y      
det]m9es to be appropriate1 9 c>ry+ out 
! duties describ$ 9 subp>agraphs 7,a7   
?r\gh 7,j74  7#e7 ,contracts & agreem5ts

 ,= ! purpose ( c>ry+ out ! mission ( ! 
,(fice "u p>agraph 7#c71 ! ,secret>y may
 ent] into contracts1 coop]ative        
agreem5ts1 & o!r agreem5ts z necess>y1  
includ+ ) rese>* c5t]s1 in/itutions (   
high] education1 ,/ates1 units ( local  
gov]nm5t1 nonpr(it organizations1 or a  
comb9ation ( any ( ^? entities--  7,a7  
to conduct rese>* on transportation     
inve/m5ts t promote rural economic      
developm5t2  7,b7 to solicit in=mation 9
 ! developm5t ( policy1 programs1 &     
activities ( ! ,dep>tm5t t c improve    
infra/ructure inve/m5t & economic       
developm5t 9 rural communities &        
regions2  7,c7 to develop educational & 
outrea* mat]ials1 includ+ ! conduct (   
work%ops1 c\rses1 & c]tifi$ tra9+ =     
rural communities & regions t c fur!r ! 
mission & goals ( ! ,(fice & !          
,dep>tm5t2 &  7,d7 to c>ry out any o!r  
activities1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y to 
be appropriate4  7#f7 ,grants  7,a7 ,9  
g5]al ,! ,director may aw>d competitive 
grants to an entity describ$ 9          

subp>agraph 7,b7 to support exp&$       
education1 outrea*1 & te*nical assi/ance
 to rural communities & regions4  7,b7  
,entity describ$ ,an entity ref]r$ to 9 
subp>agraph 7,a7 is a nonpr(it          
organization or an in/itution ( high]   
education t has n less ?an #c ye>s (    
exp]i5ce provid+ mean+ful transportation
 te*nical assi/ance or advocacy s]vices 
to rural communities & regions4  7#g7   
,employees ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t n 
m ?an #d full-"t equival5t employees are
 assign$ to ! ,(fice4  7#h7 ,coord9ation
 )9 & among o!r (fices & ag5cies ( !    
,dep>tm5t  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y   
%all designate n few] ?an #a            
repres5tative f ea* (fice or ag5cy ( !  
,dep>tm5t describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b7 :o
 %all be responsible = lead+ ! ef=ts )9 
t (fice or ag5cy to fur!r ! goals &     
objectives describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b7 (
 p>agraph 7#c74  7,b7 ,(fices & ag5cies 
describ$ ,! (fices & ag5cies ( !        
,dep>tm5t ref]r$ to 9 subp>agraph 7,a7  
are ea* ( ! foll[+3 7i7 ,! ,(fice ( !   

,"u ,secret>y ( ,transportation =       
,policy4  7ii7 ,! ,(fice ( ! ,g5]al     
,c\nsel4  7iii7 ,! ,(fice ( ! ,*ief     
,f9ancial ,(fic] & ,assi/ant ,secret>y =
 ,budget & ,programs4  7iv7 ,! ,f$]al   
,aviation ,adm9i/ration4  7v7 ,! ,f$]al 
,highway ,adm9i/ration4  7vi7 ,! ,f$]al 
,railroad ,adm9i/ration4  7vii7 ,!      
,f$]al ,transit ,adm9i/ration4  7viii7  
,! ,(fice ( ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y =     
,gov]nm5tal ,affairs4  7ix7 ,! ,(fice ( 
,public ,affairs4  7x7 ,any o!r (fice or
 ag5cy ( ! ,dep>tm5t t ! ,secret>y      
det]m9es to be appropriate4  7,c7       
,duties ,! ,*ief ,infra/ructure ,fund+  
,(fic] ( ! ,dep>tm5t & ! repres5tatives 
designat$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7--  7i7    
%all-- 7,i7 meet bimon?ly2 &  7,,ii7    
recomm5d initiatives to ! ,(fice2 &     
7ii7 may p>ticipate 9 all meet+s &      
relevant activities ( ! ,(fice to       
provide input & guidance relevant to    
rural transportation infra/ructure      
projects & issues4  7#i7 ,additional    
input  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all  

seek input f ! (fices & ag5cies ( !     
,dep>tm5t describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b7 to
 fur!r ! goals & objectives describ$ 9  
subp>agraph 7,b7 ( p>agraph 7#c74  7,b7 
,(fices & ag5cies describ$ ,! (fices &  
ag5cies ( ! ,dep>tm5t ref]r$ to 9       
subp>agraph 7,a7 are ea* ( ! foll[+3    
7i7 ,! ,m>itime ,adm9i/ration4  7ii7 ,! 
,sa9t ,lawr5ce ,seaway ,developm5t      
,corporation4  7iii7 ,! ,national       
,highway ,traffic ,safety ,adm9i/ration4
  7#aj7 ,report ,ea* ye>1 ! ,(fice %all 
submit to ! ,secret>y a report          
describ+--  7,a7 ! objectives ( ! ,(fice
 = ! com+ ye>2 &  7,b7 h[ ! objectives (
 ! ,(fice 7 accompli%$ 9 ! previ\s ye>4 
7#aa7 ,applicability ,9 c>ry+ out !     
mission ( ! ,(fice "u p>agraph 7#c71 !  
,secret>y %all consid] z rural any area 
consid]$ to be a rural area "u a ,f$]al 
transportation program ( ! ,dep>tm5t4  4
  7#b7 ,c\ncil on ,cr$it & ,f9ance      
,section #aag7;b77#a7 ( title #di1      
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  7,i7 ,! ,director =   

,rural ,inve/m5t4  4  7b7 ,rural        
transportation advisory c\ncil  7#a7    
,def9itions ,9 ?is subsection3  7,a7    
,advisory c\ncil ,! t]m advisory c\ncil 
means ! rural transportation advisory   
c\ncil e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#b74  7,b7 
,relevant committees ( ,congress ,! t]m 
relevant committees ( ,congress means-- 
7i7 ! ,committee on ,transportation &   
,infra/ructure ( ! ,h\se (              
,repres5tatives2  7ii7 ! ,committee on  
,en]gy & ,comm]ce ( ! ,h\se (           
,repres5tatives2  7iii7 ! ,committee on 
,environm5t & ,public ,works ( ! ,s5ate2
  7iv7 ! ,committee on ,comm]ce1        
,sci5ce1 & ,transportation ( ! ,s5ate2  
7v7 ! ,committee on ,bank+1 ,h\s+1 &    
,urban ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate2  7vi7 !     
,subcommittee on ,transportation1 &     
,h\s+ & ,urban ,developm5t1 & ,relat$   
,ag5cies ( ! ,committee on              
,appropriations ( ! ,h\se (             
,repres5tatives2 &  7vii7 !             
,subcommittee on ,transportation1 ,h\s+ 
& ,urban ,developm5t1 & ,relat$ ,ag5cies

 ( ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( !  
,s5ate4  7,c7 ,secret>y ,! t]m ,secret>y
 means ! ,secret>y ( ,transportation4   
7#b7 ,e/abli%m5t ,! ,secret>y %all      
e/abli% a rural transportation advisory 
c\ncil to consult ) & advise ! ,(fice ( 
,rural ,inve/m5t4  7#c7 ,memb]%ip  7,a7 
,9 g5]al ,! advisory c\ncil %all be     
compos$ ( #ae memb]s1 appo9t$ by !      
,secret>y1 ( :om--  7i7 n few] ?an #a   
%all be a repres5tative f an in/itution 
( high] education or ext5sion program2  
7ii7 n few] ?an #a %all be a            
repres5tative f an organization promot+ 
bus9ess & economic developm5t1 su* z a  
*amb] ( comm]ce1 a local gov]nm5t       
in/itution1 or a plann+ organization2   
7iii7 n few] ?an #a %all be a           
repres5tative f a f9anc+ entity2  7iv7 n
 few] ?an #a %all h exp]i5ce 9 heal?1   
mobility1 or em]g5cy s]vices2  7v7 n    
few] ?an #a %all h exp]i5ce 9           
transportation safety2  7vi7 n few] ?an 
#a %all h exp]i5ce ) work=ce access2    
7vii7 n few] ?an #a %all h exp]i5ce )   

t\rism & recreational activities2       
7viii7 n few] ?an #a %all h--  7,i7     
exp]i5ce ) rural supply *a9s1 su* z     
direct-to-consum] supply *a9s2 &  7,,ii7
 :olesale di/ribution exp]i5ce2  7ix7 n 
few] ?an #a %all h exp]i5ce 9 em]g+ or  
innovative te*nologies relat+ to rural  
transportation networks2  7x7 n few] ?an
 #a %all h exp]i5ce 9 food1 nutrition1 &
 groc]y access2  7xi7 n few] ?an #a %all
 repres5t agriculture1 nutrition1 or    
=e/ry2 &  7xii7 n few] ?an #a %all h    
exp]i5ce ) hi/orically und]s]v$ regions1
 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4  7,b7        
,requirem5t ,! ,secret>y %all appo9t    
memb]s to ! advisory c\ncil 9 a mann] t 
ensures1 to ! maximum ext5t practicable1
 t ! geographic & economic div]sity (   
rural communities & regions ( ! ,unit$  
,/ates are repres5t$4  7,c7 ,tim+ (     
initial appo9tm5ts ,n lat] ?an #ahj days
 aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !   
,secret>y %all appo9t ! initial memb]s (
 ! advisory c\ncil4  7,d7 ,p]iod (      
appo9tm5ts  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,except z      

provid$ 9 clause 7ii71 a memb] ( !      
advisory c\ncil %all be appo9t$ = a t]m 
( #c ye>s4  7ii7 ,initial appo9tm5ts ,( 
! memb]s fir/ appo9t$ to ! advisory     
c\ncil--  7,i7 #e1 z det]m9$ by !       
,secret>y1 %all be appo9t$ = a t]m ( #c 
ye>s2  7,,ii7 #e1 z det]m9$ by !        
,secret>y1 %all be appo9t$ = a t]m ( #b 
ye>s2 &  7,,iii7 #e1 z det]m9$ by !     
,secret>y1 %all be appo9t$ = a t]m ( #a 
ye>4  7,e7 ,vacancies ,any vacancy on ! 
advisory c\ncil--  7i7 %all n affect !  
p[] ( ! advisory c\ncil2 &  7ii7 %all be
 fill$ z soon z practicable & 9 ! same  
mann] z ! orig9al appo9tm5t4  7,f7      
,consecutive t]ms ,an appo9tee to !     
advisory c\ncil may s]ve #a additional1 
consecutive t]m if ! memb] is reappo9t$ 
by ! ,secret>y4  7#d7 ,meet+s  7,a7 ,9  
g5]al ,! advisory c\ncil %all meet n    
less ?an twice p] ye>1 z det]m9$ by !   
,secret>y4  7,b7 ,initial meet+ ,n lat] 
?an #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* !      
initial memb]s ( ! advisory c\ncil are  
appo9t$ "u p>agraph 7#c77;,c71 !        

advisory c\ncil %all hold ! fir/ meet+ (
 ! advisory c\ncil4  7#e7 ,duties  7,a7 
,9 g5]al ,! advisory c\ncil %all--  7i7 
advise ! ,(fice ( ,rural ,inve/m5t on   
issues relat$ to rural ne$s relat+ to   
,f$]al transportation programs2  7ii7   
evaluate & review ongo+ rese>*          
activities relat+ to rural              
transportation networks1 includ+ new &  
em]g+ b>ri]s to economic developm5t &   
access to inve/m5ts2  7iii7 develop     
recomm5dations = any *anges to ,f$]al   
law1 regulations1 int]nal ,dep>tm5t (   
,transportation policies or guidance1 or
 o!r measures t w\ld elim9ate b>ri]s =  
rural access or improve rural equity 9  
transportation inve/m5ts2  7iv7 exam9e  
me?ods ( maximiz+ ! numb] (             
opportunities = assi/ance = rural       
communities & regions "u ,f$]al         
transportation programs1 includ+ exp&$  
outrea* & te*nical assi/ance2  7v7      
exam9e me?ods ( enc\rag+ int]gov]nm5tal 
& local res\rce coop]ation to mitigate  
duplicative inve/m5ts 9 key rural       

communities & regions & improve !       
effici5cies 9 ! deliv]y ( ,f$]al        
transportation programs2  7vi7 evaluate 
o!r me?ods ( creat+ new opportunities = 
rural communities & regions2 &  7vii7   
address any o!r relevant issues z !     
,secret>y det]m9es to be appropriate4   
7,b7 ,reports ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! 
date on :i* ! initial memb]s ( !        
advisory c\ncil are appo9t$ "u p>agraph 
7#c77;,c71 & e #b ye>s !reaft] ?r\gh    
#bjbf1 ! advisory c\ncil %all submit to 
! ,secret>y & ! relevant committees (   
,congress a report describ+ !           
recomm5dations develop$ "u subp>agraph  
7,a77iii74  7#f7 ,p]sonnel matt]s  7,a7 
,comp5sation ,a memb] ( ! advisory      
c\ncil %all s]ve )\t comp5sation4  7,b7 
,travel exp5ses ,a memb] ( ! advisory   
c\ncil %all be all[$ travel exp5ses1    
includ+ p] diem 9 lieu ( subsi/5ce1 9   
accordance ) section #egjc ( title #e1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7#g7 ,t]m9ation   
7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,subject to subp>agraph   
7,b71 ! advisory c\ncil %all t]m9ate on 

! date t is #e ye>s aft] ! date on :i* !
 initial memb]s are appo9t$ "u p>agraph 
7#c77;,c74  7,b7 ,ext5sion ,be=e ! date 
on :i* ! advisory c\ncil t]m9ates1 !    
,secret>y may r5ew ! advisory c\ncil =  
#a or m #b-ye> p]iods4  7c7             
,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re is  
au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to c>ry out  
?is section & ! am5dm5ts made by ?is    
section #g1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s  
#bjbb ?r\gh #bjbf4