H.R. 8472 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8472 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 21, 2024Mr. Courtney (for himself, Mr. Molinaro, and Mr. McGovern) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to support the expansion of freight rail infrastructure to support the transport of agricultural inputs and products to farms, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Freight for Farms Act. 2. Including freight rail infrastructure in community facilities loans and grants (a) In general Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking and essential community facilities including necessary related equipment and inserting and essential community facilities (such as freight rail infrastructure that supports access to agricultural and related entities) including necessary related equipment; (2) in each of paragraphs (19)(A), (20)(B), and (21)(A) by striking essential community facilities and inserting essential community facilities (such as freight rail infrastructure that supports access to agricultural and related entities); and (3) by adding at the end the following: (27) Requirements for freight rail infrastructure projects (A) In general The requirements of sections 22905 and 22404 of title 49, United States Code, shall apply to any project for freight rail infrastructure that supports access to agricultural and related entities for which a loan or grant is awarded under this subsection. (B) References For the purpose of applying the requirements of such sections to such projects— (i) references to the Secretary of Transportation shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary of Agriculture; and (ii) references to this chapter shall be deemed to refer to this subsection. . (b) Applicability The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply beginning on the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.