,i #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fjda ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,november #ab1 #bjbe,ms4 ,salinas 7for herself and ,mr4 ,valadao7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,secretary of ,agriculture to provide rural partnership program grants and rural partnership technical assistance grants1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,rural ,partnership and ,prosperity ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#b7 ,rural2 rural area ,the terms rural and rural area have the meaning given those terms in section #cdc7;a77#ac77;,a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aiia7;a77#ac77;,a774 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 #c4 ,rural partnership program grants 7a7 ,in general ,subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection 7j71 the ,secretary shall establish a program to make multiyear grant awards to coordinate ,federal1 nonprofit1 and for-profit investment in rural areas4 7b7 ,grant requirements 7#a7 ,term ,the term of a grant awarded under subsection 7a7 shall be not less than #b years and not more than #e years4 7#b7 ,awards ,except as provided in paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d71 the ,state offices of the rural development mission area shall be responsible for reviewing applications for grant awards under subsection 7a7 and selecting eligible applicants described in subsection 7d7 for those grant awards4 7#c7 ,tribal awards ,except as provided in paragraph 7#d71 in the case of grants under subsection 7a7 allocated to ,indian ,tribes under subsection 7c77#a77;,b71 the national office of the rural development mission area shall be responsible for reviewing applications for grant awards under subsection 7a7 and selecting eligible applicants described in subsection 7d7 for those grant awards4 7#d7 ,competitive process ,if the amount appropriated under subsection 7j7 for a fiscal year is less than or equal to #cjj1jjj1jjj1 the national office of the rural development mission area shall be responsible for reviewing applications for grant awards under subsection 7a7 and selecting eligible applicants described in subsection 7d7 for those grant awards-- 7,a7 on a competitive basis2 and 7,b7 by giving priority to areas that have higher nonmetropolitan poverty levels and lower population levels1 while ensuring that grants under this section are awarded in diverse geographic regions of the ,united ,states4 7c7 ,grant allocation 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subsection 7b77#d71 the ,secretary shall allocate funding for grants under subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 for each ,state based on a formula determined by the ,secretary in accordance with paragraph 7#b72 and 7,b7 for ,indian ,tribes in such amounts as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate1 subject to the condition that the total amount allocated to ,indian ,tribes under this subparagraph shall not be less than #e percent of the amount appropriated under subsection 7j71 with ,indian ,tribes located in areas that have higher poverty levels and lower populations receiving higher levels of funding4 7#b7 ,allocation requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall develop a graduated scale to allocate funding for ,states under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 based on the nonmetropolitan poverty and population levels in each ,state4 7,b7 ,limitation ,the amount allocated to any ,state under subparagraph 7,a7 shall not exceed #e percent of the amount appropriated under subsection 7j74 7#c7 ,small ,state exception to formula ,notwithstanding paragraphs 7#a77;,a7 and 7#b77;,a71 the ,secretary shall ensure that each ,state is allocated an amount for grants under this subsection that is sufficient to fulfill the purposes of the program established under this section1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,reallocation ,if a ,state or ,indian ,tribe does not use funds allocated to the ,state or ,indian ,tribe under this subsection1 the ,secretary may reallocate the unused funds to #a or more other ,states or ,indian ,tribes1 each of which has used all of the funding allocated to the ,state or ,indian ,tribe under this subsection4 7d7 ,eligible applicants ,to be eligible to receive a grant under subsection 7a71 an applicant shall-- 7#a7 propose to serve a rural area2 7#b7 be composed of a partnership of #b or more of-- 7,a7 an instrumentality or political subdivision of a ,state1 such as a municipality1 county1 district1 or authority2 7,b7 a nonprofit corporation or association with significant ties to the rural area described in paragraph 7#a71 including through-- 7i7 association with1 or control by1 #a or more public bodies in the rural area2 7ii7 broadly based ownership and control by members of the rural area2 or 7iii7 a substantial public funding contribution to the rural area through taxes1 revenue bonds1 other local government sources1 or substantial voluntary community funding2 7,c7 a cooperative with significant ties to the rural area described in paragraph 7#a72 7,d7 a for-profit entity with a significant presence in the rural area described in paragraph 7#a72 7,e7 an institution of higher education-- 7i7 with a significant contribution to or presence in the rural area described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 that includes representatives who are members of the rural area2 and 7,f7 an ,indian ,tribe-- 7i7 in a rural area described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 with demonstrated support from the ,tribal council or duly elected ,tribal executive of the appropriate ,tribal government2 and 7#c7 demonstrate cooperation among the members of the partnership described in paragraph 7#b7 necessary to complete comprehensive1 asset-based rural development through eligible activities described in subsection 7e74 7e7 ,eligible activities ,an eligible applicant described in subsection 7d7 that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 may use the grant funds in rural areas-- 7#a7 to coordinate ,federal1 ,state1 regional1 or ,tribal initiatives to reduce duplicative efforts with respect to ,federal investments2 7#b7 to leverage non-,federal financial and technical resources2 7#c7 to complete comprehensive predevelopment activities and planning2 7#d7 to create public-private partnerships and attract private investment2 7#e7 to support eligible operational activities1 including staffing1 of the eligible applicants1 except that a for-profit entity may not use the grant funds for the purpose described in this paragraph2 7#f7 to provide capital to existing or new projects1 subject to the condition that not more than #ej percent of the grant funds may be used for that purpose2 7#g7 to support regional projects and initiatives2 7#h7 to address economic recovery from emergencies and natural or man-made disasters2 and 7#i7 to develop strategic community investment plans described in section #cgi;,h7d7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjhv7d774 7f7 ,ineligible activities ,an eligible applicant described in subsection 7d7 that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 may not use the grant funds-- 7#a7 to fund operational activities1 including staffing1 at a for-profit institution2 7#b7 to purchase or lease real property2 or 7#c7 to support a non-rural area4 7g7 ,selection criteria ,in awarding grants under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary shall give priority to an eligible applicant described in subsection 7d7 that proposes to serve-- 7#a7 a rural area with a significant change in population2 7#b7 a rural area with significant workforce changes or changes in major employers2 7#c7 an economically distressed rural area1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7#d7 a rural area that has historically received minimal ,federal funding1 as determined by the ,secretary2 or 7#e7 a rural area for the purpose of job retention and economic stabilization1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7h7 ,matching funds 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 an eligible applicant described in subsection 7d7 that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 shall provide non-,federal matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount that is not less than #be percent of the amount of the grant4 7#b7 ,waiver 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph 7#a7 based on the demonstrated need of the eligible applicant or the population served by the eligible applicant1 as determined by the ,secretary1 including-- 7i7 an eligible applicant serving an area with a higher nonmetropolitan poverty level2 7ii7 an eligible applicant serving a ,tribal population2 and 7iii7 an eligible applicant composed of a partnership that includes an entity described in subsection 7d77#b77;,a74 7,b7 ,justification ,the ,secretary shall provide to the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate a justification for each waiver provided under subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,providers ,non-,federal matching funds under paragraph 7#a7 may be provided by any member of the applicable partnership described in subsection 7d77#b74 7i7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall carry out this section in coordination with the ,rural ,partners ,network established by section #fcjf of the ,agriculture ,improvement ,act of #bjah 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbjd;b-#c74 7j7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,administration ,the ,secretary may retain not more than #b percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section for administration of the program established under this section4 #d4 ,rural partnership technical assistance grants 7a7 ,in general ,subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection 7g71 the ,secretary shall establish a program to award grants1 on a competitive basis1 for up to a #e-year period1 to be administered at the national level through the ,under ,secretary for ,rural ,development1 for the purpose of advising on and assisting rural community organizations with-- 7#a7 ,federal grant management and the development of financial management systems2 7#b7 housing or community economic development projects2 and 7#c7 the development of placemaking plans and applications for ,federal grants4 7b7 ,eligible applicants ,to be eligible to receive a grant under subsection 7a71 an applicant shall be a qualified private or nonprofit intermediary organization1 including an institution of higher education with an existing community development and planning program1 including an extension program1 that has demonstrated experience and capacity to provide technical assistance on community development and planning in rural areas4 7c7 ,eligible activities ,an eligible applicant described in subsection 7b7 that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 may use the grant funds to support the capacity building and economic development of identified rural areas and local partners in those rural areas through the following activities3 7#a7 ,training and supporting local staff1 including relating to systems development and support4 7#b7 ,identifying vetted technical consultants for planning and designing physical infrastructure4 7#c7 ,facilitating coordination between ,federal agencies and local partners4 7#d7 ,providing expertise on developing public-private partnerships4 7#e7 ,development and project predevelopment activities4 7#f7 ,grant writing and grant management activities4 7d7 ,ineligible activities ,an eligible applicant described in subsection 7b7 that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 may not use the grant funds-- 7#a7 to fund staffing at a for-profit entity2 7#b7 to purchase or lease real property1 buildings1 or equipment2 7#c7 to support a non-rural area2 or 7#d7 for research and development4 7e7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may give priority to an eligible applicant described in subsection 7b7 that serves-- 7#a7 a nonmetropolitan area with a high poverty level2 or 7#b7 an ,indian ,tribe with demonstrated support from the ,tribal council or duly elected ,tribal executive of the appropriate ,tribal government4 7f7 ,matching funds 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 an eligible applicant described in subsection 7b7 that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 shall provide non-,federal matching funds in an amount that is not less than #cj percent of the amount of the grant4 7#b7 ,waiver 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph 7#a7 based on the demonstrated need of the area in which activities using the grant are to be carried out1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,justification ,the ,secretary shall provide to the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate a justification for each waiver provided under subparagraph 7,a74 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,administration ,the ,secretary may retain not more than #b percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section for administration of the program established under this section4 #e4 ,rural ,partners ,network ,section #fcjf of the ,agriculture ,improvement ,act of #bjah 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbjd;b-#c7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,council on rural community innovation and economic development and inserting ,rural ,partners ,network2 7#b7 in subsection 7a77#a71 by striking council and inserting network2 7#c7 by striking subsection 7b7 and inserting the following3 7b7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,there is established a ,rural ,partners ,network 7referred to in this section as the ,network74 7#b7 ,successor ,the ,network shall be the successor to the ,council on ,rural ,community ,innovation and ,economic ,development established by this section 7as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the ,rural ,partnership and ,prosperity ,act74 2 7#d7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by striking subparagraphs 7,c71 7,d71 7,n71 7,q71 7,r71 7,s71 7,t71 7,v71 7,x71 7,y71 and 7,z72 7ii7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,e7 through 7,m71 7,o71 7,p71 7,u71 7,w71 and 7,,aa7 as subparagraphs 7,c7 through 7,k71 7,l71 7,m71 7,n71 7,o71 and 7,x71 respectively2 and 7iii7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,o7 7as so redesignated7 the following3 7,p7 ,the ,federal ,deposit ,insurance ,corporation4 7,q7 ,the ,appalachian ,regional ,commission4 7,r7 ,the ,consumer ,financial ,protection ,bureau4 7,s7 ,the ,social ,security ,administration4 7,t7 ,the ,delta ,regional ,authority4 7,u7 ,the ,denali ,commission4 7,v7 ,the ,northern ,border ,regional ,commission4 7,w7 ,the ,southeast ,crescent ,regional ,commission4 2 and 7,b7 in paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#d71 by striking ,council each place it appears and inserting ,network2 7#e7 in subsection 7d71 by striking ,council and inserting ,network2 7#f7 in subsection 7e7-- 7,a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,council and inserting ,network2 7,b7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,council and inserting ,network2 7,c7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking and at the end2 7,d7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,e7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 to improve the efficiency of ,federal assistance to rural communities by-- 7,a7 reducing administrative burdens on rural communities to pursue ,federal funding2 7,b7 improving the administrative efficiency of ,federal economic development programs serving rural communities2 and 7,c7 streamlining and simplifying the application process for ,federal funding opportunities for rural communities4 2 7#g7 in subsection 7f71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,council and inserting ,network2 7#h7 in subsection 7g71 by striking ,council each place it appears and inserting ,network2 and 7#i7 by striking subsection 7h7 and inserting the following3 7h7 ,innovative cross-,agency coordination 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 acting as ,chair of the ,network1 may carry out innovative strategies for coordinating with other ,federal departments and agencies with respect to programs that serve rural areas4 7#b7 ,priorities ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall prioritize-- 7,a7 improving ease of access to ,federal programs for resource-constrained rural communities2 7,b7 utilizing early technical assistance to reduce duplicative applications and administrative costs at the ,federal level2 7,c7 leveraging partnerships with local1 ,state1 philanthropic1 and private entities to maximize returns on ,federal investments2 7,d7 integrating stakeholder and program user experience into program design2 and 7,e7 targeting areas experiencing economic distress1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4