Bill > S783

This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide additional financial assistance to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. Specifically, the bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to offer grants, zero percent interest loans, or 1 percent interest loans to eligible rural water facilities. The Secretary can also forgive or modify existing loans, or refinance previous loans for eligible entities. Assistance can be provided for two primary purposes: to ensure public health, safety, and order, or to address financial hardships in disadvantaged or economically distressed areas. To determine eligibility for financial support, the Secretary must establish a residential indicator of affordable water services in each state or local area, calculated by comparing the cost per household to the median household income, and develop factors to identify economically disadvantaged regions. The bill aims to provide crucial support to rural water systems that may be struggling financially or facing challenges in maintaining essential infrastructure and service quality.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/783/all-info