Bill > S2281

This bill establishes a new Rural Development Disaster Recovery Technical Assistance Program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to help rural communities (defined as places with fewer than 20,000 residents) recover from major presidential-declared disasters. The program will provide technical assistance to eligible rural communities for up to three years after a disaster, with a possible three-year extension, focusing on helping communities navigate disaster recovery processes. Technical assistance will include helping communities plan for recovery, identify funding sources, prepare and submit federal and state assistance applications, address application denials, and implement recovery funding. The assistance can cover various infrastructure needs such as telecommunications, water systems, housing, energy, community facilities, business infrastructure, and local government infrastructure. Technical assistance will be provided by state rural development offices or contracted nonprofit organizations, with priority given to certain types of local entities. The Secretary will allocate $50 million annually to the program, distributing funds to affected communities based on a formula that considers the population impacted by a disaster. Importantly, funding will be made available to state rural development offices automatically after a disaster is declared, without requiring a separate application.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2281/all-info