Bill > S3075

This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to reauthorize and enhance rural cooperative development grants. Specifically, the bill provides a clear definition of "cooperative development" as activities including outreach, education, training, and technical assistance to support the startup, expansion, or ongoing sustainability of new and existing cooperatives. The legislation modifies the grant application process by instructing the Secretary of Agriculture to award maximum points in scoring criteria to applicants meeting certain requirements. The bill also requires the Secretary to analyze data from cooperative development research and include this analysis in an annual report to Congress. Additionally, the bill extends the authorization of these cooperative development grants from the period of 2014-2023 to 2025-2029, ensuring continued support for rural cooperative initiatives. The changes aim to strengthen support for rural cooperatives by providing clearer guidelines, more comprehensive reporting, and continued funding for programs that help rural communities develop and sustain cooperative business models.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3075/all-info