Bill > HR6462

This bill establishes a Rural Development Disaster Recovery Technical Assistance Program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help rural communities (defined as places with fewer than 20,000 people) recover from major disasters declared by the President. The program will provide technical assistance to eligible communities for up to three years after a disaster, with the possibility of a three-year extension. Technical assistance will include help with planning, identifying funding sources, preparing and submitting applications to federal and state agencies, addressing application denials, and implementing recovery funding. Assistance can cover various infrastructure needs like telecommunications, water systems, housing, energy, community facilities, business infrastructure, and local government infrastructure. The assistance will be provided by state rural development offices or contracted nonprofit organizations, with priority given to local entities. The Secretary of Agriculture will allocate funding based on the population affected by the disaster, with $50 million authorized annually. Importantly, funding will be made available to state rural development offices automatically after a disaster is declared, without requiring a separate application process.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6462/all-info