118 HR 6621 IH: Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act U.S. House of Representatives 2023-12-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 6621IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 6, 2023Mr. Davis of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on AgricultureA BILLTo provide technical assistance for geographically underserved and distressed areas, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act.

2.

Technical assistance for geographically underserved and distressed areas

(a)

In general

Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall directly, or through cooperative agreements, provide technical assistance and strengthen local capacity to improve access to rural development programs administered by the Secretary for local partners (including local governments, cooperatives, businesses, healthcare facilities and networks, community anchor institutions (as defined in section 60302(6) of the Digital Equity Act of 2021), and nonprofit organizations) in geographically underserved and distressed areas. (b)

Reports

Beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall annually publish, make available to the public, and submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on how the provision of technical assistance under subsection (a) has affected geographically underserved and distressed areas in the year covered by the report. (c)

Definition of geographically underserved and distressed area

In this section, the term geographically underserved and distressed area means a rural area (as determined by the Secretary)— (1)in a socially vulnerable community (as determined by the Secretary); (2)in a persistent poverty county (as determined by the Secretary); (3)in a economically distressed area (as determined by the Secretary); or (4)that lacks adequate water services, sewer services, or decent housing in any region near the border between the United States and Mexico.