[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4336 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4336

 To provide for the improvement of rural infrastructure in the United 
                    States, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 28, 2020

  Mr. Bennet introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
                  referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To provide for the improvement of rural infrastructure in the United 
                    States, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Reforming, 
Expanding, and Simplifying Investment for Local Infrastructure to 
Enhance our Neighborhoods and Towns Act'' or the ``RESILIENT Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
                   TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Sec. 101. Rural Partnerships Office.
Sec. 102. Rural infrastructure partnerships.
Sec. 103. Rural economic and community development.
Sec. 104. Simplification of application process.
                   TITLE II--INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

Sec. 201. Rural Liaisons.
Sec. 202. Interagency rural infrastructure task force.
               TITLE III--OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

Sec. 301. Rural infrastructure financing flexibility.
Sec. 302. Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
Sec. 303. Solicitation of public comment on conducting water audits 
                            with REAC inspections.
                        TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 401. Effect of definition.
Sec. 402. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) rural infrastructure, such as roads, water systems, and 
        broadband, is in dire need of upgrade and repair;
            (2) rural areas face unique challenges when addressing 
        infrastructure;
            (3) rural communities often lack staff with the necessary 
        expertise to develop major infrastructure projects or to secure 
        financing;
            (4) many rural projects struggle to attract regional 
        support or private sector investment;
            (5) revenue sources, such as taxes or user fees, are 
        limited in many rural areas;
            (6) 13 percent of major rural roads are in poor condition, 
        and more than 50 percent of rural bridges are considered to not 
        be in good condition;
            (7) only 60 percent of counties nationwide have public 
        transportation service, and over \1/4\ of those counties have 
        very limited public transportation service;
            (8) many rural transit vehicles are still on the road 
        despite being past their useful life, which can lead to costly 
        repairs, unreliable service, and safety issues;
            (9) every day, nearly 6,000,000,000 gallons of treated 
        drinking water are lost, an amount that could support 
        15,000,000 households;
            (10) without a full investment in water, by 2040, the 
        cumulative impact from breakdowns in water supply, treatment, 
        and wastewater capacity is estimated to cost manufacturers and 
        other businesses $7,500,000,000,000 in lost sales and 
        $4,100,000,000,000 in lost gross domestic product;
            (11) Federal agencies estimate that the cost of drinking 
        water and wastewater infrastructure projects in rural 
        communities will total almost $190,000,000,000 in the coming 
        decades;
            (12) small water systems reaching fewer than 3,300 people 
        serve only 8 percent of the population of the United States, 
        but account for nearly 83 percent of reported funding needs;
            (13) Federal funding of water infrastructure was 63 percent 
        of total capital spending in 1977, and was down to 9 percent in 
        2014;
            (14) nearly 1 in 3 rural residents lack access to basic 
        broadband;
            (15) every dollar spent on infrastructure generates up to 
        $2.50;
            (16) Federal, State, and local governments combined spent 
        $440,500,000,000 on infrastructure in 2017, with less than 25 
        percent of that amount provided by the Federal Government;
            (17) fewer multidisciplinary Federal agency field staff has 
        reduced the capacity of rural communities to navigate complex 
        infrastructure projects;
            (18) lack of adequate infrastructure adversely impacts the 
        efforts of rural communities to create jobs, stimulate economic 
        growth, and diversify their economies; and
            (19) it is therefore in the national economic interest to 
        assist rural communities in addressing their infrastructure 
        needs.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Infrastructure.--The term ``infrastructure'' means 
        infrastructure for renewable or conventional energy production, 
        electricity transmission, surface transportation, aviation, a 
        port or waterway, a water resource project, drinking water or 
        wastewater treatment, broadband, a pipeline, an elementary 
        school or secondary school (as defined in section 8101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801)), and an institution of higher education (as defined in 
        section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001)).
            (2) Rural.--The term ``rural'' means any area located 
        outside--
                    (A) an urbanized area, as determined by the latest 
                available decennial census conducted under section 
                141(a) of title 13, United States Code; and
                    (B) a community or town that has a population equal 
                to or greater than 20,000 inhabitants.
            (3) Rural infrastructure project.--The term ``rural 
        infrastructure project'' means a project for infrastructure in 
        a rural area.

                   TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

SEC. 101. RURAL PARTNERSHIPS OFFICE.

    (a) Establishment.--Subtitle C of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:

``SEC. 237. RURAL PARTNERSHIPS OFFICE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish within the 
Department the Rural Partnerships Office.
    ``(b) Director.--The Rural Partnerships Office shall be headed by a 
Director, who shall be appointed by the President.
    ``(c) Functions.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
Rural Partnerships Office, shall carry out--
            ``(1) subtitle I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
        Development Act; and
            ``(2) such other technical assistance relating to rural 
        infrastructure projects (as defined in section 3 of the 
        Reforming, Expanding, and Simplifying Investment for Local 
        Infrastructure to Enhance our Neighborhoods and Towns Act) as 
        the Secretary determines to be appropriate.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 296(b) of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the 
        amendments made to this title by the Reforming, Expanding, and 
        Simplifying Investment for Local Infrastructure to Enhance our 
        Neighborhoods and Towns Act.''.

SEC. 102. RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIPS.

    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended by 
inserting after subtitle H (7 U.S.C. 2009cc et seq.) the following:

            ``Subtitle I--Rural Infrastructure Partnerships

``SEC. 385A. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subtitle:
            ``(1) Infrastructure.--The term `infrastructure' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 3 of the Reforming, 
        Expanding, and Simplifying Investment for Local Infrastructure 
        to Enhance our Neighborhoods and Towns Act.
            ``(2) Rural.--The term `rural' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 3 of the Reforming, Expanding, and Simplifying 
        Investment for Local Infrastructure to Enhance our 
        Neighborhoods and Towns Act.
            ``(3) Rural infrastructure project.--The term `rural 
        infrastructure project' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 3 of the Reforming, Expanding, and Simplifying 
        Investment for Local Infrastructure to Enhance our 
        Neighborhoods and Towns Act.
            ``(4) Rural liaison.--The term `Rural Liaison' means a 
        Rural Liaison designated under section 201(b)(1) of the 
        Reforming, Expanding, and Simplifying Investment for Local 
        Infrastructure to Enhance our Neighborhoods and Towns Act.
            ``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary, 
        acting through the Director of the Rural Partnerships Office.

``SEC. 385B. RURAL PARTNERS PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Rural 
Partners Program (referred to in this section as the `Program') to 
provide technical assistance to improve the delivery, financing, 
operations, and maintenance of rural infrastructure projects.
    ``(b) Coordination.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
shall coordinate with--
            ``(1) technical assistance programs of the Department of 
        Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency;
            ``(2) the Capacity Building for Affordable Housing and 
        Community Development Program authorized under section 4 of the 
        HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 9816 note; Public Law 
        103-120);
            ``(3) the rural and Tribal passenger transportation 
        technical assistance program established under section 
        310B(c)(3)(B)(iv); and
            ``(4) any other technical assistance programs that may 
        impact rural infrastructure projects, including programs 
        operated by States.
    ``(c) Technical Assistance Providers.--
            ``(1) Selection.--The Secretary shall select, through a 
        competitive process, not more than 5 organizations to provide 
        to rural communities technical assistance under this section.
            ``(2) Requirements.--To be eligible for selection under 
        paragraph (1), an organization shall--
                    ``(A) provide technical assistance nationally; and
                    ``(B) have the experience and capacity to provide 
                technical assistance in each State, the Commonwealth of 
                Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.
    ``(d) Applications.--
            ``(1) Initial proposal.--To be eligible to receive 
        technical assistance under this section, a rural community 
        (including a rural passenger transportation agency) shall 
        submit to the Secretary an initial proposal containing a basic 
        statement of--
                    ``(A) a description of the technical assistance 
                under subsection (e) being requested; and
                    ``(B) how the technical assistance would improve 
                rural infrastructure in the rural community.
            ``(2) Application assistance.--The Secretary shall 
        coordinate with State offices of the rural development mission 
        area to identify a point of contact who shall assist the rural 
        community with the remainder of the application process.
            ``(3) Requirements.--The Secretary--
                    ``(A) shall not require the initial proposal under 
                paragraph (1) to contain any information not required 
                under that paragraph; and
                    ``(B) shall determine the requirements for the 
                remainder of the application process.
            ``(4) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
        Rural Liaison for any relevant Federal agencies in reviewing 
        applications under this subsection.
    ``(e) Eligible Activities.--A technical assistance provider 
selected under subsection (c) may provide to a rural community the 
application of which is approved under subsection (d) technical 
assistance with--
            ``(1) infrastructure project planning;
            ``(2) asset management;
            ``(3) life-cycle accounting;
            ``(4) project delivery;
            ``(5) funding and financing;
            ``(6) regional coordination;
            ``(7) project affordability;
            ``(8) broadband predevelopment work; and
            ``(9) project oversight.
    ``(f) Duration.--The Secretary shall assign a technical assistance 
provider selected under subsection (c) to a rural community the 
application of which is approved under subsection (d) for a period that 
is not longer than 2 years.
    ``(g) Onsite Presence Required.--Personnel of a technical 
assistance provider shall be onsite in the rural community for a 
significant portion of the period under subsection (f), as determined 
by the Secretary.
    ``(h) Reports.--A technical assistance provider shall submit to the 
Secretary and the Rural Liaison for any relevant Federal agencies 
quarterly reports describing the status of activities in each rural 
community to which the provider is assigned.

``SEC. 385C. RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE BEST PRACTICES CLEARINGHOUSE.

    ``The Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse of best 
practices specifically targeted to rural infrastructure project 
planning, asset management, life-cycle accounting, project delivery, 
funding and financing, regional coordination, affordability, and 
project oversight, including resources prepared by Federal agencies and 
external resources.

``SEC. 385D. PREDEVELOPMENT SCOPING GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a predevelopment 
scoping grant program (referred to in this section as the `program') to 
provide grants to assist rural communities in developing cost-effective 
rural infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on regionally 
coordinated or bundled projects.
    ``(b) Application.--An application for a grant under the program 
shall--
            ``(1) require only such documentation as is necessary to 
        demonstrate the potential for a viable project; and
            ``(2) be submitted by the State, local, or regional 
        governmental entity, or nonprofit entity with the ability to 
        provide technical assistance across a State, with primary 
        responsibility for the project.
    ``(c) Limitation.--A grant under this section shall be in an amount 
not greater than $150,000.

``SEC. 385E. RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE BUNDLING PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definition of Bundled Project.--In this section, the term 
`bundled project' means 2 or more rural infrastructure projects of a 
local, regional, or State entity that are submitted in a single 
application and subject to a single procurement contract.
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary, in coordination with the Rural 
Liaisons, shall establish a Rural Infrastructure Bundling Program 
(referred to in this section as the `Program') to improve the 
efficiency of rural infrastructure projects.
    ``(c) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall solicit, on a 
        rolling basis, letters of interest from local, regional, or 
        State entities for bundled projects.
            ``(2) Contents.--A letter of interest submitted by a local, 
        regional, or State entity under paragraph (1) shall include a 
        description of--
                    ``(A) a bundled project concept;
                    ``(B) likely funding sources; and
                    ``(C) such other information as is necessary to 
                determine whether the proposed project is unlikely to 
                be completed but for assistance provided by the 
                Program.
            ``(3) Review.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, State offices of 
                the rural development mission area, and the Rural 
                Liaison for any relevant Federal agencies shall review 
                letters of interest submitted by local, regional, or 
                State entities to determine whether to approve each 
                bundled project for assistance under the Program.
                    ``(B) Consideration.--In reviewing letters of 
                interest under subparagraph (A), the individuals and 
                entities described in that subparagraph shall consider 
                whether the proposed project is unlikely to be 
                completed but for assistance provided by the Program.
    ``(d) Program Assistance.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
Rural Liaisons, shall provide to a local, regional, or State entity 
that is approved for assistance under the Program--
            ``(1) technical assistance with the development of a 
        bundled project, including assistance with identifying 
        appropriate financing; and
            ``(2) a grant to support project development and ongoing 
        project management.
    ``(e) Cost Thresholds.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of the programs and laws 
        described in paragraph (2), each rural infrastructure project 
        that is included in a bundled project that is approved for 
        assistance under the Program shall be considered a separate 
        rural infrastructure project.
            ``(2) Programs and laws described.--The programs and laws 
        referred to in paragraph (1) are--
                    ``(A) water or waste disposal grants or direct or 
                guaranteed loans under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 
                306(a);
                    ``(B) rural water or wastewater technical 
                assistance and training grants under section 
                306(a)(14);
                    ``(C) emergency community water assistance grants 
                under section 306A;
                    ``(D) paragraphs (2)(C) and (5)(C) of section 
                603(b) of title 23, United States Code;
                    ``(E) paragraphs (2)(B) and (5)(C) of section 
                5029(b) of the Water Infrastructure Finance and 
                Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3908(b));
                    ``(F) the program for national infrastructure 
                investments (commonly known as the `Better Utilizing 
                Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) 
                discretionary grant program') authorized under title I 
                of division L of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
                2018 (Public Law 115-141) or a subsequent 
                appropriations Act; and
                    ``(G) a categorical exclusion under the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                seq.).
    ``(f) Volume Cap for Private Activity Bonds.--A bundled project 
that is approved for assistance under the Program shall be exempt from 
the volume cap for private activity bonds under section 146(d) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    ``(g) Eligibility for Rural Infrastructure Financing Flexibility.--
Except as provided in subsection (e), a bundled project that is 
approved for assistance under the Program shall be considered to be--
            ``(1) a rural infrastructure project for purposes of the 
        TIFIA program (as those terms are defined in section 601(a) of 
        title 23, United States Code); and
            ``(2) a rural project for purposes of the Water 
        Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 
        3901 et seq.).
    ``(h) Federal Permitting Dashboard.--A bundled project that is 
approved for assistance under the Program shall be considered to be a 
covered project under title XLI of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 4370m et 
seq.).

``SEC. 385F. REPORTS.

    ``The Secretary shall publish on the website of the Rural 
Partnerships Office an annual report describing the activities of the 
Office, including--
            ``(1) the status of projects funded with grants provided by 
        the Office;
            ``(2) activities conducted under the Rural Partners Program 
        under section 385B;
            ``(3) private sector investment leveraged by those projects 
        and activities; and
            ``(4) the activities of the Rural Infrastructure Bundling 
        Program under section 385E.''.

SEC. 103. RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``nonprofit 
        corporations,'' and all that follows through ``federally 
        recognized'' and inserting ``nonprofit corporations, rural 
        passenger transportation facilities, Indian tribes (as defined 
        in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
        Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)), and federally recognized''; 
        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Priority for co-located facilities.--In 
                evaluating applications for grants under subparagraph 
                (A), the Secretary shall give priority to a project 
                that co-locates social services facilities or 
                employment centers with passenger transportation 
                facilities.''.

SEC. 104. SIMPLIFICATION OF APPLICATION PROCESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consider ways to 
simplify and streamline the application processes for programs of the 
Department of Agriculture that provide loans, grants, or other 
financing for rural infrastructure, including by--
            (1) issuing a notice in the Federal Register requesting 
        public comment on ways to simplify and streamline those 
        application processes; and
            (2) evaluating the application processes of other Federal 
        agencies, such as the Economic Development Administration.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the 
period for public comment under subsection (a)(1) ends, the Secretary 
of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report describing the actions 
carried out, if any, to simplify and streamline the application 
processes referred to in subsection (a).

                   TITLE II--INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

SEC. 201. RURAL LIAISONS.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish Rural 
Liaisons to improve coordination and processes across Federal rural 
programs.
    (b) Designation.--
            (1) In general.--Each Federal agency described in paragraph 
        (2) shall designate a Rural Liaison within the office of the 
        head of the Federal agency.
            (2) Federal agencies.--The Federal agencies referred to in 
        paragraph (1) are--
                    (A) the Department of Transportation;
                    (B) the Department of Agriculture;
                    (C) the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development;
                    (D) the Small Business Administration;
                    (E) the Department of Education;
                    (F) the Department of Health and Human Services;
                    (G) the Department of Commerce;
                    (H) the Environmental Protection Agency;
                    (I) the Corps of Engineers;
                    (J) the Department of the Interior; and
                    (K) any other Federal agency that provides 
                financial assistance, including grants and credit 
                assistance, to rural communities for activities related 
                to rural infrastructure, as determined by the Secretary 
                of Agriculture.
    (c) Responsibilities.--A Rural Liaison designated under subsection 
(b)(1) shall--
            (1)(A) review regulations, guidance, and procedures of the 
        agency of the Rural Liaison;
            (B) identify any of those regulations, guidance, or 
        procedures that present a hardship for rural communities; and
            (C) recommend ways to streamline those regulations, 
        guidance, and procedures;
            (2) serve as ombudsperson for rural communities working 
        with the agency of the Rural Liaison to help address issues and 
        resolve problems;
            (3) meet regularly with Rural Liaisons of other Federal 
        agencies to coordinate efforts and identify ways to coordinate 
        to support rural infrastructure needs; and
            (4)(A) advise the head of the agency of the Rural Liaison 
        about rural issues; and
            (B) provide feedback to that head of the agency on the 
        rural impacts of potential activities of the agency.

SEC. 202. INTERAGENCY RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a task 
force (referred to in this section as the ``task force'') to examine 
ways to coordinate rural infrastructure programs and requirements 
across the Federal Government that support rural infrastructure 
development in order--
            (1) to maximize efficiency;
            (2) to leverage interagency resources; and
            (3) to simplify processes for rural applicants.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Federal members.--
                    (A) In general.--Each individual listed in 
                subparagraph (C) shall designate a member of the agency 
                in which the individual serves to serve on the task 
                force.
                    (B) Qualifications.--A member of the task force 
                designated under subparagraph (A) shall hold a position 
                in the agency of deputy secretary (or the equivalent) 
                or higher.
                    (C) Heads of agencies.--The individuals that shall 
                each designate a member of the task force under 
                subparagraph (A) are the following:
                            (i) The Secretary of Commerce.
                            (ii) The Secretary of Agriculture.
                            (iii) The Secretary of the Interior.
                            (iv) The Secretary of Transportation.
                            (v) The Secretary of Education.
                            (vi) The Secretary of Energy.
                            (vii) The Secretary of Health and Human 
                        Services.
                            (viii) The Administrator of the 
                        Environmental Protection Agency.
                            (ix) The Chairman of the Federal 
                        Communications Commission.
                            (x) The Administrator of the Small Business 
                        Administration.
            (2) State members.--The Secretary of Commerce shall appoint 
        to the task force not less than 2 representatives of State 
        rural development councils, based on--
                    (A) the expertise of the representative in Federal 
                infrastructure procedures; and
                    (B) geographic diversity.
    (c) Duties.--
            (1) In general.--The task force shall--
                    (A) examine ways to coordinate Federal programs and 
                Federal program requirements that support rural 
                infrastructure projects, including by developing a 
                proposed standardized application;
                    (B) develop, to the extent practicable, common 
                guidelines that may be used for rural funding or 
                financing programs across Federal agencies;
                    (C) identify opportunities to carry out activities 
                across Federal agencies to support rural infrastructure 
                needs; and
                    (D) provide rural communities guidance on--
                            (i) projects that would be likely to 
                        receive Federal assistance; and
                            (ii) the application process for those 
                        projects.
            (2) Public input.--In carrying out the duties of the task 
        force under paragraph (1)(A), the task force shall--
                    (A) solicit input from employees of Federal 
                agencies in field offices and regional offices; and
                    (B) provide an opportunity for public comment.
    (d) Report.--Not less frequently than annually, the task force 
shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the task force, 
including--
            (1) specific metrics of performance developed by the task 
        force for rural infrastructure investment and development; and
            (2) the progress of the task force toward those metrics of 
        performance.

               TITLE III--OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SEC. 301. RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING FLEXIBILITY.

    (a) TIFIA Program.--Section 603(b) of title 23, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph 
                (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (B) and (C)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Rural infrastructure projects.--In the case 
                of a rural infrastructure project, the amount of a 
                secured loan under this section shall not exceed the 
                lesser of--
                            ``(i) an amount equal to 67 percent of the 
                        reasonably anticipated eligible project costs; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) if the secured loan does not receive 
                        an investment-grade rating, the amount of the 
                        senior project obligations of the project.''; 
                        and
            (2) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding 
                clause (i), by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and 
                inserting ``subparagraphs (B) and (C)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Rural infrastructure projects.--In the case 
                of a rural infrastructure project, the final maturity 
                date of the secured loan shall be the earlier of--
                            ``(i) 40 years after the date of 
                        substantial completion of the rural 
                        infrastructure project; and
                            ``(ii) if the useful life of the rural 
                        infrastructure project is less than 40 years, 
                        the useful life of the rural infrastructure 
                        project.''.
    (b) WIFIA.--
            (1) Definitions.--Section 5022 of the Water Infrastructure 
        Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3901) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (15) 
                as paragraphs (11) through (16), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
            ``(10) Rural project.--The term `rural project' means a 
        project receiving financial assistance under this subtitle in 
        an area that is rural (as defined in section 3 of the 
        Reforming, Expanding, and Simplifying Investment for Local 
        Infrastructure to Enhance our Neighborhoods and Towns Act).''.
            (2) Terms and limitations.--Section 5029(b) of the Water 
        Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 
        3908(b)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
                        (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and 
                        indenting appropriately;
                            (ii) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as 
                        so redesignated), by striking ``The amount'' 
                        and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the amount''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Rural projects.--In the case of a rural 
                project, the amount of a secured loan under this 
                section shall not exceed the lesser of--
                            ``(i) an amount equal to 67 percent of the 
                        reasonably anticipated eligible project costs; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) if the secured loan does not receive 
                        an investment-grade rating, the amount of the 
                        senior project obligations of the project.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), in the matter 
                        preceding clause (i), by striking ``The final'' 
                        and inserting ``Except as provided in 
                        subparagraphs (B) and (C), the final''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Special rule for rural projects.--In the case 
                of a rural project, the final maturity date of a 
                secured loan under this section shall be the earlier 
                of--
                            ``(i) the date that is 40 years after the 
                        date of substantial completion of the relevant 
                        project (as determined by the Secretary or the 
                        Administrator, as applicable); and
                            ``(ii) if the useful life of the project 
                        (as determined by the Secretary or 
                        Administrator, as applicable) is less than 40 
                        years, the useful life the project.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (7)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting 
                        ``subparagraphs (B) and (C)''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Waiver.--On request of an eligible entity, 
                the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may 
                waive the application fee for--
                            ``(i) a small community water 
                        infrastructure project described in section 
                        5028(a)(2)(B); and
                            ``(ii) a rural project.''.
            (3) Outreach and strategy development.--
                    (A) In general.--The Water Infrastructure Finance 
                and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.) is 
                amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 5036. OUTREACH AND COORDINATION.

    ``(a) Outreach.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Administrator, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Agriculture, shall develop an outreach campaign to promote 
financial assistance under this subtitle to small communities described 
in section 5028(a)(2)(B) and communities in areas that are rural (as 
defined in section 3 of the Reforming, Expanding, and Simplifying 
Investment for Local Infrastructure to Enhance our Neighborhoods and 
Towns Act).
    ``(b) Coordinated Funding Strategy.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in 
        coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall develop a 
        coordinated strategy to ensure that, to the maximum extent 
        practicable, financial assistance under this subtitle 
        complements rural development assistance provided by the 
        Secretary of Agriculture.
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Administrator and the Secretary 
        of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report that 
        includes--
                    ``(A) a description of the coordinated strategy 
                developed under paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) a description of any steps taken to implement 
                that coordinated strategy; and
                    ``(C) any recommendations for legislative changes 
                to further improve coordination between this subtitle 
                and rural development assistance provided by the 
                Secretary of Agriculture.''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 
                (Public Law 113-121; 128 Stat. 1195) is amended--
                            (i) by striking the item relating to 
                        section 5034 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 5034. Reports on program implementation.'';
                         and
                            (ii) by inserting after the item relating 
                        to section 5035 the following:

``Sec. 5036. Outreach and coordination.''.

SEC. 302. DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) Federal Water Pollution Control Act.--Section 603 of the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (11)(B), by striking ``and'' at 
                the end;
                    (B) in paragraph (12)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by striking ``(j)'' and inserting ``(l)''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) to expand publicly owned treatment works to meet 
        demand due to expected population growth.'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``the lesser 
                of 30 years and the projected'' and inserting ``the 
                intended'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as 
                paragraphs (7) and (8), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) to provide technical assistance to wastewater 
        utilities, except that not more than 2 percent of the funds 
        annually allotted to the State under section 604 may be used to 
        provide that technical assistance.'';
            (3) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (l); and
            (4) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
    ``(j) Technical Assistance for Disadvantaged Communities.--
            ``(1) Definition of disadvantaged community.--In this 
        subsection, the term `disadvantaged community' means the 
        service area of a publicly owned treatment works that serves a 
        population of fewer than 10,000 individuals.
            ``(2) Technical assistance.--A State may, to provide 
        regional coordinators for 1 or more disadvantaged communities, 
        use any funds--
                    ``(A) set aside in the State water pollution 
                control revolving fund of the State for technical 
                assistance under subsection (d)(6); or
                    ``(B) provided to the State through a grant for 
                technical assistance under section 104.
    ``(k) Innovative Management, Procurement, and Ownership.--In 
determining whether to provide assistance to a project from the water 
pollution control revolving fund of the State, a State may consider 
whether the project would employ innovative management, procurement, or 
ownership arrangements.''.
    (b) Safe Drinking Water Act.--
            (1) Environmental finance centers reauthorization.--Section 
        1420(g)(4) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g-
        9(g)(4)) is amended by striking ``the fiscal years 1997 through 
        2003'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2021 through 2031''.
            (2) State revolving loan funds.--Section 1452 of the Safe 
        Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (G)(ii)(I)(aa), by 
                        striking ``subsection (d)(3)'' and inserting 
                        ``subsection (d)(1)''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) Future growth.--Funds made available under 
                this section may be used to assist a public water 
                system in expanding the public water system to meet 
                demand due to expected population growth.'';
                    (B) in subsection (b)(3)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in clause (ii), by striking 
                                ``and'' at the end;
                                    (II) in clause (iii), by striking 
                                the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                                and''; and
                                    (III) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(iv) facilitate regional system 
                        partnerships.''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Innovative management, procurement, and 
                ownership.--In establishing criteria for the 
                distribution of funds from the State loan fund, a State 
                may include in those criteria whether a project would 
                develop, employ, or establish innovative management, 
                procurement, or ownership arrangements.'';
                    (C) in subsection (d)--
                            (i) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                        ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``paragraph 
                        (2)'';
                            (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), 
                        and (3) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (1), 
                        respectively, and reordering those paragraphs 
                        so as to appear in numerical order; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Technical assistance.--A State may use any funds set 
        aside in the State loan fund of the State for technical 
        assistance to provide regional coordinators for 1 or more 
        disadvantaged communities.''; and
                    (D) in subsection (f)(1), by striking subparagraph 
                (C) and inserting the following:
                    ``(C) each loan shall have a term not to exceed the 
                intended design life of the project;''.
            (3) System partnership grants.--The Safe Drinking Water Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) is amended by adding after part F the 
        following:

                    ``PART G--ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

``SEC. 1471. SYSTEM PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) System in significant noncompliance.--The term 
        `system in significant noncompliance' means--
                    ``(A) a water system that is significantly 
                noncompliant with regulations with respect to drinking 
                water standards under this title; or
                    ``(B) a treatment works that is in significant 
                noncompliance with regulations with respect to effluent 
                limitations under title III of the Federal Water 
                Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311 et seq.).
            ``(2) Treatment works.--The term `treatment works' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 212 of the Federal Water 
        Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292).
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Administrator may, to bring a system in 
significant noncompliance into compliance with this title and with 
effluent limitations under title III of the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311 et seq.), as applicable, authorize the 
system in significant noncompliance to be incorporated into--
            ``(1) a community water system;
            ``(2) a noncommunity water system;
            ``(3) the system operated by an operator of multiple public 
        water systems; or
            ``(4) the system operated by an operator of multiple 
        treatment works.
    ``(c) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may provide grants 
        to--
                    ``(A) a system described in paragraph (1), (2), 
                (3), or (4) of subsection (b) that seeks to incorporate 
                a separate system in significant noncompliance under 
                that subsection to provide assistance in seeking that 
                incorporation; and
                    ``(B) a system in significant noncompliance that 
                seeks to be incorporated into a water system described 
                in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (b).
            ``(2) Amounts.--A grant under paragraph (1) shall be not 
        more than $1,000,000.
    ``(d) Grace Period.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this title or title III of the Federal Water Pollution Control 
        Act (33 U.S.C. 1311 et seq.) and subject to paragraph (2), the 
        Administrator may, to allow time to bring a system in 
        significant noncompliance into compliance with this title or 
        title III of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
        1311 et seq.), as applicable, suspend financial penalties for 
        noncompliance with this title or title III of the Federal Water 
        Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311 et seq.), as applicable, 
        for--
                    ``(A) a system in significant noncompliance; and
                    ``(B) a system described in paragraph (1), (2), 
                (3), or (4) of subsection (b) that has incorporated a 
                system in significant noncompliance.
            ``(2) Term.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the Administrator may suspend the 
                penalties described in paragraph (1) for a period of 
                not more than 180 days.
                    ``(B) Extension.--The Administrator may, at the 
                discretion of the Administrator, extend the period 
                described in subparagraph (A) after a period during 
                which the Administrator provides notice of the proposed 
                extension and an opportunity for public comment.
            ``(3) Regulations.--The Administrator shall, after 
        providing notice and an opportunity for public comment, 
        promulgate regulations to carry out paragraph (1).''.
            (4) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 1459A(c)(2)(A) of the Safe Drinking 
                Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-19a(c)(2)(A)) is amended in 
                the matter preceding clause (i) by striking 
                ``1452(d)(3)'' and inserting ``1452(d)(1)''.
                    (B) Section 1459B of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 300j-19b) is amended by striking 
                ``1452(d)(3)'' each place it appears and inserting 
                ``1452(d)(1)''.
    (c) Audits and Studies.--
            (1) Barriers to drinking water and clean water system 
        regionalization.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator of the 
                Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this 
                subsection as the ``Administrator''), in consultation 
                with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall conduct an 
                audit with respect to the barriers to drinking water 
                and wastewater system regionalization.
                    (B) Inclusions.--In conducting the audit under 
                subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall focus on--
                            (i) regulatory impediments to--
                                    (I) merging system operations;
                                    (II) issuing multi-system or 
                                coordinated project procurements;
                                    (III) accessing Federal funding and 
                                financing; and
                                    (IV) forgiving or consolidating 
                                outstanding debt; and
                            (ii) the alignment and coordination of 
                        regionalized technical assistance and guidance 
                        among Federal agencies and contracted technical 
                        assistance partners and providers.
                    (C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
                of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
                submit to Congress a report that--
                            (i) describes the results of the audit 
                        under subparagraph (A); and
                            (ii) includes legislative and regulatory 
                        recommendations necessary to better facilitate 
                        drinking water and clean water system 
                        partnerships in rural areas.
            (2) Cooperative procurement study.--
                    (A) In general.--The Comptroller General of the 
                United States shall conduct, and submit to Congress a 
                report describing the results of, a study with respect 
                to the use of cooperative or joint procurement among 
                water and wastewater systems in rural areas.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The study under subparagraph (A) 
                shall include--
                            (i) the extent to which rural water and 
                        wastewater systems are currently conducting 
                        joint or cooperative procurements;
                            (ii) the costs and benefits of using a 
                        cooperative or joint procurement approach in 
                        rural areas;
                            (iii) the barriers to water and wastewater 
                        systems in rural areas in using cooperative or 
                        joint procurements; and
                            (iv) recommendations with respect to ways 
                        that the Federal Government can encourage 
                        greater use of cooperative and joint 
                        procurements among water and wastewater systems 
                        in rural areas.
            (3) Cross-cutting federal requirements study.--Not later 
        than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the relevant committees of 
        Congress a report describing potential legislative and 
        regulatory options for minimizing the costs related to cross-
        cutting Federal requirements (such as the requirements under 
        section 608 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
        U.S.C. 1388), section 1452(a)(4) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 300j-12(a)(4)), and similar requirements) in 
        projects in rural areas that use funds from--
                    (A) a State water pollution control revolving fund 
                established under title VI of the Federal Water 
                Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.); or
                    (B) a State drinking water treatment revolving loan 
                fund established under section 1452 of the Safe 
                Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12).

SEC. 303. SOLICITATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONDUCTING WATER AUDITS 
              WITH REAC INSPECTIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in 
coordination with each State housing finance agency that participates 
in the Interagency Physical Inspection Alignment Initiative, shall 
solicit public comment on the costs and benefits of conducting water 
audits in conjunction with inspections of multifamily properties by the 
Real Estate Assessment Center.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the 
period for public comment under subsection (a) ends, the Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development and each State housing finance agency 
described in that subsection shall submit to Congress a report 
describing the actions carried out, if any, to conduct water audits as 
described in that subsection.

                        TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 401. EFFECT OF DEFINITION.

    Nothing in the definition of the term ``rural'' in section 3 
affects any provision of law defining eligibility for any program for 
rural infrastructure projects in existence as of the date of enactment 
of this Act.

SEC. 402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
                                 <all>