[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4673-S4676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3330. Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself and Mr. Portman) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill H.R. 2, to provide
for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of
the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of subtitle C of title VI, add the following:
SEC. 63__. COUNCIL ON RURAL COMMUNITY INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) 16 percent of the population of the United States lives
in rural counties.
(2) Strong, sustainable rural communities are essential to
future prosperity and ensuring United States competitiveness
in the years ahead.
(3) Rural communities supply the food, fiber, and energy of
the United States, safeguard the natural resources of the
United States, and are essential to the development of
science and innovation.
(4) Though rural communities face numerous challenges, they
also present enormous economic potential.
(5) The Federal Government has an important role to play in
expanding access to the capital necessary for economic
growth, promoting innovation, increasing energy resiliency
and reliability, improving access to health care and
education, and expanding outdoor recreational activities on
public land.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enhance the
efforts of the Federal Government to address the needs of
rural areas in the United States by--
(1) establishing a council to better coordinate Federal
programs directed to rural communities;
(2) maximizing the impact of Federal investment to promote
economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities
in the United States; and
(3) using innovation to resolve local and regional
challenges faced by rural communities.
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(c) Establishment.--There is established a Council on Rural
Community Innovation and Economic Development (referred to in
this section as the ``Council'').
(d) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The membership of the Council shall be
composed of the heads of the following executive branch
departments, agencies, and offices:
(A) The Department of Agriculture.
(B) The Department of the Treasury.
(C) The Department of Defense.
(D) The Department of Justice.
(E) The Department of the Interior.
(F) The Department of Commerce.
(G) The Department of Labor.
(H) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(I) The Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(J) The Department of Transportation.
(K) The Department of Energy.
(L) The Department of Education.
(M) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
(N) The Department of Homeland Security.
(O) The Environmental Protection Agency.
(P) The Federal Communications Commission.
(Q) The Office of Management and Budget.
(R) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(S) The Office of National Drug Control Policy.
(T) The Council of Economic Advisers.
(U) The Domestic Policy Council.
(V) The National Economic Council.
(W) The Small Business Administration.
(X) The Council on Environmental Quality.
(Y) The White House Office of Public Engagement.
(Z) The White House Office of Cabinet Affairs.
(AA) Such other executive branch departments, agencies, and
offices as the President or the Secretary may, from time to
time, designate.
(2) Chair.--The Secretary shall serve as the Chair of the
Council.
(3) Designees.--A member of the Council may designate, to
perform the Council functions of the member, a senior-level
official who is--
(A) part of the department, agency, or office of the
member; and
(B) a full-time officer or employee of the Federal
Government.
(4) Administration.--The Council shall coordinate policy
development through the rural development mission area.
(e) Funding.--The Secretary shall provide funding and
administrative support for the Council to the extent
permitted by law and within existing appropriations.
(f) Mission and Function of the Council.--The Council shall
work across executive departments, agencies, and offices to
coordinate development of policy recommendations--
(1) to maximize the impact of Federal investment of rural
communities;
(2) to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in
rural communities; and
(3) to use innovation to resolve local and regional
challenges faced by rural communities.
(g) Duties.--The Council shall--
(1) make recommendations to the President, acting through
the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Director
of the National Economic Council, on streamlining and
leveraging Federal investments in rural areas, where
appropriate, to increase the impact of Federal dollars and
create economic opportunities to improve the quality of life
in rural areas in the United States;
(2) coordinate and increase the effectiveness of Federal
engagement with rural stakeholders, including agricultural
organizations, small businesses, education and training
institutions, health-care providers, telecommunications
services providers, electric service providers,
transportation providers, research and land grant
institutions, law enforcement, State, local, and tribal
governments, and nongovernmental organizations regarding the
needs of rural areas in the United States;
(3) coordinate Federal efforts directed toward the growth
and development of rural geographic regions that encompass
both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas;
(4) identify and facilitate rural economic opportunities
associated with energy development, outdoor recreation, and
other conservation related activities; and
(5) identify common economic and social challenges faced by
rural communities that could be served through--
(A) better coordination of existing Federal and non-Federal
resources; and
(B) innovative solutions utilizing governmental and
nongovernmental resources.
(h) Executive Departments and Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The heads of executive departments and
agencies shall assist and provide information to the Council,
consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry
out the functions of the Council.
(2) Expenses.--Each executive department or agency shall be
responsible for paying any expenses of the executive
department or agency for participating in the Council.
(i) Report on Rural Smart Communities.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
establishment of the Council, the Council shall submit to
Congress a report describing efforts of rural areas to
integrate ``smart'' technology into their communities to
solve challenges relating to energy, transportation, health
care, law enforcement, housing, or other relevant local
issues, as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Smart rural communities.--The report under paragraph
(1) shall include a description of efforts of rural
communities to apply innovative and advanced technologies and
related mechanisms (such as telecommunications, energy,
transportation, housing, economic development)--
(A) to improve the health and quality of life of residents;
(B) to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of
civic operations and services, including public safety and
other vital public functions;
(C) to promote economic growth;
(D) to enhance the use of electricity in the community and
reduce pollution; and
(E) to create a more sustainable and resilient community.
(3) Other inclusions.--The report under paragraph (1) shall
include--
(A) an analysis of efforts to integrate ``smart''
technology into rural communities across the United States;
(B) an analysis of barriers and challenges faced by rural
areas in integrating ``smart'' technology into their
communities;
(C) an analysis of Federal efforts to assist rural areas
with the development and integration of ``smart'' technology
into rural communities;
(D) recommendations, if any, on how to improve coordination
and deployment of Federal efforts to assist rural areas
develop and integrate ``smart'' technology into their
communities;
(E) recommendations, if any, on how rural areas developing
``smart'' communities can better leverage private sector
resources; and
(F) guidelines that establish best practices for rural
areas that desire to use ``smart'' technology to overcome
local challenges.
(j) Review of Public Benefit to Rural Communities on the
Creation of Rural Smart Community Demonstration Projects.--
(1) In general.--On completion of the report under
subsection (i)(1), the Council shall review the benefits of
the creation of a rural smart community demonstration
projects program for the purposes of coordinating Department
of Agriculture rural development, housing, energy, and
telecommunication programs, and other Federal programs
specific to rural communities, to expand innovative
technologies and address local challenges specific to rural
communities.
(2) Inclusions.--In the review under paragraph (1) the
Council shall determine whether a rural smart community
demonstration projects program would--
(A) demonstrate smart community technologies that can be
adapted and repeated by other rural communities;
(B) encourage public, private, local, or regional best
practices that can be replicated by other rural communities;
(C) encourage private sector innovation and investment in
rural communities;
(D) promote a skilled workforce; and
(E) promote standards that allow for the measurement and
validation of the cost savings and performance improvements
associated with the installation and use of smart community
technologies and practices.
(k) Rural Smart Community Resource Guide.--
(1) In general.--The Council shall create, publish, and
maintain a resource guide designed to assist States and other
rural communities in developing and implementing rural smart
community programs.
(2) Inclusions.--A resource guide under paragraph (1) may
include--
(A) a compilation of existing related Federal and non-
Federal programs available to rural communities, including
technical assistance, education, training, research and
development, analysis, and funding;
(B) available examples of local rural communities engaging
private sector entities to implement smart community
solutions, including public-private partnership models that
could be used to leverage private sector funding to solve
similar local challenges;
(C) available examples of proven methods for local rural
communities to facilitate integration of smart technologies
with new and existing infrastructure and systems;
(D) best practices and lessons learned from demonstration
projects, including return on investment and performance
information to help other rural communities decide how to
initiate integration of smart technologies; and
(E) such other topics as are requested by industry entities
or local governments or determined to be necessary by the
Council.
(3) Utilization of existing guides.--In creating,
publishing, and maintaining the guide under paragraph (1),
the Council shall consider Federal, State, and local guides
already published relating to smart community goals,
activities, and best practices--
(A) to prevent duplication of efforts by the Federal
Government; and
(B) to leverage existing complementary efforts.
(4) Resource guide outreach.--The Council shall conduct
outreach to States, counties, communities, and other relevant
entities--
(A) to provide interested stakeholders with the guide
published under paragraph (1);
(B) to promote the consideration of smart community
technologies and encourage States and local governments to
contribute rural smart community program and activity
information to the guide published under paragraph (1);
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(C) to identify--
(i) barriers to rural smart community technology adoption;
and
(ii) any research, development, and assistance that is
needed that could be included in the guide published under
paragraph (1);
(D) to respond to requests for assistance, advice, or
consultation from rural communities; and
(E) for other purposes, as identified by the Council.
(5) Subsequent resource guides.--The Council shall issue an
update to the guide published under paragraph (1) every 5
years.
(l) Rural Broadband Integration Working Group.--
(1) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(A) Access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury
and is a necessity for United States families, businesses,
and consumers.
(B) Affordable, reliable access to high-speed broadband is
critical to United States economic growth and
competitiveness.
(C) High-speed broadband enables the people of the United
States to use the Internet in new ways, expands access to
health services and education, increases the productivity of
businesses, and drives innovation throughout the digital
ecosystem.
(D) The private sector and Federal, State, and local
governments have made substantial investments to expand
broadband access in the United States, but more must be done
to improve the availability and quality of high-speed
broadband, particularly in areas lacking competitive choices.
(E) Today, more than 50,000,000 people of the United States
cannot purchase a wired broadband connection at speeds that
the Federal Communications Commission has defined as the
minimum for adequate broadband service, and only 29 percent
of people of the United States can choose from more than 1
service provider at that speed.
(F) As a result of the statistics described in subparagraph
(E), the costs, benefits, and availability of high-speed
broadband Internet are not evenly distributed, with
considerable variation among States and between urban and
rural areas.
(G) The Federal Government has an important role to play in
developing coordinated policies to promote broadband
deployment and adoption, including promoting best practices,
breaking down regulatory barriers, and encouraging further
investment, which will help deliver higher quality, lower
cost broadband to more families, businesses, and communities
and allow communities to benefit fully from those
investments.
(2) Policy.--
(A) In general.--It is the policy of the Federal Government
for executive departments and agencies having statutory
authorities applicable to broadband deployment (referred to
in this subsection as the ``agencies'') to use all available
and appropriate authorities--
(i) to identify and address regulatory barriers that may
unduly impede either wired broadband deployment or the
infrastructure to augment wireless broadband deployment;
(ii) to encourage further public and private investment in
broadband networks and services;
(iii) to promote the adoption and meaningful use of
broadband technology; and
(iv) to otherwise encourage or support broadband
deployment, competition, and adoption in ways that promote
the public interest.
(B) Priorities.--In carrying out the policy under
subparagraph (A), the agencies shall focus on--
(i) opportunities to promote broadband adoption and
competition through incentives to new entrants in the market
for broadband services;
(ii) modernizing regulations;
(iii) accurately measuring real-time broadband availability
and speeds;
(iv) increasing broadband access for underserved
communities, including in rural areas;
(v) exploring opportunities to reduce costs for potential
low-income users; and
(vi) other possible measures, including supporting State,
local, and Tribal governments interested in encouraging or
investing in high-speed broadband networks.
(C) Effect.--In carrying out the policy under subparagraph
(A), the agencies shall ensure that existing and planned
Federal, State, local, and Tribal government missions and
capabilities for delivering services to the public, including
those missions and capabilities relating to national
security, public safety, and emergency response, are
maintained.
(D) Coordination.--The agencies shall coordinate the policy
under subparagraph (A) through the Rural Broadband
Integration Working Group established under paragraph (3).
(3) Establishment of rural broadband integration working
group.--
(A) In general.--There is established the Rural Broadband
Integration Working Group (referred to in this subsection as
the ``Working Group'').
(B) Membership.--The membership of the Working Group shall
be composed of the heads, or their designees, of--
(i) the Department of Agriculture;
(ii) the Department of Commerce;
(iii) the Department of Defense;
(iv) the Department of State;
(v) the Department of the Interior;
(vi) the Department of Labor;
(vii) the Department of Health and Human Services;
(viii) the Department of Homeland Security;
(ix) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(x) the Department of Justice;
(xi) the Department of Transportation;
(xii) the Department of the Treasury;
(xiii) the Department of Energy;
(xiv) the Department of Education;
(xv) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(xvi) the Environmental Protection Agency;
(xvii) the General Services Administration;
(xviii) the Small Business Administration;
(xix) the Institute of Museum and Library Services;
(xx) the National Science Foundation;
(xxi) the Council on Environmental Quality;
(xxii) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
(xxiii) the Office of Management and Budget;
(xxiv) the Council of Economic Advisers;
(xxv) the Domestic Policy Council;
(xxvi) the National Economic Council; and
(xxvii) such other Federal agencies or entities as are
determined appropriate in accordance with subparagraph (E).
(C) Co-chairs.--The Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce
shall serve as the Co-Chairs of the Working Group.
(D) Consultation; coordination.--
(i) Consultation.--The Working Group shall consult, as
appropriate, with other relevant agencies, including the
Federal Communications Commission.
(ii) Coordination.--The Working Group shall coordinate with
existing Federal working groups and committees involved with
broadband.
(E) Membership changes.--
(i) In general.--The Director of the National Economic
Council and the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall review, on a periodic basis, the
membership of the Working Group to ensure that the Working
Group--
(I) includes necessary Federal Government entities; and
(II) is an effective mechanism for coordinating among
agencies on the policy described in paragraph (2).
(ii) Changes.--The Director of the National Economic
Council and the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy may add or remove members of the Council,
as appropriate, based on the review under clause (i).
(4) Functions of the working group.--
(A) Consultation.--As permitted by law, the members of the
Working Group shall consult with State, local, Tribal, and
territorial governments, telecommunications companies,
utilities, trade associations, philanthropic entities, policy
experts, and other interested parties to identify and assess
regulatory barriers described in paragraphs (1)(G) and
(2)(A)(i) and opportunities described in clauses (i) and (v)
of paragraph (2)(B) to determine possible actions relating to
those barriers and opportunities.
(B) Point of contact.--Not later than 15 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, each member of the Working
Group shall--
(i) designate a representative to serve as the main point
of contact for matters relating to the Working Group; and
(ii) notify the Co-Chairs of the Working Group of that
designee.
(C) Survey.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the members of the Working Group shall
submit to the Working Group a comprehensive survey of--
(I) Federal programs, including the allocated funding
amounts, that currently support or could reasonably be
modified to support broadband deployment and adoption; and
(II) all agency-specific policies and rules with the direct
or indirect effect of facilitating or regulating investment
in or deployment of wired and wireless broadband networks.
(ii) Exclusion.--Spectrum allocation decisions affecting
broadband deployment and other policies relating to spectrum
allocation--
(I) are excluded from--
(aa) the survey under clause (i); and
(bb) the matters of the Working Group; and
(II) shall continue in accordance with the Presidential
Memorandum of June 14, 2013 (Expanding America's Leadership
in Wireless Innovation).
(D) List of actions.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the members of the Working
Group shall submit to the Working Group an initial list of
actions that each of the agencies could take to identify and
address regulatory barriers, incentivize investment, promote
best practices, align funding decisions, and otherwise
support wired broadband deployment and adoption.
(E) Report.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 150 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, after not fewer than 2 meetings of the
full Working Group, the Working Group shall submit to the
President, acting through the Director of the National
Economic Council, a coordinated, agreed-to, and prioritized
list of recommendations of the Working Group on actions that
agencies can take to support broadband deployment and
adoption.
(ii) Inclusions.--The recommendations under clause (i)
shall include--
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(I) a list of priority actions and rulemakings; and
(II) timelines to complete the priority actions and
rulemakings under subclause (I).
(m) General Provisions.--
(1) Effect.--Nothing in this section--
(A) impairs or otherwise affects--
(i) the authority granted by law to a department or agency,
or the head thereof;
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative,
or legislative proposals; or
(iii) the authority of the Federal Communications
Commission concerning spectrum allocation decisions;
(B) requires the disclosure of classified information, law
enforcement sensitive information, or other information that
shall be protected in the interests of national security; or
(C) creates any right or benefit, substantive or
procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party
against the United States, any Federal department, agency, or
entity, any officer, employee, or agent, of the United
States, or any other person.
(2) Implementation.--This section shall be implemented
consistent with applicable law and subject to the
availability of appropriations.
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