[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2243-S2244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1463. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Mr. Tillis) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 914, to amend 
the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act 
to reauthorize programs under those Acts, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

     SEC. 1__. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR RURAL WATER SYSTEMS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
     rural water, wastewater, or waste disposal facility with 
     respect to which assistance may be provided under a water, 
     wastewater, or waste disposal program under section 306(a), 
     306A, 306C, or 306D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a), 1926a, 1926c, 1926d).
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       (b) Emergency Assistance.--The Secretary may--
       (1) provide a grant, a zero percent interest loan, or a 1 
     percent interest loan to, forgive principal or interest or 
     modify any term or condition of an outstanding loan made to, 
     or refinance part or all of any other loan (if the purpose of 
     the loan is an eligible purpose under section 306(a)(1) or 
     306C of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1926(a)(1), 1926c)) made to, an eligible entity; or
       (2) reduce or eliminate any fee that is or would otherwise 
     be required to be paid under section 306(a)(1) of that Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1926(a)(1)) with respect to a loan guarantee provided 
     to an eligible entity, on the condition that the eligible 
     entity receives the benefit resulting from the reduction or 
     elimination of the fee.
       (c) Level of Assistance.--The Secretary may provide 
     assistance to an eligible entity under subsection (b) as the 
     Secretary determines is necessary--
       (1) to ensure that the eligible entity has the necessary 
     resources to maintain public health, safety, or order;
       (2) to address financial hardships of the eligible entity 
     due to the COVID-19 public health emergency; or
       (3) to promote the financial stability of the eligible 
     entity.

[[Page S2244]]

       (d) Use of Assistance.--An eligible entity to which 
     assistance is provided under subsection (b) may use the 
     assistance--
       (1) for any purpose for which the eligible entity is 
     eligible for assistance under the relevant provision of law 
     referred to in subsection (a)(1); or
       (2) for any direct operational expenses incurred by the 
     eligible entity, as determined by the Secretary.
       (e) Appropriation.--
       (1) In general.--Out of any amounts in the Treasury not 
     otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the 
     Secretary $1,000,000,000 to carry out this section.
       (2) Reservation for administrative expenses.--The Secretary 
     shall reserve 3 percent of the amount appropriated by 
     paragraph (1) for administrative expenses incurred by the 
     Secretary in carrying out this section.
       (3) Availability.--The amount appropriated by paragraph (1) 
     shall remain available through December 31, 2022.
                                 ______