[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 137 (Monday, August 2, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5607-S5608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 2191. Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Braun) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2137 proposed by Mr. 
Schumer (for Ms. Sinema (for herself, Mr. Portman, Mr. Manchin, Mr. 
Cassidy, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Collins, Mr. Tester, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. 
Warner, and Mr. Romney)) to the bill H.R. 3684, to authorize funds for 
Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

        Strike section 25010 of division B and insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 25010. RURAL INVESTMENT.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Advisory board.--The term ``Advisory Board'' means the 
     Rural Transportation Advisory Board established under 
     subsection (d)(1).
       (2) Build america bureau.--The term ``Build America 
     Bureau'' means the National Surface Transportation and 
     Innovative Finance Bureau established under section 116 of 
     title 49, United States Code.
       (3) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Rural 
     Investment Council established under subsection (c)(1).
       (4) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director for 
     Rural Investment appointed under subsection (b)(3)(A).
       (5) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office of Rural 
     Investment established under subsection (b)(1).
       (6) Rural community.--The term ``rural community'' means--
       (A) a community, including a historically disadvantaged 
     community, located in a rural area;
       (B) a federally recognized Indian Tribe; and
       (C) a historically disadvantaged community located in a 
     Tribal area.
       (b) Office of Rural Investment.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department, within the Office of the Secretary, an Office of 
     Rural Investment--
       (A) to improve the analysis of projects proposed by rural 
     communities applying for discretionary grants from the 
     Department, including by ensuring that project costs, local 
     resources, and the larger benefits to the people and the 
     economy of the United States are appropriately considered;
       (B) to ensure that the unique needs and attributes of rural 
     transportation, involving all modes, are fully addressed and 
     prioritized during the development and implementation of 
     transportation policies, programs, and activities within the 
     Department;
       (C)(i) to improve coordination of Federal transportation 
     policies, programs, and activities within the Department in a 
     manner that expands economic development in rural communities 
     and regions; and
       (ii) to provide recommendations for improvement, including 
     additional internal realignments;
       (D) to expand Federal transportation infrastructure 
     investment in rural communities and regions, including by 
     providing recommendations for changes in existing funding 
     distribution patterns;
       (E) to use innovation to resolve local and regional 
     transportation challenges faced by rural communities and 
     regions;
       (F) to promote and improve planning and coordination among 
     rural communities and regions to maximize the unique 
     competitive advantage in those locations while avoiding 
     duplicative Federal, State and local investments; and
       (G) to ensure that all rural communities and regions 
     lacking resources receive proactive outreach, education, and 
     technical assistance to improve access to Federal 
     transportation programs.
       (2) Objectives.--The Office shall--
       (A) collect input from knowledgeable entities and the 
     public on--
       (i) the benefits of rural and Tribal transportation 
     projects;
       (ii) the technical and financial assistance required for 
     constructing and operating rural and Tribal transportation 
     infrastructure and services;
       (iii) barriers and opportunities to funding rural and 
     Tribal transportation projects;
       (iv) unique transportation barriers and challenges facing 
     historically disadvantaged communities in rural and Tribal 
     areas; and
       (v) unique environmental transportation issues for rural 
     communities and Tribal communities;
       (B) evaluate data on rural and Tribal transportation 
     challenges and determine methods to align the discretionary 
     funding and financing opportunities of the Department with 
     the needs of rural communities and Tribal communities for 
     meeting national transportation goals; and
       (C) educate rural communities and Tribal communities about 
     applicable Department discretionary grants, develop effective 
     methods to evaluate projects in those communities in 
     discretionary grant programs, and communicate those methods 
     through program guidance.
       (3) Leadership.--
       (A) In general.--The Office shall be headed by a Director 
     for Rural Investment who shall be appointed by, and report 
     directly to, the Secretary.
       (B) Duties of the director.--The Director shall--
       (i) be responsible for engaging in activities to carry 
     out--

       (I) the mission of the Office described in paragraph (1); 
     and
       (II) the objectives of the Office described in paragraph 
     (2);

       (ii) organize, guide, and lead activities within the 
     Department to address disparities in rural transportation 
     infrastructure to improve safety, economic development, and 
     quality of life in rural communities and regions;
       (iii) provide information and outreach to rural communities 
     and regions concerning the availability and eligibility 
     requirements of participating in programs of the Department;
       (iv) help rural communities and regions--

       (I) identify competitive economic advantages and 
     transportation investments that ensure continued economic 
     growth; and
       (II) avoid duplicative transportation investments;

       (v) serve as a resource for assisting rural communities and 
     regions with respect to Federal transportation programs;
       (vi) identify--

       (I) Federal statutes, regulations, and polices that may 
     impede the Department from supporting effective rural 
     infrastructure projects that address national transportation 
     goals; and
       (II) potential measures to solve or mitigate those issues;

       (vii) identify improved, simplified, and streamlined 
     internal processes to help limited-resource rural communities 
     and regions access transportation investments;
       (viii) recommend changes and initiatives for the Secretary 
     to consider;
       (ix) ensure and coordinate a routine rural consultation on 
     the development of policies, programs, and activities of the 
     Department;
       (x) serve as an advocate within the Department on behalf of 
     rural communities and regions; and
       (xi) work in coordination with the Department of 
     Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, the 
     Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications 
     Commission, and other Federal agencies, as the Secretary 
     determines to be appropriate, in carrying out the duties 
     described in clauses (i) through (x).
       (4) Contracts and agreements.--For the purpose of carrying 
     out the mission of the Office under paragraph (1) and the 
     objectives of the Office under paragraph (2), the Secretary 
     may enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other 
     agreements as necessary, including with research centers, 
     institutions of higher education, States, units of local 
     government, nonprofit organizations, or a combination of any 
     of those entities--
       (A) to conduct research on transportation investments that 
     promote rural economic development;
       (B) to solicit information in the development of policy, 
     programs, and activities of the Department that can improve 
     infrastructure investment and economic development in rural 
     communities and regions;
       (C) to develop educational and outreach materials, 
     including the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified 
     training for rural communities and regions that can further 
     the mission and objectives of the Office and the mission and 
     goals of the Department; and
       (D) to carry out any other activities, as determined by the 
     Secretary to be appropriate.
       (5) Grants.--
       (A) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out the 
     mission of the Office under paragraph (1) and the objectives 
     of the Office

[[Page S5608]]

     under paragraph (2), the Secretary may award competitive 
     grants to an entity described in subparagraph (B) to support 
     expanded education, outreach, and technical assistance to 
     rural communities and regions.
       (B) Entity described.--An entity referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) is a nonprofit organization or an 
     institution of higher education that has not less than 3 
     years of experience providing meaningful transportation 
     technical assistance or advocacy services to rural 
     communities and regions.
       (6) Employees.--The Secretary shall ensure that not more 
     than 4 full-time equivalent employees are assigned to the 
     Office.
       (c) Rural Investment Council.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a Rural 
     Investment Council--
       (A) to assist the Secretary in organizing the Office;
       (B) to provide guidance to the Office;
       (C) to assist the Director in leading the Office; and
       (D) to work with the Office to coordinate rural-related and 
     Tribal-related funding programs and assistance among the 
     modal administrations of the Department.
       (2) Membership.--
       (A) In general.--The Council shall be composed of the 
     following officers of the Department, or their designees:
       (i) The Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy.
       (ii) The General Counsel.
       (iii) The Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary 
     for Budget and Programs.
       (iv) The Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.
       (v) The Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight.
       (vi) The Administrators of--

       (I) the Federal Aviation Administration;
       (II) the Federal Highway Administration;
       (III) the Federal Railroad Administration; and
       (IV) the Federal Transit Administration.

       (vii) The Executive Director of the Build America Bureau.
       (viii) The Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs.
       (B) Chair.--The Under Secretary of Transportation for 
     Policy shall be the Chair of the Council.
       (C) Additional members.--The Secretary or the Chair of the 
     Council may designate additional members to serve on the 
     Council.
       (3) Additional modal input.--To address issues related to 
     safety and transport of rural and Tribal commodities, the 
     Council shall consult with the Administrators (or their 
     designees) of--
       (A) the Maritime Administration;
       (B) the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development 
     Corporation; and
       (C) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
       (4) Duties.--Members of the Council shall--
       (A) participate in all meetings and relevant Council 
     activities and be prepared to share information relevant to 
     rural and Tribal transportation infrastructure projects and 
     issues;
       (B) provide guidance and leadership on rural and Tribal 
     transportation infrastructure issues and represent the work 
     of the Council and the Department on those issues to external 
     stakeholders; and
       (C) recommend initiatives to the Chair of the Council to 
     consider, establish, and staff any resulting activities or 
     working groups.
       (5) Meetings.--The Council shall meet bimonthly.
       (6) Work products and deliverables.--The Council may 
     develop work products or deliverables to meet the goals of 
     the Council, including--
       (A) an annual report to Congress describing Council 
     activities for the past year and expected activities for the 
     coming year;
       (B) any recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of 
     Department discretionary grant programs regarding rural and 
     Tribal infrastructure issues; and
       (C) other guides and reports for relevant groups and the 
     public.
       (d) Rural Transportation Advisory Board.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a Rural 
     Transportation Advisory Board to consult with and advise the 
     Office.
       (2) Membership.--
       (A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall be composed of 15 
     members, appointed by the Secretary from among individuals 
     with direct experience with rural issues, of whom--
       (i) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from an 
     institution of higher education or extension program;
       (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from an 
     organization promoting business and economic development, 
     such as a chamber of commerce, a local government 
     institution, or a planning organization;
       (iii) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from a 
     financing entity;
       (iv) not fewer than 1 shall have experience in health, 
     mobility, or emergency services;
       (v) not fewer than 1 shall have experience in 
     transportation safety;
       (vi) not fewer than 1 shall have experience with workforce 
     access;
       (vii) not fewer than 1 shall have experience with tourism 
     and recreational activities;
       (viii) not fewer than 1 shall have--

       (I) experience with rural supply chains, such as direct-to-
     consumer supply chains; and
       (II) wholesale distribution experience;

       (ix) not fewer than 1 shall have experience in emerging or 
     innovative technologies relating to rural transportation 
     networks;
       (x) not fewer than 1 shall have experience in food, 
     nutrition, and grocery access;
       (xi) not fewer than 1 shall be actively engaged in 
     agriculture, ranching, or forestry; and
       (xii) not fewer than 1 shall have experience with 
     historically underserved regions, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       (B) Requirement.--The Secretary shall appoint members to 
     the Advisory Board in a manner that ensures, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, that the geographic and economic 
     diversity of rural communities and regions of the United 
     States are represented.
       (C) Timing of initial appointments.--Not later than 180 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
     shall appoint the initial members of the Advisory Board.
       (D) Period of appointments.--
       (i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), a 
     member of the Advisory Board shall be appointed for a term of 
     3 years.
       (ii) Initial appointments.--Of the members first appointed 
     to the Advisory Board --

       (I) 5, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed 
     for a term of 3 years;
       (II) 5, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed 
     for a term of 2 years; and
       (III) 5, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed 
     for a term of 1 year.

       (E) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Advisory Board --
       (i) shall not affect the power of the Advisory Board; and
       (ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable and in the same 
     manner as the original appointment.
       (F) Consecutive terms.--An appointee to the Advisory Board 
     may serve 1 additional, consecutive term if the member is 
     reappointed by the Secretary.
       (3) Meetings.--
       (A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall meet not less 
     than twice per year, as determined by the Secretary.
       (B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date on which the initial members of the Advisory Board are 
     appointed under paragraph (2)(C), the Advisory Board shall 
     hold the first meeting of the Advisory Board.
       (4) Duties.--
       (A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall--
       (i) advise the Office on issues related to rural needs 
     relating to Federal transportation programs;
       (ii) evaluate and review ongoing research activities 
     relating to rural transportation networks, including new and 
     emerging barriers to economic development and access to 
     investments;
       (iii) develop recommendations for any changes to Federal 
     law, regulations, internal Department policies or guidance, 
     or other measures that would eliminate barriers for rural 
     access or improve rural equity in transportation investments;
       (iv) examine methods of maximizing the number of 
     opportunities for assistance for rural communities and 
     regions under Federal transportation programs, including 
     expanded outreach and technical assistance;
       (v) examine methods of encouraging intergovernmental and 
     local resource cooperation to mitigate duplicative 
     investments in key rural communities and regions and improve 
     the efficiencies in the delivery of Federal transportation 
     programs;
       (vi) evaluate other methods of creating new opportunities 
     for rural communities and regions; and
       (vii) address any other relevant issues, as the Secretary 
     determines to be appropriate.
       (B) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
     the initial members of the Advisory Board are appointed under 
     paragraph (2)(C), and every 2 years thereafter through 2026, 
     the Advisory Board shall submit to the Secretary and the 
     relevant committees of Congress a report describing the 
     recommendations developed under subparagraph (A)(iii).
       (5) Personnel matters.--
       (A) Compensation.--A member of the Advisory Board shall 
     serve without compensation.
       (B) Travel expenses.--A member of the Advisory Board shall 
     be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, 
     United States Code.
       (6) Termination.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Advisory 
     Board shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the 
     date on which the initial members are appointed under 
     paragraph (2)(C).
       (B) Extension.--Before the date on which the Advisory Board 
     terminates, the Secretary may renew the Advisory Board for 1 
     or more 2-year periods.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $7,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
                                 ______