SEC. 6001. Water, Waste Disposal, and Wastewater Facility Grants.
Section 306(a)(2)(B)(vii) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(2)(B)(vii)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
Title VI — Rural Development
TITLE VI Rural Development
Subtitle A Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
SEC. 6002. Elimination of Reservation of Community Facilities Grant Program Funds.
Section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)) is amended by striking subparagraph (C).
SEC. 6003. Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program.
Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (22) and inserting the following:
“(22) Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program.—
“(A) In general.—The Secretary shall continue a national rural water and wastewater circuit rider program that—
“(i) is consistent with the activities and results of the program conducted before the date of enactment of this clause, as determined by the Secretary; and
“(ii) receives funding from the Secretary, acting through the Rural Utilities Service.
“(B) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter.”
SEC. 6004. Use of Loan Guarantees for Community Facilities.
Section 306(a)(24) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(24)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(C) Use of loan guarantees for community facilities.—The Secretary shall consider the benefits to communities that result from using loan guarantees in carrying out the community facilities program and, to the maximum extent practicable, use guarantees to enhance community involvement.”
SEC. 6005. Tribal College and University Essential Community Facilities.
Section 306(a)(25)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(25)(C)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6006. Essential Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training.
Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(26) Essential community facilities technical assistance and training.—
“(A) In general.—The Secretary may make grants to public bodies and private nonprofit corporations (such as States, counties, cities, townships, and incorporated towns and villages, boroughs, authorities, districts, and Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations) that will serve rural areas for the purpose of enabling the public bodies and private nonprofit corporations to provide to associations described in paragraph (1) technical assistance and training, with respect to essential community facilities programs authorized under this subsection—
“(i) to assist communities in identifying and planning for community facility needs;
“(ii) to identify public and private resources to finance community facility needs;
“(iii) to prepare reports and surveys necessary to request financial assistance to develop community facilities;
“(iv) to prepare applications for financial assistance;
“(v) to improve the management, including financial management, related to the operation of community facilities; or
“(vi) to assist with other areas of need identified by the Secretary.
“(B) Selection priority.—In selecting recipients of grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to private, nonprofit, or public organizations that have experience in providing technical assistance and training to rural entities.
“(C) Funding.—Not less than 3 nor more than 5 percent of any funds appropriated to carry out each of the essential community facilities grant, loan and loan guarantee programs as authorized under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be reserved for grants under this paragraph.”
SEC. 6007. Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grant Program.
Section 306A(i)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926a(i)(2)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6008. Water Systems for Rural and Native Villages in Alaska.
Section 306D(d)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926d(d)(1)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6009. Household Water Well Systems.
Section 306E(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926e(d)) is amended by striking “ $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012” and inserting “ $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018”.
SEC. 6010. Rural Business and Industry Loan Program.
In General.— Section 310B(a)(2)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(a)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting “ (including through the financing of working capital)” after “ employment”.
Greater Flexibility for Adequate Collateral Through Accounts Receivable.— Section 310B(g)(7) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(7)) is amended—
by striking “ In determining” and inserting the following:
“(A) In general.—In determining”
; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(B) Accounts receivable.—In the discretion of the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that the action would not create or otherwise contribute to an unreasonable risk of default or loss to the Federal Government, the Secretary may take accounts receivable as security for the obligations entered into in connection with loans and a borrower may use accounts receivable as collateral to secure a loan made or guaranteed under this subsection.”
Regulations.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement the amendments made by this section.
SEC. 6011. Solid Waste Management Grants.
Section 310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(b)) is amended—
by striking “ The Secretary” and by inserting the following:
“(1) In general.—The Secretary”
; and
by adding at the end the following
“(2) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.”
SEC. 6012. Rural Business Development Grants.
In General.— Section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
“(c) Rural Business Development Grants.—
“(1) In general.—The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) in rural areas that primarily serve rural areas for purposes described in paragraph (3).
“(2) Eligible entities.—The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to—
“(A) governmental entities;
“(B) Indian tribes; and
“(C) nonprofit entities.
“(3) Eligible purposes for grants.—Eligible entities that receive grants under this subsection may use the grant funds for—
“(A) business opportunity projects that—
“(i) identify and analyze business opportunities;
“(ii) identify, train, and provide technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers;
“(iii) assist in the establishment of new rural businesses and the maintenance of existing businesses, including through business support centers;
“(iv) conduct regional, community, and local economic development planning and coordination, and leadership development; and
“(v) establish centers for training, technology, and trade that will provide training to rural businesses in the use of interactive communications technologies to develop international trade opportunities and markets; and
“(B) projects that support the development of business enterprises that finance or facilitate—
“(i) the development of small and emerging private business enterprise;
“(ii) the establishment, expansion, and operation of rural distance learning networks;
“(iii) the development of rural learning programs that provide educational instruction or job training instruction related to potential employment or job advancement to adult students; and
“(iv) the provision of technical assistance and training to rural communities for the purpose of improving passenger transportation services or facilities.
“(4) Authorization of appropriations.—
“(A) In general.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $65,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, to remain available until expended.
“(B) Allocation.—Of the funds made available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, not more than 10 percent shall be used for the purposes described in paragraph (3)(A).”
Conforming Amendment.— Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (11).
SEC. 6013. Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)) is amended—
by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph (13);
by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
“(12) Interagency working group.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014, the Secretary shall coordinate and chair an interagency working group to foster cooperative development and ensure coordination with Federal agencies and national and local cooperative organizations that have cooperative programs and interests.”
; and
in paragraph (13) (as so redesignated), by striking “ $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012” and inserting “ $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018”.
SEC. 6014. Locally or Regionally Produced Agricultural Food Products.
Section 310B(g)(9)(B)(v)(I) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(9)(B)(v)(I)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6015. Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Program.
Section 310B(i)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(i)(4)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6016. Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
Section 310B(j) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(j)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6017. Intermediary Relending Program.
In General.— Subtitle A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“SEC. 310H. INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM.
“(a) In General.—The Secretary may make or guarantee loans to eligible entities described in subsection (b) so that the eligible entities may relend the funds to individuals and entities for the purposes described in subsection (c).
“(b) Eligible Entities.—Entities eligible for loans and loan guarantees described in subsection (a) are—
“(1) public agencies;
“(2) Indian tribes;
“(3) cooperatives; and
“(4) nonprofit corporations.
“(c) Eligible Purposes.—The proceeds from loans made or guaranteed by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) may be relent by eligible entities for projects that—
“(1) predominately serve communities in rural areas; and
“(2) as determined by the Secretary—
“(A) promote community development;
“(B) establish new businesses;
“(C) establish and support microlending programs; and
“(D) create or retain employment opportunities.
“(d) Limitation.—The Secretary shall not make loans under section 623(a) of the Community Economic Development Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)).
“(e) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.”
Conforming Amendments.— Section 1323(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–198; 7 U.S.C. 1932 note) is amended—
in subparagraph (A), by adding “ and” at the end;
in subparagraph (B), by striking “ ; and” and inserting a period; and
by striking subparagraph (C).
SEC. 6018. Rural College Coordinated Strategy.
Section 331 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(d) Rural College Coordinated Strategy.—
“(1) In general.—The Secretary shall develop a coordinated strategy across the relevant programs within the Rural Development mission areas to serve the specific, local needs of rural communities when making investments in rural community colleges and technical colleges through other authorities in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection.
“(2) Consultation.—In developing a coordinated strategy, the Secretary shall consult with groups representing rural-serving community colleges and technical colleges to coordinate critical investments in rural community colleges and technical colleges involved in workforce training.
“(3) Administration.—Nothing in this subsection provides a priority for funding under authorities in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection.
“(4) Use.—The Secretary shall use the coordinated strategy and information developed for the strategy to more effectively serve rural communities with respect to investments in community colleges and technical colleges.”
SEC. 6019. Rural Water and Waste Disposal Infrastructure.
Section 333 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983) is amended—
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “ require”;
in paragraph (1), by inserting “ require” after “ (1)”;
in paragraph (2), by inserting “ , require” after “ 314”;
in paragraph (3), by inserting “ require” after “ loans,”;
in paragraph (4)—
by inserting “ require” after “ (4)”; and
by striking “ and” after the semicolon;
in paragraph (5)—
by inserting “ require” after “ (5)”; and
by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(6) in the case of water and waste disposal direct and guaranteed loans provided under section 306, encourage, to the maximum extent practicable, private or cooperative lenders to finance rural water and waste disposal facilities by—
“(A) maximizing the use of loan guarantees to finance eligible projects in rural communities in which the population exceeds 5,500;
“(B) maximizing the use of direct loans to finance eligible projects in rural communities if the impact on ratepayers will be material when compared to financing with a loan guarantee;
“(C) establishing and applying a materiality standard when determining the difference in impact on ratepayers between a direct loan and a loan guarantee;
“(D) in the case of projects that require interim financing in excess of $500,000, requiring that the projects initially seek the financing from private or cooperative lenders; and
“(E) determining if an existing direct loan borrower can refinance with a private or cooperative lender, including with a loan guarantee, prior to providing a new direct loan.”
SEC. 6020. Simplified Applications.
In General.— Section 333A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(h) Simplified Application Forms.—Except as provided in subsection (g)(2), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, develop a simplified application process, including a single page application if practicable, for grants and relending authorized under sections 306, 306C, 306D, 306E, 310B(b), 310B(c), 310B(e), 310B(f), 310H, 379B, and 379E.”
Report to Congress.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains an evaluation of the implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a).
SEC. 6021. National Rural Development Partnership.
Section 378 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008m) is amended—
in subsection (g)(1), by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”; and
in subsection (h), by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6022. Grants for Noaa Weather Radio Transmitters.
Section 379B(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008p(d)) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
“(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.”
SEC. 6023. Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.
Section 379E(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s(d)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
in subparagraph (A), by striking “ and” after the semicolon at the end;
in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(C) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.”
; and
in paragraph (2), by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6024. Health Care Services.
Section 379G(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u(e)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6025. Strategic Economic and Community Development.
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“SEC. 379H. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
“(a) In General.—In the case of any rural development program described in subsection (d)(2), the Secretary may give priority to an application for a project that, as determined and approved by the Secretary—
“(1) meets the applicable eligibility requirements of this title;
“(2) will be carried out solely in a rural area; and
“(3) supports strategic community and economic development plans on a multijurisdictional basis.
“(b) Rural Area.—For purposes of subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall consider an application to be for a project that will be carried out solely in a rural area only if—
“(1) in the case of an application for a project in the rural community facilities category described in subsection (d)(2)(A), the project will be carried out in a rural area described in section 343(a)(13)(C);
“(2) in the case of an application for a project in the rural utilities category described in subsection (d)(2)(B), the project will be carried out in a rural area described in section 343(a)(13)(B); and
“(3) in the case of an application for a project in the rural business and cooperative development category described in subsection (d)(2)(C), the project will be carried out in a rural area described in section 343(a)(13)(A).
“(c) Evaluation.—
“(1) In general.—In evaluating strategic applications, the Secretary shall give a higher priority to strategic applications for a plan described in subsection (a) that demonstrates to the Secretary—
“(A) the plan was developed through the collaboration of multiple stakeholders in the service area of the plan, including the participation of combinations of stakeholders such as State, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit institutions, institutions of higher education, and private entities;
“(B) an understanding of the applicable regional resources that could support the plan, including natural resources, human resources, infrastructure, and financial resources;
“(C) investment from other Federal agencies;
“(D) investment from philanthropic organizations; and
“(E) clear objectives for the plan and the ability to establish measurable performance measures and to track progress toward meeting the objectives.
“(2) Consistency with plans.—Applications involving State, county, municipal, or tribal governments shall include an indication of consistency with an adopted regional economic or community development plan.
“(d) Funds.—
“(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (3) and subsection (e), the Secretary may reserve for projects that support multijurisdictional strategic community and economic development plans described in subsection (a) an amount that does not exceed 10 percent of the funds made available for a fiscal year for a functional category described in paragraph (2).
“(2) Functional categories.—The functional categories described in this subsection are the following:
“(A) Rural community facilities category.—The rural community facilities category consists of all amounts made available for community facility grants and direct and guaranteed loans under paragraph (1), (19), (20), (21), (24), or (25) of section 306(a).
“(B) Rural utilities category.—The rural utilities category consists of all amounts made available for—
“(i) water or waste disposal grants or direct or guaranteed loans under paragraph (1), (2), or (24) of section 306(a);
“(ii) rural water or wastewater technical assistance and training grants under section 306(a)(14);
“(iii) emergency community water assistance grants under section 306A; or
“(iv) solid waste management grants under section 310B(b).
“(C) Rural business and cooperative development category.—The rural business and cooperative development category consists of all amounts made available for—
“(i) business and industry direct and guaranteed loans under section 310B(a)(2)(A); or
“(ii) rural business development grants under section 310B(c).
“(3) Period.—The reservation of funds described in paragraph (2) may only extend through June 30 of the fiscal year in which the funds were first made available.
“(e) Approved Applications.—
“(1) In general.—Any applicant who submitted a rural development application that was approved before the date of enactment of this section may amend the application to qualify for the funds reserved under subsection (d)(1).
“(2) Rural utilities.—Any rural development application authorized under section 306(a)(2), 306(a)(14), 306(a)(24), 306A, or 310B(b) and approved by the Secretary before the date of enactment of this section shall be eligible for the funds reserved under subsection (d)(1) on the same basis as the applications submitted under this section until September 30, 2016.”
SEC. 6026. Delta Regional Authority.
Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 382M(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa–12(a)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
Termination of Authority.— Section 382N of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa–13) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6027. Northern Great Plains Regional Authority.
Audit.— Section 383L(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Ac (7 U.S.C. 2009bb-10(c)) is amended by inserting “ for any fiscal year for which funds are appropriated” after “ annual basis”.
Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 383N(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–12(a)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
Termination of Authority.— Section 383O of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–13) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6028. Rural Business Investment Program.
Section 384S of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc–18) is amended by striking “ $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012” and inserting “ $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018”.
Subtitle B Rural Electrification Act of 1936
SEC. 6101. Fees for Certain Loan Guarantees.
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is amended by inserting after section 4 (7 U.S.C. 904) the following:
“SEC. 5. FEES FOR CERTAIN LOAN GUARANTEES.
“(a) In General.—For electrification baseload generation loan guarantees, the Secretary shall, at the request of the borrower, charge an upfront fee to cover the costs of the loan guarantee.
“(b) Fee.—The fee described in subsection (a) for a loan guarantee shall be equal to the costs of the loan guarantee (within the meaning of section 502(5)(C) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a(5)(C))).
“(c) Limitation.—Funds received from a borrower to pay the fee described in this section shall not be derived from a loan or other debt obligation that is made or guaranteed by the Federal Government.”
SEC. 6102. Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Electrification or Telephone Purposes.
Section 313A(f) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c–1(f)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6103. Expansion of 911 Access.
Section 315(d) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940e(d)) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6104. Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas.
in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
“(2) Priority.—In making loans or loan guarantees under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
“(A) establish not less than 2 evaluation periods for each fiscal year to compare loan and loan guarantee applications and to prioritize loans and loan guarantees to all or part of rural communities that do not have residential broadband service that meets the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under subsection (e);
“(B) give the highest priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of unserved households or households that do not have residential broadband service that meets the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under subsection (e), as—
“(i) certified by the affected community, city, county, or designee; or
“(ii) demonstrated on—
“(I) the broadband map of the affected State if the map contains address-level data; or
“(II) the National Broadband Map if address-level data is unavailable; and
“(C) provide equal consideration to all qualified applicants, including applicants that have not previously received loans or loan guarantees under paragraph (1); and
“(D) give priority to applicants that offer in the applications of the applicants to provide broadband service not predominantly for business service, if at least 25 percent of the customers in the proposed service territory are commercial interests.”
in subsection (d)—
in paragraph (1)(A), by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
“(i) demonstrate the ability to furnish, improve in order to meet the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under subsection (e), or extend broadband service to all or part of an unserved rural area or an area below the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under subsection (e);”
in paragraph (2)—
in subparagraph (A), by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
“(i) not less than 15 percent of the households in the proposed service territory are unserved or have service levels below the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under subsection (e); and”
in the heading of subparagraph (B), by striking “ 25”; and
in subparagraph (C)—
in the subparagraph heading, by striking “ 3 or more”; and
by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
“(i) In general.—Except as provided in clause (ii), subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply to an incumbent service provider in the portion of a proposed service territory in which the provider is upgrading broadband service to meet the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under subsection (e) for the existing territory of the incumbent service provider.”
in paragraph (3)(B), by adding at the end the following:
“(iii) Information.—Information submitted under this subparagraph shall be—
“(I) certified by the affected community, city, county, or designee; or
“(II) demonstrated on—
“(aa) the broadband map of the affected State if the map contains address-level data; or
“(bb) the National Broadband Map if address-level data is unavailable.”
by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
“(5) Notice requirements.—The Secretary shall promptly provide a fully searchable database on the website of the Rural Utilities Service that contains, at a minimum—
“(A) notice of each application for a loan or loan guarantee under this section describing the application, including—
“(i) the identity of the applicant;
“(ii) a description of each application, including—
“(I) each area proposed to be served by the applicant; and
“(II) the amount and type of support requested by each applicant;
“(iii) the status of each application;
“(iv) the estimated number and proportion relative to the service territory of households without terrestrial-based broadband service in those areas; and
“(v) a list of the census block groups or proposed service territory, in a manner specified by the Secretary, that the applicant proposes to service;
“(B) notice of each entity receiving assistance under this section, including—
“(i) the name of the entity;
“(ii) the type of assistance being received;
“(iii) the purpose for which the entity is receiving the assistance;
“(iv) each semiannual report submitted under paragraph (8)(A) (redacted to protect any proprietary information in the report); and
“(C) such other information as is sufficient to allow the public to understand assistance provided under this section.”
by adding at the end the following:
“(8) Reporting.—
“(A) In general.—The Secretary shall require any entity receiving assistance under this section to submit a semiannual report for 3 years after completion of the project, in a format specified by the Secretary, that describes—
“(i) the use by the entity of the assistance, including new equipment and capacity enhancements that support high-speed broadband access for educational institutions, health care providers, and public safety service providers (including the estimated number of end users who are currently using or forecasted to use the new or upgraded infrastructure); and
“(ii) the progress towards fulfilling the objectives for which the assistance was granted, including—
“(I) the number and location of residences and businesses that will receive new broadband service, existing network service improvements, and facility upgrades resulting from the Federal assistance;
“(II) the speed of broadband service;
“(III) the average price of broadband service in a proposed service area;
“(IV) any changes in broadband service adoption rates, including new subscribers generated from demand-side projects; and
“(V) any metrics the Secretary determines to be appropriate;
“(B) Additional reporting.—The Secretary may require any additional reporting and information by any recipient of any assistance under this section so as to ensure compliance with this section.
“(9) Default and deobligation.—In addition to other authority under applicable law, the Secretary shall establish written procedures for all broadband programs administered by the Rural Utilities Service under this or any other Act that, to the maximum extent practicable—
“(A) recover funds from loan defaults;
“(B) deobligate any awards, less allowable costs that demonstrate an insufficient level of performance (including metrics determined by the Secretary) or fraudulent spending, to the extent funds with respect to the award are available in the account relating to the program established by this section;
“(C) award those funds, on a competitive basis, to new or existing applicants consistent with this section; and
“(D) minimize overlap among the programs.
“(10) Service area assessment.—The Secretary shall, with respect to an application for assistance under this section—
“(A) provide not less than 15 days for broadband service providers to voluntarily submit information concerning the broadband services that the providers offer in the census block groups or tracts described in paragraph (5)(A)(v) so that the Secretary may assess whether the applications submitted meet the eligibility requirements under this section; and
“(B) if no broadband service provider submits information under subparagraph (A), consider the number of providers in the census block group or tract to be established by using—
“(i) the most current National Broadband Map of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; or
“(ii) any other data regarding the availability of broadband service that the Secretary may collect or obtain through reasonable efforts.”
in subsection (e)—
by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
“(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), for purposes of this section, the minimum acceptable level of broadband service for a rural area shall be at least—
“(A) a 4-Mbps downstream transmission capacity; and
“(B) a 1-Mbps upstream transmission capacity.
“(2) Adjustments.—
“(A) In general.—At least once every 2 years, the Secretary shall review, and may adjust through notice published in the Federal Register, the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under paragraph (1) to ensure that high quality, cost-effective broadband service is provided to rural areas over time.
“(B) Considerations.—In making an adjustment to the minimum acceptable level of broadband service under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consider establishing different transmission rates for fixed broadband service and mobile broadband service.”
in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
“(2) Terms.—In determining the term and conditions of a loan or loan guarantee, the Secretary may—
“(A) consider whether the recipient is or would be serving an area that is unserved or has service levels below the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under subsection (e); and
“(B) if the Secretary makes a determination in the affirmative under subparagraph (A), establish a limited initial deferral period or comparable terms necessary to achieve the financial feasibility and long-term sustainability of the project.”
in subsection (j)—
in paragraph (1), by inserting “ , including any loan terms or conditions for which the Secretary provided additional assistance to unserved areas” before the semicolon at the end;
in paragraph (5), by striking “ and” after the semicolon at the end;
in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(7) the overall progress towards fulfilling the goal of improving the quality of rural life by expanding rural broadband access, as demonstrated by metrics, including—
“(A) the number of residences and businesses receiving new broadband services;
“(B) network improvements, including facility upgrades and equipment purchases;
“(C) average broadband speeds and prices on a local and statewide basis;
“(D) any changes in broadband adoption rates; and
“(E) any specific activities that increased high speed broadband access for educational institutions, health care providers, and public safety service providers.”
; and
in subsections (k)(1) and (l), by striking “ 2012” each place it appears and inserting “ 2018”.
Study on Providing Effective Data for National Broadband Map.— .
In general.— The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, shall conduct a study of the ways that data collected under the broadband programs of the Secretary of Agriculture could be most effectively shared with the Commission to support the development and maintenance of the National Broadband Map by the Commission.
Inclusions.— The study shall include a consideration of the circumstances under which address-level data could be collected by the Secretary and appropriately shared with the Commission.
Completion.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete the study required under this subsection.
Report.— Not later than 60 days after the date of completion of the study, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the results of the study to—
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives;
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 6105. Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program.
Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“SEC. 603. RURAL GIGABIT NETWORK PILOT PROGRAM.
“(a) Definition of Ultra-High Speed Service.—In this section, the term ‘ultra-high speed service’ means broadband service operating at a 1 gigabit per second downstream transmission capacity.
“(b) Pilot Program.—The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to be known as the ‘Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program’, under which the Secretary may, at the discretion of the Secretary, provide grants, loans, or loan guarantees to eligible entities.
“(c) Eligibility.—
“(1) In general.—To be eligible to obtain assistance under this section, an entity shall—
“(A) demonstrate to the Secretary the ability to furnish or extend ultra-high speed service to a rural area;
“(B) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require;
“(C) not already provide ultra-high speed service to a rural area within any State in the proposed service territory; and
“(D) agree to complete buildout of ultra-high speed service by not later than 3 years after the initial date on which assistance under this section is made available.
“(2) Eligible projects.—Assistance under this section may only be used to carry out a project in a proposed service territory if—
“(A) the proposed service territory is a rural area; and
“(B) ultra-high speed service is not provided in any part of the proposed service territory.
“(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.”
Subtitle C Miscellaneous
SEC. 6201. Distance Learning and Telemedicine.
Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 2335A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa–5) is amended by striking “ $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 through 2012” and inserting “ $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018”.
Conforming Amendment.— Section 1(b) of Public Law 102–551 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa note) is amended by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6202. Agricultural Transportation.
Section 203(j) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(j)) is amended by striking “ the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Maritime Commission,,” and inserting “ the Surface Transportation Board, the Federal Maritime Commission,”.
SEC. 6203. Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grants.
Section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(b)) is amended—
by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following:
“(6) Priority.—
“(A) Eligible independent producers of value-added agricultural products.—In awarding grants under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall give priority to—
“(i) operators of small- and medium-sized farms and ranches that are structured as family farms;
“(ii) beginning farmers or ranchers;
“(iii) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; and
“(iv) veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))).
“(B) Eligible agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business venture.—In awarding grants under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall give priority to projects (including farmer or rancher cooperative projects) that best contribute to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for operators, farmers, and ranchers described in subparagraph (A).”
; and
in paragraph (7)—
in subparagraph (A)—
by striking “ On October 1, 2008,” and inserting “ On the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014,”; and
by striking “ $15,000,000” and inserting “ $63,000,000”; and
in subparagraph (B), by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”.
SEC. 6204. Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program.
Section 6402(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b(i)) is amended by striking “ $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012” and inserting “ $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018”.
SEC. 6205. Rural Energy Savings Program.
Subtitle E of title VI of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–171; 116 Stat. 424) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“SEC. 6407. RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM.
“(a) Purpose.—The purpose of this section is to help rural families and small businesses achieve cost savings by providing loans to qualified consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
“(b) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) Eligible entity.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means—
“(A) any public power district, public utility district, or similar entity, or any electric cooperative described in section 501(c)(12) or 1381(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that borrowed and repaid, prepaid, or is paying an electric loan made or guaranteed by the Rural Utilities Service (or any predecessor agency);
“(B) any entity primarily owned or controlled by 1 or more entities described in subparagraph (A); or
“(C) any other entity that is an eligible borrower of the Rural Utilities Service, as determined under section 1710.101 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
“(2) Energy efficiency measures.—The term ‘energy efficiency measures’ means, for or at property served by an eligible entity, structural improvements and investments in cost-effective, commercial technologies to increase energy efficiency.
“(3) Qualified consumer.—The term ‘qualified consumer’ means a consumer served by an eligible entity that has the ability to repay a loan made under subsection (d), as determined by the eligible entity.
“(4) Secretary.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service.
“(c) Loans to Eligible Entities.—
“(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall make loans to eligible entities that agree to use the loan funds to make loans to qualified consumers for the purpose of implementing energy efficiency measures.
“(2) Requirements.—
“(A) In general.—As a condition of receiving a loan under this subsection, an eligible entity shall—
“(i) establish a list of energy efficiency measures that is expected to decrease energy use or costs of qualified consumers;
“(ii) prepare an implementation plan for use of the loan funds, including use of any interest to be received pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(A);
“(iii) provide for appropriate measurement and verification to ensure—
“(I) the effectiveness of the energy efficiency loans made by the eligible entity; and
“(II) that there is no conflict of interest in carrying out this section; and
“(iv) demonstrate expertise in effective use of energy efficiency measures at an appropriate scale.
“(B) Revision of list of energy efficiency measures.—Subject to the approval of the Secretary, an eligible entity may update the list required under subparagraph (A)(i) to account for newly available efficiency technologies.
“(C) Existing energy efficiency programs.—An eligible entity that, at any time before the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, has established an energy efficiency program for qualified consumers may use an existing list of energy efficiency measures, implementation plan, or measurement and verification system of that program to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines the list, plan, or systems are consistent with the purposes of this section.
“(3) No interest.—A loan under this subsection shall bear no interest.
“(4) Repayment.—With respect to a loan under paragraph (1)—
“(A) the term shall not exceed 20 years from the date on which the loan is closed; and
“(B) except as provided in paragraph (6), the repayment of each advance shall be amortized for a period not to exceed 10 years.
“(5) Amount of advances.—Any advance of loan funds to an eligible entity in any single year shall not exceed 50 percent of the approved loan amount.
“(6) Special advance for start-up activities.—
“(A) In general.—In order to assist an eligible entity in defraying the appropriate start-up costs (as determined by the Secretary) of establishing new programs or modifying existing programs to carry out subsection (d), the Secretary shall allow an eligible entity to request a special advance.
“(B) Amount.—No eligible entity may receive a special advance under this paragraph for an amount that is greater than 4 percent of the loan amount received by the eligible entity under paragraph (1).
“(C) Repayment.—Repayment of the special advance—
“(i) shall be required during the 10-year period beginning on the date on which the special advance is made; and
“(ii) at the election of the eligible entity, may be deferred to the end of the 10-year period.
“(7) Limitation.—All special advances shall be made under a loan described in paragraph (1) during the first 10 years of the term of the loan.
“(d) Loans to Qualified Consumers.—
“(1) Terms of loans.—Loans made by an eligible entity to qualified consumers using loan funds provided by the Secretary under subsection (c)—
“(A) may bear interest, not to exceed 3 percent, to be used for purposes that include—
“(i) to establish a loan loss reserve; and
“(ii) to offset personnel and program costs of eligible entities to provide the loans;
“(B) shall finance energy efficiency measures for the purpose of decreasing energy usage or costs of the qualified consumer by an amount that ensures, to the maximum extent practicable, that a loan term of not more than 10 years will not pose an undue financial burden on the qualified consumer, as determined by the eligible entity;
“(C) shall not be used to fund purchases of, or modifications to, personal property unless the personal property is or becomes attached to real property (including a manufactured home) as a fixture;
“(D) shall be repaid through charges added to the electric bill for the property for, or at which, energy efficiency measures are or will be implemented, on the condition that this requirement does not prohibit—
“(i) the voluntary prepayment of a loan by the owner of the property; or
“(ii) the use of any additional repayment mechanisms that are—
“(I) demonstrated to have appropriate risk mitigation features, as determined by the eligible entity; or
“(II) required if the qualified consumer is no longer a customer of the eligible entity; and
“(E) shall require an energy audit by an eligible entity to determine the impact of proposed energy efficiency measures on the energy costs and consumption of the qualified consumer.
“(2) Contractors.—In addition to any other qualified general contractor, eligible entities may serve as general contractors.
“(e) Contract for Measurement and Verification, Training, and Technical Assistance.—
“(1) In general.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary—
“(A) shall establish a plan for measurement and verification, training, and technical assistance of the program; and
“(B) may enter into 1 or more contracts with a qualified entity for the purposes of—
“(i) providing measurement and verification activities; and
“(ii) developing a program to provide technical assistance and training to the employees of eligible entities to carry out this section.
“(2) Use of subcontractors authorized.—A qualified entity that enters into a contract under paragraph (1) may use subcontractors to assist the qualified entity in carrying out the contract.
“(f) Additional Authority.—The authority provided in this section is in addition to any other authority of the Secretary to offer loans under any other law.
“(g) Effective Period.—Subject to the availability of funds and except as otherwise provided in this section, the loans and other expenditures required to be made under this section shall be available until expended, with the Secretary authorized to make new loans as loans are repaid.
“(h) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.”
SEC. 6206. Study of Rural Transportation Issues.
In General.— The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Transportation shall publish an updated version of the study described in section 6206 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (as amended by subsection (b)).
Addition to Study.— Section 6206(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–246; 122 Stat. 1971) is amended—
in paragraph (3), by striking “ and” at the end;
in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(5) the sufficiency of infrastructure along waterways in the United States and the impact of the infrastructure on the movement of agricultural goods in terms of safety, efficiency and speed, as well as the benefits derived through upgrades and repairs to locks and dams.”
Report to Congress.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress the updated version of the study required by subsection (a).
SEC. 6207. Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development.
Section 15751 of title 40, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking “ 2012” and inserting “ 2018”; and
in subsection (b)—
by striking “ Not more than” and inserting the following:
“(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), not more than”
; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(2) Limited funding.—In a case in which less than $10,000,000 is made available to a Commission for a fiscal year under this section, paragraph (1) shall not apply.”
SEC. 6208. Definition of Rural Area for Purposes of the Housing Act of 1949.
The second sentence of section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490) is amended—
by striking “ 1990 or 2000 decennial census shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2010” and inserting “ 1990, 2000, or 2010 decennial census, and any area deemed to be a ‘rural area’ for purposes of this title under any other provision of law at any time during the period beginning January 1, 2000, and ending December 31, 2010, shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2020”; and
by striking “ 25,000” and inserting “ 35,000”.
SEC. 6209. Program Metrics.
In General.— The Secretary shall collect data regarding economic activities created through grants and loans, including any technical assistance provided as a component of the grant or loan program, and measure the short- and long-term viability of award recipients and any entities to whom those recipients provide assistance using award funds, under—
section 231 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a);
section 313(b)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c(b)(2)); or
section 310B(c), 310B(e), 310B(g), 310H, or 379E, or subtitle E, of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c), 1932(e), 1932(g), 2008s, 2009 et seq.).
Data.— The data collected under subsection (a) shall include information collected from recipients both during the award period and for a period of time, as determined by the Secretary, which is not less than 2 years after the award period ends.
Report.—
In general.— Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains the data described in subsection (a).
Detailed information.— The report shall include detailed information regarding—
actions taken by the Secretary to use the data;
the percentage increase of employees;
the number of business starts and clients served;
any benefit, such as an increase in revenue or customer base; and
such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate.
SEC. 6210. Funding of Pending Rural Development Loan and Grant Applications.
In General.— The Secretary shall use funds made available under subsection (b) to provide funds for applications that are pending on the date of enactment of this Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of section 6029 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–246; 122 Stat. 1955).
Funding.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning in fiscal year 2014, of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $150,000,000, to remain available until expended.