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HR502119th CongressWALLET

Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act

Sponsored By: Representative Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]

In Committee

Summary

This bill shifts Rural Surface Transportation Grant support toward much smaller rural communities. It narrows the program's definition of "rural" and creates a formal "small community" category with specific funding priorities.

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  • Creates a "small community" category for places outside urbanized areas with populations of 5,000 or less. Projects in these places can receive up to a 90% federal share and the Department of Transportation must use at least 5% of annual program funds for them.
  • Redefines "rural" to mean areas outside urbanized areas with populations of 30,000 or less. Grants may fund highway, road, bridge, or tunnel projects that promote economic growth or improve local quality of life.
  • Keeps states, regional planning organizations, local governments, and tribal governments eligible to apply. It removes the prohibition that prevented DOT from spending more than 10% of program funds on grants under $25 million.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More grant access for small rural towns

If enacted, the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program would refocus on small, rural places. A small community would mean outside an urbanized area, with 5,000 people or less. At least 5% of each year’s program money would be reserved for these small communities. Eligibility text would shift to cover places with 30,000 people or less. Projects that boost local jobs or quality of life, like roads or bridges, would be clearly eligible.

Small-town projects need 10% local match

If enacted, federal grants for small-community projects would be capped at 90% of project cost. Project sponsors would need at least a 10% nonfederal match. A small community means a place outside an urbanized area with 5,000 or fewer people. This would apply only to projects funded by this grant program.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]

MN • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2025

  • Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 2/7/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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