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.
Show full summary
- 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
Stauber
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
Tiffany
WI • R
Sponsored 2/7/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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