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HR8146119th CongressWALLET

Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act

Sponsored By: Representative McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a secure, web-based platform so Rural Utilities Service recipients can track project status through permitting and reviews. It would also fund predevelopment planning grants and require electronic applications and uniform timelines to speed rural electricity, broadband, water, and waste projects.

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  • Rural project applicants such as utilities, local governments, and tribes would be able to view status, upload documents, and receive automated notifications to improve predictability. The platform is authorized up to $30 million for development and operation.
  • Small or cash-strapped local entities would be eligible for predevelopment planning and education grants that can cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs. Those grants are authorized at $15 million per year from 2026 through 2035.
  • Grant applicants and RUS operations would face faster, more consistent procedures with electronic-only applications within two years, sector-specific notice timelines, interagency coordination including National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act reviews, annual reports to Congress, and a staff assessment to recommend further improvements.

*The bill would authorize up to $30 million for the platform and $15 million annually for predevelopment grants from 2026–2035, increasing federal outlays to support RUS modernization.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Predevelopment grants for rural projects

If enacted, the Secretary would create predevelopment planning grants to help eligible RUS applicants pay for early project work. Grants could cover up to 75% of eligible costs like feasibility studies, permitting, design help, technical assistance, and training. Grants could not reimburse work done before the award. The bill would authorize up to $15 million per year for each fiscal year 2026 through 2035. Recipients would submit annual reports and the Secretary would issue application and administration guidelines and limit administrative costs.

Study and report on Rural Utilities staff

If enacted, the Secretary and the RUS Administrator would submit a joint staff assessment to Congress within two years. The report would review staff workload, application review processes, technical assistance, monitoring, timeliness, and consistency. It would include recommendations to improve the online platform, ways to expedite permitting, and findings to strengthen RUS service delivery to rural communities.

Better online tools for rural projects

If enacted, RUS would build a secure web platform so grant and loan recipients can track permitting and review steps. The platform would let users upload documents, get automated notices, and show status and estimated timelines. RUS would coordinate with other federal agencies and account for environmental reviews. The bill would authorize up to $30 million total ($20–$24 million for development in FY2026–2027 and $6–$10 million per year for operations in FY2028–2035). If enacted, RUS would also require all grant applications to be submitted online within two years, with alternatives for applicants who cannot apply electronically, and issue NOFO timing rules within six months and implement them within 18 months.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

MD • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 3/27/2026

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/2/2026

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 4/9/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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