Bill Summary
The proposed legislation aims to amend the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program to enhance funding eligibility for specific counties based on their agricultural production. Key provisions include:
1. **Definition of Covered Counties**: The bill defines a "covered county" as one with an annual gross agricultural production value of at least $1 billion and agricultural production of at least $500,000 per square mile. This definition will be adjusted annually for inflation.
2. **Farm-to-Market Roads**: The legislation introduces the term "farm-to-market road" to refer to roads within these covered counties, emphasizing their role in connecting agricultural producers to markets.
3. **Funding Allocation**: It mandates that 10% of the program's annual funding be reserved for grants specifically for projects on farm-to-market roads, ensuring that these critical routes receive necessary financial support.
4. **Annual Updates**: The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to create and annually update a list of covered counties that qualify for these funding opportunities.
Overall, this legislation aims to strengthen transportation infrastructure in rural areas with significant agricultural output, facilitating better access to markets and enhancing economic development.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation regarding the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program could affect people:
1. **Improved Access for Farmers**: By designating certain counties as "covered counties" and providing funding for farm-to-market roads, farmers in these regions could benefit from improved access to markets. This could lead to reduced transportation costs for agricultural goods, allowing farmers to increase their profit margins and potentially invest more in their operations.
2. **Economic Development in Rural Areas**: The allocation of grants for infrastructure improvements in covered counties could stimulate local economies. Enhanced transportation networks may attract new businesses and jobs to these areas, leading to increased economic activity. Residents might find more employment opportunities, as well as improved access to services and amenities, which could enhance their quality of life.
3. **Environmental Considerations**: The legislation includes provisions for the development of farm-to-market roads, which could lead to more efficient transportation of agricultural products. This might reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods by facilitating shorter and more direct routes. Additionally, better roads may help minimize road maintenance issues and reduce vehicle emissions over time, benefiting the environment and public health in rural communities.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3572 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3572
To make projects in certain counties eligible for funding under the
rural surface transportation grant program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 21, 2025
Mr. Valadao (for himself, Mr. Fong, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, and Mr.
Costa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To make projects in certain counties eligible for funding under the
rural surface transportation grant program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. RURAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 173 of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Covered county.--The term `covered county' means a
county that has an annual gross agricultural production value
of at least $1,000,000,000 and agricultural production of at
least $500,000 per square mile, for all crops and livestock
sold, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with the
Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the Department of Labor.
``(4) Farm-to-market road.--The term `farm-to-market road'
means a road located within a covered county.'';
(2) in subsection (i) by striking ``subsection (k)(1)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (4) of subsection (k)'';
(3) in subsection (k)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph
(5);
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Farm-to-market roads.--The Secretary shall reserve 10
percent of the amounts made available for the program for each
fiscal year to provide grants for eligible projects located on
farm-to-market roads in any amount.''; and
(C) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) by
striking ``or (3)'' and inserting ``(3), or (4)''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(p) Eligible Covered Counties.--The Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall create, and annually update, a
list of covered counties.''.
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