What does Preamble of Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a web-based platform to enable recipients of Federal financial assistance administered by the Rural Utilities Service to track the status of their projects throughout the permitting and review process, and for other purposes,' aims to establish a web-based platform. The platform would be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The intended users of the platform are recipients of Federal financial assistance administered by the Rural Utilities Service. The platform's purpose is to allow recipients to track the status of their projects during the permitting and review process.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF WEB-BASED PLATFORM TO ENABLE RECIPIENTS OF of Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), to establish a web-based platform to track the status of projects receiving Federal financial assistance from the RUS. The platform aims to improve predictability and accountability for recipients by providing visibility into the permitting and review process, including environmental and interagency coordination. The Secretary must implement user access mechanisms, provide clear status indicators and timelines, and allow document uploads and correspondence with RUS offices. Automated notifications will be provided to recipients regarding project progress and required actions. The RUS is directed to coordinate with various federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing the platform's development, implementation, use, and performance. A total of $30,000,000 is authorized for the platform's development and operation, with $20-24 million allocated for development in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and $6-10 million annually for operation and maintenance from 2028 through 2035. The authorized appropriations are authorized to remain available until expended.

What does RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE PREPLANNING EDUCATION AND PLANNING of Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act do?

This section establishes a grant program for rural utilities service preplanning education and planning. The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, will administer the grants. Eligible entities must be qualified to participate in a Rural Utilities Service program and unable to finance predevelopment work through borrowing. Grants will cover up to 75% of the cost of predevelopment activities, such as feasibility studies, permitting, and design assistance. Funds cannot be used to reimburse costs incurred before the grant is awarded. The Secretary will issue guidelines for applications, grantee selection, and grant administration. Recipients must submit annual reports to the Secretary detailing funded activities and outcomes. A maximum of $15,000,000 is authorized for appropriation each fiscal year from 2026 through 2035.

What does NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TIMELINES. of Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act do?

This section requires the Secretary of Agriculture, through Rural Development and the Rural Utilities Service, to issue final regulations within six months of the Act's enactment. The regulations aim to improve timelines for notices of funding opportunity for Rural Utilities Service grants. The regulations should establish either a uniform timeline for all programs, sector-specific timelines for major program areas (electricity, telecommunications, broadband distance learning/telemedicine, water/waste disposal), or an alternative approach to improve predictability. The Secretary must implement the final regulations within 18 months of the Act's enactment.

What does ONLINE GRANT APPLICATIONS. of Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act do?

This section concerns online grant applications. The Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service must require electronic submission of grant applications within two years of the Act's enactment. Applicants unable to submit applications electronically will be provided with alternative submission methods.

What does STAFF ASSESSMENT AND REPORT TO CONGRESS. of Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act do?

This section requires the Secretary of Agriculture to evaluate the processes used by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) staff. The evaluation focuses on application review, technical assistance, and monitoring of assistance awardees, aiming to maximize program efficiency and effectiveness. Two years after enactment, the Secretary of Agriculture and the RUS Administrator must submit a report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. The report must examine RUS staff workload, allocation, and efficiency in reviewing applications and assisting applicants. The report must also assess the timeliness, consistency, and quality of technical assistance and award decisions. The report should include recommendations to enhance the online permitting platform established under section 2. The report should assess ways to expedite permitting for projects assisted by the RUS. The report should include findings to strengthen service delivery to rural communities.

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Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act

Last updated: 3/27/2026 · Introduced: 3/27/2026

Author: April McClain Delaney (D-MD)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a web-based platform managed by the Secretary of Agriculture to allow recipients of Rural Utilities Service (RUS) financial assistance to track project permitting and review progress.
The bill authorizes $30 million to develop and operate the tracking platform, with funding allocated over several fiscal years.
It creates a grant program providing up to 75% funding for predevelopment activities, such as feasibility studies and permitting, for rural utilities unable to finance these costs through borrowing.
The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to improve timelines for notices of funding opportunity for RUS grants and require electronic submission of grant applications.
The Secretary must assess and report to Congress on the efficiency of RUS staff processes related to application review, technical assistance, and monitoring of assistance awardees, including recommendations for improving the online permitting platform.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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