II 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. 2137 

To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish an Office of Rural 

Investment, to ensure that rural communities and regions are equitably 

represented in Federal decision making for transportation policy, and 

for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 17, 2021 

Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. BRAUN) introduced the following bill; which 

was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation 

A BILL 

To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish an 

Office of Rural Investment, to ensure that rural communities and regions are equitably represented in Federal 

decision making for transportation policy, and for other 

purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Rural Transportation 

5 Equity Act of 2021’’. 

6 SEC. 2. RURAL INVESTMENT. 

7 (a) OFFICE OF RURAL INVESTMENT.— 


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1 (1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 102 of title 49, 

2 United States Code, is amended— 

3 (A) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘(re4 ferred to in this section as the ‘Department’)’’ 

5 after ‘‘Department of Transportation’’; 

6 (B) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, 

7 by inserting ‘‘(referred to in this section as the 

8 ‘Secretary’)’’ after ‘‘Secretary of Transpor9 tation’’; 

10 (C) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ‘‘De11 partment of Transportation’’ each place it ap12 pears and inserting ‘‘Department’’; 

13 (D) by redesignating subsection (h) as sub14 section (i); and 

15 (E) by inserting after subsection (g) the 

16 following: 

17 ‘‘(h) OFFICE OF RURAL INVESTMENT.— 

18 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the 

19 Department, within the Office of the Secretary, an 

20 Office of Rural Investment (referred to in this sub21 section as the ‘Office’). 

22 ‘‘(2) LEADERSHIP.—The Office shall be headed 

23 by a Director for Rural Investment (referred to in 

24 this subsection as the ‘Director’) who shall be ap25 pointed by, and report directly to, the Secretary. 


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1 ‘‘(3) MISSION.— 

2 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The mission of the 

3 Office shall be to coordinate with other offices 

4 and agencies within the Department and with 

5 other Federal agencies to further the goals and 

6 objectives described in subparagraph (B). 

7 ‘‘(B) GOALS AND OBJECTIVES DE8 SCRIBED.—The goals and objectives referred to 

9 in subparagraph (A) are— 

10 ‘‘(i) to ensure that the unique needs 

11 and attributes of rural transportation, in12 volving all modes, are fully addressed and 

13 prioritized during the development and im14 plementation of transportation policies, 

15 programs, and activities within the Depart16 ment; 

17 ‘‘(ii) to improve coordination of Fed18 eral transportation policies, programs, and 

19 activities within the Department in a man20 ner that expands economic development in 

21 rural communities and regions, and to pro22 vide recommendations for improvement, in23 cluding additional internal realignments; 

24 ‘‘(iii) to expand Federal transpor25 tation infrastructure investment in rural 


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1 communities and regions, including by pro2 viding recommendations for changes in ex3 isting funding distribution patterns; 

4 ‘‘(iv) to use innovation to resolve local 

5 and regional transportation challenges 

6 faced by rural communities and regions; 

7 ‘‘(v) to promote and improve planning 

8 and coordination among rural communities 

9 and regions to maximize the unique com10 petitive advantage in those locations while 

11 avoiding duplicative Federal, State and 

12 local investments; and 

13 ‘‘(vi) to ensure that all rural commu14 nities and regions lacking resources receive 

15 proactive outreach, education, and tech16 nical assistance to improve access to Fed17 eral transportation programs. 

18 ‘‘(4) DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR.—The Director 

19 shall— 

20 ‘‘(A) be responsible for engaging in activi21 ties to carry out the mission described in para22 graph (3); 

23 ‘‘(B) organize, guide, and lead activities 

24 within the Department to address disparities in 

25 rural transportation infrastructure to improve 


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1 safety, economic development, and quality of 

2 life in rural communities and regions; 

3 ‘‘(C) provide information and outreach to 

4 rural communities and regions concerning the 

5 availability and eligibility requirements of par6 ticipating in programs of the Department; 

7 ‘‘(D) help rural communities and regions— 

8 ‘‘(i) identify competitive economic ad9 vantages and transportation investments 

10 that ensure continued economic growth; 

11 and 

12 ‘‘(ii) avoid duplicative transportation 

13 investments; 

14 ‘‘(E) serve as a resource for assisting rural 

15 communities and regions with respect to Fed16 eral transportation programs; 

17 ‘‘(F) identify— 

18 ‘‘(i) Federal statutes, regulations, and 

19 polices that may impede the Department 

20 from supporting effective rural infrastruc21 ture projects that address national trans22 portation goals; and 

23 ‘‘(ii) potential measures to solve or 

24 mitigate those issues; 


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1 ‘‘(G) identify improved, simplified, and 

2 streamlined internal processes to help limited3 resource rural communities and regions access 

4 transportation investments; 

5 ‘‘(H) recommend changes and initiatives 

6 for the Secretary to consider; 

7 ‘‘(I) ensure and coordinate a routine rural 

8 consultation on the development of policies, pro9 grams, and activities of the Department; 

10 ‘‘(J) serve as an advocate within the De11 partment on behalf of rural communities and 

12 regions; and 

13 ‘‘(K) work in coordination with the De14 partment of Agriculture, the Department of 

15 Health and Human Services, the Department of 

16 Commerce, the Federal Communications Com17 mission, and other Federal agencies, as the Sec18 retary determines to be appropriate, in carrying 

19 out the duties described in subparagraphs (A) 

20 through (J). 

21 ‘‘(5) CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS.—For the 

22 purpose of carrying out the mission of the Office 

23 under paragraph (3), the Secretary may enter into 

24 contracts, cooperative agreements, and other agree25 ments as necessary, including with research centers, 


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1 institutions of higher education, States, units of 

2 local government, nonprofit organizations, or a com3 bination of any of those entities— 

4 ‘‘(A) to conduct research on transportation 

5 investments that promote rural economic devel6 opment; 

7 ‘‘(B) to solicit information in the develop8 ment of policy, programs, and activities of the 

9 Department that can improve infrastructure in10 vestment and economic development in rural 

11 communities and regions; 

12 ‘‘(C) to develop educational and outreach 

13 materials, including the conduct of workshops, 

14 courses, and certified training for rural commu15 nities and regions that can further the mission 

16 and goals of the Office and the Department; 

17 and 

18 ‘‘(D) to carry out any other activities, as 

19 determined by the Secretary to be appropriate. 

20 ‘‘(6) GRANTS.— 

21 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director may 

22 award competitive grants to an entity described 

23 in subparagraph (B) to support expanded edu24 cation, outreach, and technical assistance to 

25 rural communities and regions. 


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1 ‘‘(B) ENTITY DESCRIBED.—An entity re2 ferred to in subparagraph (A) is a nonprofit or3 ganization or an institution of higher education 

4 that has not less than 3 years of experience 

5 providing meaningful transportation technical 

6 assistance or advocacy services to rural commu7 nities and regions. 

8 ‘‘(7) EMPLOYEES.—The Secretary shall ensure 

9 that not more than 4 full-time equivalent employees 

10 are assigned to the Office. 

11 ‘‘(8) COORDINATION WITHIN AND AMONG

12 OTHER OFFICES AND AGENCIES OF THE DEPART13 MENT.— 

14 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 

15 designate not fewer than 1 representative from 

16 each office or agency of the Department de17 scribed in subparagraph (B) who shall be re18 sponsible for leading the efforts within that of19 fice or agency to further the goals and objec20 tives described in subparagraph (B) of para21 graph (3). 

22 ‘‘(B) OFFICES AND AGENCIES DE23 SCRIBED.—The offices and agencies of the De24 partment referred to in subparagraph (A) are 

25 each of the following: 


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1 ‘‘(i) The Office of the Under Sec2 retary of Transportation for Policy. 

3 ‘‘(ii) The Office of the General Coun4 sel. 

5 ‘‘(iii) The Office of the Chief Finan6 cial Officer and Assistant Secretary for 

7 Budget and Programs. 

8 ‘‘(iv) The Federal Aviation Adminis9 tration. 

10 ‘‘(v) The Federal Highway Adminis11 tration. 

12 ‘‘(vi) The Federal Railroad Adminis13 tration. 

14 ‘‘(vii) The Federal Transit Adminis15 tration. 

16 ‘‘(viii) The Office of the Assistant 

17 Secretary for Governmental Affairs. 

18 ‘‘(ix) The Office of Public Affairs. 

19 ‘‘(x) Any other office or agency of the 

20 Department that the Secretary determines 

21 to be appropriate. 

22 ‘‘(C) DUTIES.—The Chief Infrastructure 

23 Funding Officer of the Department and the 

24 representatives designated under subparagraph 

25 (A)— 


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1 ‘‘(i) shall— 

2 ‘‘(I) meet bimonthly; and 

3 ‘‘(II) recommend initiatives to 

4 the Office; and 

5 ‘‘(ii) may participate in all meetings 

6 and relevant activities of the Office to pro7 vide input and guidance relevant to rural 

8 transportation infrastructure projects and 

9 issues. 

10 ‘‘(9) ADDITIONAL INPUT.— 

11 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 

12 seek input from the offices and agencies of the 

13 Department described in subparagraph (B) to 

14 further the goals and objectives described in 

15 subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3). 

16 ‘‘(B) OFFICES AND AGENCIES DE17 SCRIBED.—The offices and agencies of the De18 partment referred to in subparagraph (A) are 

19 each of the following: 

20 ‘‘(i) The Maritime Administration. 

21 ‘‘(ii) The Saint Lawrence Seaway De22 velopment Corporation. 

23 ‘‘(iii) The National Highway Traffic 

24 Safety Administration. 


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1 ‘‘(10) REPORT.—Each year, the Office shall 

2 submit to the Secretary a report describing— 

3 ‘‘(A) the objectives of the Office for the 

4 coming year; and 

5 ‘‘(B) how the objectives of the Office were 

6 accomplished in the previous year. 

7 ‘‘(11) APPLICABILITY.—In carrying out the 

8 mission of the Office under paragraph (3), the Sec9 retary shall consider as rural any area considered to 

10 be a rural area under a Federal transportation pro11 gram of the Department.’’. 

12 (2) COUNCIL ON CREDIT AND FINANCE.—Sec13 tion 117(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is 

14 amended by adding at the end the following: 

15 ‘‘(I) The Director for Rural Investment.’’. 

16 (b) RURAL TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.— 

17 (1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 

18 (A) ADVISORY COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘advi19 sory council’’ means the rural transportation 

20 advisory council established under paragraph 

21 (2). 

22 (B) RELEVANT COMMITTEES OF CON23 GRESS.—The term ‘‘relevant committees of 

24 Congress’’ means— 


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1 (i) the Committee on Transportation 

2 and Infrastructure of the House of Rep3 resentatives; 

4 (ii) the Committee on Energy and 

5 Commerce of the House of Representa6 tives; 

7 (iii) the Committee on Environment 

8 and Public Works of the Senate; 

9 (iv) the Committee on Commerce, 

10 Science, and Transportation of the Senate; 

11 (v) the Committee on Banking, Hous12 ing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate; 

13 (vi) the Subcommittee on Transpor14 tation, and Housing and Urban Develop15 ment, and Related Agencies of the Com16 mittee on Appropriations of the House of 

17 Representatives; and 

18 (vii) the Subcommittee on Transpor19 tation, Housing and Urban Development, 

20 and Related Agencies of the Committee on 

21 Appropriations of the Senate. 

22 (C) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ 

23 means the Secretary of Transportation. 

24 (2) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es25 tablish a rural transportation advisory council to 


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1 consult with and advise the Office of Rural Invest2 ment. 

3 (3) MEMBERSHIP.— 

4 (A) IN GENERAL.—The advisory council 

5 shall be composed of 15 members, appointed by 

6 the Secretary, of whom— 

7 (i) not fewer than 1 shall be a rep8 resentative from an institution of higher 

9 education or extension program; 

10 (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a rep11 resentative from an organization promoting 

12 business and economic development, such 

13 as a chamber of commerce, a local govern14 ment institution, or a planning organiza15 tion; 

16 (iii) not fewer than 1 shall be a rep17 resentative from a financing entity; 

18 (iv) not fewer than 1 shall have expe19 rience in health, mobility, or emergency 

20 services; 

21 (v) not fewer than 1 shall have experi22 ence in transportation safety; 

23 (vi) not fewer than 1 shall have expe24 rience with workforce access; 


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1 (vii) not fewer than 1 shall have expe2 rience with tourism and recreational activi3 ties; 

4 (viii) not fewer than 1 shall have— 

5 (I) experience with rural supply 

6 chains, such as direct-to-consumer 

7 supply chains; and 

8 (II) wholesale distribution experi9 ence; 

10 (ix) not fewer than 1 shall have expe11 rience in emerging or innovative tech12 nologies relating to rural transportation 

13 networks; 

14 (x) not fewer than 1 shall have experi15 ence in food, nutrition, and grocery access; 

16 (xi) not fewer than 1 shall represent 

17 agriculture, nutrition, or forestry; and 

18 (xii) not fewer than 1 shall have expe19 rience with historically underserved re20 gions, as determined by the Secretary. 

21 (B) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall 

22 appoint members to the advisory council in a 

23 manner that ensures, to the maximum extent 

24 practicable, that the geographic and economic 


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1 diversity of rural communities and regions of 

2 the United States are represented. 

3 (C) TIMING OF INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.— 

4 Not later than 180 days after the date of enact5 ment of this Act, the Secretary shall appoint 

6 the initial members of the advisory council. 

7 (D) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENTS.— 

8 (i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided 

9 in clause (ii), a member of the advisory 

10 council shall be appointed for a term of 3 

11 years. 

12 (ii) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.—Of the 

13 members first appointed to the advisory 

14 council— 

15 (I) 5, as determined by the Sec16 retary, shall be appointed for a term 

17 of 3 years; 

18 (II) 5, as determined by the Sec19 retary, shall be appointed for a term 

20 of 2 years; and 

21 (III) 5, as determined by the 

22 Secretary, shall be appointed for a 

23 term of 1 year. 

24 (E) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy on the ad25 visory council— 


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1 (i) shall not affect the power of the 

2 advisory council; and 

3 (ii) shall be filled as soon as prac4 ticable and in the same manner as the 

5 original appointment. 

6 (F) CONSECUTIVE TERMS.—An appointee 

7 to the advisory council may serve 1 additional, 

8 consecutive term if the member is reappointed 

9 by the Secretary. 

10 (4) MEETINGS.— 

11 (A) IN GENERAL.—The advisory council 

12 shall meet not less than twice per year, as de13 termined by the Secretary. 

14 (B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 

15 180 days after the date on which the initial 

16 members of the advisory council are appointed 

17 under paragraph (3)(C), the advisory council 

18 shall hold the first meeting of the advisory 

19 council. 

20 (5) DUTIES.— 

21 (A) IN GENERAL.—The advisory council 

22 shall— 

23 (i) advise the Office of Rural Invest24 ment on issues related to rural needs relat25 ing to Federal transportation programs; 


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1 (ii) evaluate and review ongoing re2 search activities relating to rural transpor3 tation networks, including new and emerg4 ing barriers to economic development and 

5 access to investments; 

6 (iii) develop recommendations for any 

7 changes to Federal law, regulations, inter8 nal Department of Transportation policies 

9 or guidance, or other measures that would 

10 eliminate barriers for rural access or im11 prove rural equity in transportation invest12 ments; 

13 (iv) examine methods of maximizing 

14 the number of opportunities for assistance 

15 for rural communities and regions under 

16 Federal transportation programs, including 

17 expanded outreach and technical assist18 ance; 

19 (v) examine methods of encouraging 

20 intergovernmental and local resource co21 operation to mitigate duplicative invest22 ments in key rural communities and re23 gions and improve the efficiencies in the 

24 delivery of Federal transportation pro25 grams; 


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1 (vi) evaluate other methods of cre2 ating new opportunities for rural commu3 nities and regions; and 

4 (vii) address any other relevant issues 

5 as the Secretary determines to be appro6 priate. 

7 (B) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year 

8 after the date on which the initial members of 

9 the advisory council are appointed under para10 graph (3)(C), and every 2 years thereafter 

11 through 2026, the advisory council shall submit 

12 to the Secretary and the relevant committees of 

13 Congress a report describing the recommenda14 tions developed under subparagraph (A)(iii). 

15 (6) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 

16 (A) COMPENSATION.—A member of the 

17 advisory council shall serve without compensa18 tion. 

19 (B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the 

20 advisory council shall be allowed travel ex21 penses, including per diem in lieu of subsist22 ence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, 

23 United States Code. 

24 (7) TERMINATION.— 


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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subpara2 graph (B), the advisory council shall terminate 

3 on the date that is 5 years after the date on 

4 which the initial members are appointed under 

5 paragraph (3)(C). 

6 (B) EXTENSION.—Before the date on 

7 which the advisory council terminates, the Sec8 retary may renew the advisory council for 1 or 

9 more 2-year periods. 

10 (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 

11 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and 

12 the amendments made by this section $7,000,000 for each 

13 of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. 

Æ 


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