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‘‘(A) purchasing, leasing, and installing 
computer software and hardware, including 
handheld computer technologies, and related 
services; 
‘‘(B) making improvements to computer 
software and hardware; 
‘‘(C) purchasing or leasing communications 
capabilities necessary for clinical data access, 
storage, and exchange; 
‘‘(D) services associated with acquiring, 
implementing, operating, or optimizing the use 
of computer software and hardware and clinical 
health care informatics systems; 
‘‘(E) providing education and training to 
eligible entity staff on information systems and 
technology designed to improve patient safety 
and quality of care; and 
‘‘(F) purchasing, leasing, subscribing, or 
servicing support to establish interoperability 
that— 
‘‘(i) integrates patient-specific clinical 
data with well-established national treat-
ment guidelines; 
‘‘(ii) provides ongoing, continuous 
quality improvement functions that allow 
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providers to assess improvement rates over 
time and against averages for similar pro-
viders; and 
‘‘(iii) integrates with larger health 
networks. 
‘‘(2) RURAL
AREA.—The term ‘rural area’ 
means any area of the United States that is not— 
‘‘(A) included within the boundaries of any 
city, town, borough, or village, whether incor-
porated or unincorporated, with a population of 
more than 20,000 inhabitants; or 
‘‘(B) the urbanized area contiguous and 
adjacent to such a city or town. 
‘‘(3) RURAL
HEALTH
FACILITY.—The term 
‘rural health facility’ means any of the following: 
‘‘(A) SOLE
COMMUNITY
HOSPITAL.—A 
hospital (as defined in section 1886(a)(2) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(a)(2))). 
‘‘(B) CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL.—A crit-
ical access hospital (as defined in section 
1861(mm)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395x(mm)(1))). 
‘‘(C) FEDERALLY
QUALIFIED
HEALTH 
CENTER IN RURAL AREAS.—A federally quali-
fied health center (as defined in section 
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1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(4)) that is located in a rural 
area. 
‘‘(D) RURAL PHYSICIAN OR RURAL PHYSI-
CIAN GROUP PRACTICE.—A physician or physi-
cian group practice that is located in a rural 
area. 
‘‘(E) RURAL
HEALTH
CLINIC.—A rural 
health clinic (as defined in section 1861(aa)(2) 
of 
the 
Social 
Security 
Act 
(42 
U.S.C. 
1395x(aa)(2))). 
‘‘(F) MEDICARE DEPENDENT HOSPITAL.— 
A medicare-dependent, small rural hospital (as 
defined in section 1886(d)(5)(G)(iv) of the So-
cial 
Security 
Act 
(42 
U.S.C. 
1395ww(d)(5)(G)(iv))). 
‘‘(c) AMOUNT OF GRANT.—The Secretary shall deter-
mine the amount of a grant awarded under this section. 
‘‘(d) FURNISHING THE SECRETARY WITH INFORMA-
TION.—An eligible entity receiving a grant under this sec-
tion shall furnish the Secretary with such information as 
the Secretary may require to— 
‘‘(1) evaluate the project for which the grant is 
made; and 
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‘‘(2) ensure that assistance provided under the 
grant is expended for the purposes for which the 
grant is made. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section not more than $30,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 6013. RURAL ENTREPRENEUR AND MICROENTER-
PRISE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural De-
velopment Act (7 U.S.C. 1981–2008r), as amended by 
sections 5025 and 6012 of this Act, is amended by insert-
ing after section 366 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 367. RURAL ENTREPRENEUR AND MICROENTER-
PRISE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ECONOMICALLY
DISADVANTAGED
MICRO-
ENTREPRENEUR.—The term ‘economically disadvan-
taged microentrepreneur’ means an owner, majority 
owner, or developer of a microenterprise that has the 
ability to compete in the private sector but has been 
impaired because of diminished capital and credit 
opportunities, as compared to other microentre-
preneurs in the industry. 
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‘‘(2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). 
‘‘(3) INTERMEDIARY.—The term ‘intermediary’ 
means a nonprofit entity that provides assistance— 
‘‘(A) to a microenterprise development or-
ganization; or 
‘‘(B) for a microenterprise development 
program. 
‘‘(4) LOW-INCOME
INDIVIDUAL.—The term 
‘low-income individual’ means an individual with an 
income (adjusted for family size) of not more than 
80 percent of the national median income. 
‘‘(5) MICROCREDIT.—The term ‘microcredit’ 
means a business loan or loan guarantee of not more 
than $50,000 that is provided to a rural entre-
preneur. 
‘‘(6) MICROENTERPRISE.—The term ‘micro-
enterprise’ means— 
‘‘(A) a sole proprietorship; or 
‘‘(B) a business entity with not more than 
10 full-time-equivalent employees. 
‘‘(7) MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT ORGA-
NIZATION.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘microenter-
prise development organization’ means a non-
profit entity that— 
‘‘(i) provides training and technical 
assistance to rural entrepreneurs; and 
‘‘(ii) facilitates access to capital or an-
other service described in subsection (b) 
for rural entrepreneurs. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘microenter-
prise development organization’ includes an or-
ganization described in subparagraph (A) with 
a demonstrated record of delivering services to 
economically disadvantaged microentrepreneurs, 
or an effective plan to develop a program to de-
liver microenterprise services to rural entre-
preneurs effectively, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(8) MICROENTERPRISE
DEVELOPMENT
PRO-
GRAM.—The term ‘microenterprise development pro-
gram’ means a program administered by a qualified 
organization serving a rural area. 
‘‘(9) MICROENTREPRENEUR.—The term ‘micro-
entrepreneur means’ the owner, operator, or devel-
oper of a microenterprise. 
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‘‘(10) PROGRAM.—The term ‘program’ means 
the rural entrepreneur and microenterprise program 
established under subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(11) QUALIFIED
ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘qualified organization’ means— 
‘‘(A) a microenterprise development orga-
nization or microenterprise development pro-
gram that has a demonstrated record of deliv-
ering microenterprise services to rural entre-
preneurs, or an effective plan to develop a pro-
gram to deliver microenterprise services to rural 
entrepreneurs effectively, as determined by the 
Secretary; 
‘‘(B) an intermediary that has a dem-
onstrated record of delivering assistance to 
microenterprise development organizations or 
microenterprise development programs; 
‘‘(C) an Indian tribe, the tribal government 
of which certifies to the Secretary that there is 
no microenterprise development organization or 
microenterprise development program under the 
jurisdiction of the Indian tribe; 
‘‘(D) a group of 2 or more organizations or 
Indian tribes described in any of subparagraphs 
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(A) through (C) that agree to act jointly as a 
qualified organization under this section; or 
‘‘(E) for purposes of subsection (b), a pub-
lic college or university that has a demonstrated 
record of delivering assistance to microenter-
prise development organizations or microenter-
prise development programs. 
‘‘(12) RURAL
AREA.—The term ‘rural area’ 
means any area of the United States that is not— 
‘‘(A) included within the boundaries of any 
city, town, borough, or village, whether incor-
porated or unincorporated, with a population of 
more than 20,000 inhabitants; or 
‘‘(B) the urbanized area contiguous and 
adjacent to such a city or town. 
‘‘(13) RURAL CAPACITY-BUILDING SERVICE.— 
The term ‘rural capacity-building service’ means a 
service provided to an organization that— 
‘‘(A) is, or is in the process of becoming, 
a microenterprise development organization or 
microenterprise development program; and 
‘‘(B) serves rural areas for the purpose of 
enhancing the ability of the organization to pro-
vide training, technical assistance, and other re-
lated services to rural entrepreneurs. 
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‘‘(14) 
RURAL
ENTREPRENEUR.—The 
term 
‘rural entrepreneur’ means a microentrepreneur, or 
prospective microentrepreneur— 
‘‘(A) the principal place of business of 
which is in a rural area; and 
‘‘(B) that is unable to obtain sufficient 
training, technical assistance, or microcredit 
elsewhere, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(15) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘tribal 
government’ means the governing body of an Indian 
tribe. 
‘‘(b) RURAL
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND
MICRO-
ENTERPRISE PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish a rural entrepreneurship and microenterprise 
program. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program 
shall be to provide low-income individuals and mod-
erate-income individuals with— 
‘‘(A) the skills necessary to establish new 
small businesses in rural areas; and 
‘‘(B) continuing technical and financial as-
sistance as individuals and business starting or 
operating small businesses. 
‘‘(3) GRANTS.— 
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
make a grant under the program to a qualified 
organization— 
‘‘(i) to provide training, operational 
support, or a rural capacity-building serv-
ice to a qualified organization to assist the 
qualified organization in developing micro-
enterprise training, technical assistance, 
market development assistance, and other 
related services, primarily for business with 
10 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees; 
‘‘(ii) to assist in researching and de-
veloping the best practices in delivering 
training, technical assistance, and micro-
credit to rural entrepreneurs; and 
‘‘(iii) to carry out such other projects 
and activities as the Secretary determines 
to be consistent with the purposes of this 
section. 
‘‘(B) DIVERSITY.—In making grants under 
this paragraph, the Secretary shall ensure, to 
the maximum extent practicable, that grant re-
cipients include qualified organizations— 
‘‘(i) of varying sizes; and 
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‘‘(ii) that serve racially and ethnically 
diverse populations. 
‘‘(C) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of 
any grant made to a qualified organization 
under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
require the qualified organization to match 
not less than 25 percent of the total 
amount of the grant. 
‘‘(ii) SOURCES.—In addition to cash 
from non-Federal sources, a matching 
share provided by the qualified organiza-
tion may include indirect costs or in-kind 
contributions funded under non-Federal 
programs. 
‘‘(4) RURAL MICROLOAN AND TECHNICAL AS-
SISTANCE PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—In carrying out 
the program, the Secretary may carry out a 
rural microloan program. 
‘‘(B) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the rural 
microloan program shall be to provide technical 
and financial assistance through qualified orga-
nizations to sole proprietorships and small busi-
nesses located in rural areas with a particular 
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focus on businesses with 10 or fewer full-time 
equivalent employees. 
‘‘(C) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.—In car-
rying out the rural microloan program, the Sec-
retary may— 
‘‘(i) make loans to qualified organiza-
tions for the purpose of making short- 
term, fixed interest rate microloans to 
startup, newly established, and growing 
rural microbusiness concerns; and 
‘‘(ii) in conjunction with the loans, 
provide grants in accordance with subpara-
graph (E) to the organizations for the pur-
pose of providing intensive marketing, 
management, and technical assistance to 
small business concerns that are borrowers 
under this paragraph. 
‘‘(D) LOAN DURATION; INTEREST RATES; 
CONDITIONS.— 
‘‘(i) LOAN DURATION.—A loan made 
by the Secretary under this paragraph 
shall be for a term of 20 years. 
‘‘(ii) APPLICABLE INTEREST RATES.— 
A loan made by the Secretary under this 
paragraph to a qualified organization shall 
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bear an annual interest rate of at least 1 
percent. 
‘‘(iii) DEFERRAL
OF
INTEREST
AND 
PRINCIPAL.—The Secretary may permit 
the deferral of payments, for principal and 
interest, on a loan made under this para-
graph for a period of not more than 2 
years, beginning on the date the loan is 
made. 
‘‘(E) GRANT AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as other-
wise provided in this section, each qualified 
organization that receives a loan under this 
paragraph shall be eligible to receive a 
grant to provide marketing, management, 
and technical assistance to small business 
concerns that are borrowers or potential 
borrowers under this subsection. 
‘‘(ii) MAXIMUM AMOUNT FOR MICRO-
ENTERPRISE
DEVELOPMENT
ORGANIZA-
TIONS.—Each microenterprise development 
organization that receives a loan under this 
paragraph shall receive an annual grant in 
an amount equal to not more than 25 per-
cent of the total outstanding balance of 
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loans made to the microenterprise develop-
ment organization under this paragraph, 
as of the date the grant is made. 
‘‘(iii) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—As a condi-
tion of any grant made to a qualified 
organization under this subparagraph, 
the Secretary shall require the quali-
fied organization to match not less 
than 15 percent of the total amount 
of the grant. 
‘‘(II) SOURCES.—In addition to 
cash from non-Federal sources, a 
matching share provided by the quali-
fied organization may include indirect 
costs or in-kind contributions funded 
under non-Federal programs. 
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 
10 percent of assistance received by a qualified organiza-
tion for a fiscal year under this section may be used to 
pay administrative expenses. 
‘‘(d) FURNISHING THE SECRETARY WITH INFORMA-
TION.—A qualified organization that receives a grant 
under subsection (b)(3) or loan under subsection (b)(4) 
shall furnish the Secretary by December 1 such informa-
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tion as the Secretary may require to ensure that assistance 
provided under the grant or loan is expended for the pur-
poses for which the grant or loan is made. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section not more than $20,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 6014. CRITERIA TO BE APPLIED IN CONSIDERING AP-
PLICATIONS 
FOR 
RURAL 
DEVELOPMENT 
PROJECTS. 
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural De-
velopment Act (7 U.S.C. 1981–2008r), as amended by 
sections 5025, 6012, and 6013 of this Act, is amended 
by inserting after section 367 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 368. CRITERIA TO BE APPLIED IN CONSIDERING AP-
PLICATIONS 
FOR 
RURAL 
DEVELOPMENT 
PROJECTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall review the 
income demographics, population, seasonal increases, and 
other factors as determined by the Secretary, of eligible 
communities for each program authorized or modified by, 
or funded pursuant to, an amendment made by title VI 
of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 or sec-
tion 306, 306A, 306C, 306D, 306E, 310(c), 310(e), 
310B(b), 310B(c), 310B(e), or 379B, or subtitle F, G, 
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H, or I of this Act, and which proposes to serve a rural 
area (as defined by the applicable law). 
‘‘(b) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall issue regu-
lations to establish the applicable limitations that a rural 
area cannot exceed in order to remain eligible for a pro-
gram referred to in subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 6015. NATIONAL SHEEP INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT 
CENTER. 
(a) FUNDING.—Section 375(e)(6) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008j(e)(6)) 
is amended by striking paragraphs (B) and (C) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(B) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary to carry out this sec-
tion $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 
2008 through 2012.’’. 
(b) ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT TO PRIVATIZE 
REVOLVING FUND.—Section 375 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
2008j) is amended by striking subsection (j). 
SEC. 6016. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNER-
SHIP. 
Section 378(g)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008m(g)(1)) is amend-
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ed by striking ‘‘2003 through 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 
through 2012’’. 
SEC. 6017. HISTORIC BARN PRESERVATION. 
(a) GRANT PRIORITY.—Section 379A(c) of the Con-
solidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
2008o(c)) is amended by redesignating paragraphs (3) 
and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting after 
paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) PRIORITY.—In making grants under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall give the highest pri-
ority to funding projects described in paragraph 
(2)(C).’’. 
(b) LIMITATIONS
ON AUTHORIZATION
OF APPRO-
PRIATIONS.—Section 379A(c)(5) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
2008o(c)(5)), as so redesignated by subsection (a) of this 
section, is amended by striking ‘‘2002 through 2007’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2008 through 2012’’. 
SEC. 6018. GRANTS FOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMIT-
TERS. 
Section 379B(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008p(d)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2002 through 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 
through 2012’’. 
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SEC. 6019. DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
382M(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa–12(a)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2001 through 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 through 
2012’’. 
(b) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—Section 382N of 
such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa–13) is amended by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 6020. NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL AUTHOR-
ITY. 
(a) FEDERAL
SHARE
OF
ADMINISTRATIVE
EX-
PENSES.—Section 383B(g)(1) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–1(g)(1)) 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘2002’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2007’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘2003’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2008’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘2004’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2009’’. 
(b) 
TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT.—Section 
383B(d)(6)(A) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–1(d)(6)(A)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘and resource conservation’’ after 
‘‘development’’. 
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(c) ELIMINATION OF PRIORITIZATION RANKING OF 
ACTIVITIES TO BE FUNDED.—Section 383C(b)(2) of such 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–2(b)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘activities in the following order of priority’’ and inserting 
‘‘following activities’’. 
(d) ELIMINATION OF ISOLATED AREA OF DISTRESS 
DESIGNATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 383F(a) of such Act 
(7 U.S.C. 2009bb–5(a)) is amended— 
(A) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (1); 
(B) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of para-
graph (2) and inserting a period; and 
(C) by striking paragraph (3). 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
383F(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–5(b)) is 
amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and iso-
lated areas of distress’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘or iso-
lated areas of distress’’. 
(e) REDUCTION OF MINIMUM FUNDS ALLOCATION 
FOR DISTRESSED COUNTIES.—Section 383F(b)(1) of 
such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–5(b)(1)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘75’’ and inserting ‘‘50’’. 
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(f) ELIMINATION OF PROHIBITION ON PROVIDING 
FUNDS TO NONDISTRESSED COUNTIES.—Section 383F of 
such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–5) is amended by striking sub-
section (c) and redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
(c). 
(g) INCLUSION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AMONG OB-
JECTS
OF
MINIMUM
FUNDS
ALLOCATION.—Section 
383F(c) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–5(c)), as so redes-
ignated by subsection (a) of this section, is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ‘‘RE-
NEWABLE
ENERGY,’’ 
after 
‘‘TELECOMMUNI-
CATION,’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘renewable energy,’’ after 
‘‘telecommunication’’. 
(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
383M(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–12(a)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2002 through 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 
through 2012’’. 
(i) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—Section 383N of 
such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–13) is amended by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 6021. RURAL STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) LIMITATIONS
ON AUTHORIZATION
OF APPRO-
PRIATIONS.—Section 385E of the Consolidated Farm and 
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Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009dd–4) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 385E. LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORIZATION OF APPRO-
PRIATIONS. 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary to carry out this subtitle not more than 
$25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 
2012.’’. 
(b) PRESERVATION
AND PROMOTION
OF RURAL 
HERITAGE.— 
(1) DEFINITION.—Section 385B of such Act (7 
U.S.C. 2009dd–1) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(12) RURAL HERITAGE.—The term ‘rural her-
itage’ means historic sites, structures, and districts 
which may include rural downtown areas and main 
streets, neighborhoods, farmsteads, scenic and his-
toric trails, and heritage areas and historic land-
scapes.’’. 
(2) RURAL STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLANNING 
GRANTS.—Section 385F(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
2009dd–5(b)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (6); and 
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(B) by redesignating paragraph (7) as 
paragraph (8) and inserting after paragraph 
(6) the following: 
‘‘(7) preservation and promotion of rural herit-
age; and’’. 
(3) INNOVATION GRANTS.—Section 385G(d) of 
such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009dd–66–(d)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (6); and 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (7) as 
paragraph (8) and inserting after paragraph 
(6) the following: 
‘‘(7) demonstrate a plan to protect and promote 
rural heritage; and’’. 
SEC. 6022. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS. 
Section 315(b) of the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 (7 U.S.C. 904e(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘2002 
through 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 through 2012’’. 
SEC. 6023. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 601(b) of the Rural Elec-
trification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)) is amended 
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: 
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‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE RURAL COMMUNITY.—The term 
‘eligible rural community’ means any area of the 
United States that is not— 
‘‘(A) included within the boundaries of any 
city, town, borough, or village, whether incor-
porated or unincorporated, with a population of 
more than 20,000 inhabitants; or 
‘‘(B) the urbanized area contiguous and 
adjacent to such a city or town.’’. 
(b) PRIORITIZATION OF APPLICATIONS.— 
(1) DEFINITION.—Section 601(b) of such Act 
(7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)), as amended by subsection (a) 
of this section, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(3) INCUMBENT
SERVICE
PROVIDER.—The 
term ‘incumbent service provider’ means, with re-
spect to an application submitted pursuant to this 
section, an entity that is providing broadband service 
to at least 5 percent of the households in the service 
area proposed in the application.’’. 
(2) PRIORITY BASED ON NUMBER OF INCUM-
BENT SERVICE PROVIDERS.—Section 601(c) of such 
Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb(c)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
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‘‘(3) APPLICATIONS
PRIORITIZED
BASED
ON 
NUMBER OF INCUMBENT SERVICE PROVIDERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In making or guaran-
teeing loans under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall give priority, in the following order, to ap-
plications from eligible rural communities that 
have— 
‘‘(i) no incumbent service provider; 
‘‘(ii) 1 incumbent service provider; or 
‘‘(iii) 2 incumbent service providers 
who, together, serve not more than 25 per-
cent of the households in the service area 
proposed in the application. 
‘‘(B) PROHIBITIONS.—In carrying out this 
section, the Secretary may not— 
‘‘(i) make a loan to an eligible com-
munity in which there are 3 or more in-
cumbent service providers, unless— 
‘‘(I) the loan is to an incumbent 
service provider of the community; 
‘‘(II) the other providers in that 
community are notified of the applica-
tion before approval by the Secretary, 
and have sufficient time to comment 
on the application; and 
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‘‘(III) the application includes 
substantially increasing— 
‘‘(aa) 
the 
quality 
of 
broadband service in the commu-
nity; and 
‘‘(bb) 
the 
provision 
of 
broadband service to unserved 
households inside and outside the 
community; or 
‘‘(ii) make a loan for new construction 
to any community in which more than 75 
percent of the households may obtain af-
fordable broadband service, on request, 
from at least 1 incumbent service pro-
vider.’’. 
(c) PAPERWORK REDUCTION.—Section 601(c) of 
such Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb(c)), as amended by subsection 
(b)(2) of this section, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(4) PAPERWORK REDUCTION.—The Secretary 
shall take steps to reduce the cost and paperwork 
associated with applying for a loan or loan guar-
antee under this section by first-time applicants, 
particularly those who are smaller and start-up 
Internet providers, including by providing for a new 
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application which shall maintain the ability of the 
Secretary to make an analysis of the risk associated 
with the loan involved.’’. 
(d) INCREASE
IN MAXIMUM NUMBER
OF SUB-
SCRIBER LINES THAT MAY BE SERVED BY AN ELIGIBLE 
ENTITY.—Section 601(d)(3) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
950bb(d)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘2’’ and inserting 
‘‘10’’. 
(e) LIMITATION
ON FUNDS
TO ENTITIES WITH 
MORE THAN 2 PERCENT OF SUBSCRIBER LINES.—Sec-
tion 601(d) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb(d)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) LIMITATION ON FUNDS TO ENTITIES WITH 
MORE THAN 2 PERCENT OF SUBSCRIBER LINES.— 
Not more than 25 percent of the loans made under 
this section in a single fiscal year may be approved 
for entities that serve more than 2 percent of the 
telephone subscriber lines in the United States.’’. 
(f) LOAN TERM NOT TO EXCEED 35 YEARS.—Sec-
tion 601(g)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb(g)(2)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘not to exceed the useful life of the 
assets constructed, improved, or acquired with the pro-
ceeds of the loan or extension of credit.’’ and inserting 
‘‘of such length, not exceeding 35 years, as the borrower 
may request, so long as the Secretary determines that the 
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HR 2419 PCS
loan is adequately secured. In determining the term of a 
loan or loan guarantee, the Secretary shall consider wheth-
er the recipient is or would be serving an area that is not 
receiving broadband services.’’ 
(g) ADEQUACY OF SECURITY.—Section 601 of such 
Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb) is amended by redesignating sub-
sections (h) through (k) as subsections (i) through (l), re-
spectively, and inserting after subsection (g) the following: 
‘‘(h) ADEQUACY OF SECURITY.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that the type, amount, and method of security used 
to secure any loan or loan guarantee provided under this 
section is commensurate to the risk involved with the loan 
or loan guarantee, particularly when the loan or loan guar-
antee is issued to a financially healthy, strong, and stable 
entity. In determining the amount and method of security, 
the Secretary shall consider reducing the security in areas 
that do not have broadband service.’’. 
(h) GENERAL REPORT ON PROGRAM.—Section 601 
of such Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb), as amended by subsection 
(g) of this section, is amended by redesignating sub-
sections (k) and (l) as subsections (l) and (m), respec-
tively, and inserting after subsection (j) the following: 
‘‘(k) GENERAL PROGRAM REPORT.—Not later than 
December 1 of each year, the Secretary shall prepare and 
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
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HR 2419 PCS
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report that details for 
the preceding fiscal year— 
‘‘(1) the loans made under this section; 
‘‘(2) the communities served under this section; 
‘‘(3) the speed of the broadband service offered 
by applicants for, and recipients of, loans or loan 
guarantees under this section; 
‘‘(4) the type of services offered by the appli-
cants and recipients; 
‘‘(5) the length of time to approve applications 
submitted pursuant to this section; and 
‘‘(6) the outreach efforts undertaken by the De-
partment of Agriculture to encourage persons in 
areas without broadband service to submit applica-
tions pursuant to this section.’’. 
(i) NATIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS ASSESSMENT.—Section 601 of such Act (7 
U.S.C. 950bb), as amended by subsections (g) and (h) of 
this section, is amended by redesignating subsections (l) 
and (m) as subsections (m) and (n), respectively, and in-
serting after subsection (k) the following: 
‘‘(l) NATIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS ASSESSMENT.— 
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‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER.—The Sec-
retary shall designate a National Center for Rural 
Telecommunications Assessment (in this subsection 
referred to as the ‘Center’). 
‘‘(2) CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall use the 
following criteria in making the designation: 
‘‘(A) The Center must be an entity with a 
focus on rural policy research and a minimum 
of 5 years experience in rural telecommuni-
cations research and assessment. 
‘‘(B) The Center must be capable of as-
sessing broadband services in rural areas. 
‘‘(C) The Center must have significant ex-
perience with other rural economic development 
centers and organizations in the assessment of 
rural policies and formulation of policy solu-
tions at the local, State, and Federal level. 
‘‘(3) BOARD.—The management of the Center 
shall be vested in a board of directors that is capable 
of oversight of the duties set forth in paragraph (4). 
‘‘(4) DUTIES.—The Center shall— 
‘‘(A) assess the effectiveness of programs 
provided under subsection (d) in increasing 
broadband penetration and purchase in rural 
areas, especially in those rural communities 
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identified by the Secretary as having no service 
before award of a broadband loan or loan guar-
antee under subsection (d); 
‘‘(B) develop assessments of broadband 
availability in rural areas, working with existing 
rural development centers selected by the Cen-
ter; 
‘‘(C) identify policies and initiatives at the 
local, State and Federal level that have in-
creased broadband penetration and purchase in 
rural areas; 
‘‘(D) conduct a national study of rural 
households and businesses focusing on the 
adoption of, barriers to, and utilization of 
broadband services; and 
‘‘(E) provide reports to the public on the 
activities undertaken under this section. 
‘‘(5) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—The Center 
shall report by December 1 of each year to the Sec-
retary its activities, the results of its research, and 
any such information the Secretary may request re-
garding the prior fiscal year. In reporting to the 
Secretary the Center shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) Assessments of the programs pro-
vided under subsection (b). 
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‘‘(B) Annual assessments on broadband 
availability in rural areas under consideration 
by the Center. 
‘‘(C) Annual assessments on the effects of 
the policy initiatives identified in paragraph 
(2)(C). 
‘‘(D) Results from the national study of 
rural households and businesses conducted 
under paragraph (4)(D). 
‘‘(6) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary to carry out this subsection not more than 
$1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 
2012.’’. 
(j) FUNDING.—Section 601(m) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
950bb(l)) as so redesignated by subsections (g) through 
(i) of this section, is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (1); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and 
(4) as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively; 
(3) in paragraph (1)(B) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’; 
(4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘2003 through 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 
through 2012’’; and 
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(5) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) ELIGIBLE
TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES.— 
Of the amounts made available under subpara-
graph (A) for a fiscal year, 10 percent shall be 
reserved for entities serving eligible tribal com-
munities. 
‘‘(E) 
UNOBLIGATED
AMOUNTS.—Any 
amounts in the reserve established for eligible 
tribal communities for a fiscal year under sub-
paragraph (D) that are not obligated by June 
30 of the fiscal year shall be available to the 
Secretary to make loans and loan guarantees 
under this section to eligible entities in any 
State, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
(k) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ISSUE LOANS.— 
Section 601(n) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb(m)), as so 
redesignated by subsections (f) through (h) of this section, 
is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 6024. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM. 
Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 950bb) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘SEC. 602. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a grant program to be known as the ‘Community Con-
nect Grant Program’ to provide financial assistance to eli-
gible applicants to provide broadband transmission service 
that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced edu-
cational, health care, and public safety services. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for a grant under 
this section, the applicant must— 
‘‘(1) be legally organized as an incorporated 
tribal organization, an Indian tribe, or tribal organi-
zation, as defined in subsections (b) and (c) of sec-
tion 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu-
cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(b) and (c)), 
a State or local unit of government, or other legal 
entity, including a cooperative, private corporation, 
or limited liability company organized on a for-profit 
or not-for-profit basis; 
‘‘(2) have the legal capacity and authority to 
own and operate broadband facilities as proposed in 
its application, to enter into contracts, and to other-
wise comply with applicable Federal statutes and 
regulations; or 
‘‘(3) be in an eligible rural community (as de-
fined in section 601(b)(2) of the Rural Electrifica-
tion Act of 1936). 
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‘‘(c) INELIGIBLE GRANT PURPOSES.—A grant made 
under this section may not be used— 
‘‘(1) 
to 
finance 
the 
duplication 
of 
any 
broadband transmission service provided by another 
entity; or 
‘‘(2) with respect to facilities, to provide local 
exchange telecommunications service to any person 
or entity receiving the service. 
‘‘(d) PRIORITY.—In making grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give priority to grants that will 
enhance community access to telemedicine and distance 
learning resources. 
‘‘(e) MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under subsection (a), a grant applicant shall 
provide a matching contribution of at least 15 per-
cent of the grant amount requested, in funds and in- 
kind contributions in a proportion to be determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) Costs incurred by or on behalf of an 
applicant, for facilities, installed equipment, or 
other services rendered before submission of a 
completed application shall not be considered to 
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be for an eligible grant purpose or a matching 
contribution. 
‘‘(B) Any financial assistance from Federal 
sources shall not be considered to be a match-
ing contribution for purposes of this section, 
unless there is a Federal statutory exception 
specifically authorizing the Federal financial as-
sistance to be so considered. 
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section not more than $25,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 6025. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEM-
ONSTRATION PROGRAM. 
Section 6402(i) of the Farm Security and Rural In-
vestment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 
107–171) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 
2008 through 2012.’’. 
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SEC. 6026. RURAL FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MED-
ICAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 6405 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 6405. RURAL FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MED-
ICAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall award grants to 
eligible entities to— 
‘‘(1) enable the entities to provide for improved 
emergency medical services in rural areas; and 
‘‘(2) pay the cost of training firefighters and 
emergency medical personnel in firefighting, emer-
gency medical practices, and responding to haz-
ardous materials and bioagents in rural areas. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an entity shall— 
‘‘(1) be— 
‘‘(A) a State emergency medical services 
office; 
‘‘(B) a State emergency medical services 
association; 
‘‘(C) a State office of rural health; 
‘‘(D) a local government entity; 
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