Rural Transportation Equity Act of 2021
Bill: S.2137 | Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. (D-IL)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Rural Transportation Equity Act of 2021
This bill establishes within the Department of Transportation (DOT) the Office of Rural Investment to ensure that rural transportation needs are addressed and prioritized in DOT policies, programs, and activities. The bill also establishes a rural transportation advisory council to consult with and advise the office.

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.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Transportation Equity Act of 
2021''.

SEC. 2. RURAL INVESTMENT.

    (a) Office of Rural Investment.--
            (1) Establishment.--Section 102 of title 49, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by inserting ``(referred to 
                in this section as the `Department')'' after 
                ``Department of Transportation'';
                    (B) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by 
                inserting ``(referred to in this section as the 
                `Secretary')'' after ``Secretary of Transportation'';
                    (C) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``Department 
                of Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting 
                ``Department'';
                    (D) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection 
                (i); and
                    (E) by inserting after subsection (g) the 
                following:
    ``(h) Office of Rural Investment.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established in the Department, 
        within the Office of the Secretary, an Office of Rural 
        Investment (referred to in this subsection as the `Office').
            ``(2) Leadership.--The Office shall be headed by a Director 
        for Rural Investment (referred to in this subsection as the 
        `Director') who shall be appointed by, and report directly to, 
        the Secretary.
            ``(3) Mission.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The mission of the Office shall 
                be to coordinate with other offices and agencies within 
                the Department and with other Federal agencies to 
                further the goals and objectives described in 
                subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Goals and objectives described.--The goals 
                and objectives referred to in subparagraph (A) are--
                            ``(i) to ensure that the unique needs and 
                        attributes of rural transportation, involving 
                        all modes, are fully addressed and prioritized 
                        during the development and implementation of 
                        transportation policies, programs, and 
                        activities within the Department;
                            ``(ii) to improve coordination of Federal 
                        transportation policies, programs, and 
                        activities within the Department in a manner 
                        that expands economic development in rural 
                        communities and regions, and to provide 
                        recommendations for improvement, including 
                        additional internal realignments;
                            ``(iii) to expand Federal transportation 
                        infrastructure investment in rural communities 
                        and regions, including by providing 
                        recommendations for changes in existing funding 
                        distribution patterns;
                            ``(iv) to use innovation to resolve local 
                        and regional transportation challenges faced by 
                        rural communities and regions;
                            ``(v) to promote and improve planning and 
                        coordination among rural communities and 
                        regions to maximize the unique competitive 
                        advantage in those locations while avoiding 
                        duplicative Federal, State and local 
                        investments; and
                            ``(vi) to ensure that all rural communities 
                        and regions lacking resources receive proactive 
                        outreach, education, and technical assistance 
                        to improve access to Federal transportation 
                        programs.
            ``(4) Duties of the director.--The Director shall--
                    ``(A) be responsible for engaging in activities to 
                carry out the mission described in paragraph (3);
                    ``(B) organize, guide, and lead activities within 
                the Department to address disparities in rural 
                transportation infrastructure to improve safety, 
                economic development, and quality of life in rural 
                communities and regions;
                    ``(C) provide information and outreach to rural 
                communities and regions concerning the availability and 
                eligibility requirements of participating in programs 
                of the Department;
                    ``(D) help rural communities and regions--
                            ``(i) identify competitive economic 
                        advantages and transportation investments that 
                        ensure continued economic growth; and
                            ``(ii) avoid duplicative transportation 
                        investments;
                    ``(E) serve as a resource for assisting rural 
                communities and regions with respect to Federal 
                transportation programs;
                    ``(F) identify--
                            ``(i) Federal statutes, regulations, and 
                        polices that may impede the Department from 
                        supporting effective rural infrastructure 
                        projects that address national transportation 
                        goals; and
                            ``(ii) potential measures to solve or 
                        mitigate those issues;
                    ``(G) identify improved, simplified, and 
                streamlined internal processes to help limited-resource 
                rural communities and regions access transportation 
                investments;
                    ``(H) recommend changes and initiatives for the 
                Secretary to consider;
                    ``(I) ensure and coordinate a routine rural 
                consultation on the development of policies, programs, 
                and activities of the Department;
                    ``(J) serve as an advocate within the Department on 
                behalf of rural communities and regions; and
                    ``(K) work in coordination with the Department of 
                Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human 
                Services, the Department of Commerce, the Federal 
                Communications Commission, and other Federal agencies, 
                as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, in 
                carrying out the duties described in subparagraphs (A) 
                through (J).
            ``(5) Contracts and agreements.--For the purpose of 
        carrying out the mission of the Office under paragraph (3), the 
        Secretary may enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and 
        other agreements as necessary, including with research centers, 
        institutions of higher education, States, units of local 
        government, nonprofit organizations, or a combination of any of 
        those entities--
                    ``(A) to conduct research on transportation 
                investments that promote rural economic development;
                    ``(B) to solicit information in the development of 
                policy, programs, and activities of the Department that 
                can improve infrastructure investment and economic 
                development in rural communities and regions;
                    ``(C) to develop educational and outreach 
                materials, including the conduct of workshops, courses, 
                and certified training for rural communities and 
                regions that can further the mission and goals of the 
                Office and the Department; and
                    ``(D) to carry out any other activities, as 
                determined by the Secretary to be appropriate.
            ``(6) Grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director may award 
                competitive grants to an entity described in 
                subparagraph (B) to support expanded education, 
                outreach, and technical assistance to rural communities 
                and regions.
                    ``(B) Entity described.--An entity referred to in 
                subparagraph (A) is a nonprofit organization or an 
                institution of higher education that has not less than 
                3 years of experience providing meaningful 
                transportation technical assistance or advocacy 
                services to rural communities and regions.
            ``(7) Employees.--The Secretary shall ensure that not more 
        than 4 full-time equivalent employees are assigned to the 
        Office.
            ``(8) Coordination within and among other offices and 
        agencies of the department.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall designate 
                not fewer than 1 representative from each office or 
                agency of the Department described in subparagraph (B) 
                who shall be responsible for leading the efforts within 
                that office or agency to further the goals and 
                objectives described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph 
                (3).
                    ``(B) Offices and agencies described.--The offices 
                and agencies of the Department referred to in 
                subparagraph (A) are each of the following:
                            ``(i) The Office of the Under Secretary of 
                        Transportation for Policy.
                            ``(ii) The Office of the General Counsel.
                            ``(iii) The Office of the Chief Financial 
                        Officer and Assistant Secretary for Budget and 
                        Programs.
                            ``(iv) The Federal Aviation Administration.
                            ``(v) The Federal Highway Administration.
                            ``(vi) The Federal Railroad Administration.
                            ``(vii) The Federal Transit Administration.
                            ``(viii) The Office of the Assistant 
                        Secretary for Governmental Affairs.
                            ``(ix) The Office of Public Affairs.
                            ``(x) Any other office or agency of the 
                        Department that the Secretary determines to be 
                        appropriate.
                    ``(C) Duties.--The Chief Infrastructure Funding 
                Officer of the Department and the representatives 
                designated under subparagraph (A)--
                            ``(i) shall--
                                    ``(I) meet bimonthly; and
                                    ``(II) recommend initiatives to the 
                                Office; and
                            ``(ii) may participate in all meetings and 
                        relevant activities of the Office to provide 
                        input and guidance relevant to rural 
                        transportation infrastructure projects and 
                        issues.
            ``(9) Additional input.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall seek input 
                from the offices and agencies of the Department 
                described in subparagraph (B) to further the goals and 
                objectives described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph 
                (3).
                    ``(B) Offices and agencies described.--The offices 
                and agencies of the Department referred to in 
                subparagraph (A) are each of the following:
                            ``(i) The Maritime Administration.
                            ``(ii) The Saint Lawrence Seaway 
                        Development Corporation.
                            ``(iii) The National Highway Traffic Safety 
                        Administration.
            ``(10) Report.--Each year, the Office shall submit to the 
        Secretary a report describing--
                    ``(A) the objectives of the Office for the coming 
                year; and
                    ``(B) how the objectives of the Office were 
                accomplished in the previous year.
            ``(11) Applicability.--In carrying out the mission of the 
        Office under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall consider as 
        rural any area considered to be a rural area under a Federal 
        transportation program of the Department.''.
            (2) Council on credit and finance.--Section 117(b)(1) of 
        title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
        the following:
                    ``(I) The Director for Rural Investment.''.
    (b) Rural Transportation Advisory Council.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) Advisory council.--The term ``advisory 
                council'' means the rural transportation advisory 
                council established under paragraph (2).
                    (B) Relevant committees of congress.--The term 
                ``relevant committees of Congress'' means--
                            (i) the Committee on Transportation and 
                        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
                            (ii) the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
                        of the House of Representatives;
                            (iii) the Committee on Environment and 
                        Public Works of the Senate;
                            (iv) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                        and Transportation of the Senate;
                            (v) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
                        Urban Affairs of the Senate;
                            (vi) the Subcommittee on Transportation, 
                        and Housing and Urban Development, and Related 
                        Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of 
                        the House of Representatives; and
                            (vii) the Subcommittee on Transportation, 
                        Housing and Urban Development, and Related 
                        Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of 
                        the Senate.
                    (C) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
                Secretary of Transportation.
            (2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a rural 
        transportation advisory council to consult with and advise the 
        Office of Rural Investment.
            (3) Membership.--
                    (A) In general.--The advisory council shall be 
                composed of 15 members, appointed by the Secretary, of 
                whom--
                            (i) not fewer than 1 shall be a 
                        representative from an institution of higher 
                        education or extension program;
                            (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a 
                        representative from an organization promoting 
                        business and economic development, such as a 
                        chamber of commerce, a local government 
                        institution, or a planning organization;
                            (iii) not fewer than 1 shall be a 
                        representative from a financing entity;
                            (iv) not fewer than 1 shall have experience 
                        in health, mobility, or emergency services;
                            (v) not fewer than 1 shall have experience 
                        in transportation safety;
                            (vi) not fewer than 1 shall have experience 
                        with workforce access;
                            (vii) not fewer than 1 shall have 
                        experience with tourism and recreational 
                        activities;
                            (viii) not fewer than 1 shall have--
                                    (I) experience with rural supply 
                                chains, such as direct-to-consumer 
                                supply chains; and
                                    (II) wholesale distribution 
                                experience;
                            (ix) not fewer than 1 shall have experience 
                        in emerging or innovative technologies relating 
                        to rural transportation networks;
                            (x) not fewer than 1 shall have experience 
                        in food, nutrition, and grocery access;
                            (xi) not fewer than 1 shall represent 
                        agriculture, nutrition, or forestry; and
                            (xii) not fewer than 1 shall have 
                        experience with historically underserved 
                        regions, as determined by the Secretary.
                    (B) Requirement.--The Secretary shall appoint 
                members to the advisory council in a manner that 
                ensures, to the maximum extent practicable, that the 
                geographic and economic diversity of rural communities 
                and regions of the United States are represented.
                    (C) Timing of initial appointments.--Not later than 
                180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
                Secretary shall appoint the initial members of the 
                advisory council.
                    (D) Period of appointments.--
                            (i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), a member of the advisory council 
                        shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
                            (ii) Initial appointments.--Of the members 
                        first appointed to the advisory council--
                                    (I) 5, as determined by the 
                                Secretary, shall be appointed for a 
                                term of 3 years;
                                    (II) 5, as determined by the 
                                Secretary, shall be appointed for a 
                                term of 2 years; and
                                    (III) 5, as determined by the 
                                Secretary, shall be appointed for a 
                                term of 1 year.
                    (E) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the advisory 
                council--
                            (i) shall not affect the power of the 
                        advisory council; and
                            (ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable 
                        and in the same manner as the original 
                        appointment.
                    (F) Consecutive terms.--An appointee to the 
                advisory council may serve 1 additional, consecutive 
                term if the member is reappointed by the Secretary.
            (4) Meetings.--
                    (A) In general.--The advisory council shall meet 
                not less than twice per year, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
                    (B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 days after 
                the date on which the initial members of the advisory 
                council are appointed under paragraph (3)(C), the 
                advisory council shall hold the first meeting of the 
                advisory council.
            (5) Duties.--
                    (A) In general.--The advisory council shall--
                            (i) advise the Office of Rural Investment 
                        on issues related to rural needs relating to 
                        Federal transportation programs;
                            (ii) evaluate and review ongoing research 
                        activities relating to rural transportation 
                        networks, including new and emerging barriers 
                        to economic development and access to 
                        investments;
                            (iii) develop recommendations for any 
                        changes to Federal law, regulations, internal 
                        Department of Transportation policies or 
                        guidance, or other measures that would 
                        eliminate barriers for rural access or improve 
                        rural equity in transportation investments;
                            (iv) examine methods of maximizing the 
                        number of opportunities for assistance for 
                        rural communities and regions under Federal 
                        transportation programs, including expanded 
                        outreach and technical assistance;
                            (v) examine methods of encouraging 
                        intergovernmental and local resource 
                        cooperation to mitigate duplicative investments 
                        in key rural communities and regions and 
                        improve the efficiencies in the delivery of 
                        Federal transportation programs;
                            (vi) evaluate other methods of creating new 
                        opportunities for rural communities and 
                        regions; and
                            (vii) address any other relevant issues as 
                        the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
                    (B) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
                on which the initial members of the advisory council 
                are appointed under paragraph (3)(C), and every 2 years 
                thereafter through 2026, the advisory council shall 
                submit to the Secretary and the relevant committees of 
                Congress a report describing the recommendations 
                developed under subparagraph (A)(iii).
            (6) Personnel matters.--
                    (A) Compensation.--A member of the advisory council 
                shall serve without compensation.
                    (B) Travel expenses.--A member of the advisory 
                council shall be allowed travel expenses, including per 
                diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 
                5703 of title 5, United States Code.
            (7) Termination.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                advisory council shall terminate on the date that is 5 
                years after the date on which the initial members are 
                appointed under paragraph (3)(C).
                    (B) Extension.--Before the date on which the 
                advisory council terminates, the Secretary may renew 
                the advisory council for 1 or more 2-year periods.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments made by this 
section $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
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