Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-209
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-02-03
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit

Appropriations

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Government lending and loan guarantees

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Rural conditions and development

Solid waste and recycling

User charges and fees

Water resources funding

Water use and supply
Latest action: action_date: 2021-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-03
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act</b> <b>of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill allows, and provides funds for, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants and loans, as well as loan forgiveness, modification, and refinancing, to rural water, wastewater, or waste disposal facilities. Specifically, USDA may provide such assistance for purposes of ensuring public health, safety, and order and to address financial hardships, in particular those due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 209 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2021 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself and Mr. Tillis ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To provide for assistance to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems affected by the COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2021 . 2. Emergency assistance for rural water systems (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a rural water, wastewater, or waste disposal facility with respect to which assistance may be provided under a water, wastewater, or waste disposal program under section 306(a), 306A, 306C, or 306D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1926(a) , 1926a, 1926c, 1926d). (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture. (b) Emergency assistance The Secretary may— (1) provide a grant, a zero percent interest loan, or a 1 percent interest loan to, forgive principal or interest or modify any term or condition of an outstanding loan made to, or refinance part or all of any other loan (if the purpose of the loan is an eligible purpose under section 306(a)(1) or 306C of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) , 1926c)) made to, an eligible entity; or (2) reduce or eliminate any fee that is or would otherwise be required to be paid under section 306(a)(1) of that Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) ) with respect to a loan guarantee provided to an eligible entity, on the condition that the eligible entity receives the benefit resulting from the reduction or elimination of the fee. (c) Level of assistance The Secretary may provide assistance to an eligible entity under subsection (b) as the Secretary determines is necessary— (1) to ensure that the eligible entity has the necessary resources to maintain public health, safety, or order; (2) to address financial hardships of the eligible entity due to the COVID–19 public health emergency; or (3) to promote the financial stability of the eligible entity. (d) Use of assistance An eligible entity to which assistance is provided under subsection (b) may use the assistance— (1) for any purpose for which the eligible entity is eligible for assistance under the relevant provision of law referred to in subsection (a)(1); or (2) for any direct operational expenses incurred by the eligible entity, as determined by the Secretary. (e) Appropriation (1) In general Out of any amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary $1,000,000,000 to carry out this section. (2) Reservation for administrative expenses The Secretary shall reserve 3 percent of the amount appropriated by paragraph (1) for administrative expenses incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this section. (3) Availability The amount appropriated by paragraph (1) shall remain available through December 31, 2022.