December 4, 2025
Mr. Davis of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
To provide technical assistance for geographically underserved and distressed areas, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act
.
Sec. 2. Technical assistance for geographically underserved and distressed areas
(a) In general
Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the Secretary
) shall directly, or through cooperative agreements, provide technical assistance and strengthen local capacity to improve access to rural development programs administered by the Secretary for local partners (including local governments, cooperatives, businesses, healthcare facilities and networks, community anchor institutions (as defined in section 60302(6) of the Digital Equity Act of 2021), and nonprofit organizations) in geographically underserved and distressed areas.
(b) Reports
Beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall annually publish, make available to the public, and submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on how the provision of technical assistance under subsection (a) has affected geographically underserved and distressed areas in the year covered by the report.
(c) Definition of geographically underserved and distressed area
In this section, the term geographically underserved and distressed area means a rural area (as determined by the Secretary)—
(1)
in a socially vulnerable community (as determined by the Secretary);
(2)
in a persistent poverty county (as determined by the Secretary);
(3)
in a economically distressed area (as determined by the Secretary); or
(4)
that lacks adequate water services, sewer services, or decent housing in any region near the border between the United States and Mexico.