Rural Recovery Act of 2025
Summary
The Rural Recovery Act of 2025 aims to provide technical assistance to rural communities recovering from major disasters. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program within the rural development mission area. This program will offer support in planning, identifying funding sources, preparing applications for federal and state aid, and implementing recovery projects.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely improve the ability of rural communities to recover from disasters by providing them with the necessary expertise and resources. This includes assistance with telecommunications, water infrastructure, housing, energy infrastructure, community facilities, business infrastructure and local government infrastructure. The Act authorizes $50 million in appropriations each fiscal year to carry out these provisions.
Potential Benefits
- Improved access to resources and expertise for rural communities affected by disasters.
- Enhanced planning and application processes for federal and state disaster recovery aid.
- Increased efficiency in implementing disaster recovery projects.
- Potential for long-term resilience in rural infrastructure and economies.
- Prioritization of assistance based on the population affected by disasters.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in the distribution of funds and technical assistance.
- The effectiveness of the program depends on the Secretary's formula for allocating funds.
- Limited scope, focusing solely on technical assistance rather than direct financial aid.
- The definition of 'rural community' may need modification or waiver, creating potential for unequal access.
- Reliance on appropriations, which may be subject to change based on budgetary constraints.
Constitutional Alignment
The Rural Recovery Act appears to align with the Constitution's General Welfare Clause (Preamble). It promotes the general welfare by providing assistance to communities affected by disasters. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).