This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide additional financial support for rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. It authorizes the Secretary to offer new assistance, including grants, zero percent interest loans, or one percent interest loans , to eligible rural facilities. The legislation also allows for the modification of existing financial obligations, enabling the Secretary to forgive principal or interest, or modify terms of outstanding loans, and to refinance other loans for eligible purposes. This assistance is primarily directed at ensuring these systems can maintain public health, safety, or order. Additionally, the bill targets financial hardships for entities in disadvantaged or economically distressed areas, requiring the Secretary to establish specific criteria, such as a residential indicator of affordable water services, to determine eligibility for this aid.
This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide additional financial support for rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. It authorizes the Secretary to offer new assistance, including grants, zero percent interest loans, or one percent interest loans , to eligible rural facilities. The legislation also allows for the modification of existing financial obligations, enabling the Secretary to forgive principal or interest, or modify terms of outstanding loans, and to refinance other loans for eligible purposes. This assistance is primarily directed at ensuring these systems can maintain public health, safety, or order. Additionally, the bill targets financial hardships for entities in disadvantaged or economically distressed areas, requiring the Secretary to establish specific criteria, such as a residential indicator of affordable water services, to determine eligibility for this aid.