Bill · S. 783· Senate(119-S-783)
Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/27/2025
- Last activity
- 2/27/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Jeanne Shaheen
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2025 seeks to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. This amendment aims to provide more help to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. The Secretary is authorized to provide grants, zero percent interest loans, or one percent interest loans to eligible entities. Additionally, the Secretary may modify or refinance existing loans. This assistance is intended to maintain public health, safety, or order, or to help entities facing financial hardships in disadvantaged areas.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically targets the improvement of water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems in rural areas.
Does this invest in rural communities?+6
The bill provides direct financial support through grants and low-interest loans specifically for rural water and wastewater systems.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+3
The bill prioritizes aid for disadvantaged areas where water service costs may be high relative to income.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes new spending through grants and low-interest loans for water systems.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Aid for Water Systems: The Secretary can provide grants, zero percent interest loans, or one percent interest loans to rural water, wastewater, or waste disposal facilities (Section 2, subsection b(1)). This could help ensure these vital services remain functional.
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Relief for Existing Debt: The Secretary has the power to forgive principal or interest, modify loan terms, or refinance existing loans (Section 2, subsection b(2)). This could provide much-needed relief to entities already carrying debt.
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Public Health and Safety: Assistance can be used to ensure an entity has the resources to maintain public health, safety, or order (Section 2, subsection c(1)).
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Support for Distressed Areas: The bill allows for help to address financial hardships if a facility is located in a disadvantaged or economically distressed area (Section 2, subsection c(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loan Limitations: The Secretary is prohibited from providing assistance to refinance a loan that was originally provided under the new assistance guidelines established by this specific section (Section 2, subsection b(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+7Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+3Improves Pandemic Preparedness+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- 2/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina