Rural Depositories Revitalization Study Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6536
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 404.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Rural Depositories Revitalization Study Act (H.R. 6536) aims to address challenges faced by banks and similar financial institutions in rural areas by requiring a federal study on ways to enhance their growth, financial strength (capital adequacy), and ability to earn profits. It also seeks to pinpoint existing laws and rules that may hinder these improvements or the creation of new banks in rural regions.
Key Provisions
- Mandated Study: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (collectively, the "Federal banking agencies") must jointly conduct a study. This includes:
- Identifying strategies to boost the growth, capital adequacy (the amount of money banks must hold to cover risks), and profitability of U.S. depository institutions (banks and credit unions insured by the federal government) that mainly serve rural areas.
- Examining non-budget-related federal laws or regulations from these agencies that restrict the strategies identified or block the establishment of new ("de novo") depository institutions in rural areas.
- Report to Congress: The agencies must submit a joint report to Congress with all study findings within one year of the bill's enactment.
- Definitions:
- Depository institution: A bank or credit union as defined under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
- Federal banking agencies: The three specified regulators.
- Rural: An area as defined in federal banking regulations (generally non-metropolitan or underserved regions).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no direct amendments to current laws or regulations. Instead, it mandates a study and report, which could inform future legislative or regulatory adjustments but does not alter existing frameworks immediately.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Federal banking agencies will need to allocate resources for the study and report, potentially influencing their priorities toward rural financial issues without imposing new enforcement duties.
- On Citizens: Rural residents may indirectly benefit from improved banking services, such as easier access to loans or accounts, if the study's recommendations lead to supportive policies; urban areas are unaffected.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses solely on domestic U.S. rural banking.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural Depository Institutions: Banks and credit unions serving rural areas, which could gain from identified growth strategies.
- Federal Banking Agencies: The Federal Reserve, OCC, and FDIC, responsible for conducting the study.
- Congress: Recipients of the report, potentially guiding future banking reforms.
- Rural Communities: Residents and businesses in non-urban areas that rely on local banks for financial services, facing challenges like limited profitability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill reinforces agencies' roles in oversight without expanding their authority, relying on existing definitions from federal laws and regulations to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves standard congressional directives to executive agencies for research, aligning with the separation of powers.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in supporting rural economies (evidenced by cosponsors from both parties), potentially pressuring future administrations to address regulatory barriers in banking to prevent rural bank closures and promote economic equity.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 404.
- 2026-02-02: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-473.
- 2026-02-02: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-473.
- 2025-12-17: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 0.
- 2025-12-17: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-12-16: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-12-09: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-12-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rural Depositories Revitalization Study Act — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (3 pages)
- Rural Depositories Revitalization Study Act — issued 2026-02-02 — PDF (6 pages)