RISE Reauthorization Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7533
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T08:07:16Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 7533) aims to renew and broaden a grant program that supports economic growth in rural areas. It updates the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant program, originally created to help rural communities build stronger economies through partnerships, by making it more inclusive and focused on smaller, diverse rural areas.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility and Scope (Amendments to Subsection (a)):
- Expands eligibility to include partnerships addressing declining industries in the served area, rather than limiting to specific "industry clusters" (groups of related businesses and workers in a region).
- Removes outdated eligibility rules and reorganizes the section for clarity.
- Grant Program Structure (Amendments to Subsection (b)):
- Requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary to run grants that create job opportunities and networks in rural areas.
- Targets a wide range of rural community types, with emphasis on those with populations under 20,000; at least 10% of annual grants must support communities with fewer than 10,000 residents.
- Ensures diverse industries are represented in grant selections.
- Requires approval from the relevant state USDA Rural Development office for grant recipients.
- Allowable Uses of Funds (Amendments to Subsection (d)):
- Funds can support activities like workforce training, business development, infrastructure improvements, and community planning to boost rural economies.
- Removes narrow focus on industry clusters, allowing broader applications.
- Reporting and Evaluation (Amendments to Subsection (e)):
- Grant recipients must report on outcomes, such as jobs created, businesses started, and community benefits from funded activities.
- Updates language to focus on grant-funded efforts rather than specific clusters.
- Funding Authorization (New Subsection (f)):
- Authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund the program.
- Conforming Amendment:
- Updates a reference in the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act to align with the revised RISE program structure.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shifts the program's focus from targeted "industry clusters" to broader rural industries, opportunities, and networks, making it more flexible for diverse economic needs.
- Introduces new requirements to prioritize smaller rural communities (under 10,000–20,000 population), which were not as emphasized before.
- Reorganizes and simplifies sections by removing redundant or narrow provisions, such as specific subclauses on cluster identification.
- Increases and extends funding authorization from previous levels (prior authorizations were lower and shorter-term), providing more stable support through 2030.
- Adds state-level oversight (concurrence from state USDA offices) to ensure local relevance.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USDA, particularly its Rural Development mission area, will administer more grants with a broader scope, potentially increasing workload but also outreach to underserved small towns. State offices gain a formal role in approvals, improving coordination.
- On Citizens: Rural residents, especially in small communities, may see more access to job training, business support, and economic projects, helping reduce poverty and outmigration. This could foster local innovation and community resilience.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is focused on domestic rural U.S. development.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural Communities and Residents: Primary beneficiaries, particularly in areas with populations under 20,000, through enhanced economic opportunities.
- USDA and State Agencies: Responsible for program implementation, grant awards, and oversight.
- Eligible Partnerships: Local groups, such as regional alliances of businesses, governments, and nonprofits, that apply for and receive grants.
- Businesses and Workers: Small businesses and individuals in rural areas gain from training, networking, and development funds.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act by clarifying and expanding grant uses, reducing potential disputes over narrow interpretations like "industry clusters." No challenges to existing authorities; it builds on USDA's established role in rural aid.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I to promote general welfare, with no apparent federalism issues despite added state involvement.
- Political: Supports bipartisan rural economic priorities, potentially aiding political support in agricultural states. By targeting small communities, it addresses urban-rural divides without favoring specific regions or industries, promoting equitable resource distribution.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- 2026-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-02-12: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Reauthorization Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-12 — PDF (7 pages)