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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress directs USDA to help rural towns apply for disaster recovery funds, authorizing $50M a year

Also known as: Rural Recovery Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(7)
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Gig Worker
Neutral
Farmer Rancher
Neutral
Housing Assistance
Neutral
Homeowner
Neutral
Renter
Neutral
Federal Employee
Neutral

Key Points

  • Creates a USDA program to help rural places recover after a major disaster the President declares.
  • Targets small communities (generally under 20,000 people), but USDA can adjust or waive that limit for specific areas.
  • Provides hands-on help with recovery planning, finding funding, filling out applications, appealing denials, and using awarded funds.
  • Help can cover projects like water systems, housing, energy, internet/telecom, community buildings, business sites, and local government needs.
  • Allows support for 3 years after a disaster, with a possible case-by-case extension for up to 3 more years; authorizes $50 million per year.
AgricultureInfrastructureHousingTelecommunicationsSmall Business

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions
Dec 4, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Dec 4, 2025

Introduced in House

Dec 4, 2025

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5040)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law

USDA sets up the Rural Development Disaster Recovery Technical Assistance Program

After the law takes effect, USDA Rural Development would organize who provides the help (state offices and/or contracted nonprofits/public bodies) so communities can get support after disasters.

Before the first allocations are made for a fiscal year with funding

USDA creates a yearly allocation formula based on affected population using the most recent decennial census

How much technical-assistance support a disaster area gets would depend on the size of the affected population, which can shape how much help smaller vs. larger rural places receive.

Related News

5 articles
Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)·3 months ago

Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | December 1 - December 5, 2025

Round-up notes introduction of the Rural Recovery Act (H.R.6462), directing USDA to establish a program to support rural communities impacted by disasters.

C=
Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (Press Release)·3 months ago

Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Bipartisan Rural Recovery Act of 2025 to Support Rural Communities When Disaster Strikes

Announcement of H.R.6462: would direct USDA Rural Development to deliver post-disaster technical assistance; authorizes $50M annually and supports projects for up to 3 years after a declaration.

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LegiStorm·3 months ago

Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Bipartisan Rural Recovery Act of 2025 to Support Rural Communities When Disaster Strikes (republished press release)

LegiStorm reposts the Dec. 4, 2025 announcement describing H.R.6462 and its USDA technical assistance structure and $50M/year authorization.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Rural Recovery Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 6462
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(6)
D: 5R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.