S 323 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide infrastructure, nutrition, and housing assistance to rural areas of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 26, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. CONRAD (for himself, Mrs. LINCOLN, and Mr. NELSON of Nebraska) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide infrastructure, nutrition, and housing assistance to rural areas of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Rural Revitalization Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--INFRASTRUCTURE

Sec. 101. Tax-exempt financing of certain electric transmission facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Clean Energy corridors.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Rural electrification loan program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 104. Loan guarantees for renewable fuel pipelines; refueling infrastructure corridors.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 105. Transportation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 106. Water projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 107. Rural utilities programs of the Department of Agriculture.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 108. Rural community facilities programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 109. Rural business enterprise grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 110. Telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 111. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 112. Public works and economic development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 113. Extension and expansion of qualified zone academy bonds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 114. Energy programs of the Department of Agriculture.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--NUTRITION ASSISTANCE

Sec. 201. Emergency food assistance program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Commodity supplemental food program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 203. Emergency food program infrastructure grant program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 204. Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--RURAL HOUSING

Sec. 301. Doug Bereuter section 502 single family housing loan guarantee program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--RURAL HEALTH

Sec. 401. National Health Service Corps programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 402. Improved access to ambulance services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 403. Applying rural home health add-on policy for 2009 and 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 404. Extension of the reclassification of certain hospitals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--EMERGENCY DESIGNATION

Sec. 501. Emergency designation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--INFRASTRUCTURECommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. TAX-EXEMPT FINANCING OF CERTAIN ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION FACILITIES.

(a) In General- Subsection (a) of section 142 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘or’ at the end of paragraph (14),CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (15) and inserting ‘, or’, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(16) qualified electric transmission facilities.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definition- Section 142 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(n) Qualified Electric Transmission Facilities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of subsection (a)(16), the term ‘qualified electric transmission facility’ means any electric transmission facility which is owned by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) a State or political subdivision of a State, or any agency, authority, or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, providing electric service, directly or indirectly to the public, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) a State or political subdivision of a State expressly authorized under State law to finance and own electric transmission facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) TERMINATION- Subsection (a)(16) shall not apply with respect to any bond issued after December 31, 2010.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Effective Date- The amendment made by this section shall apply to bonds issued after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. CLEAN ENERGY CORRIDORS.

(a) In General- Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘(1) Not later than’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) REPORT AND DESIGNATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- After considering alternatives and recommendations from interested parties (including an opportunity for comment from affected States), the Secretary shall issue a report, based on the study conducted under paragraph (1), in which the Secretary may designate as a national interest electric transmission corridor any geographical area experiencing electric energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers, including constraints or congestion that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) increases costs to consumers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) limits resource options to serve load growth; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) limits access to sources of clean energy, such as wind, solar energy, geothermal energy, and biomass.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) ADDITIONAL DESIGNATIONS- In addition to the corridor designations made under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may designate additional corridors in accordance with that subparagraph on the application by an interested person, on the condition that the Secretary provides for an opportunity for notice and comment by interested persons and affected States on the application.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in paragraph (3), the striking ‘(3) The Secretary’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CONSULTATION- The Secretary’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) in paragraph (4)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking ‘(4) In determining’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) BASIS FOR DETERMINATION- In determining’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the economic vitality and development of the corridor, or the end markets served by the corridor, may be constrained by lack of adequate or reasonably priced electricity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B)(i) economic growth in the corridor, or the end markets served by the corridor, may be jeopardized by reliance on limited sources of energy; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a diversification of supply is warranted;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the energy independence of the United States would be served by the designation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the designation would be in the interest of national energy policy; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) the designation would enhance national defense and homeland security.’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(l) Rates and Recovery of Costs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall promulgate regulations providing for the allocation and recovery of costs prudently incurred by public utilities in building and operating facilities authorized under this section for transmission of electric energy generated from clean sources (such as wind, solar energy, geothermal energy, and biomass) and recovered in rates for the transmission of the electric energy subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) APPLICABLE PROVISIONS- All rates approved under the regulations promulgated under paragraph (1), including any revisions to the regulations, shall be subject to the requirements under sections 205 and 206 that all rates, charges, terms, and conditions be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) RATES IN ORGANIZED MARKETS- In establishing rates under section 205 or 206 for facilities built under this section by a public utility or transmitting utility and located within or interconnecting with a regional transmission organization, the costs of the facilities shall be allocated to all users of the transmission system within the regional transmission organization.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Study on Transmission Corridors To Maximize Clean and Renewable Energy-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine what transmission corridors are necessary to allow the United States to maximize the use of clean and renewable energy to meet the electricity needs of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the results of the study, including any recommendations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION LOAN PROGRAM.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) for the cost of hardship loans made available under subsection (c)(1) and (d)(1) of section 305 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935) $360,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until September 30, 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) for the cost of loan guarantees to carry out section 306 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 936), $15,600,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of Agriculture shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 104. LOAN GUARANTEES FOR RENEWABLE FUEL PIPELINES; REFUELING INFRASTRUCTURE CORRIDORS.

(a) Loan Guarantees for Renewable Fuel Pipelines- Subtitle C of title II of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17051 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 249. LOAN GUARANTEES FOR RENEWABLE FUEL PIPELINES.

‘(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) COST- The term ‘cost’ has the meaning given the term ‘cost of a loan guarantee’ in section 502(5)(C) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a(5)(C)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ELIGIBLE PROJECT- The term ‘eligible project’ means a project described in subsection (b)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) GUARANTEE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘guarantee’ has the meaning given the term ‘loan guarantee’ in section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) INCLUSION- The term ‘guarantee’ includes a loan guarantee commitment (as defined in section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) RENEWABLE FUEL- The term ‘renewable fuel’ means fuel that is produced from renewable biomass and that is used to replace or reduce the quantity of fossil fuel present in a transportation fuel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) RENEWABLE FUEL PIPELINE- The term ‘renewable fuel pipeline’ means a common carrier pipeline for transporting renewable fuel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Loan Guarantees-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall make guarantees under this section for projects that provide for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the construction of new renewable fuel pipelines; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the modification of pipelines to transport renewable fuel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ELIGIBILITY- In determining the eligibility of a project for a guarantee under this section, the Secretary shall consider--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the volume of renewable fuel to be moved by the renewable fuel pipeline;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the size of the markets to be served by the renewable fuel pipeline;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the existence of sufficient storage to facilitate access to the markets served by the renewable fuel pipeline;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the proximity of the renewable fuel pipeline to renewable fuel production facilities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) the investment of the entity carrying out the proposed project in terminal infrastructure;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) the experience of the entity carrying out the proposed project in working with renewable fuel;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) the ability of the entity carrying out the proposed project to maintain the quality of the renewable fuel through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the terminal system of the entity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the dedicated pipeline system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) the ability of the entity carrying out the proposed project to complete the project in a timely manner; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) the ability of the entity carrying out the proposed project to secure property rights-of-way in order to move the proposed project forward in a timely manner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) AMOUNT- Unless otherwise provided by law, a guarantee by the Secretary under this section shall not exceed an amount equal to 90 percent of the eligible project cost of the renewable fuel pipeline that is the subject of the guarantee, as estimated at the time at which the guarantee is issued or subsequently modified while the eligible project is under construction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) TERMS AND CONDITIONS- Guarantees under this section shall be provided in accordance with section 1702 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16512), except that subsection (c) of that section shall not apply to guarantees made under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) FINAL RULE- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a final rule directing the Director of the Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program Office to initiate the loan guarantee program under this section in accordance with this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Funding-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to provide $5,000,000,000 in guarantees under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) USE OF OTHER APPROPRIATED FUNDS- To the extent that the amounts made available under title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16511 et seq.) have not been disbursed to programs under that title, the Secretary may use the amounts to carry out this section.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Refueling Infrastructure Corridors-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS- Section 244(d)(1) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17052(d)(1)) is amended by striking ‘10’ and inserting ‘20’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT- Section 244 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17052) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Report- Not later than 2 years after the date on which grants are awarded under subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the feasibility and desirability of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) establishing a refueling infrastructure corridor for each highway on the Interstate System (as defined in section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) expanding the scope of this section to cover alternative fuels.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 105. TRANSPORTATION.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Transportation, for apportionment among States in accordance with the requirements for apportionment for fiscal year 2009 under sections 104 and 105 of title 23, United States Code, to remain available until September 30, 2010--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $5,000,000,000 for use in carrying out highway and bridge projects in areas described in subsection (c), with priority given to projects for which funds can be obligated not later than the date that is 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $568,000,000 for maintenance and new construction projects relating to Indian reservation roads under section 204 of title 23, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of Transportation shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Requirement- Amounts made available under this section may only be used for projects that are in rural areas (within the meaning given the term in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A))).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 106. WATER PROJECTS.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of the Interior $500,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010, for use in carrying out authorized rural water projects of the Bureau of Reclamation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of the Interior shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 107. RURAL UTILITIES PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) RURAL UTILITIES PROGRAMS- The term ‘rural utilities programs’ means the programs of the Secretary that provide--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) water or waste disposal grants or direct or guaranteed loans under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a));CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) rural water or wastewater technical assistance and training grants under section 306(a)(14) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(14));CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) emergency community water assistance grants under section 306A of that Act (7 U.S.C. 1926a); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) solid waste management grants under section 310B(b) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(b)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Agriculture.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Funding-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary for the cost of grants, loans, and loan guarantees to carry out rural utilities programs $2,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE- The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out rural utilities programs the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 108. RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAMS.

(a) Community Facility Direct and Guaranteed Loans-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an amount determined by the Secretary to be necessary for the Secretary to make $2,500,000,000 in community facility direct and guaranteed loans under section 306(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1)), to remain available until September 30, 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $100,000,000 for the costs of making and modifying the loans described in subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE- The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to provide those loans the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Community Facility Grants- Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation and in addition to any other funds made available, the Secretary shall use for cost of community facility grants under paragraph (19), (20), or (21) of section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) (including the cost of making the grants) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 109. RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture for the cost of grants to carry out section 310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)) $100,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of Agriculture shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out that section the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 110. TELEMEDICINE AND DISTANCE LEARNING SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture for the cost of grants and loans to carry out chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XXIII of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.) $3,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of Agriculture shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out that chapter the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 111. RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture for the cost of loans and grants to carry out section 379E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s) $84,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of Agriculture shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out that section the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 112. PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Administrator of the Economic Development Administration $250,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010, for use in carrying out public works and economic development projects and activities that, as of the date of enactment of this Act, have been authorized but have not been initiated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Administrator of the Economic Development Administration shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 113. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF QUALIFIED ZONE ACADEMY BONDS.

(a) In General- Section 54E(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ‘$400,000,000 for 2008 and 2009’ and inserting ‘and $400,000,000 for 2008 and $800,000,000 for 2009 and 2010’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Proceeds of Bonds May Be Used for Construction- Paragraph (5) of section 1397E(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘rehabilitating or repairing’ in subparagraph (A) and inserting ‘constructing, rehabilitating, or repairing’, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), respectively, and by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) acquiring the land on which the facility is to be constructed,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 114. ENERGY PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) for the costs of grants and loan guarantees to carry out section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $210,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to carry out section 9004 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8104), $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to carry out section 9005 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8105), $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) for the costs of grants and loan guarantees to carry out section 9007 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8107), $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) to carry out section 9008 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8108)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) to carry out section 9009 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8109), $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) to carry out section 9011 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8111)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) to carry out section 9013 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8113), $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to provide those loans the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--NUTRITION ASSISTANCECommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’) for the cost of carrying out the emergency food assistance program established under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out that program the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Requirement- Of funds made available under subsection (a), the Secretary may use up to $5,000,000 to carry out commodity distribution under the emergency food assistance program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture for the cost of carrying out the commodity supplemental food program established under section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of Agriculture shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out that program the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 203. EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM.

In addition to any other funds made available, there is appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture, out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to carry out the emergency food program infrastructure grant program established under section 209 of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7511a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 204. SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture for the cost of carrying out the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786) $445,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of Agriculture shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out that section the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--RURAL HOUSINGCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 301. DOUG BEREUTER SECTION 502 SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture shall use--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) such sums as are necessary for the Secretary to make--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $4,000,000,000 in direct loans under section 502(h) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $18,000,000,000 in unsubsidized guaranteed loans under that subsection; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $500,000,000 for the costs of making direct loans and unsubsidized guaranteed loans under paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--RURAL HEALTHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 401. NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS PROGRAMS.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other funds made available, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for use in carrying out the projects under the National Health Service Corps programs under subparts II and III of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d et seq. and 42 U.S.C. 254l et seq.) for each of the fiscal years 2009 and 2010, $300,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Receipt and Acceptance- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 402. IMPROVED ACCESS TO AMBULANCE SERVICES.

(a) Extension of Increased Medicare Payments for Certain Ground Ambulance Services- Section 1834(l)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(13)(A)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the matter preceding clause (i)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘2007, and for’ and inserting ‘2007, for’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting ‘, and for such services described in clause (i) furnished on or after January 1, 2010, and before January 1, 2011’ after ‘2010’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in clause (i), by striking ‘and before January 1, 2010’ and inserting ‘and before January 1, 2009, or 6 percent if such service is furnished on or after January 1, 2009, and before January 1, 2011’ after ‘2010’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Extension of Assistance for Rural Providers Furnishing Services in Low Population Density Areas- Section 1834(l)(12)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(12)(A)) is amended by striking ‘January 1, 2010’ and inserting ‘January 1, 2011’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 403. APPLYING RURAL HOME HEALTH ADD-ON POLICY FOR 2009 AND 2010.

Section 421(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-173; 117 Stat. 2283), as amended by section 5201(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171; 120 Stat. 46), is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘, and episodes’ and inserting ‘, episodes’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting ‘and episodes and visits ending on or after January 1, 2009, and before January 1, 2011,’ after ‘January 1, 2007,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF THE RECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOSPITALS.

Subsection (a) of section 106 of division B of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 1395 note), as amended by section 117 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-173) and section 124 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-275), is amended by striking ‘September 30, 2009’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2010’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--EMERGENCY DESIGNATIONCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 501. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION.

For purposes of Senate enforcement, the amounts made available under this Act are designated as emergency requirements and necessary to meet emergency needs pursuant to section 204 of S. Con. Res. 21 (110th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink