H.R. 1246 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, Feb 12, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryFarm Credit System expands rural community lending
This bill lets Farm Credit System institutions—which normally make loans to farmers and rural businesses—also lend money for essential community facilities like healthcare clinics, fire stations, schools, and water systems in rural areas. The financing comes through the Agriculture Department's Community Facilities program. FCS institutions would work with other lenders on these projects and report their activities to Congress.
How it affects you
If you live in a rural community, this could mean more financing options available to build or improve essential facilities your community needs. The bill specifically affects how Farm Credit System institutions operate, so it's most relevant to rural areas and the lenders who serve them.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 12, 2025)
Investing in Rural America Act of 2025
This bill allows Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions to make and participate in loans and commitments (and extend other technical and financial assistance) for essential community facility projects as part of the Department of Agriculture's Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. This program provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.
The FCS financing and technical assistance may be provided in order to make capital available to develop, build, maintain, improve, or provide related equipment or other support for essential community facilities in rural communities (e.g., certain facilities that provide healthcare, community support, public safety, educational, or utility services).
Under the bill, the financing provided by an FCS institution may not exceed 15% of the total of all outstanding loans of the institution. Further, an FCS institution must (1) offer at least one non-FCS lending institution an interest in the financing under reasonable terms and conditions acceptable to the borrower, and (2) report the offer to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA).
The FCA must submit an annual report to Congress on the activities undertaken by FCS institutions under this bill, including through the partnerships between FCS institutions and other lending institutions. The FCA must post the report on the administration's website.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1246
A BILL
Investing in Rural America Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-7) · Introduced Feb 12, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 20, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.”