Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program

Section 306(a)(22) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(22)) is amended to read as follows: (22) Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program (A) Establishment The Secretary, through the Rural Utilities Service, shall continue a national rural water and wastewater circuit rider program that is consistent with the activities and results of the program conducted before the date of enactment of this Act, and with this section, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Purpose The Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program shall provide a network of expert rural water Circuit Riders located in all 50 States, including United States territories and Freely Associated States, which work one-on-one with eligible rural water and wastewater systems in major assistance categories described in subparagraph (D). The program is intended to help rural water systems operate effectively and efficiently and achieve long-term sustainability and compliance with certain Federal laws and requirements, including the Safe Water Drinking Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) and the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.). (C) Eligible entities In selecting recipients of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to be made available for activities listed under subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall select nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated experience providing technical assistance and disaster and recovery assistance for water and wastewater utilities nationwide. Awardees shall rely on personnel that possess active water and wastewater operators’ licenses or overall knowledge of water utilities necessary to carry out eligible activities under subparagraph (D). (D) Eligible uses of funds An eligible entity shall use funds under the Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider program for a rural water, wastewater, or wastewater disposal facility for— (i) technical assistance, including— (I) Board training; (II) managerial and financial operations with the effort to enhance the long-term sustainability of rural water and wastewater systems, including partnerships, consolidation, and regionalization; (III) physical operation and maintenance of rural water and wastewater infrastructure; (IV) water treatment; (V) regulatory compliance; (VI) facility security; (VII) loan application and reporting; (VIII) cybersecurity; (IX) implementation of cybersecurity plans, procedures, and technologies to protect against cyberthreats; or (X) other areas the Secretary deems appropriate; (ii) disaster and recovery assistance including— (I) direct on-site personnel and equipment to eligible utilities; (II) coordinating in statewide emergency response networks; (III) facilitating the development of action plans between utilities, local governments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State emergency management agencies; (IV) resiliency and mitigation planning; (V) GIS mapping; (VI) updating vulnerability assessments, preparation of emergency response plans, communication protocols, hazard recognition and evaluation skills; (VII) conducting preliminary damage assessments of critical infrastructure; (VIII) addressing outstanding deficiencies focused on resolving health-based regulatory, operational, financial, and managerial deficiencies that impact the sustainability of the affected utilities; (IX) application and reporting assistance for Federal and State requirements including Federal Emergency Management Agency and insurance recovery claims; (X) providing for disaster readiness, support, and response activities targeted to disadvantaged communities that lack the financial resources and human capital necessary to adequately address significant health, safety, or sanitary concerns; and (XI) other areas the Secretary deems appropriate. (iii) Additional uses In response to activities under subparagraph (B) related to natural disasters and emergencies, not more than 5 percent of each award may be used to purchase or reimburse the rental costs of appropriate emergency equipment, as determined by the Secretary. (E) Eligible project areas To receive assistance under the Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program and carry out activities, an eligible entity must serve— (i) an area with a population of— (I) 10,000 or fewer inhabitants for technical assistance under subparagraph (D)(i); or (II) 50,000 or fewer inhabitants for disaster and recovery assistance under subparagraph (D)(ii); and (ii) a public body, non-profit nonprofit corporation, or Indian tribe with legal authority to own and operate the water facility. (F) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2031..