Rural Utilities Service preplanning education and planning grants

(a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (in this section referred to as the Secretary), shall make grants to eligible entities for predevelopment planning, permitting, and early-stage project preparation activities under any program administered by the Rural Utilities Service. (b) Eligible entities An entity is eligible for a grant under this section if the entity is qualified to participate in a program administered by the Rural Utilities Service and is unable to finance predevelopment work by borrowing or other means. (c) Cost-Sharing The amount of each grant under this section shall be not more than 75 percent of the cost of the activities for which the grant is made. (d) Use of funds The recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant for pre-development activities such as— (1) feasibility studies, permitting, design assistance, and other pre-development planning activities; (2) technical assistance and training to improve planning and readiness for a program administered by the Rural Utilities Service; or (3) participation in a partnerships with a Federal, State, Tribal, or local entity to support project preparation. (e) Prohibition A grant under this section shall not be used to reimburse costs of work completed before the grant is made. (f) Administrative provisions (1) Guidelines The Secretary shall issue guidelines relating to applications for grants under this section, selection of grantees, and administration of the grants. (2) Limitation on administrative costs In administering this section, the Secretary shall limit administrative costs incurred pursuant to this section, to ensure that funds made available to carry out this section are used for predevelopment activities to the maximum extent practicable. (g) Reports The recipient of a grant under this section shall transmit annual reports to the Secretary on the activities funded with the grant and the outcomes of the activities. (h) Limitations on authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated not more than $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2035.