Notice of funding opportunity timelines

(a) Issuance of regulations Within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through Rural Development and the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, shall prescribe final regulations to improve timelines for notices of funding opportunity for grants administered by the Rural Utilities Service, that should provide for— (1) a uniform notice of funding opportunity timeline applicable to all Rural Utilities Service grant programs; (2) sector-specific notice of funding opportunity timelines for major program areas of the Rural Utilities Service, including— (A) electricity; (B) telecommunications, including telephone and broadband; (C) broadband distance learning and telemedicine; and (D) water and waste disposal; or (3) if the approaches described in paragraphs (1) and (2) are not practicable, an alternative approach to improving predictability and coordination of notice of funding opportunity timelines. (b) Implementation The Secretary shall implement the final regulations within 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.