HR502-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act.

2. Rural surface transportation grant program Section 173 of title 23, United States Code, is amended— in subsection (a)— in paragraph (2) by striking over 200,000 and inserting 30,000 or less; and by adding at the end the following: The term small community means an area that is outside an urbanized area and that has a population of 5,000 or less. in subsection (b)(2)— in subparagraph (B) by striking and at the end; in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and by adding at the end the following: to generate economic growth and development in rural areas to improve the quality of life for citizens in rural areas and small communities. in subsection (e)(1)— in subparagraph (F) by striking or at the end; in subparagraph (G) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and by adding at the end the following: a highway, road, bridge, or tunnel project that would benefit the economic development or quality of life for citizens of the community in which the project takes place. by striking subsection (i); by redesignating subsections (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), and (o) as subsections (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n), respectively; in subsection (i) (as so redesignated)— in paragraph (1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting paragraphs (2) or (3); by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out in a small community with a grant under the program may not exceed 90 percent. in subsection (j) (as so redesignated) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: The Secretary shall use not less than 5 percent of the amounts made available for the program for each fiscal year to provide grants for eligible projects in a small community. in subsection (l) (as so redesignated) by striking subsection (l)(1) and inserting subsection (k)(1). (3)Small communityThe term small community means an area that is outside an urbanized area and that has a population of 5,000 or less.; (D)to generate economic growth and development in rural areas to improve the quality of life for citizens in rural areas and small communities.; (H)a highway, road, bridge, or tunnel project that would benefit the economic development or quality of life for citizens of the community in which the project takes place.; (3)Federal share for projects in small communitiesThe Federal share of the cost of a project carried out in a small community with a grant under the program may not exceed 90 percent.; (1)Projects in small communitiesThe Secretary shall use not less than 5 percent of the amounts made available for the program for each fiscal year to provide grants for eligible projects in a small community.; and