S3075-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act.

2. Reauthorization of rural cooperative development grants Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)) is amended— in paragraph (1)— by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) the following: The term cooperative development means activities, including outreach, education, training, and technical assistance, to support the startup, expansion, or ongoing sustainability of new and existing cooperatives. in paragraph (4), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), in the second sentence, by inserting , and award maximum points in scoring criteria to applicants that satisfy the requirements of paragraph (5)(F), before if the plan; in paragraph (6)(B), by striking If the Secretary determines it to be in the best interest of the program, the and inserting The; in paragraph (10)— by striking The Secretary and inserting the following: The Secretary by adding at the end the following: The Secretary shall— analyze the data resulting from the research conducted under subparagraph (A); and include the data and the analysis described in clause (i) in the annual report submitted by the interagency working group under paragraph (12). in paragraph (12)— by striking Not later and inserting the following: Not later by adding at the end the following: Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, and annually thereafter, the interagency working group described in subparagraph (A) shall submit to Congress a report describing the activities carried out by the interagency working group. in paragraph (13), by striking 2014 through 2023 and inserting 2025 through 2029. (A) Cooperative development The term cooperative development means activities, including outreach, education, training, and technical assistance, to support the startup, expansion, or ongoing sustainability of new and existing cooperatives. ; (A) In general The Secretary ; and (B) Analysis The Secretary shall— (i) analyze the data resulting from the research conducted under subparagraph (A); and (ii) include the data and the analysis described in clause (i) in the annual report submitted by the interagency working group under paragraph (12). ; (A) In general Not later ; and (B) Annual reports Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, and annually thereafter, the interagency working group described in subparagraph (A) shall submit to Congress a report describing the activities carried out by the interagency working group. ; and