Bill

A 1913

Establishes the rural equity assistance program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 8 co-sponsors

Establishes the Rural Equity Assistance Program to boost rural communities' access to economic development resources, helping jobs, investment, and local infrastructure.

HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · A 1913

Summary of Bill A 1913 — Establishes the Rural Equity Assistance Program

Overview

Bill Number: A 1913
Title: Establishes the rural equity assistance program
Status: HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Introduced: January 14, 2025
Classification: bill

Legislative Actions

2025-01-14: REFERRED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2025-05-20: HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Note: The record shows duplicated entries for both the referral and the holding action.

Related Legislation

A 8136 (prior-session)

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to establish a rural equity assistance program. The available information does not include the full text, but the title indicates a focus on promoting equity, opportunity, or support specifically for rural areas within the state’s economic development framework.

Key Provisions (Based on Title; text not provided)

The bill would create a formal program named the Rural Equity Assistance Program.
Likely elements that typically accompany such programs (not specified in the provided materials) may include:
- Establishment of goals to improve equity in rural economic outcomes.
- Administrative home (which agency/office would run the program).
- Funding authorization or appropriation mechanisms.
- Eligible recipients (e.g., rural municipalities, organizations, small businesses, or communities).
- Grant or assistance types (grants, loans, technical assistance, planning support).
- Application, evaluation, and reporting requirements.
- Oversight, performance metrics, and sunset or renewal provisions.
Note: The actual provisions, funding levels, eligibility criteria, governance structure, and timelines are not included in the summary provided.

Affected Parties and Impact

Primary beneficiaries: Rural communities and rural residents seeking greater access to economic development resources.
Other potential stakeholders: Local governments, rural businesses, non-profit organizations, and state agencies involved in economic development and rural affairs.
Potential impacts:
- Improved access to resources and services aimed at reducing rural inequities.
- Enhanced capacity for rural areas to attract investment, create jobs, and support infrastructure or community development.
- Administrative and budgetary implications for the state, depending on funding authorizations and implementation details.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced January 14, 2025, and referred to the Economic Development committee.
The bill has been "held for consideration" in Economic Development as of May 20, 2025, meaning it is pending further committee action or floor consideration.
Duplicated entries in the legislative actions suggest multiple entries of the same actions in the bill’s record.

What to Watch For

Availability of the full bill text to confirm:
- Specific objectives and definitions (e.g., what qualifies as “rural” for this program).
- Governance: which state department or authority administers the program.
- Funding: authorization amounts, appropriations, or funding mechanisms.
- Eligibility and application processes for grants or assistance.
- Reporting requirements and performance metrics.
- Timelines for implementation and any sunset provisions.
Any amendments during committee examination that refine scope, funding, or administration.

If you’d like, I can update this summary with exact provisions once the bill text is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.