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H.R.4947 / 115th Congress

Rural Infrastructure Development and Partnerships Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 6, 2018

Rural Infrastructure Development and Partnerships Act

This bill establishes within the Department of Agriculture a Rural Partnerships Office to be headed by a director appointed by the President.

The duties of the office include:

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establishing and running a program to provide technical assistance to improve delivery, financing, operations, and maintenance of rural infrastructure;

establishing an online clearinghouse of best practices;

providing grants to assist rural communities in developing cost-effective infrastructure projects; and

coordinating activities of rural liaisons to develop guidelines for rural funding or financing programs at federal agencies and identify opportunities to work across agencies.

The bill also requires each federal agency that provides financial assistance to a rural community for an activity related to rural infrastructure to designate a rural liaison to:

review and make recommendations regarding regulations, guidance, and procedures that present hardships to rural communities;

participate in reviewing applications for technical assistance;

serve as an ombudsperson for rural communities; and

meet regularly with other rural liaisons to coordinate efforts and identify ways to work together to support rural infrastructure needs.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5] · D–CT

Committees

  • Agriculture Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4947 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4947 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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