Bills · S 3861
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3861Agriculture and Food
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Reauthorization Act of 2026
INTRO FEB 12· LAST ACTION FEB 12
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it keeps an important source of federal funding available for rural areas, which often struggle with economic challenges, population decline, and fewer resources compared to urban areas. If this bill passes, rural communities will continue to have access to grants that can help local businesses start or expand, create jobs, and foster innovation, directly impacting the livelihoods of residents.
The changes proposed, such as broadening the focus beyond "industry clusters," mean that communities can tailor projects more closely to their unique local needs and opportunities, rather than fitting into predefined categories. The new emphasis on very small towns addresses a critical need, ensuring that the smallest and potentially most vulnerable communities receive targeted support. If the bill does not pass, the RISE grant program could eventually lose its funding or expire, cutting off a vital pipeline of support for rural economic development.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Reauthorizes the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant program and provides $50,000,000 in funding for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.
This ensures the program continues to exist and has a specific budget to support rural economic development for the next several years.
PROVISION 02
Expands the scope of the program by removing the requirement to focus only on "objectively identified industry clusters" and allowing support for a broader range of industries and activities in an area.
This gives rural communities more flexibility to fund projects that align with their specific local needs and opportunities, rather than being limited to certain predefined business groupings.
PROVISION 03
Directs the program to specifically target grants toward rural communities with populations fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, and mandates that at least 10% of annual funds go to communities with fewer than 10,000.
This provision ensures that the smallest and potentially most underserved rural communities receive dedicated attention and a guaranteed share of funding.
PROVISION 04
Requires that the selection of an eligible entity to receive a grant must have the concurrence (agreement) of the applicable State office of the rural development mission area.
This introduces a layer of local expertise and approval into the federal grant-making process, potentially leading to more locally relevant and effective projects.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Vermont
YRS IN OFFICE
19
BILLS LED
83
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 12
Introduced in Senate
FEB 12
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3861
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 12, 2026
Last actionFeb 12, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 12, 2026
Senate BillS 3861Agriculture and Food
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Reauthorization Act of 2026
INTRODUCED FEB 12, 2026· LAST ACTION FEB 12, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
