MORE USDA Grants Act

This bill expands access to qualifying Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant programs for local governments or tribal governments located within a high-density public land county. Under the bill, these are counties (1) that have a population of not more than 100,000 people, and (2) where the federal government owns or manages more than 50% of the land.

Qualifying USDA grant programs include the Rural Business Development Grants, the Community Facilities grant program, the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program, and other specified grant programs administered by USDA rural development agencies or by USDA.

Under the bill, any requirement for local matching funds under a qualifying grant program must be reduced by 50% for a local government or tribal government within a high-density public land county.

On request, USDA must provide additional technical assistance to these local governments or tribal governments before and during the annual application period for each qualifying grant program.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service.