Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Reauthorization Act of 2026

Summary

Amends the federal rural development grant program statute to change who can apply and how awards are selected, adds rules to prioritize smaller and diverse rural communities, updates allowable grant activities and coordination with State rural development offices, and authorizes $50 million per year for five fiscal years (FY2027–FY2031). It also includes a conforming cross-reference update to another statute and a provision that names the Act (no substantive effect).

• Revises eligibility and award-selection rules for a federal rural innovation grant program.
• Directs targeting of diverse rural community types and emphasizes communities under 20,000 population.
• Requires at least 10% of annual grant funds be awarded to communities with fewer than 10,000 residents.
• Updates allowable grant activities wording and strengthens coordination with State rural development offices.
• Authorizes $50 million annually for FY2027–FY2031 to carry out the program.
• Removes and redesignates certain statutory text and updates related cross-references in another statute.
• Does not create an immediate new appropriations action; it provides an authorization level for five years.
• Section that names the Act is purely titular and contains no substantive or funding changes.