A bill to require the establishment and use of short form applications for rural communities applying for economic development grant programs, and for other purposes.

S. 3965 would establish and mandate the use of short form applications for rural communities seeking federal economic development grants. The bill aims to streamline the application process for rural areas, potentially reducing administrative burden and making it easier for smaller communities to access federal funding opportunities.

If enacted, this legislation could help rural communities more efficiently apply for economic development programs by reducing paperwork and complexity. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in the Senate in March 2026 and referred to committee for consideration.