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Farm Bureau urging passage of rural electric co-op bill

American Farm Bureau is asking Congress to quickly pass a bill that would help electric cooperatives with projects like expanding broadband.

The Revitalizing Under-Developed Rural Areas and Lands Act bill would allow electric co-ops to keep their tax-exempt status after receiving government grants.

Most of them have to get 85% of their income from members to remain tax-exempt. Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act classifies grants as income, electric cooperatives are struggling to meet that requirement. 

Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says rural electric co-ops play a critical role in making sure rural America has reliable power and high-speed internet access and encourages lawmakers to quickly pass the bill.