WASHINGTON—Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18) today re-introduced the Simplifying Grants Act, which will make it easier for small governments serving less than 50,000 people to apply for, receive and manage federal grants. Smaller governments often face difficulties when applying for federal grant dollars due to the complex, time consuming, and expensive process. Larger cities with bigger budgets can hire teams of grant writers and lobbyists to apply for federal grants, giving them a significant advantage in the process.

“People living in rural areas pay federal taxes like everyone else, but they are less likely to see their fair share of those dollars reinvested in their communities,” said Rep. Franklin. “I continually hear from the smaller communities I represent how the deck is stacked against them. The Simplifying Grants Act will level the playing field and give them a real opportunity to compete.”

The Simplifying Grants Act would require agencies to simplify the arduous process for all current and future federal grant opportunities. This will make it easier for 26 of Florida’s smaller counties and thousands of other cities, towns and other local governments across the country to receive federal assistance. Rep. Franklin first introduced the Simplifying Grants Act in 2022. This year’s bill was introduced concurrently with a Senate companion introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Click here for a full copy of the bill text.