§ 2204b. — Rural development policy.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC2204b]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 55--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Sec. 2204b. Rural development policy
(a) Coordination of nationwide rural development program using services
of executive branch departments and agencies and State and local
governments
The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide leadership within the
executive branch for, and shall assume responsibility for coordinating,
a nationwide rural development program using the services of executive
branch departments and agencies, including, but not limited to, the
agencies, bureaus, offices, and services of the Department of
Agriculture, in coordination with rural development programs of State
and local governments.
(b) Policy development; systematic review of Federal programs; access to
information; development of process to receive and assess needs,
goals, etc.; cooperative agreements to improve Federal programs
affecting rural areas; public hearings and comments
(1) The Secretary shall conduct a systematic review of Federal
programs affecting rural areas to (A) determine whether such areas are
benefiting from such programs in an equitable proportion to the benefits
received by urban areas and (B) identify any factors that may restrict
accessibility to such programs in rural areas or limit participation in
such programs.
(2) Subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 [5 U.S.C. 552a], the
Secretary may secure directly from any Federal department or agency
information necessary to carry out the Secretary's duties under this
section. Upon request of the Secretary under this paragraph, the head of
any such Federal department or agency shall furnish such information to
the Secretary.
(3) The Secretary shall develop a process through which multistate,
State, substate, and local rural development needs, goals, objectives,
plans, and recommendations can be received and assessed on a continuing
basis. Such process may include the use of those rural development
experts, advisors, and consultants that the Secretary deems appropriate,
as well as the establishment of temporary advisory committees under the
terms of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
(4) Cooperative agreements.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, the
Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with other Federal
agencies, State and local governments, and any other organization or
individual to improve the coordination and effectiveness of Federal
programs, services, and actions affecting rural areas, including the
establishment and financing of interagency groups, if the Secretary
determines that the objectives of the agreement will serve the
mutual interest of the parties in rural development activities.
(B) Cooperators.--Each cooperator, including each Federal
agency, to the extent that funds are otherwise available, may
participate in any cooperative agreement or working group
established pursuant to this paragraph by contributing funds or
other resources to the Secretary to carry out the agreement or
functions of the group.
(5) The Secretary may hold public hearings and receive comments on
any matter that the Secretary determines may have a significant impact
on rural development or the economic development of rural communities.
(c) Rural development strategy and annual updates; preparation and
scope; purposes; time for updates; public hearings and
suggestions and recommendations; transmittal to Congressional
committees; analysis of budgetary considerations and factors;
evaluation and recommendations regarding implementation and
revisions
(1) The Secretary shall prepare a comprehensive rural development
strategy based on the needs, goals, objectives, plans, and
recommendations of local communities, substate areas, States, and
multistate regions, which is designed to--
(A) maximize the effectiveness, increase the responsiveness, and
improve the delivery of Federal programs to rural areas;
(B) increase the coordination of Federal programs with the
development needs, objectives, and resources of local communities,
substate areas, States, and multistate regions; and
(C) achieve the most effective combinations of Federal, State,
and local resources to meet the needs of rural areas for orderly
growth and development.
(2) The rural development strategy shall take into account the need
to--
(A) improve the economic well-being of all rural residents and
alleviate the problems of low income, elderly, minority, and
otherwise disadvantaged rural residents;
(B) improve the business and employment opportunities,
occupational training and employment services, health care services,
educational opportunities, energy utilization and availability,
housing, transportation, community services, community facilities,
water supplies, sewage and solid waste management systems, credit
availability, and accessibility to and delivery of private and
public financial resources in the maintenance and creation of jobs
in rural areas;
(C) improve State and local government management capabilities,
institutions, and programs related to rural development and expand
educational and training opportunities for State and local
officials, particularly in small rural communities;
(D) strengthen the family farm system; and
(E) maintain and protect the environment and natural resources
of rural areas.
(3) The rural development strategy developed under this subsection
shall be for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982, and updated for
each fiscal year thereafter.
(4) The Secretary shall hold public hearings and receive such
suggestions and recommendations as the Secretary deems appropriate
during the preparation of the rural development strategy and the annual
updates to the strategy.
(5) The rural development strategy and the annual updates to the
strategy shall be transmitted to the House Committee on Agriculture and
the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry by January
31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the beginning of the
appropriate fiscal year.
(6) The rural development strategy and each annual update of the
strategy shall contain an analysis of the budget recommendations of the
President for the fiscal year following the transmittal of the strategy
or update of the strategy and of all the available budget projections of
the President for subsequent fiscal years, and projections regarding the
budget that are relevant or essential to the rural development policy
and the rural development strategy developed under this subsection. Each
annual update shall also contain a detailed statement of the findings
and conclusions of the Secretary regarding the implementation during the
preceding fiscal year of the rural development strategy, including any
revisions of the strategy, any recommended legislation to improve the
rural development effort of the Federal Government, and an evaluation of
and recommendations regarding the rural development information system
required under section 1926(a)(12) of this title.
(d) Strategy implementation; goals
The Secretary shall ensure the effective implementation of the rural
development strategy and maximize coordination of Federal programs
affecting rural areas through a systematic effort to--
(1) improve communication and encourage cooperation among
Federal departments and agencies in the administration of rural
development programs;
(2) eliminate conflicts, duplication, and gaps in program
coverage, and resolve contradictions and inconsistencies in the
objectives, administration, and effects of rural development
programs;
(3) facilitate the sharing or common location of field offices
of Federal agencies administering similar or complementary programs
and unification of delivery systems, where feasible, to maximize
convenience and accessibility of such agencies and programs to rural
residents;
(4) facilitate and expedite joint funding of rural projects
through Federal programs;
(5) correct administrative problems in Federal programs that
delay or hinder the effective delivery of services, assistance, or
benefits to rural areas; and
(6) simplify, standardize, and reduce the complexity of
applications, reports, and other forms required under Federal rural
development programs.
(Pub. L. 92-419, title VI, Sec. 607, as added Pub. L. 96-355, Sec. 2,
Sept. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 1171; amended Pub. L. 104-127, title VII,
Sec. 759A, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1138.)
References in Text
The Privacy Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L.
93-579, Dec. 31, 1974, 88 Stat. 1896, as amended, which enacted section
552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and provisions
set out as notes under section 552a of Title 5. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 552a of Title 5 and Tables.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3),
is Pub. L. 92-463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770, as amended, which is set
out in the Appendix to Title 5.
Amendments
1996--Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 104-127 added par. (4) and struck out
former par. (4) which read as follows: ``The Secretary may undertake
cooperative efforts with other Federal departments and agencies to
improve the coordination and effectiveness of Federal programs,
services, and actions affecting rural areas. The Secretary may request
the heads of other Federal departments and agencies to participate in
any working groups that the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the
purposes of this section.''
Effective Date
Section 10 of Pub. L. 96-355 provided that: ``The provisions of this
Act [enacting this section and section 2211b of this title, amending
sections 1926, 2204, 2204a, 2204b-1, 2663, and 2667 of this title and
section 5314 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and
enacting provisions set out as a note under section 2201 of this title]
shall become effective October 1, 1980.''
Termination of Reporting Requirements
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec.
(c)(5) of this section relating to transmittal of rural development
strategy annual updates to certain committees of Congress, see section
3003 of Pub. L. 104-66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113
of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 44 of House Document No. 103-7.
Transfer of Functions
Powers, duties, and assets of agencies, offices, and other entities
within Department of Agriculture relating to rural development functions
transferred to Rural Development Administration by section 2302(b) of
Pub. L. 101-624.
Simplified, Uniform Application for Assistance From All Federal Rural
Development Programs
Section 762 of Pub. L. 104-127 provided that: ``Not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of this Act [Apr. 4, 1996], the
Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a streamlined, simplified, and
uniform application which shall be used in applying for assistance under
all of the following:
``(1) Sections 304(b), 306, 306A, 306C, 306D, 310B, and 375 [7
U.S.C. 2008j] and subtitle E [7 U.S.C. 2009 et seq.] of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1924(b), 1926,
1926a, 1926c, 1926d, and 1932).
``(2) Subtitle G of title XVI and sections 2281 [42 U.S.C.
5177a], 2333, and 2381 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. [former] 5901-5908, 5177a, 950aaa-2, and
3125b).
``(3) Subtitle C of title IX of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act Amendments of 1991 (Public Law 102-
237:[;] 7 U.S.C. [former] 5930 note).
``(4) Section 1323(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public
Law 99-198; 7 U.S.C. 1932 note).
``(5) Title V and section 603(c) of the Rural Development Act of
1972 (7 U.S.C. 2661-2669 and 2204a(c)).
``(6) Sections 5 and 311 and title IV of the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. [former] 905, [former] 940a,
and 941-950b).''
Executive Order No. 12720
Ex. Ord. No. 12720, July 16, 1990, 55 F.R. 29337, as amended by Ex.
Ord. No. 12783, Dec. 17, 1991, 56 F.R. 65977, which established the
President's Council on Rural America, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12869,
Sec. 4(c), Sept. 30, 1993, 58 F.R. 51751, formerly set out as a note
under section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act in the Appendix
to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 926 of this title.
