An act to provide for the establishment and coordination of rural development policy, to extend until September 30, 1981, the authorizations for appropriations for title V of the Rural Development Act of 1972, and for other purposes.
PL 96-355 (S.670), enacted 09/24/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-355—SEPT. 24, 1980 
94 STAT. 1171 
Public Law 96-355 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the establishment and coordination of rural development policy, to 
extend until September 30,1981, the authorizations for appropriations for title V 
of the Rural Development Act of 1972, and for other purposes. 
Sept. 24,1980 
[S. 670] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
g^ra} 
Development 
Policy Act of 
SHORT TITliE 
1980. 
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "Rural Development Policy '
^ use 2201 note. 
Act of 1980". 
RURAL DEVELOPMENT POUCY 
SEC. 2. The Rural Development Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-419; 86 
Stat. 657) is amended by adding at the end thereof a new section as 
foUows: 
"SEC. 607. RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY.—(a) 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 depart-
ments 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.—(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 pro-
grams in rural areas or limit participation in such programs. 
"(2) Subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, the Secretary may secure 
directly from any Federal department or agency information neces-
sary to carry out the Secretary's duties under this section. Upon 
request of the Secretary under this paragraph, the head of any such 
Federal depeirtment or agency sheill furnish such information to the 
Secretary. 
"(3) The Secretary shall develop a process through which multi-
state. 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 advi-
sory committees under the terms of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act. 
"(4) The Secretary may undertake cooperative efforts with other 
Federal department 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 
7 use 1921 note. 
7 use 2204b. 
Review. 
Information 
gathering. 
5 use 552a note. 
Assessment 
process. 
5 use app. 
Cooperation 
with Federal 
agencies. 
94 STAT. 1172 
PUBLIC LAW 96-355—SEPT. 24, 1980 
Hearings and 
comments. 
Hearings and 
suggestions. 
Updates, 
transmittal to 
congressional 
committees. 
Budget 
recommendations 
and projections. 
departments and agencies to participate in any working groups that 
the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
section. 
"(5) The Secretary may hold pubUc 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.—-(1) The Secretary shall pre-
pare 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, mcrease 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 communi-
ties, 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 emplojmient services, health care 
services, educational opportunities, energy utilization and avail-
ability, 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 capa-
bilities, 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 subsec-
tion shall be for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982, and 
updated for each 
fiscEil 
year thereafter. 
"(4) The Secretary shall hold public hearings and receive such 
suggestions and recommendations as the Secretary deems appropri-
ate 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 sh£ill 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 projec-
tions regarding the budget that are relevant or essential to the rural 
development policy and the rural development strategy developed 
PUBLIC LAW 96-355—SEPT. 24, 1980 
94 STAT. 1173 
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 recom-
mendations regarding the rural development information system 
required under section 306(a)(12) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act. 
^ use 1926. 
"(d) STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION.—^The Secretary shall ensure the 
effective implementation of the rural development strategy and 
maximize coordination of Federal programs eiffecting 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) facUitate the sharing or common location of field offices of 
Federal agencies administering similar or complementary pro-
grams 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 appli-
cations, reports, and other forms required under Federal rural 
development programs.". 
UNDER SECRETARY OP AGRICULTURE FOR SMALL COMMUNITY AND 
RURAL DEVELOPMENT 
SEC. 3. (a) There is hereby established in the Department of Appointment. 
Agriculture the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Small '^ use 2211b. 
Community and Rural Development to be appointed by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Under 
Secretary of Agriculture for Small Community and Rural Develop-
ment may exercise such functions and perform such duties related to 
small community and rural development, and shall perform such 
other duties, as may be required by law or prescribed by the Secretary 
of 
Agriculture. 
(b) Section 5314 of 
title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end thereof a new paragraph as follows: 
"Under Secretary of Agriculture for Small Community and 
Rural Development.". 
RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT REAUTHORIZATION AND AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 4. The Rural Development Act of 1972 is amended b y -
C
D in section 503(a) (7 U.S.C. 2663(a)), striking out "three" 
and "1979" and inserting in Ueu thereof "five'^ and "1981", 
respectively; 
94 STAT. 1174 
PUBLIC LAW 96-355—SEPT. 24, 1980 
7 u s e 301 note, 
321 note. 
7 u s e 2204a. 
(2) in section 503(c) (7 U.S.C. 2663(c)), striking out "and Septem-
ber 30,1979" and inserting in lieu thereof "September 30,1979, 
September 30,1980, and September 30,1981"; 
(3) in section 503(f) (7 U.S.C. 2663(f)), inserting immediately 
after the first sentence a new sentence as follows: "In those 
States that contain more than one institution or university 
accepting the benefits of the Morrill Act of 1862 or 1890 (or both), 
including Tuskegee Institute, such annual plan and budget shall 
be jointly developed by mutual agreement of the chief adminstra-
tive officers of 
all such institutions or universities."; 
(4) in section 507(b) (7 U.S.C. 2667(b)), inserting ", Guam, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American 
Samoa, the Virgin Islands of the United States," after "several 
States"; and 
(5) in section 603(c), repealing paragraph (2); in paragraph (1), 
striking out "(1)" after the subsection designation; and redesig-
nating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2), 
respectively. 
REVISED STATUTES AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 5. Section 526(b) of the Revised Statutes (7 U.S.C. 22040))) is 
amended by— 
(1) striking out the first and second sentences thereof; 
(2) in the third sentence striking out "and" before "rural 
industrialization" and inserting before the period at the end 
thereof the following:", and technology appropriate to small- and 
moderate-sized family farming operations, and any other prob-
lem that the Secretary may determine has an effect upon the 
economic development or the quality of life in rural areas". 
84 Stat. 1383. 
EUMINATION OF REPORTS 
SEC. 6. Section 901 of the Agricultural Act of 1970 (Public Law 
91-524, 84 Stat. 1303; 42 U.S.C. 3122) is amended by striking out 
the last sentence of subsection (b) and repealing subsections (c) 
through (f). 
7 u s e 821-326a, 
328. 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEM 
SEC. 7. Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (Public Law 87-128, 75 Stat. 307; 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is 
amended by— 
(1) amending paragraph (11) to read as follows: 
"(11) The Secretary may make grants, not to exceed 
$15,000,000 annually, to public bodies or such other agencies as 
the Secretary may select to provide rural development technical 
assistance, rural community leadership development, and com-
munity and areawide rural development planning."; 
(2) redesignating paragraphs (12), (13), and (14) as paragraphs 
(13), (14), and (15), respectively; and 
(3) inserting immediately after paragraph (11) a new para-
graph (12) as follows: 
"(12)(A) The Secretary shall, in cooperation with institutions 
eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 
503-505, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 301-305, 307, and 308), or the Act 
of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417-419, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 
321-326 and 328), including the Tuskegee Institute and State, 
PUBLIC LAW 96-355—SEPT. 24, 1980 
94 STAT. 1175 
substate, and regional planning bodies, establish a system for the 
dissemination of information and technical assistance on feder-
ally sponsored or funded programs. The system shall be for the 
use of institutions eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 
2,1862 (12 Stat. 503-505, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 301-305,307, and 
308), or the Act of 
August 30,1890 (26 Stat. 417-419, as amended; 
7 U.S.C. 321-326 and 328), including the Tuskegee Institute and 
State, substate, and regional planning bodies, and other persons 
concerned with rural development. 
"(B) The informational system developed under this paragraph 
shall contain all pertinent information, including, but not lim-
ited to, information contained in the Federal Procurement Data 
System, Federal Assistance Program Retrieval System, Cata-
logue of 
Federal Domestic Assistance, Geographic Distribution of 
Federal Funds, United States Census, and Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
"(C) The Secretary shall obtain from all other Federal depart-
ments and agencies comprehensive, relevant, and applicable 
information on programs imder their jurisdiction that are oper-
ated in rural areas. 
"(D) Of 
the sums authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
provisions of this Act, not more than $1,000,000 per year may be 
expended to carry out the provisions of 
this paragraph.". 
LIMITATIONS 
SEC. 8. No funds are authorized to be appropriated pursuant to 
sections 4 and 7 of this Act and the amendments made by those 
sections for the fiscal year ending September 30,1980, in excess of 
such amounts as have been appropriated on or before the date of 
enactment of 
this Act for such fiscal year. 
WEB RURAL WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 
SEC. 9. (a) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
of the Interior for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981, 
$1,900,000, which shall be used for initial planning and construction 
of 
a rural water treatment and distribution system in portions of, but 
not limited to, Walworth, Edmunds, Brown, Campbell, Potter, 
McPherson, Faulk, Hand, Spink, and Day Counties in South Dakota 
that will furnish water for domestic and other purposes, hereafter 
referred to in this section as "the WEB Rural Water Development 
Project", as generally proposed by the WEB Water Development 
Association, Incorporated, and as described in the special report by 
the Association of 
January 1980. 
(b) Effective October 1,1981, there are authorized to be appropri-
ated to the Secretary of the Interior for the further planning and 
construction of the WEB Rural Water Development Project 
$68,100,000, plus or minus such amounts, if any, as may be justified 
by reason of ordinary fluctuations in development costs incurred 
after January 1,1980, as indicated by the engineering cost indices 
applicable to the types of construction involved herein: Provided, 
Tliat such authorization for appropriations shall not become effective 
until such time as legislation has been enacted deauthorizing the 
Oahe Unit, initially authorized by the Act of August 3,1968 (Public 
Law 90-435; 82 Stat. 624): Provided further. That if such legislation 
has not been enacted by September 30,1981, the authorization for 
appropriations provided for in this subsection shall terminate. 
7 use 321-326a, 
328. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
94 STAT. 1176 
PUBLIC LAW 96-355—SEPT. 24, 1980 
Transfer of 
funds. 
7 u s e 1921 note. 
Grants and 
loans. 
7 u s e 2204b 
note. 
(c) Any funds appropriated under this section shall remain availa-
ble until expended. 
(d) Any funds appropriated under this section shall be transferred 
by the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Agriculture when 
such funds are appropriated. The Secretary of the Interior may enter 
into cooperative memoranda of understanding with the Secretary of 
Agriculture as may be required to provide services to carry out the 
purposes of 
this section. 
(e) The Secretary of Agriculture shall use any funds transferred 
under subsection (d) for necessary administrative expenses, and to 
provide financial assistance to plan and develop the WEB Rural 
Water Development Project under the terms and conditions of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and the rules and 
regulations promulgated by the Department of Agriculture under 
that Act, except to the extent such Act or rules or regulations 
promulgated thereunder are inconsistent with the provisions of this 
section. Such funds shall be made available in a combination of 
grants and loans that will provide grants for not less than 75 per 
centum of eligible development costs and such loans as may be 
necessary to plan and construct the WEB Rural Water Development 
Project. 
EFFECTIVE DATE 
SEC. 10. The provisions of 
this Act shall become effective October 1, 
1980. 
Approved September 24, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-259 accompanying H.R. 3580 (Comm. on Agriculture). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-187 (Oomm. on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry). 
eONGRESSIONAL REGORD: 
Vol. 125 (1979): June 14, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 126 (1980): Sept. 15, H.R. 3580 considered and passed House; passage 
vacated and S. 670, amended, passed in lieu. 
Sept. 16, Senate concurred in House amendments. 
WEEKLY eOMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS: 
Vol. 16, No. 39 (1980): Sept. 24, Presidential statement.