[Congressional Bills 103th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 5086 Introduced in House (IH)] 103d CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5086 To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of county-based rural development boards, develop a strategy for adoption of national rural development goals and objectives, establish a training program for local county board leaders, providing roles and responsibilities for State rural development councils, substate regional organizations, and 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions, and establish a grant program for financing various rural and small community development initiatives, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 23, 1994 Mr. Baesler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of county-based rural development boards, develop a strategy for adoption of national rural development goals and objectives, establish a training program for local county board leaders, providing roles and responsibilities for State rural development councils, substate regional organizations, and 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions, and establish a grant program for financing various rural and small community development initiatives, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that-- (1) rural America has serious problems in need of attention, including lack of off-farm opportunities, lack of adequate capital for investment, nondiversity of agriculture economy, declining farm work force, outmigration of rural youth to urban centers, inadequate leadership development, and persistent poverty; (2) Federal and State policies dealing with nonfarm rural issues are fragmented; (3) farming remains a most important element of rural life, but a successful national rural policy must address the entire spectrum of social, economic and cultural needs of citizens living in rural America; (4) the creation of jobs and expansion of existing businesses are of vital importance to the long-term stability of rural life; (5) Americans have a right to choose a rural life, beyond just farming, and consisting of a life of opportunity in small communities with continued ties to the land; and (6) because each rural area across America is unique, there is no solution which can equally address all rural areas, and a Federal initiative in rural development is dependent on creating a mechanism which allows for locally determined initiatives, strategies, and solutions. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to-- (1) establish a pilot program-- (A) to create and evaluate the feasibility of using county-based rural development boards as the local organizational entity through which the United States Department of Agriculture will facilitate funding of rural development initiatives; (B) to determine whether county boards can be used to create an understandable initiative under which a comprehensive national policy for rural development can be devised, and create a long-term viable local constituency for development by tapping the energy and talent at the local level; (2) establish a time frame, process, and evaluation procedure for the development of clear national rural development goals; (3) provide for (through the encouragement of funding) an expanded and more focused role in rural development for Land Grant Institutions both the ``1862'' and ``1890'' colleges and universities; (4) create a grant program to provide funding for rural development projects; (5) create a national training program bringing the expertise and knowledge of officials of the Department of Agriculture directly to local county development board leaders, State rural development councils, substate regional organizations, and 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions at the start of the pilot project; and (6) provide for a coordinated program of cooperation among the Department of Agriculture, State rural development councils, substate regional organizations, and local boards. SEC. 2. GRANTS TO COUNTIES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT. (a) Applications.-- (1) In general.--A qualified county rural development board may apply to the Secretary for grants for the purposes described in subsection (b). (2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the board. (B) A description of the process by which board members are selected, including a discussion of how the process meets the requirement of section 2(5). (C) A description of the process used for rural development strategic planning. (D) A ranking of the priorities of the county for which the board is established. (E) A complete assessment of the resource base of the county. (F) A complete description of each rural development project that the board plans to carry out during the 1st 3 years of the grant, including-- (i) a timetable for completion of the project; and (ii) the goals and expectations of the project, including a discussion of how the project would build on the resource strengths of the county for which the board is established, or correct or moderate resource weaknesses of the county. (G) A detailed budget for each rural development project that the board plans to carry out during the 1st year of the grant, which shall indicate the amount of funding for the project, all other sources of funds for the project, and the approval status of such other sources of funds. (H) A description of how each such project will address regional needs and goals, as identified by regional planning or economic development districts, rural development councils, or economic development offices of the State in which the county for which the board is established is located. (3) Deadline.--The Secretary may not consider an application for grants under this section for a fiscal year if the Secretary receives the application after July 1 of the immediately preceding fiscal year. (b) Purposes.-- (1) In general.--The purposes described in this subsection are the following: (A) Upgrading of industries. (B) Development of new economic activity. (C) Creation of opportunities for economic diversification or revitalization. (D) Alternative agricultural programs, including products, facilities, and marketing ventures. (E) Rural capital creation. (F) Tourism. (G) Technological linkages among educational institutions, libraries, and businesses. (2) Excluded purposes.--The purposes described in this subsection do not include the following: (A) Planning by the applicant. (B) Reimbursement of operating expenses of county rural development boards or local governments. (C) Reimbursement of costs associated with application for a grant under this section or the administration of grants made by county rural development boards with funds provided under this section. (c) Approval of Applications.-- (1) In general.--Within 60 days after receipt of an application submitted under this section, the Secretary shall determine whether to approve or disapprove the application. If the Secretary disapproves the application, the Secretary shall provide the applicant with the reasons therefore and with suggestions and recommendations for future applications for grants under this section. (2) Factors to be considered.--In determining whether to approve applications for grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to those applications that document at least 4 of the following: (A) That the rural unemployment rate for the county is greater than the national average unemployment rate for the United States. (B) That there is a significant level of rural poverty in the county. (C) That there is a record of rural environmental degradation in the county. (D) That there has been significant migration from the county. (E) That the percentage of adult residents of the county with high school diplomas is less than the national average of adults with high school diplomas. (F) That the economy of the county is excessively dependent on tobacco or any other single crop. (G) That there has been a decline in the manufacturing base of the county. (H) How the proximity to, or the relationship or economic linkages of the county to, a nearby central regional urban core could be strengthened through the projects proposed in the application so as to provide local stability. (I) A history of improvements and local commitment to the educational, social, library, and financial systems of the county. (J) That the economy of the county is dependent on a single industry. (3) Factors to be given greatest weight.--In determining whether to approve applications for grants under this section, the Secretary shall, subject to paragraph (4), give the greatest priority to applications that demonstrate-- (A) community commitment to the projects proposed in the application; (B) a long-term strategy for rural development; and (C) the ability of the county to achieve rural economic and social improvement and stability. (4) Other requirements.--The Secretary may not approve an application for grants under this section unless the application demonstrates-- (A) that the applicant, the rural development council of the State in which the applicant is located, the substate regional organization in the region in which the applicant is located, and 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions in the State in which the applicant is located have cooperated in-- (i) identifying regional methods of collaboration; (ii) assessing and documenting the economic, social, and cultural connections between rural areas and metropolitan entities; (iii) preparing regional resource assessments; (iv) encouraging and developing-- (I) collaborative efforts between the 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions and substate regional organizations in the State; (II) memoranda of agreement among such entities; and (III) methods for coordination and communication among such entities; (v) developing methods of-- (I) diversifying the rural economy; (II) dealing with outmigration of rural youth; (III) equalizing rural education to that received in urban areas; (IV) obtaining long term employment opportunities for low income, traditionally unemployed, seasonally employed, or underemployed rural residents; and (V) delivering effective job training services to local communities; (vi) preparing an assessment of the capital needs, coordination, and financing of rural telecommunications and other rural infrastructure such as water and sewer; (vii) developing a plan for the effective use and involvement of private sector resources and skills to deal with rural problems; (viii) reviewing and recommending to the legislature of the State changes to State government programs, policies, or regulations which may impede effective rural development; (ix) developing strategies for better coordination of rural development efforts among Federal, State, and local entities; and (x) designing the projects proposed in the application; (B) that the rural development projects proposed in the application are to be carried out in partnership with the rural development council of the State in which the applicant is located, the substate regional organization in the region in which the applicant is located, and such 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions (acting in consultation with local offices of the Agricultural Extension Service) as suggest a multidisciplinary approach to methods of project evaluation and assistance with a particular emphasis on development of a new and expanded community service role for college and university departments of agriculture with emphasis given to social and economic assistance; (C) that the county in which the applicant is located is able to begin implementation of the projects within 3 months after receiving a grant under this section, and fully implement the projects within 18 months after such receipt; and (D) how the funds provided to the applicant under this section are to be used to obtain funding from other sources on an ongoing basis. (5) Fiscal year 1996.--The Secretary may not, after September 15, 1996, approve an application for grants under this section for fiscal year 1996. (6) Coordination of multicounty projects.-- (A) In general.--In the case of an application for grants under this section that provides for a rural development project which is to be coordinated between or among 2 or more applicants for such grants, the Secretary shall make the coordination of the activities of such applicants a condition of approving the application. (B) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall provide such technical assistance as may be required to assist counties in coordinating the planning, funding, and implementation of rural development projects referred to in subparagraph (A). (d) Grant Authority.--If the Secretary approves an application for grants under this section, the Secretary shall-- (1) make a grant to the applicant in an aggregate amount equal to 80 percent of the total amount of the grant; (2) make a grant to the land grant institutions identified in the application, in an aggregate amount equal to 10 percent of such total amount; (3) make a grant to the State rural development councils identified in the application, in an aggregate amount equal to 6 percent of such total amount; and (4) make a grant to the substate regional organizations identified in the application, in an aggregate amount equal to 4 percent of such total amount. (e) Maximum Amount of Grant.--The amount of each grant made under this section with respect to an approved application shall not exceed $1,000,000. (f) Term of Grant.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants under this section with respect to an approved application for not more than 3 years. (2) Multiyear grants.--The Secretary may make a grant under this section to a qualified county rural development board for a period of more than 1 year if the management capacity of the board, the level of needs documented by the board, and any necessary phasing-in of the project are such that multi-year funding is necessary. (g) Use of Grant.--Each entity to which a grant is made under this section shall use the funds in accordance with the approved application for the grant. (h) Administrative Provisions.--Not later than February 1, 1996, the Secretary shall-- (1) publish in the Federal Register a detailed announcement of the grant program authorized by this Act, and a schedule of activities of the Department of Agriculture to meet the goals and requirements of this Act; (2) notify State rural development councils and train State rural development coordinators about the grant program, schedule regional workshops for county rural development boards and officials, and establish a clearinghouse of rural development ideas and information available to county rural development boards. (i) Reports.-- (1) Regular reports.--Not less frequently than annually, each county rural development board that receives a grant made under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report that documents the continued involvement of the public in the activities of the board, and includes such information as the Secretary may require to determine whether the projects proposed in the approved application of the board are progressing as described in the application toward the goals set forth in the application. (2) Final report.--Upon the completion of the projects described in an approved application for a grant under this section, the applicant shall submit to the Secretary a final report on the projects. (j) Audits.--The Secretary shall require each entity that receives a grant made under this section to perform annual audits of the financial management system and internal controls of the entity. (k) Maintenance of Records.--Each entity that receives a grant made under this section shall maintain records and accounts sufficient to enable a determination as to whether the grant has been used in accordance with the approved application and the requirements imposed by or under this section. (l) Definitions.--As used in this Act: (1) Qualified county rural development board.--The term ``qualified county rural development board'' means a rural development board that is established in accordance with the following requirements: (A) The board is an agency of county government. (B) The county for which the board is established does not contain a city with a population of more than 35,000 individuals. (C) The board has not less than 7 and not more than 15 members. (D) Not more than 50 percent of the board members may be appointed by the county. (E) The membership of the board is fully representative of the population of the county. (F) The meetings of the board are required to be open to the public, the board is required to notify the public not less than 7 days and not more than 21 days in advance of board meetings, the board is required to keep minutes of its meetings, and the board is required to afford the public an opportunity to comment at board meetings. (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture. (3) Substate regional organization.--The term ``substate regional organization'' means a substate regional multicounty planning and development entity. (m) Limitations on Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary not more than-- (1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1996; and (2) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1997 and 1998. SEC. 3. NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM. The Secretary shall create a training and information system utilizing 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions, the Agricultural Extension Service, State rural development councils, and substate regional organizations, which shall include-- (1) advice and materials on local rural strategic planning processes and procedures, which shall include how to study local economies, identify local strengths and weaknesses, develop opportunities, profile resources, and identify the competence and availability of the labor force and of local education; (2) creation of a significant resource library readily available to qualified county rural development boards featuring comparative case studies, Federal and State resource guides, and nonprofit and community based development organization guides; (3) advice and guidance on how to facilitate citizen involvement in the planning and implementation of rural projects with respect to which grants are made under section 2; (4) techniques and methods to encourage regional economic cooperation; (5) leadership training; (6) provision of detailed information and strategies for development potential of various industries including agriculture, timber, mining, tourism, and manufacturing, with emphasis on the use of advanced technologies and processes and on adding value to raw materials and component parts; (7) financial information and advice on implementing projects using grants, banks, venture capital companies, revolving loan funds and other methods of leveraging funding; and (8) a training and information network linking together qualified county rural development boards and State rural development councils for continued support and information sharing. SEC. 4. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS; EVALUATIONS; REPORT TO THE CONGRESS. (a) Rural Development Goals.--Not later than July 1, 1996, the Secretary of Agriculture shall publish in the Federal Register a statement of national rural development goals, and shall provide for a period of public comment on such goals. (b) Evaluations; Report to the Congress.--Not later than October 1, 1999, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report that evaluates the activities engaged in under this Act and includes recommendations as to the desirability of expanding the activities. <all> HR 5086 IH----2