116 STAT. 364 PUBLIC LAW 107-171—MAY 13, 2002 7 USC 2008m. "SEC. 378. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP. "(a) DEFINITIONS.— In this section: "(1) AGENCY WITH RURAL RESPONSIBILITIES.— The term 'agency with rural responsibilities' means any executive agency (as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code) that implements a Federal law, or administers a program, targeted at or having a significant impact on rural areas. "(2) COORDINATING COMMITTEE.— The term 'Coordinating Committee' means the National Rural Development Coordinating Committee established by subsection (c). "(3) PARTNERSHIP. —The term 'Partnership' means the National Rural Development Partnership continued by subsection (b). "(4) STATE RURAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.— The term 'State rural development council' means a State rural development council that meets the requirements of subsection (d). " (b) PARTNERSHIP. — "(1) IN GENERAL. —The Secretary shall continue the National Rural Development Partnership composed of— "(A) the Coordinating Committee; and "(B) State rural development councils. "(2) PURPOSES.— The purposes of the Partnership are to empower and build the capacity of States and rural communities to design flexible and innovative responses to their own special rural development needs, with local determinations of progress and selection of projects and activities. Establishment. " (3) GOVERNING PANEL.— "(A) IN GENERAL. —^A panel consisting of representatives of the Coordinating Committee and State rural development councils shall be established to lead and coordinate the strategic operation, policies, and practices of the Partnership. "(B) ANNUAL REPORTS. —In conjunction with the Coordinating Committee and State rural development councils, the panel shall prepare and submit to Congress an annual report on the activities of the Partnership. "(4) ROLE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.—The role of the Federal Government in the Partnership may be that of a partner and facilitator, with Federal agencies authorized— "(A) to cooperate with States to implement the Partnership; "(B) to provide States with the technical and administrative support necessary to plan and implement tailored rural development strategies to meet local needs; "(C) to ensure that the head of each agency with rural responsibilities designates a senior-level agency official to represent the agency on the Coordinating Committee and directs appropriate field staff to participate fully with the State rural development council within the jurisdiction of the field staff; and "(D) to enter into cooperative agreements with, and to provide grants and other assistance to, the Coordinating Committee and State rural development councils. "(c) NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING COM- MITTEE.—
�
