6 1 may restrict accessibility to such programs in rural areas or 2 limit participation in such programs, and shall make recom 3 mendations for appropriate corrective action if required. 4 "(4) The first strategy developed under this subsection 5 shall be transmitted to the Congress not later than January 31, 1981. The second such strategy shall be transmitted to January 7 the Congress not later than Janaury 31, 1982. All subse8 quent strategies developed under this subsection shall be 9 transmitted to the Congress by the thirty-first day of January 10 preceding the beginning of the period which is included in 11 such strategy. With respect to the recommendations of the 12 President regarding the budget for the first fiscal year begin13 ning after the date on which each such strategy is transmit14 ted to the Congress and with respect to all of the projections 15 of the President regarding the budgets for subsequent fiscal 16 years which are available before such date, each such strat17 egy shall contain an analysis of such recommendations and 18 projections regarding the Budget as are relevant or essential 19 to such strategy. 20 "(5) During preparation of any strategy described under 21 this subsection, the Working Group may hold open hearings 22 to receive suggestions and recommendations from the public, 23 with the opportunity for oral and written presentations, and 24 shall consider such suggestions, recommendations, and pres25 entations. 1 7 "(6) The Working Group shall maximize coordination 2 and effectiveness of the various Federal programs affecting 3 rural areas through initiation of a systematic effort to "(A) improve communication and encourage cooperation among Federal departments and agencies in the administration of such programs; "(B) eliminate conflicts between such programs as well as duplication and gaps in program coverage, resolve contradictions and inconsistencies in the objectives, administration, and effects of such programs, and transmit to the President such recommendations as the Working Group considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this subparagraph; "(C) facilitate sharing or common location of field offices of 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; "(D) facilitate and expedite joint funding of rural projects through such programs; "(E) correct administrative problems in such programs that hinder the effective delivery of Federal services, assistance, and benefits to rural areas; 12 "(F) reduce the administrative and paperwork re quirements of rural applicants under such programs; 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 "(G) simplify, standardize, and reduce the complexity of applications, reports, and other forms re quired under such programs; and "(H) expedite processing of such applications, re ports, and other forms. "(7) The Working Group shall hold public hearings on 7 any matter which the Chairman or a majority of the Working 8 Group believe may have a significant impact on rural devel9 opment or the economic development of rural communities, in 10 order to determine such impact and to make recommenda11 tions for appropriate action. The Working Group shall invite 12 public comments, suggestions, and oral and written presenta13 tions on such matters, and shall consider such comments, 14 suggestions, and presentations in making its recommenda15 tions. 16 "(8) The Working Group shall assist the Chairman in 17 developing a systematic method or process through which 18 local, substate, State, and multistate rural development 19 needs, goals, objectives, and plans can be ascertained, rural 20 development recommendations can be received, and informa21 tion and data on development needs and conditions affecting 22 the quality of life in rural areas can be obtained and assessed 23 on a continuing basis. 24 "(9) The Working Group shall review, and may submit. 25 comments or written data in regard to the impact of rules or 9 1 regulations proposed by any Federal agency which have an 2 effect upon rural areas of the United States. 3 "(c) The Working Group shall include representatives 4 holding the position of Assistant Secretary or equivalent from 5 the following departments and agencies: the Departments of 6 Agriculture; Justice; Commerce; Energy; Health, Education, 7 and Welfare; Housing and Urban Development; Interior; 8 Labor; Transportation; and Treasury; ACTION; the Com9 munity Services Administration; the Environmental Protec10 tion Agency; and the Small Business Administration. The 11 Chairman may invite the participation of such other Federal 12 officials of comparable responsibility as the Chairman deter13 mines are responsible for programs and policies that impact 14 on rural development. 15 "(d) The Chairman shall issue such regulations as the 16 Chairman may deem necessary to govern the functioning of 17 the Working Group. 18 "(e)(1) Subject to the provisions of section 552a of title 19 5, United States Code, the Working Group may secure di20 rectly from any Federal department or agency information 21 necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this sec22 tion. Upon request of the Chairman, the head of any such 23 Federal department or agency shall furnish such information 24 to the Working Group. 10 1 "(2)(A) The Secretary may detail such personnel and Cand Rural Development 2 administrative support services of the Farmers Home Admin3 istration and of other agencies of the Department of Agricul4 ture as he considers necessary to assist the Working Group 5 in carrying out its duties under this section. 6 "(B) The Secretary may assist any member of the 7 Working Group in establishing and maintaining an office of 8 rural development within the Federal department or agency 9 which such member represents. The Secretary may reim10 burse such Federal department or agency for a portion of the 11 cost incurred by such Federal department or agency in estab12 lishing and maintaining such office if such office, when estab13 lished, is 21 "(i) directly responsible to the head of such Feder al department or agency; "(ii) primarily engaged in activities related to the work of the Working Group; and "(iii) directly involved in coordination of the rural development efforts of such Federal department or agency. shall "(f) The Secretary may undertake cooperative efforts (each) 22 with any Federal department or agency represented on the 23 Working Group to improve the coordination and effectiveness 24 of Federal programs, services, and actions affecting rural 25 areas. The Secretary may reimburse such Federal depart- · |