US Code

Public Law 119-102 (07/12/2026)

7 U.S.C. § 2204b–1

Rural development

Section text and notes

(a)

Congressional commitment

The Congress commits itself to a sound balance between rural and urban America. The Congress considers this balance so essential to the peace, prosperity, and welfare of all our citizens that the highest priority must be given to the revitalization and development of rural areas.

(b)

Location of Federal facilities

1

1 See References in Text note below.
Congress hereby directs the heads of all executive departments and agencies of the Government to establish and maintain departmental policies and procedures giving first priority to the location of new offices and other facilities in rural areas as defined in the private business enterprise exception in section 1926(a)(7)  of this title.

Pub. L. 91–524, title IX, § 90184 Stat. 1383 Pub. L. 92–419, title VI, § 60186 Stat. 674 Pub. L. 94–273, § 7(3)90 Stat. 378 Pub. L. 96–355, § 694 Stat. 1174 (, , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 1926(a)(7) of this titlePub. L. 104–127, title VII, § 741(a)(2)110 Stat. 1123 section 1926(a)(7) of this titlePub. L. 107–171, title VI, § 6020(b)(1)116 Stat. 363 , referred to in subsec. (b), was repealed and a new section 1926(a)(7) was added by , , . As added, defined “rural areas” but no longer contained provisions relating to a private business enterprise exception. Subsequently, section 1926(a)(7) was repealed by , , .

Codification

section 3122 of Title 42Section was formerly classified to , The Public Health and Welfare.

Amendments

Pub. L. 96–3551980—Subsec. (b). struck out provisions respecting annual report to Congress by the President covering efforts, etc., made for locating all new facilities.

Pub. L. 96–355Subsec. (c). struck out subsec. (c) which related to planning assistance and annual report to Congress respecting such assistance.

Pub. L. 96–355Subsec. (d). struck out subsec. (d) which related to information and technical assistance and annual report to Congress respecting such assistance.

Pub. L. 96–355Subsec. (e). struck out subsec. (e) which related to provision of government services and annual report to Congress respecting such services.

Pub. L. 96–355Subsec. (f). struck out subsec. (f) which required report to Congress by , relating to implementation of rural financial assistance requirements.

Pub. L. 94–2731976—Subsec. (b). substituted “December” for “September”.

Pub. L. 94–273Subsec. (d). substituted “December 1 of” for “September 1 of”.

Pub. L. 92–419section 1926(a)(7) of this title1972—Subsec. (b). struck out “insofar as practicable,” after “maintain” and substituted “policies and procedures giving first priority to the location of new offices and other facilities in rural areas as defined in the private business enterprise exception in ”, for “policies and procedures with respect to the location of new offices and other facilities in areas or communities of lower population density in preference to areas or communities of high population densities”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–355section 10 of Pub. L. 96–355section 2204b of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Executive Documents

Executive Order No. 11797

Ex. Ord. No. 11797, , 39 F.R. 27893, which delegated to the Secretary of Agriculture the President’s authority to prepare and submit to Congress annual reports concerning the location of new Federal facilities in rural areas, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12553, , 51 F.R. 7237.