the Coordinating Committee; and

State rural development councils.

to cooperate with States to implement the Partnership;

to provide States with the technical and administrative support necessary to plan and implement tailored rural development strategies to meet local needs;

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

to enter into cooperative agreements with, and to provide grants and other assistance to, the Coordinating Committee and State rural development councils.

1 representative of each agency with rural responsibilities; and

support the work of the State rural development councils;

facilitate coordination of rural development policies, programs, and activities among Federal agencies and with those of State, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations;

review and comment on policies, regulations, and proposed legislation that affect or would affect rural areas and gather and provide related information;

develop and facilitate strategies to reduce or eliminate administrative and regulatory impediments; and

require each State rural development council receiving funds under this section to submit an annual report on the use of the funds, including a description of strategic plans, goals, performance measures, and outcomes for the State rural development council of the State.

be composed of representatives of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, regional organizations, the private sector, and other entities committed to rural advancement; and

facilitate collaboration among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and the private and nonprofit sectors in the planning and implementation of programs and policies that have an impact on rural areas of the State;

monitor, report, and comment on policies and programs that address, or fail to address, the needs of the rural areas of the State;

as part of the Partnership, in conjunction with the Coordinating Committee, facilitate the development of strategies to reduce or eliminate conflicting or duplicative administrative or regulatory requirements of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments; and

to support 1 or more specific program or project activities; or

to reimburse the State rural development council for services provided to the Federal agency providing the funds, grants, funds provided under contracts or cooperative agreements, gifts, contributions, or technical assistance.