((a)) ** General authority**

((1)) ** Consolidated plan** A local educational agency receiving funds under more than one covered program may submit plans or applications to the State educational agency under those programs on a consolidated basis.

((2)) ** Availability to Governor** The State educational agency shall make any consolidated local plans and applications available to the Governor.

((b)) ** Required consolidated plans or applications** A State educational agency that has an approved consolidated State plan or application under may require local educational agencies in the State receiving funds under more than one program included in the consolidated State plan or consolidated State application to submit consolidated local plans or applications under those programs, but may not require those agencies to submit separate plans.section 7842 of this title

((c)) ** Collaboration** A State educational agency, in consultation with the Governor, shall collaborate with local educational agencies in the State in establishing procedures for the submission of the consolidated State plans or consolidated State applications under this section.

((d)) ** Necessary materials** The State educational agency shall require only descriptions, information, assurances, and other material that are absolutely necessary for the consideration of the local educational agency plan or application.

((e)) ** Rural consolidated plan**

((1)) ** In general** Two or more eligible local educational agencies, a consortium of eligible local educational service agencies, or an educational service agency on behalf of eligible local educational agencies may submit plans or applications for 1 or more covered programs to the State educational agency on a consolidated basis, if each eligible local educational agency impacted elects to participate in the joint application or elects to allow the educational service agency to apply on its behalf.

((2)) ** Eligible local educational agency** For the purposes of this subsection, the term “eligible local educational agency” means a local educational agency that is an eligible local educational agency under part B of subchapter V.