Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 84 Part 2.djvu/454

 1784

PUBLIC LAW 91-^09-DEC. 31, 1970

[84 STAT.

"(4) The term 'local public body' means any public body (including a political subdivision) created by or under the laws of a State or two or more States, or a combination of such bodies, and includes Indian tribes, bands, groups, and nations (including Alaska Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos) of the United States. "(5) The term 'open-space uses' means any use of open-space land for (A) park and recreational purposes, (B) conservation of land and other natural resources, or (C) historic, architectural or scenic purposes."

TITLE V—EESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH A N D DEMONSTRATIONS

SEC. 501. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is authorized and directed to undertake such programs of research, studies, testing, and demonstration relating to the mission and programs of the Department as he determines to be necessary and appropriate. I n order to carry out activities under this section there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary. All funds so appropriated shall remain available until expended unless specifically limited. GENERAL PROVISIONS

63 Stat. 377. 40 USC 471 note.

SEC. 502. (a) The Secretary shall require, to the greatest extent feasible, the employment of new and improved technologies, methods, and materials in housing construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance under programs administered by him with a view to reducing costs, and shall encourage and promote the acceptance and application of such advanced technology, methods, and materials by all segments of the housing industry, communities, industries engaged in urban development activities, and the general public. To the extent feasible, in connection with the construction, major rehabilitation, or maintenance of any housing assisted under section 501, the Secretary shall assure that there is no restraint by contract, building code, zoning ordinance, or practice against the employment of new or improved technologies, techniques, materials, and methods or of preassembled products which may reduce the cost or improve the quality of such construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance, and therefore stimulate expanded production of housing, except where such restraint is necessary to insure safe and healthful working and living conditions. (b) To encourage large-scale experimentation in the use of new technologies, methods, and materials, with a view toward the ultimate mass production of housing and related facilities, the Secretary shall wherever feasible conduct programs under section 501 in which qualified organizations, public and private, will submit plans for development and production of housing and related facilities using such new advances on Federal land which has been made available or acquired by the Secretary for the purpose of this subsection or on other land where (1) local building regulations permit such experimental construction, or (2) necessary variances from building regulations can be granted. The Secretary may utilize the funds and authority available to him under the provisions of section 501 to assist in the implementation of plans which he approves. {c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law\ the Secretary is authorized, in connection with projects under this title, to acquire, use and dispose of any land and other property required for the project as he deems necessary. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, any land which i-

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