Telecommunications loan: General policies, types of loans and loan requirements,

[Federal Register: September 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 180)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 50476]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr17se99-25]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

[[Page 50476]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1735

RIN 0572-AB49

General Policies, Types of Loans, Loan Requirements-- Telecommunications Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is proposing a minor amendment to its regulations that will clarify that loan applicants organized as limited liability companies may be eligible to receive financial assistance. This proposed rule is part of an ongoing RUS project to modernize agency policies in order to provide borrowers with the flexibility they need to continue providing reliable telephone service at reasonable costs in rural areas, while maintaining the integrity of Government loans. This action also conforms more closely to private lending practice.

In the final rules section of this Federal Register, RUS is publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal because RUS views this as a noncontroversial action and anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on this proposed rule and the action will become effective at the time specified in the direct final rule. If RUS receives adverse comments, a document will be published withdrawing the direct final rule and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed action. Any parties interested in commenting on this proposed action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received on or before October 18, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Roberta D. Purcell, Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4056, STOP 1590, Washington, DC 20250-1590. RUS requires a signed original and three copies of all comments (7 CFR part 1700). Comments will be available for public inspection at room 4056, South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (7 CFR part 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan P. Claffey, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4056, STOP 1590, Washington, DC 20250-1590. Telephone: (202) 720-9556.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the Supplementary Information provided in the direct final rule located in the final rules section of this Federal Register for the applicable supplementary information on this action.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 1921 et seq.; Pub. L. 103-354, 108 Stat. 3178 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.).

Dated: September 10, 1999. Inga Smulkstys, Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.

[FR Doc. 99-24189Filed9-16-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P