[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1737]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 3637]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1703


Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program; 
Correction

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Correcting amendments.

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SUMMARY: This document contains corrections to the final regulations 
which were published Friday, June 13, 1997 (62 FR 32434). The 
regulations related to RUS' policy and requirements for submitting an 
application for financial assistance, and the method of selecting 
projects to receive loans and grants and allocating the available funds 
for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 26, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken B. Chandler, Acting Assistant 
Administrator-Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 
1590, Room 4056, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1590. Telephone (202) 720-9554, Facsimile (202) 
720-0810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The final regulations that are the subject of these corrections 
affect persons applying for loans or grants under 7 CFR Part 1703, 
Subpart D.

Need for correction

    As published, the final regulations contain errors which may prove 
to be misleading and are in need of clarification.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1703

    Community development, Grant programs--education, Grant programs--
health care, Grant programs--housing and community development, Loan 
programs--education, Loan programs--health care, Loan programs--housing 
and community development, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Rural areas.
    Accordingly, 7 CFR part 1703, subpart D, is corrected by making the 
following correcting amendments:

PART 1703--RURAL DEVELOPMENT

    1. The authority citation for Part 1703 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq. and 950aaa et seq.; Pub. L. 103-
354, 108 Stat. 3178 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.).

    2. In Sec. 1703.102, the definition of Comprehensive rural 
telecommunications plan is removed and the definition for 
Telecommunications Systems Plan is added in alphabetical order to read 
as follows:


Sec. 1703.102  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Telecommunications Systems Plan means the plan submitted by an 
applicant in accordance with Sec. 1703.109(f).
* * * * *


Sec. 1703.103  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 1703.103, paragraph (a)(3) is amended by adding the 
words ``or loan'' after the word ``grant'.
    4. In Sec. 1703.107, paragraph (a)(5) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1703.107  Ineligible loan and grant purposes.

* * * * *
    (5) To purchase equipment that will be owned by the local exchange 
carrier or another telecommunications service provider, unless such 
carrier or provider is the recipient of the financial assistance being 
provided under this subpart;
* * * * *


Sec. 1703.109  [Amended]

    5. In Sec. 1703.109, paragraph (h) introductory text is amended by 
removing the word ``statues'' in the first sentence and adding in its 
place the word ``statutes''.
    6. In Sec. 1703.113, the third sentence in paragraph (b), and the 
entire paragraph (c) are revised to read as follows:


Sec. 1703.113  Application filing dates, location, processing, and 
public notification.

* * * * *
    (b) * * * To be considered for loan funds during the fiscal year 
(FY) that the application is submitted, any information needed to 
complete the application must be postmarked no later than August 14. * 
* *
    (c) Applications requesting grant funds must be submitted to RUS 
and postmarked not later than June 1 if the applications are to be 
considered during the fiscal year the application is submitted. It is 
suggested that applications be submitted prior to the above deadline to 
ensure they can be reviewed and considered complete by the deadline. 
RUS will review each application for completeness in accordance with 
Sec. 1703.109, and notify the applicant, within 15 working days of the 
results of this review, citing any information which is incomplete. To 
be considered for grant funds, the applicant must submit the 
information to complete the application by June 1. If the applicant 
fails to submit such information by the appropriate deadline, the 
application will be considered during the next fiscal year.
* * * * *


Sec. 1703.122  [Amended]

    7. In Sec. 1703.122, in paragraph (e) introductory text the word 
``that'' is added after the phrase ``if any,''.

    Dated: January 16, 1998.
Wally Beyer,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1737 Filed 1-23-98; 8:45 am]
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