[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 180 (Friday, September 17, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 50476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24189]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 180 / Friday, September 17, 1999 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 50476]]


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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.

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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. 99-24189 Filed 9-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P