[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 63 (Friday, March 31, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8004]


 ========================================================================
 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. 65, No. 63 / Friday, March 31, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 17206]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

7 CFR Part 770

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Parts 1823 and 1956

[RIN 0560-AF43]


Loans to Indian Tribes and Tribal Corporations

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The comment period for the proposed rule is being extended in 
order to provide opportunities to further comment on this rule and its 
criteria as requested by several parties. This proposed rule was 
initially published in the Federal Register on November 2, 1999, (64 FR 
59131). This proposed rule will consolidate into one part and to revise 
the Indian Tribal Land Acquisition Program (ITLAP) regulations to allow 
borrowers to use the loan reserve accounts to purchase additional real 
estate and to give borrowers additional servicing options. The proposed 
rule also would allow ITLAP funds to be used for certain refinancing 
activities; limit the requirement for reserve accounts to loans not 
secured by a general assignment of Tribal income; expand the uses 
borrowers may make of land purchased with ITLAP funds; require ITLAP 
loan applications, in most cases, include a copy of the borrower's 
option to purchase the land; and provide for subsequent loans to be 
made to ITLAP borrowers.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before May 
1, 2000 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments on the proposed rule to: Arthur Veldon Hall, 
Director, Farm Loan Programs, Loan Servicing and Property Management 
Division, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
STOP 0523, Washington, D.C. 20250-0523, fax number: (202) 690-0949, or 
hand deliver them to room 5449-South at the address listed above during 
normal business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary West, Senior Loan Officer, Farm 
Loan Programs, Loan Servicing and Property Management Division, Farm 
Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., STOP 0523, 
Washington, D.C. 20250-0523, telephone (202) 690-4008, facsimile (202) 
690-0949, electronic mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Extension of Comment Period

    In the Federal Register of November 2, 1999, FSA published a 
proposed rule to enunciate eligibility criteria for debt relief options 
for ITLAP loans. The comment period closed December 2, 1999, FSA is 
soliciting comments from interested persons concerning these elements.
    FSA received one request from an indebted FSA ITLAP borrower to 
extend the comment period an additional 30 days. In response to the 
request, FSA is extending the comment period an additional 30 days.

II. Comments

    Interested persons may, on or before May 1, 2000 submit to the Farm 
Loan Programs, Loan Servicing and Property Management Division (address 
above) written comments regarding the proposed rule. Two copies of any 
comments are to be submitted except that individuals may submit one 
copy. All written comments are available for public inspection from 9 
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the address listed above.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on March 23, 2000.
August Schumacher, Jr.,
Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.
[FR Doc. 00-8004 Filed 3-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P