[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29927-29931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10466]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

7 CFR Part 1944


Updating of Designated Counties for Housing Application Packaging 
Grants

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is amending its regulations to 
update the list of designated counties for Housing Application 
Packaging Grants (HAPG). Under section 509 of the Housing Act of 1949, 
grants are provided to package housing applications for loans under 
sections 502, 504, 514, 515, and 524 and grants under section 533 in 
colonias and designated underserved counties. The intended effect is to 
make eligible applicants, including public and private nonprofit 
organizations and State and local governments, aware of the new list of 
designated counties, which was based on the 2000 census data.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 25, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria L. Denson, Senior Loan 
Specialist, Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, RHS, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, STOP 0783, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-0783, Telephone 202-720-1474. (This is not a toll free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Classification

    This action is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12866 since it involves only internal Agency management. This action is 
not published for prior notice and comment under the Administrative 
Procedure Act since it involves only internal Agency management and 
publication for comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public 
interest.

Programs Affected

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the programs 
impacted by this action is 10.442--Housing Application Packaging 
Grants.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule does not revise or impose any new information 
collection requirements from those previously approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local and tribal 
governments, and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, the 
agency generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost 
benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Final mandates'' 
that may result in expenditures to State, local, or tribal governments, 
in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in 
any one year.When such a statement is needed for a rule, section 205 of 
the UMRA generally requires the agency to identify and consider a 
reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the least 
burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule.
    This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory 
provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for State, local and tribal 
governments, or the private sector. Thus, today's rule is not subject 
to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

Environment Impact Statement

    This action has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940, 
subpart G, ``Environmental Program.'' The Agency has determined that 
this action does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment and in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, an 
Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

Discussion

    Based on the 2000 U.S. Census data and applicable criteria for 7 
CFR part 1944, subpart B, twenty-four States have designated counties 
eligible for HAPG funds. This list must be used for any grants 
processed in Fiscal Year 2005, and until receipt of the 2010 U.S. 
Census data. Exhibit D of 7 CFR part 1944, subpart B is revised to 
update this information. To apply for assistance under this program or 
for more information, contact the Rural Development Office for your 
area or the individual shown in the FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of the preamble this notice.
    Seven States have been completely removed from the original twenty-
nine listed in Exhibit D (Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South 
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) and one State 
(Nebraska) has been added. In addition, some of the designated counties 
are no longer eligible and have been removed and new ones have been 
added. Therefore, Exhibit D of 7 CFR part 1944, subpart B is revised to 
list the current designated counties.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1944

    Administrative practice and procedure, Grant programs--Housing and 
community development, Loan programs--Housing and community 
development, Migrant labor, Nonprofit organizations, Reporting 
requirements, Rural areas.

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Accordingly, Chapter XVIII, title 7, Code of Federal Regulations is 
amended as follows:

PART 1944--HOUSING

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1. This authority citation for part 1944 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 301; 42 U.S.C. 1480.

Subpart B--Housing Application Packaging Grants

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2. Exhibit D of subpart B is revised to read as follows:
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    Dated: May 5, 2005.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-10466 Filed 5-24-05; 8:45 am]
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