[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 135 (Friday, July 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32624-32625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14995]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice To Implement a Guarantee Systems User Fee for Lender Use 
of the Single Family Housing Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program 
Automated Systems

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 was 
signed into law on July 29, 2016. It created Section 502(i) in the 
Housing Act of 1949, later amended by Section 758 of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018, which permits the Secretary to assess and 
collect a guarantee underwriting user fee (also known as a technology 
fee) from lenders for their use of the Rural Housing Service's 
(Agency's) automated guaranteed loan systems. The collection of the fee 
will enable the Agency to fund future information technology 
enhancements needed to improve program delivery and reduce burden to 
the public. The fee amount will be published in the Single Family 
Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) Handbook HB-1-3555, available 
at https://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/regulations-guidelines/handbooks.
    The fee will not exceed $50 per loan, and constitutes a reasonable 
and customary cost that is an authorized loan purpose in accordance 
with the Guaranteed Rural Housing Program. The primary method of 
collecting the fee will be through the Agency's Lender Loan Closing 
(LLC) system when a loan goes to closing.

DATES: Written or email comments on the proposed rule must be received 
on or before September 11, 2018 to be assured for consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this proposed rule by any one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments electronically.
     Mail: Submit written comments via the U.S. Postal Service 
to the Branch Chief, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-0742.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Submit written comments via Federal 
Express mail, or other courier service requiring a street address to 
the Branch Chief, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0742.
    All written comments will be available for public inspection during 
regular work hours at 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-
0742.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Jensen, Finance and Loan Analyst, 
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, STOP 0784, Room 2250, 
USDA Rural Development, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0784, telephone: (503) 894-

[[Page 32625]]

2382, email is [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The estimated time required for 
technological development and user acceptance testing is one year from 
the start of development. The Agency does not plan to collect a 
technology fee during the first year of the project, and technology fee 
collections are not expected prior to the first quarter of fiscal year 
2019. Presently the estimated amount of the guarantee loan systems user 
fee is $25 with an expected implementation date of January 2, 2019. The 
Agency will advise lenders in advance of the implementation date of the 
actual amount of the guarantee loan systems user fee, along with all 
pertinent development and operational details.
    The use of the LLC is currently voluntary and lenders submit more 
than 98 percent of loan closings through that channel. In order to 
effectively serve the public and keep pace with modern lending 
practices, the Agency must have ready access to funding for the 
maintenance and enhancement of automated systems required for the 
secure and efficient delivery of the single family housing loan 
programs. The system improvement will also enhance the Agency's ability 
to effectively monitor the processing, underwriting, and closing of all 
guaranteed loans and protect the investment of the public.

Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: July 9, 2018.
Joel C. Baxley,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14995 Filed 7-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P