[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6421-6422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01411]


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FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Parts 600 and 604

RIN 3052-AD17


Organization and Functions; Farm Credit Administration Board 
Meetings

AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Farm Credit Administration (FCA or Agency) issues a final 
rule amending its regulations to reflect changes in the Agency's 
organizational structure and to correct the mailing address for the 
McLean office.

DATES: This regulation will become effective no earlier than 30 days 
after publication in the Federal Register during which either one or 
both Houses of Congress are in session. We will publish a document 
announcing the effective date in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul K. Gibbs, Associate Director, 
Office of Regulatory Policy, Farm Credit Administration, (703) 883-
4203, TTY (703) 883-4056;

or

    Autumn R. Agans, Senior Attorney, Office of General Counsel, Farm 
Credit Administration, (703) 883-4020, TTY (703) 883-4056.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Objectives

    The objective of this final rule is to reflect changes to FCA's 
organizational structure and to correct the mailing address for the 
McLean office.

II. Overview

    On November 5, 2019, the FCA Board approved an organizational chart 
that created the Office of Data Analytics and Economics. This change 
will allow the Agency to continue on its path to becoming a more data-
driven policymaking organization. Further, there are sections of 12 CFR 
604.425(a)and 604.440 that only list the FCA Board address as McLean, 
excluding the street address.

III. Organizational Structure

    The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, requires, in part, 
that each Federal agency publish in the Federal Register, for the 
guidance of the public, a description of its organization structure. 
Accordingly, we revise our regulations as follows:
    1. Changing Sec.  600.4(a) by:
    a. Removing the Office of Management Services from the 
responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer listed in paragraph 
(a)(7) and replacing it with the Office of Agency Services;
    b. Adding the Office of Information Technology, the Office of Chief 
Financial Officer and the Office of Data Analytics and Economics to the 
responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer listed in paragraph 
(a)(7);
    c. Removing personnel security programs from the programs overseen 
by the Office of Chief Financial Officer listed in paragraph (a)(9) and 
adding personnel security programs to the services managed by the 
Office of Agency Services listed in paragraph (a)(8); and
    d. Adding the Office of Data Analytics and Economics in the 
organizational structure as one of FCA's primary offices, in a new 
section.
    2. Adding 1501 Farm Credit Drive to the address in the first line 
of Sec.  604.425(a).
    3. Adding 1501 Farm Credit Drive to the address in the last line of 
Sec.  604.440.

IV. Certain Findings

    We have determined that the amendments involve Agency management 
and personnel and other minor technical changes. Therefore, the 
amendments do not constitute a rulemaking under the Administrative 
Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 551, 553(a)(2). Under the APA, the public 
may participate in the promulgation of rules that have a substantial 
impact on the public. The amendments to our regulations relate to 
Agency management and personnel are a minor technical change only and 
have no direct impact on the public and, therefore, do not require 
public participation.
    Even if these amendments were a rulemaking under 5 U.S.C. 551, 
553(a)(2) of the APA, we have determined that notice and public comment 
are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(A) and (B) of the APA, an agency may publish regulations in 
final form when they involve matters of agency organization or where 
the agency for good cause finds that notice and public comment are 
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. As 
discussed above, these amendments result from recent office 
reorganizations. Because the amendments will provide accurate and 
current information on the organization of FCA, it would be contrary to 
the public interest to delay amending the regulations.

V. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), FCA hereby certifies that the final rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. Each of the banks in the Farm Credit System (System), 
considered together with its affiliated associations, has assets and 
annual income in excess of the amounts that would qualify them as small 
entities. Therefore, System institutions are not ``small entities'' as 
defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 600

    Organization and functions (Government agencies).

12 CFR Part 604

    Farm Credit Administration Board Meetings.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, parts 600 and 604 of 
chapter VI, title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations, are amended as 
follows:

PART 600--ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 600 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.17, 8.11 of the 
Farm Credit Act (12 U.S.C. 2241, 2242, 2243, 2244, 2245, 2252, 
2279aa-11).


0
2. Revise Sec.  600.4 to read as follows:


Sec.  600.4  Organization of the Farm Credit Administration.

    (a) Offices and functions. The primary offices of the FCA are:

[[Page 6422]]

    (1) Office of Inspector General. The Office of Inspector General 
conducts independent audits, inspections, and investigations of Agency 
programs and operations and reviews proposed legislation and 
regulations.
    (2) Secretary to the Board. The Secretary to the Board serves as 
the parliamentarian for the Board and keeps permanent and complete 
records and minutes of the acts and proceedings of the Board.
    (3) Equal Employment and Inclusion Director. The Office of Equal 
Employment and Inclusion manages and directs the Agency-wide Diversity, 
Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity Program for FCA and FCSIC. 
The office serves as the chief liaison with the Equal Employment 
Opportunity Commission and the Office of Personnel Management on all 
EEO, diversity, and inclusion issues. The office provides counsel and 
leadership to Agency management to carry out its continuing policy and 
program of nondiscrimination, affirmative action, and diversity.
    (4) Designated Agency Ethics Official. The Designated Agency Ethics 
Official is designated by the FCA Chairman to administer the provisions 
of title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended, to 
coordinate and manage FCA's ethics program and to provide liaison to 
the Office of Government Ethics with regard to all aspects of FCA's 
ethics program.
    (5) Office of Congressional and Public Affairs. The Office of 
Congressional and Public Affairs performs Congressional liaison duties 
and coordinates and disseminates Agency communications.
    (6) Office of Secondary Market Oversight. The Office of Secondary 
Market Oversight regulates and examines the Federal Agricultural 
Mortgage Corporation for safety and soundness and compliance with law 
and regulations.
    (7) Office of the Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating 
Officer has broad responsibility for planning, directing, and 
controlling the operations of the Offices of Agency Services, Chief 
Financial Officer, Examination, Regulatory Policy, Information 
Technology, Data Analysis and Economics, and General Counsel in 
accordance with the operating philosophy and policies of the FCA Board.
    (8) Office of Agency Services. The Office of Agency Services, 
manages human capital and administrative services for the Agency. This 
includes providing the following services to the Agency: Staffing and 
placement, personnel security programs, job evaluation, compensation 
and benefits, payroll administration, performance management and 
awards, employee relations, employee training and development, 
contracting, acquisitions, records and property management, supply 
services, agency purchase cards, design, publication, and mail service.
    (9) Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The Office of the Chief 
Financial Officer, manages and delivers timely, accurate, and reliable 
financial services to the Agency. The office establishes financial 
policies and procedures and oversees the formulation and execution of 
the Agency's budget. The office reports periodically on the status of 
the Agency's financial position, results of operations, and budgetary 
resources. It also oversees the Agency's travel management and internal 
controls.
    (10) Office of Regulatory Policy. The Office of Regulatory Policy 
develops policies and regulations for the FCA Board's consideration; 
evaluates regulatory and statutory prior approvals; manages the 
Agency's chartering activities; and analyzes policy and strategic risks 
to the System.
    (11) Office of Examination. The Office of Examination evaluates the 
safety and soundness of FCS institutions and their compliance with law 
and regulations and manages FCA's enforcement and supervision 
functions.
    (12) Office of Information Technology. The Office of Information 
Technology manages and delivers the Agency's information technology, 
data analysis infrastructure, and the security supporting Agency 
technology resources.
    (13) Office of Data Analytics and Economics. The Office of Data 
Analytics and Economics evaluates strategic risks to the System using 
data, analytics, economic trends, and other risk factors. The Office 
serves as a steward for Agency data and as a provider of information 
for objective, evidence-based decision making across the Agency. The 
Office facilitates an agency wide strategy for analytics and 
collaborates across Offices on business intelligence tools and 
development of models to meet the strategic needs of the Agency.
    (14) Office of General Counsel. The Office of General Counsel 
provides legal advice and services to the FCA Chairman, the FCA Board, 
and Agency staff.
    (b) Additional information. You may obtain more information on the 
FCA's organization by visiting our website at http://www.fca.gov. You 
may also contact the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs:
    (1) In writing at FCA, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, Virginia 
22102-5090;
    (2) By email at [email protected]; or
    (3) By telephone at (703) 883-4056.

PART 604--FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION BOARD MEETINGS

0
3. The authority citation for part 604 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 5.9, 5.17 of the Farm Credit Act; 12 U.S.C. 
2243, 2252.


0
4. In Sec.  604.425, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  604.425  Announcement of meetings.

    (a) The Board meets in the offices of the Farm Credit 
Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-5090, on 
the second Thursday of each month, unless the Board fixes a different 
time and/or place for a meeting and follows the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section.
* * * * *

0
5. Revise Sec.  604.440 to read as follows:


Sec.  604.440  Requests for information.

    Requests to the Farm Credit Administration for information about 
the time, place, and subject matter of a meeting, whether it or any 
portion thereof is closed to the public, and any requests for copies of 
the transcript or minutes, or of a transcript of an electronic 
recording of a closed meeting, or closed portion of a meeting, to the 
extent not exempt from disclosure by the provisions of Sec.  604.420 of 
this part, shall be addressed to the Secretary to the Board, Farm 
Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-
5090.

    Dated: January 23, 2020.
Dale Aultman,
Secretary, Farm Credit Administration Board.
[FR Doc. 2020-01411 Filed 2-4-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6705-01-P