[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46056-46057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11400]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket #: RUS-24-TELECOM-0011]


Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program: Virtual Public 
Listening Session

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an Agency of the Rural 
Development (RD) mission area within the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), is hosting a virtual public listening session to 
obtain stakeholder feedback about the Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine (DLT) program. This competitive program helps rural 
communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to 
each other--and the world--overcoming the effects of remoteness and low 
population density. The sessions are open to the public and provide an 
opportunity for stakeholders and other interested parties to offer 
their comments and input on the DLT program.

DATES: The virtual listening sessions will be held virtually on the 
following dates and times:

Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 1:30-3 p.m. EST
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 1:30-3 p.m. EST

    Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time 
(EST) on June 19th, 2024, on www.regulations.gov.

ADDRESSES: Registration is required for each virtual public listening 
session. To register, please visit www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants. A 
confirmation email, including the Zoom link and teleconference 
information for the meeting will be sent upon receipt of registration.
    Comments may be submitted electronically by the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal, www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search for dockets and documents 
on agency actions'' box, enter the docket number ``RUS-24-TELECOM-
0011,'' and click the ``Search'' button. From the search results: click 
on or locate the document title: ``Distance Learning and Telemedicine 
(DLT) program: Virtual Public Listening Session'' and select the 
``Comment'' button. Before inputting comments, commenters may review 
the ``Commenter's Checklist'' (optional). To submit a comment: Insert 
comments under the ``Comment'' title, click ``Browse'' to attach files 
(if available), input email address, select box to opt to receive email 
confirmation of submission and tracking (optional), select the box 
``I'm not a robot,'' and then select ``Submit Comment.'' Information on 
using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, 
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the 
comment period, is available through the site's ``FAQ'' link. All 
comments will be available for public inspection online at the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal (www.regulations.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teresa Hunkapiller, Grants Management 
Specialist, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, RUS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 1590, Room 4121-S, Washington, DC 
20250-1590, or call (202) 720-0800, or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The DLT program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa and implemented 
by 7 CFR part 1734. Applicants must adhere to the requirements 
contained in the program regulation, 7 CFR 1734. Important terms 
related to the program are identified in 7 CFR 1734.3.
    The purpose of the DLT grant program is to encourage and improve 
telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas 
through the use of telecommunications, computer networks, and related 
advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and 
rural residents. These grants are intended to increase rural access to 
education, training, and health care resources that are otherwise 
unavailable or limited in scope. The DLT program is currently a grant 
only program and the grant funds are awarded through a nationally 
competitive process.

Instructions

    Response to this notice is voluntary. Each individual or 
institution is requested to submit only one response as directed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice. Submission must not exceed 10 pages 
and fonts must be 12 point or larger, with a page number on each page. 
Responses should include the name of the person(s) or organization(s) 
filing the comment. Comments containing references, studies, research, 
and other empirical data that are not widely published should include 
copies or electronic links of the referenced materials. Comments 
containing profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate 
language or content will not be considered. Comments submitted in 
response to this notice are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552). Responses to this notice may 
also be posted, without change, on a Federal website.
    Therefore, we request that no business proprietary information, 
copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information be 
submitted in response to this notice. In accordance with FAR 52-215-
3(b), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by 
the Government to form a binding contract. Additionally, the U.S. 
Government will not pay for response preparation or for the use of any 
information contained in the response.
    To inform the Federal Government's decision-making, RUS now seeks 
public input on the following questions.
    1. RUS outlines DLT Program eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 1734. 
What DLT Program requirements limit or improve project eligibility?
    2. What integral equipment or software technologies are not 
currently eligible for funding with the DLT program?
    3. The authorizing statue allows for funds to be used to purchase 
or support audio, video, and interactive video equipment, broadband 
facilities used for distance learning or telemedicine, computer 
hardware, network components, and software, instructional programming 
and limited technical assistance. What emerging technological advances 
in equipment and software have the potential to change how DLT services 
are delivered in rural areas?
    4. What has been your experience with accessing DLT funding?

[[Page 46057]]

Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, 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.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the 711 Relay 
Service.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should 
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 
which can be obtained online at www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, 
or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the 
complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written 
description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail 
to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the 
nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-
3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].

Christopher A. McLean,
Acting for the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-11400 Filed 5-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P