[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 5, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 65783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26317]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1735

RIN 0572-AC13


General Policies, Types of Loans, Loan Requirements--
Telecommunications

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities 
Program, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the 
Agency, amends its regulations for the Telecommunications Loan Program 
(Loan Program). The Agency has reviewed its criteria for approving 
loans and has determined that modifications to the Loan Program 
regulations are required in order to ensure that some financially sound 
applicants are not excluded from the Loan Program.
    Specifically, this rule will modify the Times Interest Earned Ratio 
(TIER) requirements that an applicant must comply with when receiving a 
loan. In addition, the rule is part of an ongoing Agency project to 
update Agency policies to enable borrowers to provide reliable, modern 
telecommunications service at reasonable costs in rural areas, while 
maintaining the security and feasibility of the Government's loans.
    In the final rules section of this Federal Register, Rural 
Development is publishing this action as a direct final rule without 
prior proposal because the Agency views this as a non-controversial 
action and anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are 
received in response to the direct final rule, no further action will 
be taken on this proposed rule and the action will become effective at 
the time specified in the direct final rule. If the Agency receives 
adverse comments, a timely document will be published withdrawing the 
direct final rule and all public comments received will be addressed in 
a subsequent final rule based on this action.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by Rural 
Development or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than December 5, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit adverse comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and in the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-08-
Telecom-0002, and select GO>>. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a 
comment or submission,'' under the Docket Title. In order to submit 
your comment, the information requested on the ``Public Comment and 
Submission Form,'' must be completed. 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 ``How to Use this 
Site'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment 
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and 
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, Room 5159, 1400 
Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please state that your 
adverse comment refers to Docket No. RUS-08-Telecom-0002.
     Other Information: Additional information about Rural 
Development and its programs is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry H. Brent, Director, Northern 
Division, Telecommunications Program, USDA Rural Development, STOP 
1595, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1595, 
Telephone (202)720-1025, Facsimile (202) 690-4654. E-mail address: 
[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided 
in the direct final rule located in the Rules and Regulations direct 
final rule section of this Federal Register for the applicable 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION on this action.

    Dated: September 8, 2008.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E8-26317 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P