Updates to the Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH), Loan and Grant Rates and Terms; Clarification of Grant Agreement Terms

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The RHS, an agency of the USDA, offers a variety of programs to build or improve housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. RHS offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees for single- and multi-family housing, childcare centers, fire and police stations, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, schools, first responder vehicles and equipment, and housing for farm laborers. RHS also provides technical assistance loans and grants in partnership with non-profit organizations, Indian tribes, State and Federal Government agencies, and local communities.

Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (Act) authorized the USDA to make housing loans to farmers to enable them to provide habitable dwellings for themselves or their tenants, lessees, sharecroppers, and laborers. The USDA then expanded opportunities in rural areas, making housing loans and grants to rural residents through the Single-Family Housing (SFH) and Multi-Family Housing (MFH) Programs.

The RHS also operates the MFH Farm Labor Housing direct loan and grant programs under sections 514 and 516 which provide low interest loans and grants to provide housing for year-round and migrant or seasonal domestic farm laborers. These eligible farm laborers may work either at the borrower's farm (“on-farm”) or at any other farm (“off-farm”). Housing under these programs may be built in any area with a need and demand for housing for farm laborers.

II. Summary of Comments and Responses

Stakeholder input is vital to ensure that proposed changes to current regulations will support the Agency's mission, while ensuring that new regulations and policies are reasonable and do not overly burden the Agency's lenders and their customers. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on September 12, 2023 (88 FR 62475) and a 60-day comment period was provided for the public to submit comments, which closed on November 13, 2023. The Agency did not receive any comments therefore, the final rule will publish with no changes from the published proposed rule.

III. Discussion of the Final Rule

This final rule is necessary to bring the current regulation at 7 CFR 3560.566 into compliance with the Federal award information requirements outlined in 2 CFR 200.211. Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1, the “period of performance” is defined as: “. . . the time interval between the start and end date of a Federal award, which may include one or more budget periods. Identification of the period of performance in the Federal award consistent with 7 CFR 200.211(b)(5) does not commit the Federal agency to fund the award beyond the currently approved budget period.”

Identification of the period of performance in the Federal award per 2 CFR 200.211(b)(5) does not commit the awarding agency to fund the award beyond the currently approved budget period. Furthermore, a Federal award is defined under 2 CFR 200.1 as the instrument setting forth the terms and conditions of the grant agreement, cooperative agreement or other agreement for assistance as specified in 2 CFR 200.1. The changes in this final rulemaking will clarify the term of the grant agreement in 7 CFR 3560.566(c) and define a five-year fixed period of performance in 7 CFR 3560.566(d) so that applicants and grantees will have a better understanding of their obligations and requirements as Federal award recipients.

IV. Summary of Rule Changes

No comments were received from the public on the proposed rule that published in the Federal Register on September 12, 2023 (88 FR 62475). The following are the changes being made to 7 CFR part 3560:

(1) In 7 CFR 3560.566(c), the term of grant agreement will remain in effect for as long as there is a need for the housing, as determined by the Agency.

(2) In 7 CFR 3560.566, a new paragraph will be added to define the grant period of performance as five (5) years, which starts on the date the grant agreement is executed by both the Agency and the grantee and ends five (5) years from the date the grant agreement was executed by both the Agency and the grantee.

V. Regulatory Information

Statutory Authority

The Off-FLH Loan and Grant program is authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (Pub. L. 81-171), as amended; 42 U.S.C. 1484; 42 U.S.C. 1486(h); and 42 U.S.C. 1480; and implemented under 7 CFR part 3560, subpart L.

Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

This program is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. RHS conducts intergovernmental consultations for each loan in accordance with 2 CFR part 415, subpart C.

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

This final rule has been determined to be non-significant and, therefore, was not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform

This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988. In accordance with this rule: (1) Unless otherwise specifically provided, all State and local laws that conflict with this rule will be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect will be given to this rule except as specifically prescribed in the rule; and (3) administrative proceedings of the National Appeals Division of the Department of Agriculture (7 CFR part 11) must be exhausted before suing in court that challenges action taken under this rule.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

The policies contained in this final rule do not have any substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of Government. This Final rule does not impose substantial direct compliance costs on State and local Governments; therefore, consultation with States is not required.

Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

This final rule has been reviewed in accordance with the requirements of Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments. Executive Order 13175 requires Federal agencies to consult and coordinate with tribes on a government-to-government basis on policies that have Tribal implications, including regulations, legislative comments or proposed legislation, and other policy statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Consultation is also required for any regulation that preempts Tribal law or that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on Indian Tribal governments and that is not required by statute.

The Agency has determined that this final rule does not, to our knowledge, have Tribal implications that require formal Tribal consultation under Executive Order 13175. If a Tribe requests consultation, the RHS will work with the Office of Tribal Relations and USDA Rural Development's Tribal Relations Team to ensure meaningful consultation is provided where changes, additions and modifications identified herein are not expressly mandated by Congress.

National Environmental Policy Act

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, this final rule has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970 (“Environmental Policies and Procedures”). The Agency has determined that (i) this action meets the criteria established in 7 CFR 1970.53(f); (ii) no extraordinary circumstances exist; and (iii) the action is not “connected” to other actions with potentially significant impacts, is not considered a “cumulative action” and is not precluded by 40 CFR 1506.1. Therefore, the Agency has determined that the action does not have a significant effect on the human environment, and therefore neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is required.

Congressional Review Act

Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this final rule as not a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-602) (RFA) generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”) or any other statute. The Administrative Procedures Act exempts from notice and comment requirements rules “relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts” (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)), so therefore an analysis has not been prepared for this rule.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

Title II of the 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 on the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, Federal Agencies generally must prepare a written statement, including cost-benefit analysis, for proposed and rules with “Federal 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 a Federal Agency to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule.

This final rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory provisions of title II of the UMRA) for State, local, and Tribal Governments or for the private sector. Therefore, this final rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This final rule contains no new reporting or recordkeeping burdens under OMB control number 0572-0189 that would require approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

E-Government Act Compliance

RHS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, which requires Government agencies in general to provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible and to promote the use of the internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information, services, and other purposes.

Civil Rights Impact Analysis

Rural Development has reviewed this final rule in accordance with USDA Regulation 4300-4, Civil Rights Impact Analysis,” to identify any major civil rights impacts the rule might have on program participants on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, or disability, marital or familial status. Based on the review and analysis of the rule, and all available data, issuance of this final rule is not likely to negatively impact low- and moderate-income populations, minority populations, women, Indian tribes, or persons with disability by virtue of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or marital or familial status. No major civil rights impact is likely to result from this final rule.

Assistance Listing

The programs affected by this regulation is listed in the Assistance Listing Catalog (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) under number 10.405—Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants. The Assistance Listings are available at https://sam.gov/.

Non-Discrimination Statement Policy

In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and 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, staff office, or the 711 Federal 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 https://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 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: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Severability

It is USDA's intention that the provisions of this final rule shall operate independently of each other. In the event that this final rule or any portion of this final rule is ultimately declared invalid or stayed as to a particular provision, it is USDA's intent that the final rule nonetheless be severable and remain valid with respect to those provisions not affected by a declaration of invalidity or stayed. USDA concludes it would separately adopt all of the provisions contained in this final rule.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Rural Housing Service is amending 7 CFR part 3560 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 3560 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1480.

2. Amend § 3560.566 by revising paragraph (c) and adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:

[FR Doc. 2024-24742 Filed 10-24-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P