82482 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 198 / Friday, October 11, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

this section to the parent agency head, 

the head of the Recognized Statistical 

Agency or Unit, the Chief Statistician of 

the United States, and relevant 

congressional committees. For purposes 

of this review, the head of the 

Recognized Statistical Agency or Unit is 

considered a responsible official. The 

Inspector General shall include in the 

report a summary of major findings and, 

if deficiencies are identified during the 

review, a set of recommendations for 

improving compliance with this part. 

(d) Role of the Chief Statistician of the 

United States. The Chief Statistician of 

the United States will: 

(1) Engage with each Recognized 

Statistical Agency and Unit and parent 

agency to address any deficiencies 

identified in the report; 

(2) Publicly post a list of 

recommendations appropriate for public 

dissemination made to each agency and 

the status of the agency in addressing 

each recommendation on https://

www.StatsPolicy.gov or any successor 

website; 

(3) Make available appropriate 

materials, training, and other relevant 

resources to the Council for Inspector 

General Integrity and Efficiency 

regarding statistical laws and practices; 

and 

(4) Include standards for remedial 

actions for a Recognized Statistical 

Agency or Unit for persistent failures to 

comply with this part in the guidance to 

implement the Recognized Statistical 

Agency or Unit designation process 

required under 44 U.S.C. 3562(a). 

(e) Council of the Inspectors General 

on Integrity and Efficiency. Not later 

than December 10, 2026, the Council of 

the Inspectors General on Integrity and 

Efficiency, in consultation with the 

Chief Statistician of the United States 

and with consideration given to the 

available resources and independence of 

individual Offices of Inspectors General, 

must: 

(1) Develop and promulgate guidance 

that specifies procedures for the 

compliance review, and compliance 

determinations required under 

paragraph (a) of this section and a 

standardized format for reports required 

under paragraph (c) of this section to 

ensure consistency across agencies; 

(2) Establish a working group for 

Inspectors General responsible for 

conducting reviews under this section 

to assist the Inspectors General in 

developing the expertise in statistical 

laws and processes necessary to ensure 

the integrity of statistical agencies; and 

(3) Regularly consult with the Chief 

Statistician of the United States on the 

appropriate interpretation and 

application of statistical laws and 

practices. 

Shalanda D. Young, 

Director, Office of Management and Budget. 

[FR Doc. 2024–23536 Filed 10–10–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3110–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Utilities Service 

7 CFR Parts 1775 

[Docket Number: RUS–24–WATER–0031] 

Technical Assistance Grants 

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Services 

(RUS or Agency), an agency in the 

United States Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) Rural Development (RD) 

Mission area, is issuing a final rule to 

update the Water and Environmental 

Programs’ (WEP) Technical Assistance 

Grants regulation by updating the audit 

and financial statement language to 

align with the Office of Management 

and Budgets (OMB) 2024 revisions. 

DATES: Effective date: October 11, 2024. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michele Brooks, Assistant 

Administrator, Water and 

Environmental Programs, United States 

Department of Agriculture, 1400 

Independence Avenue SW, Stop 1548, 

Room 4121-South Building, 

Washington, DC 20250–1548. 

Telephone: (202) 692–0308. Email: 

michele.brooks@usda.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

RD is a mission area within USDA 

comprised of the RUS, the Rural 

Business-Cooperative Service and Rural 

Housing Service that strives to increase 

economic opportunity and improve the 

quality of life for all rural Americans. 

RD invests in rural America with loan, 

grant, and loan guarantee programs to 

help drive economic security and 

prosperity. 

Rural communities obtain the 

technical assistance and financing 

necessary to develop drinking water and 

waste disposal systems through RUS 

WEP. Safe drinking water and sanitary 

waste disposal systems are vital not 

only to public health, but also to the 

economic vitality of rural America. RD 

is a leader in helping rural America 

improve the quality of life and increase 

the economic opportunities for rural 

people. 

OMB revised several parts of OMB 

Guidance for Grants and Agreements 

which is now called OMB Guidance for 

Federal Financial Assistance and is 

located in title 2 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations. The revisions were 

published in the Federal Register on 

April 22, 2024, at 89 FR 30046. The 

revisions must be implemented by 

October 1, 2024, but can be 

implemented any time after June 21, 

2024. This final rule is being published 

as a technical/administrative correction 

to ensure the Agency’s audit and 

financial statement requirements align 

with the OMB revisions made to 2 CFR 

part 200. 

II. Summary of Changes 

Section 1775.21(a) and (b) were 

updated to remove the $750,000 

monetary amount in order to reference 

the current Single Audit threshold and 

to amend the audit submission 

deadline. The audit submission 

requirement was updated to be thirty 

(30) calendar days after the auditee 

receives the auditor’s report or nine (9) 

months after the end of the grantee’s 

fiscal year, whichever is earlier. These 

changes were made to align with the 

updates to 2 CFR part 200. 

III. Executive Orders 

Executive Order 12866—Classification 

This final rule is exempt from OMB 

review for purposes of Executive Order 

12866 and, therefore, has not been 

reviewed by OMB. 

Congressional Review Act 

This rule is not subject to the 

Congressional Review Act (‘‘CRA’’) (5 

U.S.C. 801 et seq.), as the CRA provides 

an exemption for any rule relating to 

agency management or personnel and 

for rules relating to agency organization, 

procedure, or practice that does not 

substantially affect the rights or 

obligations of non-agency parties. 

Assistance Listing Number (Formally 

Known as the Catalog of Federal 

Domestic Assistance) 

The Assistance Listing Numbers 

assigned to the programs affected by this 

final rule are 10.761—Technical 

Assistance and Training Grants and 

10.762—Solid Waste Management 

Systems Grants. The Assistance Listings 

are available at SAM.gov. 

Executive Order 12372— 

Intergovernmental Consultation 

The Assistance Listing Numbers are 

10.761 and 10.762 for these programs 

and are subject to the provisions of 

Executive Order 12372 which requires 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 198 / Friday, October 11, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 82483 

intergovernmental consultation with 

State and local officials 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

This final rule contains no reporting 

or recordkeeping provisions under OMB 

Control Number 0572–0112 requiring 

OMB approval under the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 

chapter 35). 

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. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification 

RUS certifies that this rule will not 

have a significant economic impact on 

a substantial number of small entities, 

as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility 

Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The RUS 

Water and Waste loan and grant 

programs provide loans to borrowers at 

interest rates and terms that are more 

favorable than those generally available 

from the private sector. RUS borrowers, 

as a result of obtaining Federal 

financing, receive economic benefits 

that exceed any direct economic costs 

associated with complying with RUS 

regulations and requirements. 

Administrative Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 

2023 

Section 270 of the Administrative 

Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2023 (Pub. L. 

118–5, div. B, title III, 137 Stat 31) 

amended 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(2)(A) to 

require U.S. Government Accountability 

Office (GAO) to assess agency 

compliance with the Act, which 

establishes requirements for 

administrative actions that affect direct 

spending, in GAO’s major rule reports. 

The Act does not apply to this rule 

because it does not increase direct 

spending. 

Executive Order 12988—Civil Justice 

Reform 

This 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 bringing 

suit in court that challenges action taken 

under this rule. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

This final rule contains no Federal 

Mandates (under the regulatory 

provision of title II of the Unfunded 

Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 

chapter 25) for State, local, and Tribal 

governments, or the private sector. 

Thus, this final rule is not subject to the 

requirements of sections 202 and 205 of 

the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 

1995. 

Executive Order 13132—Federalism 

The policies contained in this 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. Nor does this rule 

impose substantial direct compliance 

costs on State and local governments. 

Therefore, consultation with the States 

is not required. 

Executive Order 13175—Consultation 

and Coordination With Indian Tribal 

Governments 

This Executive order imposes 

requirements on RUS in the 

development of regulatory policies that 

have Tribal implications or preempt 

Tribal laws. The Agency has determined 

that the final rule does not have a 

substantial direct effect on one or more 

Indian tribe(s) or on either the 

relationship or the distribution of 

powers and responsibilities between the 

Federal Government and Indian tribes. 

Thus, this final rule is not subject to the 

requirements of Executive Order 13175. 

If Tribal leaders are interested in 

consulting with the Agencies on this 

final rule, they are encouraged to 

contact USDA’s Office of Tribal 

Relations or RD’s Native American 

Coordinator at: AIAN@usda.gov to 

request such a consultation. 

E-Government Act Compliance 

RD is committed to 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 and services, and for other 

purposes. 

Civil Rights Impact Analysis 

RD 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, 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 age, race, color, national 

origin, sex, disability, or marital or 

familial status. No major civil rights 

impact is likely to result from this final 

rule. 

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement 

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, or staff office; or 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/ 


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82484 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 198 / Friday, October 11, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

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: Program.Intake@usda.gov. 

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1775 

Business and industry, Community 

development, Community facilities, 

Grant programs—housing and 

community development, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements, Rural 

areas, Waste treatment and disposal, 

Water supply, Watersheds. 

Accordingly, for the reasons set forth 

in the preamble, the Agency amends 7 

CFR part 1775 as follows: 

PART 1775—TECHNICAL 

ASSISTANCE GRANTS 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 1775 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 

U.S.C. 1005. 

Subpart B—Grant Application 

Processing 

■ 2. Amend § 1775.21 by revising 

paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as follows: 

§ 1775.21 Audit or financial statements. 

* * * * * 

(a) In accordance with subpart F of 2 

CFR part 200, as adopted by USDA 

through 2 CFR part 400, grantees 

expending Federal funds each fiscal 

year equal to or greater than the current 

Single Audit threshold will submit an 

audit. The audit will be submitted 

within 30 calendar days after the 

auditee receives the auditor’s report or 

9 months after the end of the grantee’s 

fiscal year, whichever is earlier. 

(b) Grantees expending less than the 

current Single Audit dollar threshold 

will provide annual financial statements 

covering the grant period, consisting of 

the organization’s statement of income 

and expense, and balance sheet signed 

by an authorized official of the 

organization. Financial statements will 

be submitted within 90 days after the 

grantee’s fiscal year end. 

Andrew Berke, 

Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Rural 

Development. 

[FR Doc. 2024–23512 Filed 10–10–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Housing Service 

7 CFR Parts 3550 and 3555 

[Docket No. RHS–24–SFH–0031] 

Single Family Housing Section 502 

Direct and Guaranteed Manufactured 

Housing Pilots 

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notification of extension of 

waivers. 

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service 

(RHS or the Agency), a Rural 

Development agency of the United 

States Department of Agriculture 

(USDA), is issuing this notification to 

extend the period to waive two 

regulatory requirements for the Section 

502 Direct and Guaranteed 

Manufactured Housing program, while 

the Agency completes the rulemaking to 

remove regulatory barriers to assist 

eligible applicants by improving the 

ease of the pilot program (pilot) use for 

very low to moderate-income 

homeowners that seek to purchase more 

affordable housing. This continues to 

support the current Administration’s 

Housing Supply Action Plan which 

seeks to boost new financing 

mechanisms to build and supply quality 

affordable housing units. This document 

briefly discusses the waivers the Agency 

intends to continue and provides 

contact information for additional 

details about the pilot. 

DATES: The effective date of the two 

regulatory waivers is November 4, 2024. 

The duration of the pilot is anticipated 

to continue until May 1, 2025, or the 

date the Updating Manufactured 

Housing Provisions Final Rule is 

published and effective, whichever 

comes first. Additionally, the RHS may 

extend the pilot (with or without 

modifications) or terminate it depending 

on the workload and resources (i.e., 

budget and other considerations) 

required to administer the program, 

feedback from the public, and the 

effectiveness of the program. If the pilot 

is extended or terminated, the RHS will 

notify the public through a document 

published in the Federal Register. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Stephanie Freeman, Finance and Loan 

Analyst, Policy, Analysis, and 

Communications Branch, Single Family 

Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, 

Rural Development, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Email: stephanie.freeman@

usda.gov; Phone: (314) 457–6413 and 

Jeremy Anderson, Finance and Loan 

Analyst, Single Family Housing Direct 

Loan Division, Rural Development, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Email: 

jeremy.anderson@usda.gov; Phone: 

(202) 690–3971. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority: Title V, Section 502 of the 

Housing Act of 1949, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 

1472. 

Background 

The RHS is committed to helping 

improve the economy and quality of life 

in rural areas by offering a variety of 

programs. The Agency offers loans, 

grants, and loan guarantees to help 

create jobs, expand economic 

development, and provide critical 

infrastructure investments. RHS also 

provides technical assistance loans and 

grants by partnering with agricultural 

producers, cooperatives, Indian tribes, 

non-profits, and other local, State, and 

Federal agencies. 

Affordable housing is essential to the 

vitality of communities in rural 

America. Rural Development’s Single 

Family Housing Programs give families 

and individuals the opportunity to 

purchase, build, repair their existing 

home, or to refinance their current 

mortgage under certain criteria. 

Eligibility for these loans, loan 

guarantees, or grants is based on income 

which varies according to the average 

median income for each eligible rural 

area. 

The objective of the Section 502 

Direct Loan Program under 7 CFR part 

3550 is to assist very low and lowincome applicants to own adequate but 

modest, decent, safe, and sanitary 

housing in eligible rural areas by 

providing payment assistance to 

increase an applicant’s repayment 

ability. The payment assistance is a type 

of subsidy that reduces the mortgage 

payment for a short time and is 

determined by the adjusted family 

income. There are a number of different 

factors that determine the applicant’s 

eligibility for this program but at 

minimum they must have the adjusted 

income that is at or below the applicable 

low-income limit for the area where 

they wish to purchase a home and they 

must demonstrate a willingness and 

have the ability to repay the debt. 

The Section 502 Guaranteed Loan 

Program, under 7 CFR part 3555, 


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