[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 9 (Friday, January 12, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1944-1948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28235]



[[Page 1943]]

Vol. 83

Friday,

No. 9

January 12, 2018

Part XVIII





Small Business Administration





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





Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 9 / Friday, January 12, 2018 / 
Unified Agenda

[[Page 1944]]


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

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

13 CFR Ch. I


Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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

SUMMARY: This semiannual Regulatory Agenda (Agenda) is a summary of 
current and projected regulatory and deregulatory actions and completed 
actions of the Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA expects that 
this summary information will enable the public to be more aware of, 
and effectively participate in, SBA's regulatory and deregulatory 
activities. SBA invites the public to submit comments on any aspect of 
this Agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

General

    Please direct general comments or inquiries to Imelda A. Kish, Law 
Librarian, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, (202) 205-6849, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#761f1b131a1217581d1f051e3605141758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbd2d6ded7dfda95d0d2c8d3fbc8d9da95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>.

Specific

    Please direct specific comments and inquiries on individual 
regulatory activities identified in this Agenda to the individual 
listed in the summary of the regulation as the point of contact for 
that regulation. Timely public comment for any rule may be submitted at 
the government-wide e-government website, http://www.regulations.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SBA is fully committed to implementing the 
Administration's regulatory reform policies, as established by 
Executive Order 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory 
Costs (January 30, 2017) and Executive Order 13777, Enforcing the 
Regulatory Reform Agenda (February 24, 2017). In order to fully 
implement the goal of these executive orders, SBA seeks feedback from 
the public in identifying any SBA regulations that affected parties 
believe impose unnecessary burdens or costs that exceed their benefits; 
eliminate jobs or inhibit job creation; or are ineffective or outdated.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires SBA to publish in the 
Federal Register a semiannual regulatory flexibility agenda describing 
those rules SBA expects to consider in the next 12 months that are 
likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities (5 U.S.C. 602). The rules published in the Federal 
Register with this notice include only those that meet this 
requirement.
    Additional information on these rules and on all other rulemakings 
SBA expects to consider is included in the Federal Government's 
complete Unified Agenda, which will be available online at 
www.reginfo.gov in a format that offers users enhanced ability to 
obtain information about SBA's rules from the Agenda database.

    Dated: September 19, 2017.
Linda E. McMahon,
Administrator.

              Small Business Administration--Prerule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
333.......................  Small Business Size                3245-AG16
                             Standards; Alternative
                             Size Standard for 7(a),
                             504, and Disaster Loan
                             Programs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Small Business Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
334.......................  Small Business Development         3245-AE05
                             Center Program Revisions.
335.......................  Small Business HUBZone             3245-AG38
                             Program; Government
                             Contracting Programs;
                             Office of Hearings and
                             Appeals.
336.......................  Women-Owned Small Business         3245-AG75
                             and Economically
                             Disadvantaged Women-Owned
                             Small Business--
                             Certification (Reg Plan
                             Seq No. 120).
337.......................  Disaster Loan Programs;            3245-AG77
                             Federal Flood Risk
                             Management Standard.
338.......................  Ownership and Control of           3245-AG85
                             Service-Disabled Veteran-
                             Owned Small Business
                             Concerns.
339.......................  National Defense                   3245-AG86
                             Authorization Acts of
                             2016 and 2017, RISE After
                             Disaster Act of 2015, and
                             Other Small Business
                             Government Contracting
                             Amendments.
340.......................  Small Business Size                3245-AG88
                             Standards: Educational
                             Services; Health Care and
                             Social Assistance; Arts,
                             Entertainment and
                             Recreation; Accommodation
                             and Food Services; Other
                             Services.
341.......................  Small Business Size                3245-AG89
                             Standards: Agriculture,
                             Forestry, Fishing and
                             Hunting; Mining,
                             Quarrying, and Oil and
                             Gas Extraction;
                             Utilities; Construction.
342.......................  Small Business Size                3245-AG90
                             Standards: Transportation
                             and Warehousing;
                             Information; Finance and
                             Insurance; Real Estate
                             and Rental and Leasing.
343.......................  Small Business Size                3245-AG91
                             Standards: Professional,
                             Scientific and Technical
                             Services; Management of
                             Companies and
                             Enterprises;
                             Administrative and
                             Support, Waste Management
                             and Remediation Services.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


             Small Business Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
344.......................  Miscellaneous Amendments           3245-AF85
                             to Business Loan Programs
                             and Surety Bond Guarantee
                             Program.
345.......................  Small Business Timber Set-         3245-AG69
                             Aside Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1945]]


            Small Business Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
346.......................  Agent Revocation and               3245-AG40
                             Suspension Procedures.
347.......................  Small Business Investment          3245-AG67
                             Companies; Passive
                             Business Expansion &
                             Technical Clarifications.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

Prerule Stage

333. Small Business Size Standards; Alternative Size Standard for 7(A), 
504, and Disaster Loan Programs

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 111-240, sec. 1116
    Abstract: SBA will request public comment on options to amend its 
size eligibility criteria for Business Loans, certified development 
company (CDC) loans under title V of the Small Business Investment Act 
(504) and economic injury disaster loans (EIDL). For the SBA 7(a) 
Business Loan Program and the 504 program, the eventual amendments will 
provide an alternative size standard for loan applicants that do not 
meet the small business size standards for their industries. The Small 
Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act) established alternative size 
standards that apply to both of these programs until SBA's 
Administrator establishes other alternative size standards. For the 
disaster loan program, the amendments will provide an alternative size 
standard for loan applicants that do not meet the Small Business Size 
Standard for their industries. SBA loan program alternative size 
standards do not affect other Federal Government programs, including 
Federal procurement.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   01/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dr. Khem Raj Sharma, Chief, Office of Size 
Standards, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-7189, Fax: 202 205-6390, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f992919c94d78a91988b9498b98a9b98d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbd0d3ded695c8d3dac9d6dafbc8d9da95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG16

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

Proposed Rule Stage

334. Small Business Development Center Program Revisions

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6); 15 U.S.C. 648
    Abstract: Updates the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 
program regulations by proposing to amend: (1) Procedures for approving 
applications for new Host SBDCs; (2) approval procedures for travel 
outside the continental U.S. and U.S. territories; (3) procedures and 
requirements regarding findings and disputes resulting from financial 
exams, programmatic reviews, accreditation reviews, and other SBA 
oversight activities; (4) requirements for new or renewal applications 
for SBDC grants, including the requirements for electronic submission 
through the approved electronic Government submission facility; (5) 
procedures regarding the determination to affect suspension, 
termination or non-renewal of an SBDC's cooperative agreement; and (6) 
provisions regarding the collection and use of the individual SBDC 
client data.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   04/02/15  80 FR 17708
ANPRM Comment Period End............   06/01/15  .......................
NPRM................................   03/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Adriana Menchaca-Gendron, Associate Administrator 
for Small Business Development Centers, Small Business Administration, 
409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-6988, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4b5b0a6bdb5bab5fab9b1bab7bcb5b7b5f9b3b1bab0a6bbba94a7b6b5fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="076663756e666966296a6269646f6664662a606269637568694774656629606871">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AE05

335. Small Business Hubzone Program; Government Contracting Programs; 
Office of Hearings and Appeals

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 657a
    Abstract: SBA has been reviewing its processes and procedures for 
implementing the HUBZone program and has determined that several of the 
regulations governing the program should be amended in order to resolve 
certain issues that have arisen. As a result, the proposed rule would 
constitute a comprehensive revision of part 126 of SBA's regulations to 
clarify current HUBZone Program regulations, and implement various new 
procedures. The amendments will make it easier for participants to 
comply with the program requirements and enable them to maximize the 
benefits afforded by participation. In developing this proposed rule, 
SBA will focus on the principles of Executive Orders 12866, 13771 and 
13563 to determine whether portions of regulations should be modified, 
streamlined, expanded or repealed to make the HUBZone program more 
effective and/or less burdensome on small business concerns. At the 
same time, SBA will maintain a framework that helps identify and reduce 
waste, fraud, and abuse in the program.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Mariana Pardo, Director, Office of HUBZone, Small 
Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, 
Phone: 202 205-2985, Fax: 202 481-2675, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f29f93809b939c93dc829380969db2819093dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a575b48535b545b144a5b485e557a49585b145d554c">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG38

336. Women-Owned Small Business and Economically Disadvantaged Women-
Owned Small Business--Certification

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 120 in part II of this 
issue of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 3245-AG75

337. Disaster Loan Programs; Federal Flood Risk Management Standard

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6); E.O. 11988
    Abstract: This rule would describe which disaster loans are subject 
to federal flood risk managements standards. It would apply to disaster 
loans that meet one of the following conditions: (1) SBA funds will be 
used

[[Page 1946]]

for total real estate reconstruction at the damaged site that is 
located in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA); (2) SBA funds will be 
used for new real estate construction at a relocation site that is 
located in the SFHA; or (3) SBA funds will be used for code required 
elevation at the damaged site that is located in the SFHA.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alejandro Contreras, Program Analyst, Office of 
Disaster Assistance, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-6674, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#345558515e555a50465b1a575b5a404651465547744756551a535b42"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff9e939a959e919b8d90d19c90918b8d9a8d9e8cbf8c9d9ed1989089">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG77

338. Ownership and Control of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small 
Business Concerns

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 114-328, sec. 1832, 1835
    Abstract: Section 1832 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2017 (NDAA), Public Law 114-328, Dec. 23, 2016, 
provides for a government-wide, uniform definition of a small business 
concern owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran. Section 
1835 requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue guidance, not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of the NDAA of 2017. The proposed 
rule will propose to amend SBA's regulations to create a uniform 
definition of a small business owned and controlled by a service-
disabled veteran to be used for purposes of eligibility for government 
procurements by agencies other than the VA under the authority of 15 
U.S.C. 657f, and by the VA for VA procurements in accordance with 38 
U.S.C. 8127. These changes will include addressing ownership by an 
employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and ownership and control by a 
surviving spouse. Section 1835 provides that the SBA and VA shall 
provide notice and opportunity for comment for at least 60 days.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kenneth Dodds, Director, Office of Policy, Planning 
and Liaison, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 619-1766, Fax: 202 481-2950, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d1bab4bfbfb4a5b9ffb5beb5b5a291a2b3b0ffb6bea7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5239373c3c37263a7c363d363621122130337c353d24">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG85

339. National Defense Authorization Acts of 2016 and 2017, Rise After 
Disaster Act of 2015, and Other Small Business Government Contracting 
Amendments

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(17); Pub. L. 114-328, sec. 1811, 
1821; Pub. L. 114-92, sec. 863; Pub. L. 114-88, sec. 2105, 2108
    Abstract: Section 1811 of the of the National Defense Authorization 
Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017, Public Law 114-328, Dec. 23, 2016, 
(NDAA) of 2017 limits the scope of review of Procurement Center 
Representatives for certain Department of Defense procurements 
performed outside of the United States. Section 1821 of the NDAA of 
2017 establishes that failure to act in good faith in providing timely 
subcontracting reports shall be considered a material breach of the 
contract. Section 863 of the NDAA for FY 2016, Public Law 114-92, Nov. 
25, 2015, establishes procedures for the publication of acquisition 
strategies if the acquisition involves consolidation or substantial 
bundling. SBA also intends to request comment on various proposed 
changes requested by industry or other agencies, including those 
pertaining to exclusions from calculating compliance with the 
limitations on subcontracting, an agency's ability to set aside orders 
under set-aside contracts, and a contracting officer's authority to 
request reports on a prime contractor's compliance with the limitations 
on subcontracting. Sections 2105 and 2108 of Public Law 114-88 provide 
agencies with double credit when they award to a local small business 
in a disaster area and provide local small businesses with access to 
federal surplus property.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kenneth Dodds, Director, Office of Policy, Planning 
and Liaison, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 619-1766, Fax: 202 481-2950, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#117a747f7f7465793f757e757562516273703f767e67"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="543f313a3a31203c7a303b303027142736357a333b22">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG86

340. <bullet> Small Business Size Standards: Educational Services; 
Health Care and Social Assistance; Arts, Entertainment and Recreation; 
Accommodation and Food Services; Other Services

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632(a)
    Abstract: The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act) requires 
SBA to conduct every five years a detailed review of all size standards 
and to make appropriate adjustments to reflect market conditions. As 
part of the second five-year review of size standards under the Jobs 
Act, in this proposed rule, SBA will evaluate size standards for all 
industries in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 
Sector 61 (Educational Services), Sector 62 (Health Care and Social 
Assistance), Sector 71 (Arts, Entertainment and Recreation), Sector 72 
(Accommodation and Food Services), and Sector 81 (Other Services) and 
make necessary adjustments to size standards in these sectors. This is 
one of a series of proposed rules that will examine groups of NAICS 
sectors. SBA will apply its Size Standards Methodology to this proposed 
rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dr. Khem Raj Sharma, Chief, Office of Size 
Standards, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-7189, Fax: 202 205-6390, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f3989b969edd809b92819e92b3809192dd949c85"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2942414c44075a41485b4448695a4b48074e465f">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG88

341. <bullet> Small Business Size Standards: Agriculture, Forestry, 
Fishing and Hunting; Mining, Quarrying, and Oil And Gas Extraction; 
Utilities; Construction

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632(a)
    Abstract: The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act) requires 
SBA to conduct every five years a detailed review of all size standards 
and to make appropriate adjustments to reflect market conditions. As 
part of the second five-year review of size standards under the Jobs 
Act, in this proposed rule, SBA will evaluate each industry that has a 
receipts-based standard in North American Industry Classification

[[Page 1947]]

System (NAICS) Sector 11 (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting), 
Sector 21 (Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction), Sector 22 
(Utilities), and Sector 23 (Construction), and make necessary 
adjustments to size standards in these sectors. This is one of a series 
of proposed rules that will examine groups of NAICS sectors. SBA will 
apply its Size Standards Methodology to this proposed rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dr. Khem Raj Sharma, Chief, Office of Size 
Standards, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-7189, Fax: 202 205-6390, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2999a979fdc819a93809f93b2819093dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cfa4a7aaa2e1bca7aebda2ae8fbcadaee1a8a0b9">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG89

342. <bullet> Small Business Size Standards: Transportation and 
Warehousing; Information; Finance and Insurance; Real Estate and Rental 
and Leasing

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632(a)
    Abstract: The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act) requires 
SBA to conduct every five years a detailed review of all size standards 
and to make appropriate adjustments to reflect market conditions. As 
part of the second five-year review of size standards under the Jobs 
Act, in this proposed rule, SBA will evaluate each industry that has a 
receipts-based standard in North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS) Sector 48-49 (Transportation and Warehousing), Sector 51 
(Information), Sector 52 (Finance and Insurance), and Sector 53 (Real 
Estate and Rental and Leasing) and make necessary adjustments to size 
standards in these sectors. This is one of a series of proposed rules 
that will examine groups of NAICS sectors. SBA will apply its Size 
Standards Methodology to this proposed rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dr. Khem Raj Sharma, Chief, Office of Size 
Standards, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-7189, Fax: 202 205-6390, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcd7d4d9d192cfd4ddced1ddfccfdedd92dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5a31323f377429323b28373b1a29383b743d352c">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG90

343. <bullet> Small Business Size Standards: Professional, Scientific 
and Technical Services; Management of Companies and Enterprises; 
Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632(a)
    Abstract: The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act) requires 
SBA to conduct every five years a detailed review of all size standards 
and to make appropriate adjustments to reflect market conditions. As 
part of the second five-year review of size standards under the Jobs 
Act, in this proposed rule, SBA will evaluate each industry that has a 
receipts-based standard in North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS) Sector 54 (Professional, Scientific and Technical 
Services), Sector 55 (Management of Companies and Enterprises), and 
Sector 56 (Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation 
Services) and make necessary adjustments to size standards in these 
sectors. This is one of a series of proposed rules that will examine 
groups of NAICS sectors. SBA will apply its Size Standards Methodology 
to this proposed rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dr. Khem Raj Sharma, Chief, Office of Size 
Standards, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-7189, Fax: 202 205-6390, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e48f8c8189ca978c85968985a4978685ca838b92"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98f3f0fdf5b6ebf0f9eaf5f9d8ebfaf9b6fff7ee">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG91

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

Final Rule Stage

344. Miscellaneous Amendments to Business Loan Programs and Surety Bond 
Guarantee Program

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 636(a); 15 U.S.C. 694b
    Abstract: Certain lenders have been delegated the authority to make 
loan decisions without prior approval from SBA under certain 
circumstances. SBA has formalized such delegated authorities in this 
rule. The rule makes several minor modifications to the 504 Loan 
Program and governance rules for Certified Development Company (CDC) in 
a follow-on to the Final Rule: 504 and 7(a) Loan Program Updates (March 
21, 2014). The rule also aligns terminology for 7(a) lenders that are 
federally regulated to synchronize with existing industry requirements. 
SBA is also making several other miscellaneous amendments to improve 
oversight and operations of its finance programs.
    This rule makes four changes to the Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) 
Program. The first changes the threshold for notification to SBA of 
changes in the contract or bond amount. Second, the change requires 
sureties to submit quarterly contract completion reports. Third, SBA is 
increasing the eligible contract limit for the Quick Bond Application 
and Agreement from $250,000 to $400,000. Finally, the rule increases 
the guarantee percentage in the Preferred Surety Bond program to 
reflect the statutory change made by the National Defense Authorization 
Act of 2016. The guarantee percentage increases from 70 percent to 80 
percent or 90 percent, depending on contract size and socioeconomic 
factors currently in effect in the Prior Approval Program.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/09/16  81 FR 52595
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/11/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   08/21/17  82 FR 39491
Final Rule Effective................   09/20/17  .......................
Final Action........................   03/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dianna L. Seaborn, Director, Office of Financial 
Assistance, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-3645, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#32565b535c5c531c415753505d405c724150531c555d44"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f1b161e11111e510c1a1e1d100d113f0c1d1e51181009">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AF85

345. Small Business Timber Set-Aside Program

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 631; 15 U.S.C. 644(a)
    Abstract: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or Agency) is 
amending its Small Business Timber Set-Aside Program (the Program) 
regulations. The Small Business Timber Set-Aside Program is rooted in 
the Small Business Act, which tasked SBA with ensuring that small 
businesses receive a fair proportion of the total

[[Page 1948]]

sales of government property. Accordingly, the Program requires Timber 
sales to be set aside for small business when small business 
participation falls below a certain amount. SBA considered comments 
received during the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking processes, including on issues such as, but not 
limited to, whether the saw timber volume purchased through stewardship 
timber contracts should be included in calculations, and whether the 
appraisal point used in set-aside sales should be the nearest small 
business mill. In addition, SBA is considering data from the timber 
industry to help evaluate the current program and economic impact of 
potential changes.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   03/25/15  80 FR 15697
ANPRM Comment Period End............   05/26/15  .......................
NPRM................................   09/27/16  81 FR 66199
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/28/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   03/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: David W. Loines, Area Director, Office of 
Government Contracting, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205-7311, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3c7c2d5cac78dcfcccacdc6d0e3d0c1c28dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c5a1a4b3aca1eba9aaacaba0b685b6a7a4eba2aab3">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG69

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

Completed Actions

346. Agent Revocation and Suspension Procedures

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634; 15 U.S.C. 642
    Abstract: SBA is withdrawing this rule which proposed to establish 
detailed procedures for the suspension and revocation of an Agent's 
privilege to do business with the United States Small Business 
Administration (SBA) within a single part of the Code of Federal 
Regulations; clarify existing and related regulations as to suspension, 
revocation, and debarment; and remove Office of Hearings and Appeals 
jurisdiction over Agent suspensions and revocations and government-wide 
debarment and suspension actions.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawn...........................   09/11/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Debra Mayer, Phone: 202 205-7577, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e18584839380cf8c80988493a1928380cf868e97"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5c1c0c7d7c48bc8c4dcc0d7e5d6c7c48bc2cad3">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG40

347. Small Business Investment Companies; Passive Business Expansion & 
Technical Clarifications

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 681 et seq.
    Abstract: The SBA revised the regulations for the Small Business 
Investment Company (SBIC) program to further expand the use of Passive 
Businesses and provide needed protections for SBA with regard to such 
investments. SBICs are generally prohibited from investing in passive 
businesses under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 as amended 
as well as by regulations. Current program regulations provided for two 
exceptions that allow an SBIC to structure an investment utilizing a 
passive small business as a pass-through. The first exception 
identified in 107.720(b)(2) provides that an SBIC may structure an 
investment utilizing two pass-through entities to make an investment 
into an active business. The second exception identified in 
107.720(b)(3) allows partnership SBICs with SBA prior approval to 
invest in a wholly owned passive business that in turn provides 
financing to an active small business only if a direct financing would 
cause its investors to incur Unrelated Business Taxable Income (UBTI). 
The second exception is commonly known as a blocker corporation. The 
rule clarifies the first exception and further expands the second 
exception, while providing additional protection to SBA from the risk 
posed by passive investment structures. As part of the rule, SBA will 
also make technical corrections and clarifications, including 
conforming the regulation to the new ``family of funds'' statutory 
provision.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   12/28/16  81 FR 95419
Final Rule Effective................   01/27/17  .......................
Delay of Effective Date Opportunity    01/26/17  82 FR 8499
 for Public Comment.
Comment Period End..................   02/19/17  .......................
Final Rule Effective................   03/21/17  .......................
Delay of Effective Date.............   03/21/17  82 FR 14428
Final Rule Effective................   05/20/17  .......................
Delay of Effective Date and Request    05/02/17  82 FR 20433
 for Comment.
Comment Period End..................   06/01/17  .......................
Final Rule Effective................   08/18/17  .......................
Final Rule and Withdrawal of Final     08/18/17  82 FR 39335
 Rule.
Final Rule Effective................   09/18/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Theresa M. Jamerson, Phone: 202 205-7563, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d3925283f283e2c63272c20283f3e22230d3e2f2c632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c0814190e190f1d52161d11190e0f13123c0f1e1d521b130a">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 3245-AG67

[FR Doc. 2017-28235 Filed 1-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8025-01-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>