Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### National Credit Union Administration

          - 12 CFR Part 705 

# AGENCY:

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). 

# ACTION:

Final rule. 

# SUMMARY:

The NCUA is revising its regulations pertaining to the Community Development Revolving Loan Program For Credit Unions (CDRLP) to make more flexible the manner in which NCUA may deliver technical assistance to participating credit unions. This revision reflects the broad authority granted to NCUA by the Federal Credit Union Act (Act) in this context. 

# DATES:

This rule is effective April 26, 2001. 

# ADDRESSES:

National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3428. 

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frank S. Kressman, Staff Attorney, at the above address, or telephone: (703) 518-6540. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## A. Background 

The CDRLP is intended to support the community development activities of participating credit unions. It does this by making low interest loans and providing technical assistance to those credit unions. This increases economic and employment opportunities for the credit unions' low-income members. 

The Act authorizes the NCUA Board to use interest earned by the CDRLP to provide technical assistance to participating credit unions. 12 U.S.C. 1772c-1. Section 705.10 of NCUA's rules implements this authority. 12 CFR 705.10. When this rule was initially adopted, the rule's preamble noted, “NCUA plans to contract with a provider that can render necessary technical assistance to credit unions selected for participation in the [Community Development Revolving Loan] Program.” 52 FR 34891, September 16, 1987. The NCUA Board later amended the rule to allow the agency to contract with more than one technical assistance provider. 58 FR 21648, April 23, 1993. The NCUA Board further amended the rule by eliminating the $120,000 annual limit on technical assistance that NCUA could provide in the aggregate to all participating credit unions. 61 FR 50694, September 27, 1996. Section 705.10 then provided: “Based on available earnings, NCUA may contract with outside providers to render technical assistance to participating credit unions.” 

In December 2000, shortly after Congress appropriated an additional $1 million to the CDRLP, $350,000 of which was specifically earmarked for technical assistance, the NCUA further amended § 705.10 by interim final rule with request for comments. 65 FR 80298, December 21, 2000. The NCUA Board recognized that the technical assistance provision in § 705.10 was more restrictive than the statutory authority granted to it by the Act. The NCUA Board determined that § 705.10 was unnecessarily restrictive and may interfere with the CDRLP's ability to provide technical assistance to participating credit unions efficiently. Specifically, the interim final rule gives CDRLP the flexibility to provide technical assistance to participating credit unions directly or through outside providers selected by the credit unions or NCUA. 

## B. Summary of Comments 

                    NCUA received comment letters about the interim final rule from three credit union trade associations. One commenter expressed its general support of the rule. Another asked if NCUA intends to use appropriated funds or earnings on the CDRLP fund to reimburse itself for technical assistance the NCUA renders directly to credit unions. No, NCUA does not intend, nor is it appropriate for it, to use                           ( print page 20902)                        appropriated funds or earnings on the CDRLP fund to reimburse itself for technical assistance it provides directly to credit unions. Such appropriated funds or earnings on the CDRLP fund will only be used to pay for technical assistance rendered by outside providers.                 

That commenter also questioned NCUA's procedural decision to issue the latest amendment to § 705.10 as an interim final rule. As discussed in the preamble to the interim final rule, the NCUA Board issued an interim final rule because there was a strong public interest in having in place rules that made CDRLP technical assistance as readily accessible and easily deliverable to participating credit unions as possible. Also, the interim final rule imposed no additional regulatory burden or expense on participating credit unions. The NCUA Board found that, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), notice and public procedures were impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest; and, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the rule would be effective immediately upon publication. Although the rule was issued as an interim final rule, the NCUA Board encouraged interested parties to submit comments. 

## Regulatory Procedures 

### Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NCUA to prepare an analysis to describe any significant economic impact any regulation may have on a substantial number of small entities. For purposes of this analysis, credit unions under $1 million in assets will be considered small entities. 

The NCUA Board has determined and certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The reason for this determination is that this rule provides the CDRLP with more options and flexibility in providing technical assistance to participating credit unions without any additional regulatory burden or expense to credit unions. Accordingly, the NCUA has determined that a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required. 

### Paperwork Reduction Act 

NCUA has determined that this rule does not increase paperwork requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and regulations of the Office of Management and Budget. 

### Executive Order 13132

Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to consider the impact of their regulatory actions on state and local interests. In adherence to fundamental federalism principles, NCUA, an independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily complies with the executive order. This rule will apply to some state-chartered credit unions, but will not have substantial direct effect on the 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. NCUA has determined that this rule does not constitute a policy that has federalism implications for purposes of the executive order. 

### Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families 

NCUA has determined that this final rule will not affect family well-being within the meaning of Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999, Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998). 

### Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 

The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121) provides generally for congressional review of agency rules. A reporting requirement is triggered in instances where NCUA issues a final rule as defined by Section 551 of the Administrative Procedure Act. 5 U.S.C. 551. The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this final rule is not a major rule for purposes of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. 

# List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 705

      - Community development
      - Credit unions
      - Loan programs-housing and community development
      - Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
      - Technical assistance

By the National Credit Union Administration Board, on April 19, 2001.

Becky Baker, 

Secretary of the Board.

# PART 705—COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM FOR CREDIT UNIONS 

Accordingly, the interim final rule amending 12 CFR 705.10, which was published at 65 FR 80298 on December 21, 2000, is adopted as a final rule without change. 

[FR Doc. 01-10307 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7535-01-U