[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78689-78694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30172]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 2014 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 78689]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

7 CFR Parts 761, 762, 764, and 765

RIN 0560-AI29


Farm Loan Programs; Programs Changes

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending Farm Loan Programs 
(FLP) loan making and servicing regulations to reflect several changes 
required by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). The changes 
were implemented administratively upon the passage of the 2014 Farm 
Bill; this rule makes conforming amendments in the FSA regulations.

DATES: Effective: December 31, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradley A. Johnson, telephone: (202) 
720-5847. Persons with disabilities or who require alternative means 
for communications (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 
contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FSA FLP direct loans and loan guarantees provide credit to 
farmers whose financial risk exceeds a level acceptable to commercial 
lenders. Through direct and guaranteed Farm Ownership loans (FO), 
Operating Loans (OL), and Conservation Loans (CL); direct Microloans 
(ML), direct Emergency Loans (EM) and Land Contract (LC) guarantees, 
FSA assists tens of thousands of farmers each year in starting and 
maintaining profitable farm businesses. FSA loan funds may be used to 
pay normal operating or family living expenses; make capital 
improvements; refinance certain debts; and purchase farmland, 
livestock, equipment, feed and other materials essential to farm 
operations. FSA services extend beyond the typical loan by offering 
farmers ongoing consultation and advice, to help to make their farm 
successful. These loans are a temporary source of credit. Farmers with 
direct loans generally are required to graduate to other credit when 
their financial condition will allow them to do so.
    In addition, the YL Program provides operating loans of up to 
$5,000 to eligible individual youths, ages 10 to 20, to finance income 
producing, agriculture related projects. The project must be of modest 
size, educational and initiated, developed and carried out by youths 
participating in 4-H Clubs, Future Farmers of America (FFA), or a 
similar organization.
    Throughout this rule, any reference to ``farm'' or ``farmer'' also 
includes ``ranch'' or ``rancher'', respectively.
    This rule makes changes in the FSA regulations required by several 
provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 113-79) regarding FSA's loan 
making and servicing programs. More specifically, the changes:
    <bullet> Increase the percent of guarantee for CLs;
    <bullet> Reduce the interest rate for direct FOs made under a joint 
financing arrangement;
    <bullet> Eliminate the oil, gas, and mineral appraisal requirement;
    <bullet> Increase the maximum loan amount for a direct FO made 
under the downpayment program;
    <bullet> Eliminate the rural residency requirement for the YLs ;
    <bullet> Allow a borrower who had YL debt forgiveness to receive 
future Government loans under certain circumstances;
    <bullet> Exclude MLs to beginning or veteran farmers from the 
existing OL term limitations, and add a special ML interest rate 
available to beginning and veteran farmers;
    <bullet> Eliminate the term limit for guaranteed OLs; and
    <bullet> Amend the definition of a beginning farmer, specifically 
the maximum owned acreage requirement.

CL; Increase Percent of Guarantee

    Guaranteed CLs promote conservation practices on farms that help 
protect natural resources, and provide credit for farmers to implement 
these conservation measures on their land. Unlike FSA's traditional FO 
and OL Programs that are targeted toward family and less financially 
established farmers, eligibility requirements for the CL Program permit 
FSA to provide assistance to applicants who may not be a family farmer 
or are financially strong.
    Section 5002 of the 2014 Farm Bill amended section 304(e) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1924e) 
to increase the percent of guarantee for CLs from 75 percent to 80 
percent, and authorized a 90 percent guarantee for a qualified 
beginning or socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmer. Lenders will now be 
able to have a greater guarantee on CLs.
    Previously, CL received a 75 percent guarantee, which was less than 
the typical 90 percent guarantee on an FO or farm OL guarantee. 
Partially due to this lower percentage of guarantee, the use of CLs 
have been extremely limited since guaranteed FO or OL funds may also be 
used for conservation purposes.
    This rule amends 7 CFR 762.129 and 762.130 to increase the percent 
of guarantee for CL. The increase in CL guarantee to 80 percent and the 
even higher 90 percent guarantee to beginning or SDA farmers will 
increase the use of CL guarantees used to implement conservation 
practices, which benefit not only the farmer, but the environment as 
well.

Direct FO as Part of Joint Financing Arrangement; Interest Rate

    Direct FOs made as part of a participation (joint financing) 
arrangement are eligible for a special joint financing interest rate. 
These loans require that a commercial lender or private party provide a 
portion of the financing, such that the FO does not exceed 50 percent 
of the total amount financed. FOs may be used to purchase a farm, 
enlarge an existing farm, construct or improve farm structures, pay 
closing costs, and for soil and water conservation and protection. 
Repayment terms may be as long as 40 years and the maximum FO 
indebtedness is limited to $300,000.
    Section 5003 of the 2014 Farm Bill amended section 307(a)(3) of the 
CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1927(a)(3)) to reduce the interest rate for FOs that 
are part of a joint financing arrangement. This joint financing 
interest rate is the direct FO

[[Page 78690]]

regular interest rate minus 2 percent, with a floor of 2.5 percent.
    Previously, the joint financing interest rate for FOs was 5 percent 
and has been since March 24, 1997. For several years, the joint 
financing interest rate of 5 percent has been higher than the direct FO 
interest rate. As a result, there has been no financial incentive for 
the farmer to finance a portion of the real estate purchase with 
another lender, unless she or he qualified as a beginning or SDA farmer 
who was able to receive a downpayment FO with a lower interest rate.
    This rule amends 7 CFR 764.154 to change the interest rate for FOs 
that are part of a joint financing arrangement. This reduced interest 
rate for FOs made under a joint financing agreement will encourage 
farmers to seek commercial lender financing, and therefore reduce FSA 
financing of the farm to 50 percent or less. FSA expects to be able to 
leverage the use of our typically limited direct FO funds, to assist an 
even greater number of eligible family farmers.

Mineral Rights Appraisal; Eliminate Requirement

    FSA uses appraisals to determine the value of real and personal 
property. Appraisals ensure there is adequate security to support FSA 
loan making and servicing actions.
    Section 5004 of the 2014 Farm Bill eliminated the requirement that 
in order for FSA to have the rights to oil, gas, or other minerals as 
FO collateral, the products' value must be considered in the appraised 
value of the real estate securing the loan.
    Section 307(d) of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1927(d)), previously 
required that for FOs; the value of oil, gas, or other minerals must be 
included in the appraised value of the real estate security in order 
for FSA to have a valid lien on those products. This rule removes this 
mineral appraisal requirement in 7 CFR 761.7 and 765.252 for all future 
FLP loans. For all loans made after February 7, 2014, the date of the 
2014 Farm Bill was enacted, FSA will have a security interest in oil, 
gas, or other minerals on or under the property regardless of whether 
the value of those products were included in the appraisal value of the 
property. This security interest is reflected in the FSA mortgage 
forms.

Downpayment FOs; Increase Maximum Loan Amount

    FSA downpayment FOs are used to assist beginning and SDA farmers in 
purchasing a farm. The loans have a lower interest rate than other FO 
loans and require participation by another lender, along with cash down 
payment requirement of 5 percent.
    Section 5005 of the 2014 Farm Bill amended section 310E(b)(1)(C) of 
the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1935(b)(1)(C)) to increase the maximum loan limit 
for downpayment FOs to 45 percent of $667,000. This amount is $300,150; 
however, section 305 of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1925) limits the maximum 
loan amount for each FO, including downpayment FOs, to $300,000.
    Previously, downpayment FOs were limited to a maximum of $225,000 
(45 percent of $500,000) and all other types of direct FOs were limited 
to $300,000. This difference in maximum loan amounts was a limiting 
factor in many loan transactions, particularly as loan amounts have 
increased due to rising farm real estate values. The rule amends 7 CFR 
764.203 to increase the maximum loan limit for downpayment FO loans to 
$300,000.

YL; Eliminate Rural Residency Requirement

    FSA makes YL of up to $5,000 to eligible individual youths, ages 10 
to 20, to finance income producing and agricultural related projects. 
The project must be modest in size, educational, and initiated, 
developed and carried out by youths participating in a 4-H Club, FFA, 
or similar organization.
    Section 5102 of the 2014 Farm Bill amended section 311(b)(1) of the 
CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1941(b)(1)) to eliminate the rural residency 
requirement for YL. Eligible youth in suburban and urban areas will now 
be eligible for YL.
    Previously, to be eligible for a YL the applicant had to reside in 
a rural area. FSA regulations further defined this as ``residing in a 
rural area, city, or town with a population of 50,000 or fewer 
people.'' The rule amends 7 CFR 764.302 to eliminate the rural 
residency requirement for YL. The removal of this requirement now 
allows FSA to extend YL assistance to youth residing in suburban and 
urban areas to finance eligible agricultural related projects.

YL; Forgiveness of Debt

    Forgiveness of YL debt, due to circumstances beyond the borrower's 
control, will no longer preclude the borrower from obtaining additional 
loans from any U.S. Government agency. Additionally, borrowers with YL 
debt forgiveness, or who are delinquent on a YL, will now be able to 
receive student loans. The servicing and collection of YLs is not 
affected by the statute and will continue under the present 
regulations.
    Section 5103 of the 2014 Farm Bill amended section 311(b) of the 
CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1941(b)) to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to, 
on a case by case basis, provide debt forgiveness of a YL if the 
borrower was unable to repay the loan due to circumstances beyond the 
control of the borrower. The Secretary may also determine that the debt 
forgiveness was caused by national disaster, act of terrorism, or other 
man-made disaster that resulted in an inordinate level of damage 
severely affecting the YL borrower. The debt forgiveness provided by 
this section is not to be used by other Federal agencies in determining 
eligibility of the borrower for any loan made or guaranteed by that 
agency.
    In no case will a borrower provided debt forgiveness or a 
delinquent borrower be denied a loan or loan guarantee from the Federal 
government to pay for educational expenses of the borrower. As a 
practical matter, FSA has always provided debt forgiveness, in the form 
of debt settlement, to YL borrowers on the same terms as any other 
borrower. To determine if the forgiveness is beyond the borrower's 
control, consideration of the circumstances will be added to the Agency 
Handbooks and this rule revises the definition of ``debt forgiveness'' 
in 7 CFR 761.2. This will ensure that, if the inability to pay giving 
rise to the debt forgiveness was due to circumstances beyond the 
borrower's control, it will not be used in consideration of a FSA loan 
application. As this is a mandate on the entire Federal Government with 
particular emphasis on loans for educational expenses, FSA will also 
make information regarding this change available to all YL borrowers 
who receive debt forgiveness and any other Federal agency that is 
considering a loan application from the borrower after debt forgiveness 
or while they are delinquent.
    With regard to YL debt servicing prior to debt forgiveness, the 
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) (Pub. L. 104-134, April 
26, 1996) requires that delinquent debts be reported to Treasury so 
that centralized collection can be pursued through the Treasury Offset 
Program and outside collection agencies. Section 373 of the CONACT (7 
U.S.C. 2008h) also limits FSA direct loan borrowers to only one debt 
forgiveness from FSA. These requirements were not changed by the 2014 
Farm Bill.

[[Page 78691]]

ML; Exclude From OL Term Limit Rule and Special Interest Rate for 
Beginning or Veteran Farmers

    FSA initiated the ML Program in 2013 to better serve the unique 
financial operating needs of beginning, niche, or the smallest of 
family farm operations. ML offers more flexible access to credit for 
these types of family farm operations, who often face limited financing 
options.
    Section 5106 of the 2014 Farm Bill amended section 311 of the 
CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1941) to exclude MLs made to beginning or veteran 
farmers from the direct OL term limit. Section 12201 of the 2014 Farm 
Bill defines a ``veteran farmer or rancher'' as someone who has served 
in the Armed Forces of the United States and who has not farmed, or has 
farmed for 10 years or less. This rule amends 7 CFR 761.2 to include 
the definition of a veteran farmer.
    As previously mentioned, the term ``farm'' or ``farmer'' also 
includes the term ``ranch'' or ``rancher,'' respectively. Therefore, 
all references to the term ``farm'' or ``farmer'' will also 
respectively include ``ranch'' or ``rancher,'' including the definition 
of a ``veteran farmer.'' Once the farmer is no longer a beginning 
farmer or once a veteran has farmed more than 10 years, any ML they 
receive will count toward the OL term limit. Section 5106 of the 2014 
Farm Bill also amended section 316 of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1946) to 
make available a special interest rate on ML equal to half the rate on 
5-year treasuries plus 1 percent, but never less than 5 percent, to 
beginning or veteran farmers.
    Previously, only MLs made to beginning farmers were excluded from 
the OL term limit. This rule amends 7 CFR 764.252 to expand the 
exclusion to include veteran farmers.
    In addition, previously the ML interest rate was either the regular 
OL rate or a limited resource rate. This rule amends 7 CFR 764.254 to 
add the 2014 Farm Bill special ML interest rate that will be at the 
same rate as the limited resource OL rate, but will not be subject to 
special servicing reviews by FSA since it will not be considered a 
limited resource interest rate. For a beginning or a veteran farmer 
applying for a ML, they will now be able to choose between the direct 
OL interest rate and the special ML interest rate. These changes in the 
ML program will benefit both beginning and veteran farmers, who 
typically have fewer financial resources and limited options available 
to finance their farming operation.

Guaranteed OL; Eliminate Term Limit

    Section 5107 of the 2014 Farm Bill amended section 319 of the 
CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1949) to eliminate all guaranteed OL term limits. 
Family farmers will no longer be restricted in the number of years they 
can receive a guaranteed OL.
    Guaranteed OLs are used to assist family farmers to obtain credit 
for normal operating expenses, machinery, equipment, and livestock 
purchases, minor real estate repairs or improvement, and to refinance 
debt. The repayment term may vary, but are never longer than 7 years. 
OLs used to pay for normal operating expenses are set up as a line of 
credit and are typically repaid within 12 months.
    Previously, guaranteed OL borrowers were limited to no more than 15 
years in which they could receive OLs. As a result, many family farmers 
who continued to have difficulty in meeting lender credit standards and 
had received 15 years of OL, were unable to receive additional 
guaranteed OLs. The rule amends 7 CFR 762.122 to eliminate all 
guaranteed OL term limits. These family farmers will now be able to 
obtain additional guaranteed OLs, which typically will provide them 
with access to credit on better rates and terms.

Beginning Farmer; Amending Definition To Modify Acreage Ownership 
Limitation

    Section 5303 of the 2014 Farm Bill amended section 343 of the 
CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1991) to change the owned real farm property limit 
from 30 percent of the median farm acreage to 30 percent of the average 
farm acreage. FSA makes and guarantees loans to beginning farmers who 
are unable to obtain financing from commercial lenders. Each fiscal 
year, FSA targets a portion of its direct and guaranteed FO and OL 
funds to beginning farmers.
    Previously, to meet FSA's definition of a beginning farmer, the 
loan applicant must not have owned real farm property that exceeded 30 
percent of the median farm acreage, except for an OL applicant. 
According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, nationally the median size 
farm is 80 acres, while the average size farm is 434 acres. The farm 
acreage limit, previously based on the median, set a limit so low in 
many counties it precluded applicants who owned small acreages of real 
farm property from qualifying as a beginning farmer. This eliminated 
many otherwise qualified applicants from accessing FSA farm loan funds 
targeted to beginning farmers. The rule amends 7 CFR 761.2 to change 
the owned real farm property limit. The farm acreage limit, now based 
on the average, will now allow many qualified applicants access to farm 
loan funds targeted to beginning farmers, which previously were not 
available to them.

Notice and Comment

    In general, the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) 
requires that a notice of proposed rulemaking be published in the 
Federal Register and interested persons be given an opportunity to 
participate in the rulemaking through submission of written data, 
views, or arguments with or without opportunity for oral presentation, 
except when the rule involves a matter relating to public property, 
loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. This rule involved matters 
relating to loans and is therefore being published as a final rule 
without the opportunity for comments.

Effective Date

    The Administrative Procedure Act provides generally that before 
rules are issued by Government agencies, the rule is required to be 
published in the Federal Register, and the required publication of a 
substantive rule is to be not less than 30 days before its effective 
date. One of the exceptions is when the agency finds good cause for not 
delaying the effective date. As noted above, the changes in this rule 
are conforming changes because the 2014 Farm Bill allowed no discretion 
in the changes and thus were implemented administratively after the 
enactment of the 2014 Farm Bill. Using the administrative procedure 
provisions in 5 U.S.C. 553, FSA finds that there is good cause for 
making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the 
Federal Register. Therefore, this final rule is effective when 
published in the Federal Register.

Executive Order 12866 and 13563

    Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and 
Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' 
direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available 
regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select 
regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive 
impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance 
of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of 
harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) designated this rule as 
not

[[Page 78692]]

significant under Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review,'' and, therefore, OMB was not required to review this final 
rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-
612), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 (SBREFA), generally require an agency to prepare a 
regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to the notice and 
comment rulemaking requirements under APA or any other law, unless the 
agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. All FSA direct loan 
borrowers and all farm entities affected by this rule are small 
businesses according to the North American Industry Classification 
System and the U. S. Small Business Administration. There is no 
diversity in size of the entities affected by this rule, and the costs 
to comply with it are the same for all entities.
    In this rule, FSA is revising regulations that affect both loan 
making and loan servicing. FSA does not expect these changes to impose 
any additional cost to the lenders or borrowers. Therefore, FSA 
certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities.

Environmental

    The environmental impacts of this rule have been considered in a 
manner consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the regulations of the Council 
on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the FSA 
regulations for compliance with NEPA (7 CFR part 1940, subpart G). The 
changes contained in the rule are all mandatory changes required by the 
2014 Farm Bill and involved no discretion by FSA, either in whether to 
implement or how to implement the changes; therefore, they are not 
subject to review under NEPA. FSA is making these changes through a 
final rule to update the regulations to match the changes previously 
implemented administratively with an agency directive in February 2014. 
As such, FSA will not prepare an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement for this regulatory action.

Executive Order 12372

    Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' requires consultation with State and local officials. The 
objectives of the Executive Order are to foster an intergovernmental 
partnership and a strengthened Federalism, by relying on State and 
local processes for State and local government coordination and review 
of proposed Federal Financial assistance and direct Federal 
development. For reasons set forth in the Notice to 7 CFR part 3015, 
subpart V (48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983), the programs and activities 
within this rule are excluded from the scope of Executive Order 12372.

Executive Order 12988

    This final rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive 
Order 12988, ``Civil Justice Reform.'' This rule will not preempt State 
and local laws and regulations unless they represent an irreconcilable 
conflict with this rule. Before any judicial action may be brought 
concerning the provisions of this rule the administrative appeal 
provisions of 7 CFR parts 11 and 780 are to be exhausted.

Executive Order 13132

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13132, 
``Federalism.'' The policies contained in this rule do not have any 
substantial direct effect on States, the relationship between the 
Federal government and the States, or 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

    This 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.
    FSA has assessed the impact of this rule on Indian tribes and 
determined that this rule does not, to our knowledge, have tribal 
implications that require tribal consultation under Executive Order 
13175. If a Tribe requests consultation, FSA will work with the USDA 
Office of Tribal Relations to ensure meaningful consultation is 
provided where changes, additions, and modifications identified in this 
rule are not expressly mandated by the 2014 Farm Bill.

Unfunded Mandates

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA, Pub. L. 
104-4) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their 
regulatory actions on State, local, or Tribal governments or the 
private sector. Agencies generally must prepare a written statement, 
including a cost benefit analysis, for final rule with Federal mandates 
that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more in any 1 year 
for State, local, or Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or to the 
private sector. UMRA generally requires agencies to consider 
alternatives and adopt the more cost effective or least burdensome 
alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. This rule 
contains no Federal mandates under the regulatory provisions of Title 
II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA, Pub. L. 104-4) 
for State, local, or Tribal governments, or private sector. Therefore, 
this rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of 
UMRA.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This regulatory changes in this final rule do not require any 
changes to the currently information collection request of OMB control 
numbers, 0560-0155, 0560-0233, 0560-0236, 0560-0237, 0560-0238 and 
0560-0230.

E-Government Act Compliance

    FSA is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote 
the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide 
increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information 
and services and other purposes.

Federal Assistance Programs

    The title and number of the Federal assistance programs, as found 
in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, to which this final rule 
would apply are: 10.099 Conservation Loans; 10.404 Emergency Loans; 
10.406 Farm Operating Loans; and10.407 Farm Ownership Loans.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 761

    Accounting, Loan programs--agriculture, Rural areas.

[[Page 78693]]

7 CFR Part 762

    Agriculture, Banks, Banking, Credit, Loan programs--agriculture, 
Agricultural commodities, Livestock.

7 CFR Part 764

    Agriculture, Disaster assistance, Loan programs--agriculture, 
Agricultural commodities, Livestock.

7 CFR Part 765

    Agriculture, Credit, Loan programs--agriculture, Agricultural 
commodities, Livestock.

    For the reasons discussed above, FSA amends 7 CFR chapter VII as 
follows:

PART 761--FARM LOAN PROGRAM; GENERAL PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

    The authority citation for part 761 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 and 7 U.S.C. 1989.

Subpart A--General Provisions

0
1. Amend Sec.  761.2(b) as follows:
0
a. Amend the definition of ``Beginning farmer'' in paragraph (5) by 
removing the word ``median'' each time it appears and adding the word 
``average'' in its place;
0
b. Revise the definition of ``Debt forgiveness''; and
0
c. Add the definition of ``Veteran farmer'' in alphabetical order.
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  761.2  Abbreviations and definitions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
* * * * *
    Debt forgiveness is a reduction or termination of a debt under the 
Act in a manner that results in a loss to the Agency.
    (1) Debt forgiveness may be through:
    (i) Writing down or writing off a debt pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2001;
    (ii) Compromising, adjusting, reducing, or charging off a debt or 
claim pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 1981; or
    (iii) Paying a loss pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2005 on a FLP loan 
guaranteed by the Agency.
    (2) Debt forgiveness does not include:
    (i) Debt reduction through a conservation contract;
    (ii) Any writedown provided as part of the resolution of a 
discrimination complaint against the Agency;
    (iii) Prior debt forgiveness that has been repaid in its entirety;
    (iv) Consolidation, rescheduling, reamortization, or deferral of a 
loan; or
    (v) Forgiveness of YL debt, due to circumstances beyond the 
borrower's control.
    The Agency will use the criteria in 7 CFR 766.104(a)(1) to 
determine if the circumstances were beyond the borrower's control.
* * * * *
    Veteran farmer is a farmer who has served in the Armed Forces (as 
defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(10)) and who--
    (1) has not operated a farm; or
    (2) has operated a farm for not more than 10 years.
* * * * *


Sec.  761.7  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  761.7, remove paragraph (b)(3).

PART 762--GUARANTEED FARM LOANS

0
3. The authority citation for part 762 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301 and 7 U.S.C. 1989.


Sec.  762.122  [Amended]

0
4. In Sec.  762.122, remove paragraph (b) and redesignate paragraphs 
(c) through (e) as (b) through (d).

0
5. In Sec.  762.129, revise paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) to read as 
follows:
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  762.129  Percent of guarantee and maximum loss.

    (a) Percent of guarantee. The percent of guarantee will not exceed 
90 percent based on the credit risk to the lender and the Agency both 
before and after the transaction. The Agency will determine the 
percentage of guarantee. See paragraph (b) of this section for 
exceptions.
    (b) Exceptions. The guarantee will be determined by the Agency 
except:
    (1) For OLs and FOs, the guarantee will be issued at 95 percent if:
    (i) The sole purpose of a guaranteed FO or OL is to refinance an 
Agency direct farm loan. When only a portion of the loan is used to 
refinance a direct Agency loan, a weighted percentage of a guarantee 
will be provided; or
    (ii) When the purpose of a guaranteed FO is to participate in the 
downpayment loan program; or
    (iii) When a guaranteed OL is made to a farmer who is participating 
in the Agency's down payment loan program. The guaranteed OL must be 
made during the period that a borrower has the down payment loan 
outstanding; or
    (iv) When a guaranteed OL is made to a farmer whose farm land is 
subject to the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe and whose loan is 
secured by one or more security instruments that are subject to the 
jurisdiction of an Indian tribe.
    (2) For CLs, the guarantee will be issued at 80 percent; however, 
the guarantee will be issued at 90 percent if:
    (i) The applicant is a qualified SDA farmer; or
    (ii) The applicant is a qualified beginning farmer.
    (c) CLP and PLP guarantees. All guarantees issued to CLP or PLP 
lenders will not be less than 80 percent.
* * * * *


Sec.  762.130  [Amended]

0
6. In Sec.  762.130(a)(2)(ii) remove ``75'' and add ``80 or 90'' in its 
place.

PART 764--DIRECT LOAN MAKING

0
7. The authority citation for part 764 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301 and 7 U.S.C. 1989.

Subpart E--Downpayment Loan Program

0
8. Revise Sec.  764.154(a)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  764.154  Rates and terms.

    (a) * * *
    (3) If the FO loan is part of a joint financing arrangement and the 
amount of the Agency's loan does not exceed 50 percent of the total 
amount financed, the interest rate charged will be the greater of the 
following:
    (i) The Agency's Direct Farm Ownership rate, available in each 
Agency office, minus 2 percent; or
    (ii) 2.5 percent.
* * * * *

0
9. Revise Sec.  764.203(b)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  764.203  Limitations.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) $667,000; subject to the direct FO dollar limit specified in 7 
CFR 761.8(a)(1)(i).
* * * * *

Subpart G--Operating Loan Program

0
10. Revise Sec.  764.252 to read as follows:


Sec.  764.252  Eligibility requirements.

    (a) The applicant must comply with the general eligibility 
requirements established in Sec.  764.101.
    (b) The applicant and anyone who will sign the promissory note, 
except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, must not have 
received debt forgiveness from the Agency on any direct or guaranteed 
loan.
    (c) The applicant and anyone who will sign the promissory note, may 
receive direct OL loans to pay annual farm operating and family living 
expenses, provided that the applicant

[[Page 78694]]

meets all other applicable requirements under this part, if the 
applicant:
    (1) Received a write-down under section 353 of the Act;
    (2) Is current on payments under a confirmed reorganization plan 
under Chapter 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code; or
    (3) Received debt forgiveness on not more than one occasion after 
April 4, 1996, resulting directly and primarily from a Presidentially-
designated emergency for the county or contiguous county in which the 
applicant operates. Only applicants who were current on all existing 
direct and guaranteed FLP loans prior to the beginning date of the 
incidence period of a Presidentially-designated emergency and received 
debt forgiveness on that debt within 3 years after the designation of 
such emergency meet this exception.
    (d) In the case of an entity applicant, the entity must be:
    (1) Controlled by farmers engaged primarily and directly in farming 
in the United States; and
    (2) Authorized to operate the farm in the State in which the farm 
is located.
    (e) The applicant and anyone who will sign the promissory note, may 
close an OL in no more than 7 calendar years, either as an individual 
or as a member of an entity, except as provided in paragraphs (e)(1) 
through (4) of this section. The years may be consecutive or 
nonconsecutive, and there is no limit on the number of OLs closed in a 
year. Microloans made to a beginning farmer or a veteran farmer are not 
counted toward this limitation. Youth loans are not counted toward this 
limitation. The following exceptions apply:
    (1) This limitation does not apply if the applicant and anyone who 
will sign the promissory note is a beginning farmer.
    (2) This limitation does not apply if the applicant's land is 
subject to the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, the loan is secured by 
one or more security instruments subject to the jurisdiction of an 
Indian tribe, and commercial credit is generally not available to such 
farm operations.
    (3) If the applicant, and anyone who will sign the promissory note, 
has closed direct OL loans in 4 or more previous calendar years as of 
April 4, 1996, the applicant is eligible to close OL loans in any 3 
additional years after that date.
    (4) On a case-by-case basis, may be granted a one-time waiver of OL 
term limits for a period of 2 years, not subject to administrative 
appeal, if the applicant:
    (i) Has a financially viable operation;
    (ii) And in the case of an entity, the members holding the majority 
interest, applied for commercial credit from at least two lenders and 
were unable to obtain a commercial loan, including an Agency-guaranteed 
loan; and
    (iii) Has successfully completed, or will complete within one year, 
borrower training. Previous waivers to the borrower training 
requirements are not applicable under this paragraph.

0
11. Add Sec.  764.254(a)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  764.254  Rates and terms.

    (a) * * *
    (4) The Agency's Direct ML OL interest rate on an ML to a beginning 
farmer or veteran farmer is available in each Agency office. ML 
borrowers in these groups have the option of choosing the ML OL 
interest rate or the Direct OL interest rate in effect at the time of 
approval, or if lower, the rate in effect at the time of closing.
* * * * *


Sec.  764.302  [Amended]

0
12. In Sec.  764.302, remove paragraph (d) and redesignate paragraphs 
(e) through (f) as paragraphs (d) through (e).

PART 765--DIRECT LOAN SERVICING--REGULAR

0
13. The authority citation for part 765 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301 and 7 U.S.C. 1989.

Subpart F--Required Use and Operation of Agency Security

0
14. Revise Sec.  765.252(b)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  765.252  Lease of security.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) For FO loans made from December 23, 1985, to February 7, 2014, 
and loans other than FO loans secured by real estate and made from 
December 23, 1985, to November 1, 2013, the value of the mineral rights 
must have been included in the original appraisal in order for the 
Agency to obtain a security interest in any oil, gas, and other mineral 
associated with the real estate security.
* * * * *

    Signed on December 16, 2014.
Val Dolcini,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2014-30172 Filed 12-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P