83 FR 12506 - Small Business Size Standards; Alternative Size Standard for 7(a), 504, and Disaster Loan Programs

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 56 (March 22, 2018)

Page Range		12506-12508
FR Document		2018-05787

SBA is seeking public input to assist in establishing a permanent alternative size standard for its 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs. SBA also invites suggestions on sources of relevant data and information that SBA should evaluate in developing a permanent alternative size standard and assessing its impact. Finally, SBA also seeks input from interested parties on a potential proposal to apply the permanent alternative size standard as an alternative to using industry based size standards for small business applicants under its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (``EIDL'') Program.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12506-12508]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05787]

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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

13 CFR Part 121

RIN 3245-AG16

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

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: SBA is seeking public input to assist in establishing a
permanent alternative size standard for its 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs.
SBA also invites suggestions on sources of relevant data and
information that SBA should evaluate in developing a permanent
alternative size standard and assessing its impact. Finally, SBA also
seeks input from interested parties on a potential proposal to apply
the permanent alternative size standard as an alternative to using
industry based size standards for small business applicants under its
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (``EIDL'') Program.

DATES: SBA must receive comments to this ANPRM on or before May 21,
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 3245-AG16 by one
of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.regulations.gov, following the instructions for submitting
comments; or (2) Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Khem R. Sharma, Ph.D.,
Chief, Office of Size Standards, 409 Third Street SW, Mail Code 6530,
Washington, DC 20416.
SBA will post all comments to this ANPRM on www.regulations.gov. If
you wish to submit confidential business information (CBI) as defined
in the User Notice at www.regulations.gov, you must submit such
information either by mail to the U.S. Small Business Administration,
Khem R. Sharma, Ph.D., Chief, Office of Size Standards, 409 Third
Street SW, Mail Code 6530, Washington, DC 20416, or by email to
sizestandards@sba.gov. Highlight the information that you consider to
be CBI and explain why you believe SBA should hold this information as
confidential. SBA will review your information and determine whether it
will make the information public. Requests to redact or remove posted
comments cannot be honored and the request to redact/remove posted
comments will be posted as a new comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Khem R. Sharma, Office of Size
Standards, by phone at (202) 205-7189 or by email at
sizestandards@sba.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SBA establishes small business size
definitions, commonly known as ``size standards,'' for private sector
industries in the United States to determine eligibility for Federal
small business assistance programs, including the SBA's 7(a) and 504
Loan Programs (``Business Loan Programs''). These size standards are
established by 6-digit North American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) industry, typically based either on average annual receipts or
on average number of employees. SBA uses financial assets and refining
capacity to measure the size of a few specialized industries. See, 13
CFR part 121, Small Business Size Regulations.
On September 27, 2010, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (``Jobs
Act'') was enacted (Pub. L. 111-240). Section 1116 of the Jobs Act
added a new Section 3(a)(5) to the Small Business Act that directed SBA
to establish an alternative size standard using maximum tangible net
worth and average net income for applicants of the SBA's Business Loan
Programs. The Jobs Act also established for applicants for the SBA's
Business Loan Programs a temporary alternative size standard of not
more than $15 million in tangible net worth and of not more than $5
million in the average net income after Federal income taxes (excluding
any carry-over losses) of the applicant for the 2 full fiscal years
before the date of the application (referred to as ``Interim Rule''),
and it provided that this temporary statutory alternative size standard
would remain in effect until such time as SBA established a new
alternative size standard for the Business Loan Programs through
rulemaking. 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(5). Prior to that, SBA had a lower
permanent regulatory alternative size standard that applied to the 504
Loan Program, and temporarily applied, for the period beginning on May
5, 2009 and ending on September 30, 2010, to the 7(a) Loan Program. 13
CFR 120.301(b)(2).
On September 29, 2010, SBA issued Information Notice 5000-1175
(available at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/bank_5000-1175_0.pdf) providing that, effective September 27, 2010, the new
statutory temporary alternative size standard applied to its Business
Loan Programs, thereby replacing and superseding the lower existing
alternative size standard of $8.5 million in tangible net worth and $3
million in average net income, set forth in 13 CFR 121.301(b)(2). The
Information Notice further stated that the new statutory alternative
size standard would remain in effect until such time as SBA established
a permanent alternative size standard for the Business Loan Programs
through rulemaking. The Information Notice also stated that SBA's
disaster loan program, surety bond guarantee program, small business
investment company program, and small business development and
contracting programs, as well as other federal programs utilizing SBA's
industry based size standards were not affected by the temporary
statutory alternative size standard, and the current standards for
those programs in 13 CFR part 121 remained in effect.
Because of the difficulty of obtaining relevant data, SBA has not
yet established a new permanent tangible net worth and net income based
alternative size standard for its Business Loan Programs, so the Agency
continues to use the temporary statutory

[[Page 12507]]

alternative size standard (referred to in the Jobs Act as the ``Interim
Rule'') to determine eligibility for a small business concern under
SBA's Business Loan Programs, in addition to using the industry based
size standards. Under the Interim Rule, a Business Loan Program
applicant is eligible either under its industry based size standard or
if it meets the temporary statutory alternative size standard of $15
million in tangible net worth and $5 million in average net income.
SBA is statutorily authorized to provide access to capital to small
businesses that do not have credit available elsewhere from non-Federal
sources on reasonable terms and conditions. Aiming to expand credit
opportunities for small businesses under the distressed credit
conditions in the aftermath of the 2007-2009 Great Recession, Congress,
through the Jobs Act, temporarily increased by statute the level of the
existing regulatory alternative size standard for the Business Loan
Programs by raising the maximum thresholds of tangible net worth from
$8.5 million to $15 million and of average net income from $3 million
to $5 million, and it provided that the temporary statutory alternative
size standard would remain in effect for the Business Loan Programs
until such time as SBA established a new permanent alternative size
standard.
A review of SBA's internal data on its Business Loan Programs shows
that the temporary statutory alternative size standard may have enabled
some small businesses that were not otherwise eligible under their
industry based size standards to receive 7(a) or 504 Loans (``Business
Loans''). However, SBA's internal data systems for its Business Loan
Programs lack the necessary detailed electronic data that would allow
for an assessment of the exact impact of the Interim Rule on small
business loan applicants. Since the Agency's electronic systems only
include data regarding the number of employees and the NAICS industry
for loan applicants, but not data regarding average annual receipts,
tangible net worth or average net income, SBA is not easily able to
calculate the exact number of businesses that qualified under the
temporary statutory alternative size standard that otherwise could not
have qualified under their industry based size standards. Similarly,
due to electronic data limitations, SBA cannot easily identify
industries or industry sectors in which the temporary statutory
alternative size standard helped small businesses the most or the least
in accessing SBA Business Loans.
Again, due to the lack of relevant electronic data, SBA is also not
in a position to determine whether the Interim Rule is appropriate
under the current economic environment or needs to be modified when SBA
establishes a permanent alternative size standard.
In an effort to establish a permanent alternative size standard for
its Business Loan Programs as mandated by the Jobs Act, SBA has taken
steps to gather the information and data necessary to develop an
analysis to support the creation of a new permanent alternative size
standard based on tangible net worth and average net income. However,
the Economic Census data that SBA examines to establish the industry
based size standards does not contain information on tangible net worth
or average net income by industry. Furthermore, while SBA collects and
maintains limited relevant electronic data on applicants for its
Business Loan Programs (such as the number of employees for each loan
recipient, but not average annual receipts, tangible net worth, or
average net income), SBA's electronic internal data does not show
whether an applicant for its Business Loan Programs was determined to
be eligible under its industry based size standard or under the
alternative size standard. Similarly, the electronic data does not
include information on the numbers or amounts of loan approvals that
were issued under the industry based size standard or under the
temporary statutory alternative size standard.
As such, the only electronic data on size for small business
applicants approved for loans through the SBA's Business Loan Programs
available for review are the number of employees and the NAICS
industry. In an effort to estimate the percentage of loans that were
approved under the temporary statutory alternative size standard, SBA
examined its electronic internal data on its Business Loan Programs for
the three most recent fiscal years (FY 2015 through FY 2017). For this
analysis, SBA converted industry based receipts-based size standards to
the equivalent number of employees using the receipts-to-employees
ratios from the special tabulations of the 2012 Economic Census (http://www.census.gov/econ/census/). If the data showed that the number of
employees of a loan recipient exceeded its industry based employee size
standard (or employee equivalents in the case of receipts-based size
standards), SBA deemed for the purposes of this analysis that the loan
was approved under the temporary statutory alternative size standard.
Conversely, if the loan recipient's number of employees was equal to or
less than the industry based size standard, it was deemed for the
purposes of this analysis that the loan could have been approved under
the industry based size standard.
Based on the results obtained from this analysis, SBA estimates
that about 1.3% of the 207,161 total loan approvals issued during FY
2015-2017 went to firms that exceeded their industry based size
standard, thereby implying that these firms were most likely qualified
only under the temporary statutory alternative size standard. SBA
estimates the total value of these loans to be $3.1 billion, or 3.6% of
$86.9 billion in total loans approved during that period. Such a small
percentage of loan approvals issued to firms that exceeded their
industry size standard (1.3%) suggests that a vast majority of small
businesses receiving loans through SBA's Business Loan Programs would
have qualified under their industry based size standards and would not
be impacted significantly by a modification, if any, to the Interim
Rule.
Although useful, the analyzed data is selective in that it includes
only those firms that were approved for and received an SBA Business
Loan, but not those that applied and were not approved nor those
interested in applying in the future. This data does not allow SBA to
accurately determine the broader impact of a change to the Interim
Rule, nor does it provide the Agency with a robust source of
information from which a new permanent alternative size standard can be
developed. Furthermore, while SBA has approximated the percentage of
all loan approvals issued to small businesses that qualified only under
the Interim Rule, it is not possible to determine the precise impact
because the available electronic data lacks tangible net worth and
average net income data for the impacted population of small
businesses. Data on tangible net worth and average net income for the
impacted businesses, if available from other sources, may reveal
additional insights into the results of SBA's analysis of FY 2015-2017
loan data.
Additionally, SBA is statutorily authorized to make direct loans
under the EIDL Program to small businesses that do not have credit
available elsewhere and that have suffered a substantial economic
injury as a result of a disaster. 15 U.S.C. 636(b)(2). Historically,
the size standards applicable to small business concerns that apply for
loans under the EIDL Program have been the same industry based size
standards applicable to small

[[Page 12508]]

business applicants for the Business Loan Programs. See, 13 CFR
123.300(b). Although the temporary statutory alternative size standard
established by the Jobs Act does not apply to the EIDL Program, SBA is
considering applying the new permanent alternative size standard
established for the Business Loan Programs to the EIDL Program as an
alternative to industry based size standards.

Request for Comments

Against the above backdrop, in this ANPRM, SBA seeks comment on the
following issues.
1. SBA seeks comment on whether or not the level of the temporary
statutory alternative size standard under the Interim Rule (i.e., $15
million in tangible net worth and $5 million in average net income) is
appropriate under the current credit environment and as a new permanent
alternative size standard. Commenters in support of the level in the
Interim Rule should provide justification, along with supporting data
and analysis to support their position. Similarly, commenters who
believe the level established in the Interim Rule is not appropriate as
a permanent alternative size standard should suggest, along with
supporting data and analysis, a different alternative size standard
which they believe would be more appropriate. The suggested alternative
size standard must be based on tangible net worth and average net
income as required by section 3(a)(5) of the Small Business Act. 15
U.S.C. 632(a)(5).
2. SBA seeks comment on the impact of using an alternative size
standard on small businesses seeking loans through its Business Loan
Programs. Specifically, SBA welcomes information on industries/sectors
where small businesses benefit the most or do not benefit at all from
the use of an alternative size standard. Similarly, SBA is also looking
for data on the number of businesses approved for SBA's Business Loans
under the temporary statutory alternative size standard that otherwise
could not have been approved under their industry based size standards.
3. SBA invites suggestions on sources of relevant data and
information, especially tangible net worth and average net income of
applicants to SBA's Business Loan Programs, that SBA can evaluate to
assess the impact of the Interim Rule on small businesses and use in
developing a new permanent alternative size standard and in estimating
the impact of the new permanent alternative size standard.
4. SBA invites comments from interested parties on the proposal to
apply the same new permanent alternative size standard established for
the Business Loan Programs to the EIDL Program as an alternative to
industry based size standards.
5. SBA also seeks comment on how the Interim Rule has affected the
processes used by lenders participating in the Business Loan Programs
and what effects a permanent alternative size standard would have on
application processes and processing times.
6. SBA invites comment on the effects of the Interim Rule on
conventional small business lending. Specifically, SBA welcomes input
on whether, and to what extent, if any, SBA Business Loans approved
under the Interim Rule have substituted for or displaced directly or
indirectly conventional small business lending, or whether such SBA
Business Loans played more of a supplementary role in conventional
small business lending activity.

Dated: March 14, 2018.
Linda E. McMahon,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-05787 Filed 3-21-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P

12506 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Proposed Rules

2010 (Act) required the Bureau to its impact. Finally, SBA also seeks input 1116 of the Jobs Act added a new
prescribe rules establishing such from interested parties on a potential Section 3(a)(5) to the Small Business
procedures as may be necessary to carry proposal to apply the permanent Act that directed SBA to establish an
out hearings and adjudications alternative size standard as an alternative size standard using
conducted pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5563. alternative to using industry based size maximum tangible net worth and
12 U.S.C. 5563(e). On July 28, 2011, the standards for small business applicants average net income for applicants of the
Bureau published an interim final rule under its Economic Injury Disaster Loan SBA’s Business Loan Programs. The
seeking comment and prescribing rules (‘‘EIDL’’) Program. Jobs Act also established for applicants
establishing such hearings and DATES: SBA must receive comments to for the SBA’s Business Loan Programs a
procedures, with the exception of rules this ANPRM on or before May 21, 2018. temporary alternative size standard of
relating to the issuance of a temporary ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, not more than $15 million in tangible
cease-and-desist order (TCDO) pursuant identified by RIN 3245–AG16 by one of net worth and of not more than $5
to section 1053(c) of the Act. 76 FR the following methods: (1) Federal million in the average net income after
45338 (July 28, 2011). The Bureau eRulemaking Portal: Federal income taxes (excluding any
responded to comments received and www.regulations.gov, following the carry-over losses) of the applicant for
published a final rule on June 29, 2012. instructions for submitting comments; the 2 full fiscal years before the date of
77 FR 39058 (June 29, 2012). This rule or (2) Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: the application (referred to as ‘‘Interim
was codified at 12 CFR part 1081, Khem R. Sharma, Ph.D., Chief, Office of Rule’’), and it provided that this
subparts A–D. The Bureau published an Size Standards, 409 Third Street SW, temporary statutory alternative size
interim final rule seeking comment and Mail Code 6530, Washington, DC 20416. standard would remain in effect until
prescribing rules on TCDOs on SBA will post all comments to this such time as SBA established a new
September 26, 2013. 78 FR 59163 (Sept. ANPRM on www.regulations.gov. If you alternative size standard for the
26, 2013). The Bureau received a single wish to submit confidential business Business Loan Programs through
comment on this rule. Following information (CBI) as defined in the User rulemaking. 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(5). Prior to
consideration of the comment, the Notice at www.regulations.gov, you that, SBA had a lower permanent
Bureau adopted the interim final rule must submit such information either by regulatory alternative size standard that
without change on June 18, 2014. 79 FR mail to the U.S. Small Business applied to the 504 Loan Program, and
34622 (June 18, 2014). This rule was Administration, Khem R. Sharma, Ph.D., temporarily applied, for the period
codified at 12 CFR part 1081, subpart E. Chief, Office of Size Standards, 409 beginning on May 5, 2009 and ending
Collectively, the rules codified at 12 Third Street SW, Mail Code 6530, on September 30, 2010, to the 7(a) Loan
CFR part 1081 are titled ‘‘Rules of Washington, DC 20416, or by email to Program. 13 CFR 120.301(b)(2).
Practice for Adjudication Proceedings’’ sizestandards@sba.gov. Highlight the On September 29, 2010, SBA issued
(Rules). The Bureau issued a Request for information that you consider to be CBI Information Notice 5000–1175
Information (RFI) related to the Rules on and explain why you believe SBA (available at https://www.sba.gov/sites/
February 5, 2018, 83 FR 5055, and now should hold this information as default/files/files/bank_5000-1175_
extends the period for comments confidential. SBA will review your 0.pdf) providing that, effective
responding to that RFI. information and determine whether it September 27, 2010, the new statutory
will make the information public. temporary alternative size standard
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 5511(c). applied to its Business Loan Programs,
Requests to redact or remove posted
Dated: March 16, 2018. comments cannot be honored and the thereby replacing and superseding the
Mick Mulvaney, request to redact/remove posted lower existing alternative size standard
Acting Director, Bureau of Consumer comments will be posted as a new of $8.5 million in tangible net worth and
Financial Protection. comment. $3 million in average net income, set
[FR Doc. 2018–05780 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am] forth in 13 CFR 121.301(b)(2). The
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information Notice further stated that
BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P
Khem R. Sharma, Office of Size the new statutory alternative size
Standards, by phone at (202) 205–7189 standard would remain in effect until
or by email at sizestandards@sba.gov. such time as SBA established a
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SBA permanent alternative size standard for
13 CFR Part 121 establishes small business size the Business Loan Programs through
definitions, commonly known as ‘‘size rulemaking. The Information Notice also
RIN 3245–AG16 standards,’’ for private sector industries stated that SBA’s disaster loan program,
in the United States to determine surety bond guarantee program, small
Small Business Size Standards; eligibility for Federal small business business investment company program,
Alternative Size Standard for 7(a), 504, assistance programs, including the and small business development and
and Disaster Loan Programs SBA’s 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs contracting programs, as well as other
AGENCY: U.S. Small Business (‘‘Business Loan Programs’’). These size federal programs utilizing SBA’s
Administration. standards are established by 6-digit industry based size standards were not
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed North American Industry Classification affected by the temporary statutory
rulemaking. System (NAICS) industry, typically alternative size standard, and the
based either on average annual receipts current standards for those programs in
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS

SUMMARY: SBA is seeking public input or on average number of employees. 13 CFR part 121 remained in effect.
to assist in establishing a permanent SBA uses financial assets and refining Because of the difficulty of obtaining
alternative size standard for its 7(a) and capacity to measure the size of a few relevant data, SBA has not yet
504 Loan Programs. SBA also invites specialized industries. See, 13 CFR part established a new permanent tangible
suggestions on sources of relevant data 121, Small Business Size Regulations. net worth and net income based
and information that SBA should On September 27, 2010, the Small alternative size standard for its Business
evaluate in developing a permanent Business Jobs Act of 2010 (‘‘Jobs Act’’) Loan Programs, so the Agency continues
alternative size standard and assessing was enacted (Pub. L. 111–240). Section to use the temporary statutory

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12508 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Proposed Rules

business applicants for the Business apply the same new permanent 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
Loan Programs. See, 13 CFR 123.300(b). alternative size standard established for methods:
Although the temporary statutory the Business Loan Programs to the EIDL • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
alternative size standard established by Program as an alternative to industry http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
the Jobs Act does not apply to the EIDL based size standards. instructions for submitting comments.
Program, SBA is considering applying 5. SBA also seeks comment on how • Fax: 202–493–2251.
the new permanent alternative size the Interim Rule has affected the • Mail: U.S. Department of
standard established for the Business processes used by lenders participating Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
Loan Programs to the EIDL Program as in the Business Loan Programs and what 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
an alternative to industry based size effects a permanent alternative size W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
standards. standard would have on application Washington, DC 20590.
processes and processing times. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
Request for Comments 6. SBA invites comment on the effects address above between 9 a.m. and 5
Against the above backdrop, in this of the Interim Rule on conventional p.m., Monday through Friday, except
ANPRM, SBA seeks comment on the small business lending. Specifically, Federal holidays.
following issues. SBA welcomes input on whether, and to For service information identified in
1. SBA seeks comment on whether or what extent, if any, SBA Business Loans this NPRM, contact ATR–GIE Avions de
not the level of the temporary statutory approved under the Interim Rule have Transport Régional, 1, Allée Pierre
alternative size standard under the substituted for or displaced directly or Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France;
Interim Rule (i.e., $15 million in indirectly conventional small business telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33
tangible net worth and $5 million in lending, or whether such SBA Business (0) 5 62 21 67 18; email
average net income) is appropriate Loans played more of a supplementary continued.airworthiness@atr-
under the current credit environment role in conventional small business aircraft.com. You may view this service
and as a new permanent alternative size lending activity. information at the FAA, Transport
standard. Commenters in support of the Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th
Dated: March 14, 2018.
level in the Interim Rule should provide Street, Des Moines, WA. For
Linda E. McMahon, information on the availability of this
justification, along with supporting data
and analysis to support their position. Administrator. material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
Similarly, commenters who believe the [FR Doc. 2018–05787 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am]
Examining the AD Docket
level established in the Interim Rule is BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
not appropriate as a permanent You may examine the AD docket on
alternative size standard should suggest, the internet at http://
along with supporting data and analysis, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION www.regulations.gov by searching for
a different alternative size standard and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
which they believe would be more Federal Aviation Administration 0166; or in person at the Docket
appropriate. The suggested alternative Management Facility between 9 a.m.
size standard must be based on tangible 14 CFR Part 39 and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
net worth and average net income as except Federal holidays. The AD docket
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0166; Product
required by section 3(a)(5) of the Small Identifier 2017–NM–169–AD] contains this NPRM, the regulatory
Business Act. 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(5). evaluation, any comments received, and
RIN 2120–AA64 other information. The street address for
2. SBA seeks comment on the impact
of using an alternative size standard on the Docket Operations office (telephone
Airworthiness Directives; ATR–GIE 800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES
small businesses seeking loans through Avions de Transport Régional
its Business Loan Programs. section. Comments will be available in
Airplanes the AD docket shortly after receipt.
Specifically, SBA welcomes information
on industries/sectors where small AGENCY: Federal Aviation FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
businesses benefit the most or do not Administration (FAA), DOT. Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
benefit at all from the use of an ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking Engineer, International Section,
alternative size standard. Similarly, SBA (NPRM). Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200
is also looking for data on the number South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA
of businesses approved for SBA’s SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 98198; telephone and fax 206–231–
Business Loans under the temporary airworthiness directive (AD) for all 3220.
statutory alternative size standard that ATR–GIE Avions de Transport Régional
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
otherwise could not have been approved Model ATR72 airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by a determination Comments Invited
under their industry based size
standards. that more restrictive maintenance We invite you to send any written
3. SBA invites suggestions on sources instructions and airworthiness relevant data, views, or arguments about
of relevant data and information, limitations are necessary. This proposed this proposal. Send your comments to
especially tangible net worth and AD would require revising the an address listed under the ADDRESSES
average net income of applicants to maintenance or inspection program, as section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
SBA’s Business Loan Programs, that applicable, to incorporate new or 2018–0166; Product Identifier 2017–
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS

SBA can evaluate to assess the impact revised maintenance instructions and NM–169–AD’’ at the beginning of your
of the Interim Rule on small businesses airworthiness limitations. We are comments. We specifically invite
and use in developing a new permanent proposing this AD to address the unsafe comments on the overall regulatory,
alternative size standard and in condition on these products. economic, environmental, and energy
estimating the impact of the new DATES: We must receive comments on aspects of this NPRM. We will consider
permanent alternative size standard. this proposed AD by May 7, 2018. all comments received by the closing
4. SBA invites comments from ADDRESSES: You may send comments, date and may amend this NPRM based
interested parties on the proposal to using the procedures found in 14 CFR on those comments.

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Document Created: 2018-03-22 01:24:58
Document Modified: 2018-03-22 01:24:58

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
Dates		SBA must receive comments to this ANPRM on or before May 21, 2018.
Contact		Khem R. Sharma, Office of Size Standards, by phone at (202) 205-7189 or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 12506
RIN Number		3245-AG16