83 FR 32624 - Notice To Implement a Guarantee Systems User Fee for Lender Use of the Single Family Housing Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program Automated Systems

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 135 (July 13, 2018)

Page Range		32624-32625
FR Document		2018-14995

The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 was signed into law on July 29, 2016. It created Section 502(i) in the Housing Act of 1949, later amended by Section 758 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which permits the Secretary to assess and collect a guarantee underwriting user fee (also known as a technology fee) from lenders for their use of the Rural Housing Service's (Agency's) automated guaranteed loan systems. The collection of the fee will enable the Agency to fund future information technology enhancements needed to improve program delivery and reduce burden to the public. The fee amount will be published in the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) Handbook HB-1-3555, available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/regulations-guidelines/ handbooks. The fee will not exceed $50 per loan, and constitutes a reasonable and customary cost that is an authorized loan purpose in accordance with the Guaranteed Rural Housing Program. The primary method of collecting the fee will be through the Agency's Lender Loan Closing (LLC) system when a loan goes to closing.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 135 (Friday, July 13, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 135 (Friday, July 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32624-32625]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14995]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice To Implement a Guarantee Systems User Fee for Lender Use 
of the Single Family Housing Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program 
Automated Systems

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 was 
signed into law on July 29, 2016. It created Section 502(i) in the 
Housing Act of 1949, later amended by Section 758 of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018, which permits the Secretary to assess and 
collect a guarantee underwriting user fee (also known as a technology 
fee) from lenders for their use of the Rural Housing Service's 
(Agency's) automated guaranteed loan systems. The collection of the fee 
will enable the Agency to fund future information technology 
enhancements needed to improve program delivery and reduce burden to 
the public. The fee amount will be published in the Single Family 
Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) Handbook HB-1-3555, available 
at https://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/regulations-guidelines/handbooks.
    The fee will not exceed $50 per loan, and constitutes a reasonable 
and customary cost that is an authorized loan purpose in accordance 
with the Guaranteed Rural Housing Program. The primary method of 
collecting the fee will be through the Agency's Lender Loan Closing 
(LLC) system when a loan goes to closing.

DATES: Written or email comments on the proposed rule must be received 
on or before September 11, 2018 to be assured for consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this proposed rule by any one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments electronically.
     Mail: Submit written comments via the U.S. Postal Service 
to the Branch Chief, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-0742.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Submit written comments via Federal 
Express mail, or other courier service requiring a street address to 
the Branch Chief, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0742.
    All written comments will be available for public inspection during 
regular work hours at 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-
0742.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Jensen, Finance and Loan Analyst, 
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, STOP 0784, Room 2250, 
USDA Rural Development, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0784, telephone: (503) 894-

[[Page 32625]]

2382, email is [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The estimated time required for 
technological development and user acceptance testing is one year from 
the start of development. The Agency does not plan to collect a 
technology fee during the first year of the project, and technology fee 
collections are not expected prior to the first quarter of fiscal year 
2019. Presently the estimated amount of the guarantee loan systems user 
fee is $25 with an expected implementation date of January 2, 2019. The 
Agency will advise lenders in advance of the implementation date of the 
actual amount of the guarantee loan systems user fee, along with all 
pertinent development and operational details.
    The use of the LLC is currently voluntary and lenders submit more 
than 98 percent of loan closings through that channel. In order to 
effectively serve the public and keep pace with modern lending 
practices, the Agency must have ready access to funding for the 
maintenance and enhancement of automated systems required for the 
secure and efficient delivery of the single family housing loan 
programs. The system improvement will also enhance the Agency's ability 
to effectively monitor the processing, underwriting, and closing of all 
guaranteed loans and protect the investment of the public.

Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: July 9, 2018.
Joel C. Baxley,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14995 Filed 7-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P

32624 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 135 / Friday, July 13, 2018 / Notices

C. Termination and Disqualification any infringement of copyright, Act of 1949, later amended by Section
NIFA reserves the authority to cancel, trademark, patent, and/or other real or 758 of the Consolidated Appropriations
suspend, and/or modify the intellectual property right that may be Act, 2018, which permits the Secretary
Competition, or any part of it, if any caused, directly or indirectly, in whole to assess and collect a guarantee
fraud, technical failures, or any other or in part, from that Team’s underwriting user fee (also known as a
factor beyond NIFA’s reasonable control participation in the Competition. technology fee) from lenders for their
All legal rights in any materials use of the Rural Housing Service’s
impairs the integrity or proper
produced or submitted in entering the (Agency’s) automated guaranteed loan
functioning of the Competition, as
Competition are retained by the Team systems. The collection of the fee will
determined by NIFA in its sole
and/or the legal holder of those rights. enable the Agency to fund future
discretion.
Entry into the Competition constitutes information technology enhancements
NIFA reserves the right to disqualify
express authorization for NIFA, NSF, needed to improve program delivery
any Team it believes to be tampering
and the Judging Panel to review and and reduce burden to the public. The
with the entry process or the operation
analyze any and all aspects of submitted fee amount will be published in the
of the Competition or to be acting in
entries, including any trade secret or Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan
violation of any applicable rule or
proprietary information contained in or Program (SFHGLP) Handbook HB–1–
condition.
evident from review of the submitted 3555, available at https://
Any attempt by any person to
entries. www.rd.usda.gov/publications/
undermine the legitimate operation of
the Competition may be a violation of F. Privacy & Disclosure Under Freedom regulations-guidelines/handbooks.
criminal and civil law, and, should such of Information Act (FOIA) The fee will not exceed $50 per loan,
an attempt be made, NIFA reserves the and constitutes a reasonable and
Personal and contact information is customary cost that is an authorized
authority to seek damages from any not collected for commercial or
such person to the fullest extent loan purpose in accordance with the
marketing purposes. Information Guaranteed Rural Housing Program. The
permitted by law. submitted throughout the Competition primary method of collecting the fee
D. Verification of Potential Winner(s) will be used only to communicate with will be through the Agency’s Lender
Teams regarding entries and/or the Loan Closing (LLC) system when a loan
All potential Competition winners are
Competition. goes to closing.
subject to verification by NIFA whose Teams’ entries to the Competition
decisions are final and binding in all may be subject to disclosure under the DATES: Written or email comments on
matters related to the Competition. FOIA. If a Team believes that all or part the proposed rule must be received on
Potential winner(s) must continue to of its Competition entry is protected or before September 11, 2018 to be
comply with all terms and conditions of from release under FOIA (e.g., if the assured for consideration.
the Competition rules, and winning is information falls under FOIA exemption ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
contingent upon fulfilling all #4 for ‘‘trade secrets and commercial or on this proposed rule by any one of the
requirements. The potential winner(s) financial information obtained from a following methods:
will be notified by email and/or person [that is] privileged or • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
telephone. If a potential winner cannot confidential’’) the Team will be www.regulations.gov. Follow the
be contacted, or if the notification is responsible for clearly marking the instructions for submitting comments
returned as undeliverable, the potential page(s)/section(s) of information it electronically.
winner forfeits. In the event that a believes are protected. • Mail: Submit written comments via
potential winner, or an announced
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3719. the U.S. Postal Service to the Branch
winner, is found to be ineligible or is
Chief, Regulations and Paperwork
disqualified for any reason, NIFA may Done at Washington, DC, on July 3, 2018.
Management Branch, U.S. Department
make award, instead, to the next runner Kim L. Hicks, of Agriculture, STOP 0742, 1400
up, as previously determined by the Branch Chief, Grants and Agreements Independence Ave. SW, Washington,
Judging Panel. Management Branch USDA, Agricultural DC 20250–0742.
Prior to awarding the Prize Purse, Research Service, Financial Management and
NIFA will verify that the potential Agreements Division. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Submit
winner(s) is/are not suspended, written comments via Federal Express
[FR Doc. 2018–14996 Filed 7–12–18; 8:45 am]
debarred, or otherwise excluded from mail, or other courier service requiring
BILLING CODE 3410–22–P
doing business with the U.S. Federal a street address to the Branch Chief,
Government. Suspended, debarred, or Regulations and Paperwork
otherwise excluded parties are not DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Management Branch, U.S. Department
eligible to win the Competition. of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave.
Rural Housing Service SW, Washington, DC 20250–0742.
E. Intellectual Property All written comments will be
By entering the Competition, each Notice To Implement a Guarantee available for public inspection during
Team certifies that it is the author and/ Systems User Fee for Lender Use of regular work hours at 1400
or authorized owner of its entry, and the Single Family Housing Section 502 Independence Ave. SW, Washington,
that the entry is wholly original with the Guaranteed Loan Program Automated DC 20250–0742.
Team (or is an improved version of an Systems FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

existing project plan the Team is legally AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA. Jensen, Finance and Loan Analyst,
authorized to enter into the ACTION: Notice. Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan
Competition), and that the submitted Division, STOP 0784, Room 2250,
entry does not infringe on any SUMMARY: The Housing Opportunity USDA Rural Development, South
copyright, patent, or any other rights of Through Modernization Act of 2016 was Agriculture Building, 1400
any third party. Each Team agrees to signed into law on July 29, 2016. It Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
hold the Released Parties harmless for created Section 502(i) in the Housing DC 20250–0784, telephone: (503) 894–

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 135 / Friday, July 13, 2018 / Notices 32625

2382, email is kate.jensen@ Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. days before the scheduled date of the
wdc.usda.gov. Additionally, program information may meeting.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The be made available in languages other Members of the public are invited to
estimated time required for than English. submit written comments; the
technological development and user To file a program discrimination comments must be received in the
acceptance testing is one year from the complaint, complete the USDA Program regional office by Tuesday, September 4,
start of development. The Agency does Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– 2018. Written comments may be mailed
not plan to collect a technology fee 3027, found online at http:// to the Rocky Mountain Regional Office,
during the first year of the project, and www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_ U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1961
technology fee collections are not cust.html and at any USDA office or Stout Street, Suite 13–201, Denver, CO
expected prior to the first quarter of write a letter addressed to USDA and 80294, faxed to (303) 866–1050, or
fiscal year 2019. Presently the estimated provide in the letter all of the emailed to Evelyn Bohor at ebohor@
amount of the guarantee loan systems information requested in the form. To usccr.gov. Persons who desire
user fee is $25 with an expected request a copy of the complaint form, additional information may contact the
implementation date of January 2, 2019. call (866) 632–9992. Submit your Rocky Mountain Regional Office at (303)
The Agency will advise lenders in completed form or letter to USDA by: 866–1040.
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of The activities of this advisory
advance of the implementation date of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant committee, including records and
the actual amount of the guarantee loan
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 documents discussed during the
systems user fee, along with all
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, meeting, will be available for public
pertinent development and operational
DC 20250–9410; viewing, as they become available at:
details. (2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or https://facadatabase.gov/committee/
The use of the LLC is currently (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. meetings.aspx?cid=238. Records
voluntary and lenders submit more than USDA is an equal opportunity generated from this meeting may also be
98 percent of loan closings through that provider, employer, and lender. inspected and reproduced at the Rocky
channel. In order to effectively serve the
Dated: July 9, 2018. Mountain Regional Office, as they
public and keep pace with modern
Joel C. Baxley, become available, both before and after
lending practices, the Agency must have
Administrator, Rural Housing Service. the meeting. Persons interested in the
ready access to funding for the
work of this advisory committee are
maintenance and enhancement of [FR Doc. 2018–14995 Filed 7–12–18; 8:45 am]
advised to go to the Commission’s
automated systems required for the BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P
website, www.usccr.gov, or to contact
secure and efficient delivery of the
the Rocky Mountain Regional Office at
single family housing loan programs.
the above phone number, email or street
The system improvement will also COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS address.
enhance the Agency’s ability to
effectively monitor the processing, Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting Agenda
underwriting, and closing of all of the Colorado Advisory Committee —Introductions
guaranteed loans and protect the —Discussion of Potential Civil Rights
AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights.
investment of the public. topics and Topics of Study
ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
Non-Discrimination Statement —Open Comment
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, —Adjourn
In accordance with Federal civil pursuant to the provisions of the rules
rights law and U.S. Department of Dated: July 9, 2018.
and regulations of the U.S. Commission David Mussatt,
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
Federal Advisory Committee Act
Agencies, offices, and employees, and (FACA) that a planning meeting of the
[FR Doc. 2018–14965 Filed 7–12–18; 8:45 am]
institutions participating in or Colorado Advisory Committee to the BILLING CODE P
administering USDA programs are Commission will convene at 12:00 p.m.
prohibited from discriminating based on (MDT) on Wednesday, August 1, 2018,
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
in the Board Room, Independence
gender identity (including gender Institute, 727 East 16th Avenue, Denver,
expression), sexual orientation, Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting
CO 80203. The purpose of the meeting of the Connecticut Advisory
disability, age, marital status, family/ is to review potential civil rights topics
parental status, income derived from a Committee
for future study in the state.
public assistance program, political AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights.
DATES: Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
civil rights activity, in any program or 12:00 p.m. (MDT).
activity conducted or funded by USDA ADDRESSES: Mt. Evans Room, Byron SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
(not all bases apply to all programs). Rogers Federal Office Building, 1961 pursuant to the provisions of the rules
Remedies and complaint filing Stout Street, Denver, CO 80294. and regulations of the U.S. Commission
deadlines vary by program or incident. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
Persons with disabilities who require Evelyn Bohor at ebohor@usccr.gov, or Federal Advisory Committee Act
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

alternative means of communication for 303–866–1040. (FACA), that a roundtable meeting of
program information (e.g., Braille, large SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Persons the Connecticut Advisory Committee to
print, audiotape, American Sign who plan to attend the meeting and who the Commission will convene at 10:00
Language, etc.) should contact the require other accommodations, please a.m. (EDT) on Thursday, August 9,
responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET contact Evelyn Bohor at ebohor@ 2018, in the Legislative Office Building
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and usccr.gov at the Rocky Mountain of the Capitol Building, 210 Capitol
TTY) or contact USDA through the Regional Office at least ten (10) working Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106. The

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Document Created: 2018-07-13 01:05:00
Document Modified: 2018-07-13 01:05:00

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		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Written or email comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before September 11, 2018 to be assured for consideration.
Contact		Kate Jensen, Finance and Loan Analyst, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, STOP 0784, Room 2250, USDA Rural Development, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0784, telephone: (503) 894- 2382, email is [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 32624

83 FR 32624 - Notice To Implement a Guarantee Systems User Fee for Lender Use of the Single Family Housing Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program Automated Systems

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURERural Housing Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 135 (July 13, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service