SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

As set forth in 7 CFR part 5001, the Agency is authorized to charge a guarantee fee, a periodic guarantee retention fee, a fee for the issuance of the loan note guarantee prior to construction completion and establish a loan guarantee percentage for guaranteed loans made under this rule. Pursuant to this and other applicable authority, and subject to the current appropriated authority, the Agency is establishing the following for FY 2024:

The initial guarantee fee is paid at the time the loan note guarantee is issued. The periodic guarantee retention fee is paid by the lender to the Agency once a year. Payment of the periodic guarantee retention fee is required in order to maintain the enforceability of the guarantee. The fee for issuance of the loan note guarantee prior to construction completion DOES NOT apply to all construction loans. This additional fee only applies to loans requesting to receive a loan note guarantee prior to project completion. For loans where the loan note guarantee is issued between October 1 and December 31, the first periodic retention fee payment is due January 31 of the second year following the date the loan note guarantee was issued.

Unless precluded by a subsequent FY 2024 appropriation, these rates will apply to all guaranteed loans obligated in FY 2024. The amount of the periodic retention fee on each guaranteed loan will be determined by multiplying the periodic retention fee rate by the outstanding principal loan balance as of December 31, multiplied by the percentage of guarantee.

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 contact USDA through the 711 Relay Service. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form, AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/​sites/​default/​files/​documents/​ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or

(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

88 FR 42909