Notice2024-22353
Application Fast Track Pilot Program-Extension
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 30, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentFarm Service Agency
Abstract
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is announcing the extension of the Application Fast Track (AFT) pilot program that was launched August 7, 2023, which continues the expedited processing of qualified direct Operating Loans (OL) and Farm Ownership Loans (FO) to family farmers and ranchers. AFT has been available to all customers nationwide since January 1, 2024. AFT is being extended through December 31, 2025, to allow time for FSA to continue to evaluate the administrative effectiveness of AFT. The initial results of AFT reflect a significant improvement in processing times for all customers, and FSA is continuing to monitor loan performance, and overall satisfaction with the AFT pilot program from both customers and staff.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 189 (Monday, September 30, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79504-79505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22353]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
[Docket ID FSA-2023-0005]
Application Fast Track Pilot Program--Extension
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is announcing the extension of
the Application Fast Track (AFT) pilot program that was launched August
7, 2023, which continues the expedited processing of qualified direct
Operating Loans (OL) and Farm Ownership Loans (FO) to family farmers
and ranchers. AFT has been available to all customers nationwide since
January 1, 2024. AFT is being extended through December 31, 2025, to
allow time for FSA to continue to evaluate the administrative
effectiveness of AFT. The initial results of AFT reflect a significant
improvement in processing times for all customers, and FSA is
continuing to monitor loan performance, and overall satisfaction with
the AFT pilot program from both customers and staff.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Houston Bruck; telephone: (202) 650-
7874; or by email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#563e39232522393878342423353d162325323778313920"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bcd4d3c9cfc8d3d292decec9dfd7fcc9cfd8dd92dbd3ca">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who require
alternative means for communication should contact the USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial 711
for Telecommunications Relay service (both voice and text telephone
users can initiate this call from any telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
FSA is extending the ``Application Fast Track'' that was launched
August 7, 2023 (88 FR 51260-51265), which continues the expedited
processing of qualified direct OLs and FOs to family farmers and
ranchers. AFT provides an alternative underwriting process for
applicants that meet certain financial benchmarks. AFT has been
available to all customers nationwide since January 1, 2024. The AFT
pilot provisions are unchanged in this notice from what was announced
in the August 7, 2023, notice.
Authority
The authority to conduct AFT is provided in section 333D of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT, 7 U.S.C. 1983d),
which authorizes pilot projects of limited scope and duration to
evaluate processes and techniques to improve program efficiency and
effectiveness.
AFT Initial Results
The initial results of AFT reflect a significant improvement in
processing times for all customers, and FSA is continuing to monitor
loan performance, overall satisfaction with the AFT pilot program from
both customers and staff, and the administrative effectiveness of AFT.
The initial results of the AFT pilot program have resulted in
approximately 22 percent of customers qualifying for AFT, with
significant reduction in processing time for those applications by
approximately 8 calendar days. Customers not qualifying for AFT are
also realizing an improvement in processing times of approximately 1
calendar day.
Comments Received
FSA received three public comments to the initial publication
announcing the AFT pilot program. Two of the comments were critical of
the Federal government's involvement in farm lending and are outside
the scope of the AFT pilot program. One of the comments expressed
concern over the potential for overpayments and that the initial AFT
pilot offices were not available in all locations.
The lending program does not provide payments to farmers. Also,
after the initial roll-out period of August 2023 through December 2023,
the AFT pilot program was expanded to all locations nationwide in
January 2024.
Contact Information
Questions on AFT may be directed to the Farm Loan Programs staff in
the local FSA county office. The local FSA county office may be found
at <a href="http://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/USDA-service-centers">http://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/USDA-service-centers</a>.
Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
In accordance with the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), there are no changes the information
collection approved by OMB under control numbers 0560-0236 and 0560-
0237.
Environmental Review
The environmental impacts 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 799).
[[Page 79505]]
The purpose of AFT is to improve internal underwriting processes to
expedite Farm Loan Programs application processing. The limited
discretionary aspects of AFT do not have the potential to impact the
human environment as they are administrative. Accordingly, these
discretionary aspects are covered by the categorical exclusions in 7
CFR 799.31(b)(3)(i) that applies to Farm Loan Programs, provided no
extraordinary circumstances are found to exist. As such, the
implementation of AFT and the participation in AFT do not constitute
major Federal actions that would significantly affect the quality of
the human environment, individually or cumulatively. Therefore, FSA
will not prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact
statement for this action and this document serves as documentation of
the programmatic environmental compliance decision for this federal
action.
Federal Assistance Programs
The title and number of the Federal assistance programs, as found
in the Assistance Listing, to which this document applies is 10.406
Farm Operating Loans and 10.407 Farm Ownership Loans.
USDA Non-Discrimination Policy
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, 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 or 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.
Individuals who require alternative means of communication for
program information (for example, braille, large print, audiotape,
American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or
USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY) or
dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and text
telephone users can initiate this call from any telephone).
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 <a href="https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint">https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint</a> and
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in
the letter all 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 mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a757b797a4f495e5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e9a6a8aaa99c9a8d88c78e869f">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Steven Peterson,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2024-22353 Filed 9-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-E2-P
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