Rural eConnectivity Program, 33816 [2023-11134]

Download as PDF 33816 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 / Rules and Regulations List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 205 Administrative practice and procedure, Agricultural commodities, Agriculture, Animals, Archives and records, Fees, Imports, Labeling, Organically produced products, Plants, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seals and insignia, Soil conservation. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Agricultural Marketing Service amends 7 CFR part 205 as follows: PART 205—NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 205 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501–6524. § 205.606 [Amended] 2. Amend § 205.606 by removing paragraph (x). ■ Erin Morris, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2023–11149 Filed 5–24–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service 7 CFR Part 1740 [Docket No. RUS–22-Telecom-0056] RIN 0572–AC62 Rural eConnectivity Program Rural Utilities, USDA. Final rule; confirmation and response to comments. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Mission area, published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register on January 30, 2023, to make updates to the Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect Program) regulation to ensure that requirements are clear, accurate as presented and in compliance with Federal reporting requirements. Through this action, RUS is confirming the final rule as it was published and providing responses to the public comments that were received. DATES: As of May 25, 2023, the final rule published January 30, 2023, at 88 FR 5724, effective May 1, 2023, is confirmed. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurel Leverrier, Assistant VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:53 May 24, 2023 Jkt 259001 Administrator; Telecommunication Program; Rural Development; U.S. Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue SW; Room 4121– S; Washington, DC 20250; telephone 202–720–3416, email laurel.leverrier@ usda.gov. Persons with disabilities or who require alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target Center at 202–720–2600. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ReConnect Program was authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115–141), which directed the program to be conducted under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq). The ReConnect Program provides loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the program fuels long-term rural economic development and opportunities across rural America. The final rule that published January 30, 2023, (88 FR 5724), included a 60day comment period that ended on March 31, 2023. The intent of the changes outlined in the final rule was to remove outdated requirements and ensure that the requirements in the regulation are clear, accurate as presented, and in compliance with Federal reporting requirements. The Agency received comments from 3 respondents. Respondents included one telecommunications company and two industry associations The following are the comments received and the Agency’s responses: Comment: Cimarron Telephone Company, LLC stated that the requirement to have a Tribal Resolution of Support be part of the ReConnect Program application may deter some potential applicants from the program. The respondent also states that this could lessen the amount of rural Americans receiving any service or lessen the chance that current services would be upgraded. The respondent offered examples they personally experienced that lead them to encourage the Agency to change this requirement. The respondent recommends requiring the resolution to be submitted within 120 days of the applicant being selected for an award. Agency response: The Agency appreciates the comments provided by the respondent; however, it is a priority of this Administration that tribal sovereignty be respected by not imposing federal projects over tribal lands without their consent. Comment: NCTA—The internet and Telephone Association expressed PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 appreciation for the work done by the Agency to streamline the requirements of the ReConnect Program. They also praised the Agency for its clarification of the Buy America requirements. The respondent also encourages the Agency to allow awardees to continue to use their parent entity’s consolidated audit after an award is made, if applicable. Agency response: The Agency appreciates the comments provided by the respondent. Comment: NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association expressed concern about the impact of the Build America, Buy America Act on nonFederal entities who receive ReConnect Program funding. Additionally, the respondent offered data indicating that there would be strain on the supply chains which produce needed equipment for those non-Federal entities required to comply with the law. The respondent feels that there are two standards, depending on what type of organization your entity is, and that by treating all entities the same would make it easier for all companies to comply with the Build America, Buy America Act. Agency response: The Agency appreciates the comments provided by the respondent; however, the entity status for compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act is set in statute, whereas the RUS Buy American requirement applies to all entities also by statute. As such, the requested change is beyond the control of the agency. No change to the rulemaking is necessary. The RUS appreciates comments from interested parties. The Agency confirms the final rule without change. Andrew Berke, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2023–11134 Filed 5–24–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION 11 CFR Part 110 [Notice 2023–09] Contributions in the Name of Another Federal Election Commission. Interim final rule. AGENCY: ACTION: The Commission is removing the regulatory prohibition on knowingly helping or assisting any person in making a contribution in the name of another. The Commission is taking this action to implement the order of the United States District Court in FEC v. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25MYR1.SGM 25MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 33816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11134]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1740

[Docket No. RUS-22-Telecom-0056]
RIN 0572-AC62


Rural eConnectivity Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule; confirmation and response to comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency in the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development 
Mission area, published a final rule with comment in the Federal 
Register on January 30, 2023, to make updates to the Rural 
eConnectivity Program (ReConnect Program) regulation to ensure that 
requirements are clear, accurate as presented and in compliance with 
Federal reporting requirements. Through this action, RUS is confirming 
the final rule as it was published and providing responses to the 
public comments that were received.

DATES: As of May 25, 2023, the final rule published January 30, 2023, 
at 88 FR 5724, effective May 1, 2023, is confirmed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurel Leverrier, Assistant 
Administrator; Telecommunication Program; Rural Development; U.S. 
Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue SW; Room 4121-S; 
Washington, DC 20250; telephone 202-720-3416, email 
[email protected]. Persons with disabilities or who require 
alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target 
Center at 202-720-2600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ReConnect Program was authorized by the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-141), which directed 
the program to be conducted under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 901 et seq). The ReConnect Program provides loans, grants, 
and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural 
areas. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and 
infrastructure, the program fuels long-term rural economic development 
and opportunities across rural America.
    The final rule that published January 30, 2023, (88 FR 5724), 
included a 60-day comment period that ended on March 31, 2023. The 
intent of the changes outlined in the final rule was to remove outdated 
requirements and ensure that the requirements in the regulation are 
clear, accurate as presented, and in compliance with Federal reporting 
requirements. The Agency received comments from 3 respondents. 
Respondents included one telecommunications company and two industry 
associations The following are the comments received and the Agency's 
responses:
    Comment: Cimarron Telephone Company, LLC stated that the 
requirement to have a Tribal Resolution of Support be part of the 
ReConnect Program application may deter some potential applicants from 
the program. The respondent also states that this could lessen the 
amount of rural Americans receiving any service or lessen the chance 
that current services would be upgraded. The respondent offered 
examples they personally experienced that lead them to encourage the 
Agency to change this requirement. The respondent recommends requiring 
the resolution to be submitted within 120 days of the applicant being 
selected for an award.
    Agency response: The Agency appreciates the comments provided by 
the respondent; however, it is a priority of this Administration that 
tribal sovereignty be respected by not imposing federal projects over 
tribal lands without their consent.
    Comment: NCTA--The internet and Telephone Association expressed 
appreciation for the work done by the Agency to streamline the 
requirements of the ReConnect Program. They also praised the Agency for 
its clarification of the Buy America requirements. The respondent also 
encourages the Agency to allow awardees to continue to use their parent 
entity's consolidated audit after an award is made, if applicable.
    Agency response: The Agency appreciates the comments provided by 
the respondent.
    Comment: NTCA--The Rural Broadband Association expressed concern 
about the impact of the Build America, Buy America Act on non-Federal 
entities who receive ReConnect Program funding. Additionally, the 
respondent offered data indicating that there would be strain on the 
supply chains which produce needed equipment for those non-Federal 
entities required to comply with the law. The respondent feels that 
there are two standards, depending on what type of organization your 
entity is, and that by treating all entities the same would make it 
easier for all companies to comply with the Build America, Buy America 
Act.
    Agency response: The Agency appreciates the comments provided by 
the respondent; however, the entity status for compliance with the 
Build America, Buy America Act is set in statute, whereas the RUS Buy 
American requirement applies to all entities also by statute. As such, 
the requested change is beyond the control of the agency.
    No change to the rulemaking is necessary. The RUS appreciates 
comments from interested parties. The Agency confirms the final rule 
without change.

Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11134 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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