Application Fast Track Pilot Program-Extension, 79504-79505 [2024-22353]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Farm Service Agency

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79504-79505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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: [email protected]. 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 https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/USDA-service-centers.

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 https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint 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: [email protected].
    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