RUS Seeks Input on Interim Broadband Program Changes, Invites Applications

The Rural Utilities Service is seeking comment by Sept. 28 on an interim rule incorporating 2014 Agricultural Act ("Farm Bill") changes to its rural broadband loan and loan guarantee program. The comments are to help guide RUS in writing final rules implementing the statutory changes, the agency said, publishing the interim rule in Thursday's Federal Register. RUS was required to incorporate the Farm Bill changes before accepting new applications. In a companion notice, the agency said it was accepting applications through Sept. 30 for the broadband program for FY 2015. The interim rule changes include: (A) setting the minimum level of broadband service initially at 4/1 Mbps; (B) new RUS efforts to determine if an incumbent broadband service provider is present in proposed funding area, which "is critical to whether a loan is eligible for the program"; (C) removing the definition of "underserved" and defining "unserved" as a household or area that isn't offered broadband service, with all proposed funded service areas required to have at least 15 percent unserved households; (D) lending term modifications intended to help loan applications aimed at serving areas with at least 50 percent unserved households; and (E) a requirement that applications be evaluated and prioritized at least twice a year.