RUS Seeks Comment on ReConnect Program Rules

The United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service seeks comment on its update of Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect Program) regulation to ensure that requirements are clear, accurate as presented, and in compliance with Federal reporting requirements. The changes to ReConnect rules include:

1. The definition of non-funded service area (NFSA) was updated to include telecommunications as well as broadband as a type of service. The program requires applicants to report revenues for all types of data, video, and/or voice services that are offered in the NFSA, so updating the definition should make it clearer that the revenues reported should be inclusive of all services.
2. Non-federal entities should submit a single audit for the previous year from the date the application is submitted while other entities will be required to submit a comparative audit. The language did not make it clear that non-federal entities that are subject to the Single Audit Act are only required to provide one year of audited financial statements during the years when they have received more than $750,000 in federal assistance.
3. Applicants must have Tribal consent from the appropriate Tribal official if services are proposed on or over Tribal Land.

: You may submit comments, identified by docket number RUS–22- Telecom-0056 and Regulatory Information Number (RIN) number 0572–AC62 through https:// www.regulations.gov  Comments due on or before March 31, 2023.