
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC950aaa-3]

 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
 CHAPTER 31A--TELEMEDICINE AND DISTANCE LEARNING SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS
 
Sec. 950aaa-3. Administration


(a) Nonduplication

    The Secretary shall ensure that facilities constructed using 
financial assistance provided under this chapter do not duplicate 
adequate established telemedicine services or distance learning 
services.

(b) Loan maturity

    The maturities of cost of money loans shall be determined by the 
Secretary, based on the useful life of the facility being financed, 
except that the loan shall not be for a period of more than 10 years.

(c) Loan security and feasibility

    The Secretary shall make a cost of money loan only if the Secretary 
determines that the security for the loan is reasonably adequate and 
that the loan will be repaid within the period of the loan.

(d) Encouraging consortia

    The Secretary shall encourage the development of consortia to 
provide telemedicine services or distance learning services through 
telecommunications in rural areas served by a telecommunications 
provider.

(e) Coordination with other agencies

    The Secretary shall coordinate, to the extent practicable, with 
other Federal and State agencies with similar grant or loan programs to 
pool resources for funding meritorious proposals in rural areas.

(f) Informational efforts

    The Secretary shall establish and implement procedures to carry out 
informational efforts to advise potential end users located in rural 
areas of each State about the program authorized by this chapter.

(Pub. L. 101-624, title XXIII, Sec. 2334, as added Pub. L. 104-127, 
title VII, Sec. 704, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1111.)


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 950aaa-3, Pub. L. 101-624, title XXIII, Sec. 2334, 
Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4019; Pub. L. 103-354, title II, 
Sec. 235(b)(4)(B), (C), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3221, 3222, contained 
provisions relevant to telecommunications programs, prior to the general 
amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 104-127.
