(a) In generalSubject to subsection (c) and such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may make loans under this subchapter to entities eligible to borrow from the Rural Utilities Service, State or local governments, Indian tribes (as defined in section 5304 of title 25), or other public entities for facilities and equipment to expand or improve in rural areas—(1) 911 access;
(2) integrated interoperable emergency communications, including multiuse networks that provide critical transportation-related information services in addition to emergency communications services;
(3) homeland security communications;
(4) transportation safety communications; or
(5) location technologies used outside an urbanized area.
(b) Loan securityGovernment-imposed fees related to emergency communications (including State or local 911 fees) may be considered to be security for a loan under this section.
(c) Emergency communications equipment providersThe Secretary may make a loan under this section to an emergency communication equipment provider to expand or improve 911 access or other communications or technologies described in subsection (a) if the local government that has jurisdiction over the project is not allowed to acquire the debt resulting from the loan.
(d) Authorization of appropriationsThe Secretary shall use to make loans under this section any funds otherwise made available for telephone loans for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2023.
Structure US Code
CHAPTER 31— RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELEPHONE SERVICE
SUBCHAPTER III— RURAL ELECTRIC AND TELEPHONE DIRECT LOAN PROGRAMS
§ 930. Congressional declaration of policy
§ 931. Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund
§ 931a. Level of loan programs under Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund
§ 932. Liabilities and uses of Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund
§ 933. Moneys in the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund
§ 935. Insured loans; interest rates and lending levels
§ 936b. Sale or prepayment of direct or insured loans
§ 936c. Refinancing and prepayment of FFB loans
§ 936d. Eligibility of distribution borrowers for loans, loan guarantees, and lien accommodations
§ 936e. Administrative prohibitions applicable to certain electric borrowers
§ 936f. Substantially underserved trust areas
§ 937. Loans from other credit sources
§ 938. Full faith and credit of the United States
§ 939. Loan terms and conditions
§ 940. Refinancing of rural development loans
§ 940c. Cushion of credit payments program
§ 940c–1. Guarantees for bonds and notes issued for electrification or telephone purposes
§ 940c–2. Rural development loans and grants
§ 940e. Expansion of 911 access
§ 940f. Extension of period of existing guarantee