Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 110 Part 1.djvu/1133

 PUBLIC LAW 104-127—APR. 4, 1996 110 STAT. 1109 "(1) CONSTRUCT.— The term 'construct' means to construct, acquire, install, improve, or extend a facility or system. "(2) COST OF MONEY LOAN.— The term 'cost of money loan' means a loan made under this chapter bearing interest at a rate equal to the then current cost to the Federal Government of loans of similar maturity. "(3) SECRETARY.— The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture. "SEC. 2333. TELEMEDICINE AND DISTANCE LEARNING SERVICES IN 7 USC 950aaa-2. RURAL AREAS. "(a) SERVICES TO RURAL AREAS. —The Secretary may provide financial assistance for the purpose of financing the construction of facilities and systems to provide telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas. "(b) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. — "(1) IN GENERAL.—Financial assistance shall consist of grants or cost of money loans, or both. "(2) FORM.—The Secretary shall determine the portion of the financial assistance provided to a recipient that consists of grants and the portion that consists of cost of money loans so as to result in the maximum feasible repayment to the Federal Government of the financial assistance, based on the ability to repay of the recipient and full utilization of funds made available to carry out this chapter. "(c) RECIPIENTS.— " (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide financial assistance under this chapter to— "(A) entities using telemedicine services or distance learning services; and "(B) entities providing or proposing to provide telemedicine service or distance learning service to other persons at rates calculated to ensure that the benefit of the financial assistance is passed through to the other persons. "(2) ELECTRIC OR TELECOMMUNICATIONS BORROWERS. — " (A) LOANS TO BORROWERS. —Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may provide a cost of money loan under this chapter to a borrower of an electric or telecommunications loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.). A borrower receiving a cost of money loan under this paragraph shall— "(i) make the funds provided available to entities that qualify under paragraph (1) for projects satisfying the requirements of this chapter; "(ii) use the funds provided to acquire, install, improve, or extend a system referred to in subsection (a); or "(iii) use the funds provided to install, improve, or extend a facility referred to in subsection (a). "(B) LIMITATIONS.—^A borrower of an electric or telecommunications loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 shall— "(i) make a system or facility funded under subparagraph (A) available to entities that qualify under paragraph (1); and

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