U.S. CODE

U.S. Code

§ 493. Reduction of unpaid principal

(a) In general

The Secretary of Agriculture may, on the application of the borrower of a loan or loans made under sections 488 to 494 of this title, reduce the unpaid principal balance of such loan or loans to the current fair market value of the land purchased with the proceeds of the loan or loans if—

(1) the fair market value of the land has declined by at least 25 percent since such land was purchased by the borrower;

(2) the land has been held by the borrower for a period of at least 5 years; and

(3) the Secretary of the Interior finds that the borrower has insufficient income to both repay the loan or loans and provide normal tribal governmental services.

(b) Fair market value

(1) Appraisal

Current fair market value under subsection (a) of this section shall be determined through an appraisal by an independent qualified fee appraiser, selected by mutual agreement between the borrower and the Secretary of Agriculture.

(2) Costs

The cost of appraisals undertaken under paragraph (1) shall be paid by the borrower.

Decisions of the Secretary of Agriculture under this section shall be appealable in accordance with the provisions of section 333B ^[1] of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b).

(d) Future applications

A borrower that had a loan or loans reduced under this section shall not submit an application for another reduction on such loan or loans for a period of 5 years after the initial reduction.

[1] See References in Text note below.

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