PUBLIC LAW 104-127—APR. 4, 1996 110 STAT. 1149 Subtitle C—Amendments to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 SEC. 771. PURPOSES; INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS. Section 2 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 902) is amended— (1) by striking "SEC. 2. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture is" and inserting the following: "SEC. 2. GENERAL AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. "(a) LOANS.— The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this Act as the 'Secretary*) is"; (2) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking "and the furnishing" the first place it appears and all that follows through "central station service"; and (B) by striking "systems; to make" and all that follows and inserting "systems."; and (3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: "(b) INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS.— The Secretary may make, or cause to be made, studies, investigations, and reports regarding matters, including financial, technological, and regulatory matters, affecting the condition and progress of electric, telecommunications, and economic development in rural areas, and publish and disseminate information with respect to the matters.". SEC. 772. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 903) is amended to read as follows: "SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. "There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.". (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— (1) Section 301(a) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 931(a)) is amended— (A) by striking "(a)" the first place the term appears; and (B) in paragraph (3), by striking "notwithstanding section 3(a) of title I,". (2) Section 302(b)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 932(b)(2)) is amended by striking "pursuant to section 3(a) of this Act". (3) The last sentence of section 406(a) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 946(a)) is amended by striking "pursuant to section 3(a) of this Act". SEC. 773. LOANS FOR ELECTRICAL PLANTS AND TRANSMISSION LINES. Section 4 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 904) is amended— (1) in the first sentence— (A) by striking "for the furnishing of and all that follows through "central station service and"; and (B) by striking "the provisions of sections 3(d) and 3(e) but without regard to the 25 per centum limitation therein contained," and inserting "section 3,";
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