2025-04-18 | 2025-06748

Temporary Exceptions to FIRREA Appraisal Requirements in Los Angeles County as Affected by California Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds

The OCC, Federal Reserve Board, FDIC, and NCUA jointly issued a temporary order granting exceptions to FIRREA appraisal requirements for real estate-related financial transactions in Los Angeles County, California. The relief covers properties adversely affected by the January 2025 wildfires and straight-line winds, provided institutions confirm a binding funding commitment executed between January 8, 2025, and January 8, 2028, and verify that the property value supports the transaction. By easing appraisal mandates while preserving safety and soundness, the order accelerates disaster recovery with a fixed expiration date of January 8, 2028.

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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. Rules and Regulations Federal Register 16455 Vol. 90, No. 74 Friday, April 18, 2025 1 12 U.S.C. 3352. 2Press Release, FEMA (January 8, 2025), available at https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250109/ president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-major￾disaster-declaration-california. 3 Depository institutions include federally￾insured credit unions. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 12 CFR Part 34 [Docket ID OCC–2025–0003] FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Part 225 [Docket No. OP–1864] FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 12 CFR Part 323 RIN 3064–ZA46 NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR Parts 722 and 741 [Docket ID NCUA–2025–0039] Temporary Exceptions to FIRREA Appraisal Requirements in Los Angeles County as Affected by California Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Treasury; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), collectively referred to as the agencies. ACTION: Statement and order; temporary exceptions. SUMMARY: The Depository Institutions Disaster Relief Act of 1992 (DIDRA) authorizes the agencies to make exceptions to statutory and regulatory appraisal requirements under Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) relating to transactions involving real property located within an area in a State or territory declared to be a major disaster by the President. In this statement and order, the agencies exercise their authority to grant temporary exceptions to the FIRREA appraisal requirements for real estate￾related financial transactions, provided certain criteria are met, in Los Angeles County, California following the major disaster declared by the President as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds. The expiration date for the exceptions is January 8, 2028, which is 3 years after the date the President declared the major disaster. DATES: This order is effective on April 18, 2025 and expires 3 years after the date the President declared the relevant area a major disaster, which is January 8, 2028. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OCC: Kevin Lawton, Appraiser, Real Estate Specialist, Bank Supervision Policy, at (202) 649–6220; Mitchell Plave, Special Counsel, Chief Counsel’s Office, at (202) 649–5400; or Joanne Phillips, Counsel, at (202) 549–5400. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7–1–1 to access telecommunications relay services. Board: Devyn Jeffereis, Senior Financial Institution Policy Analyst II, Division of Supervision and Regulation at (202) 452–2729; Matthew Suntag, Special Counsel, Legal Division, at (202) 452–3694; or Trevor Feigleson, Senior Counsel, Legal Division, at (202) 452– 3274. For users of TTY–TRS, please call 711 from any telephone, anywhere in the United States. FDIC: Patrick J. Mancoske, Senior Examination Specialist, Division of Risk Management and Supervision, at (202) 898–7032, pmancoske@fdic.gov; Jamie Z. Goodson, Counsel, Legal Division at (202) 898–6685, jagoodson@fdic.gov; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20429. NCUA: Simon Hermann, Senior Credit Specialist, Office of Examination and Insurance, at (703) 518–6360; Robert Leonard, Compliance Officer, Office of General Counsel, (703) 518– 1143; Rachel Ackmann, Senior Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel, at (703) 548–2601; National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Statement Section 2 of DIDRA, which added section 1123 to Title XI of FIRREA,1 authorizes the agencies to make exceptions to statutory and regulatory appraisal requirements for certain transactions. These exceptions are available for transactions involving real property located in an area in which the President has determined a major disaster exists, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5170, provided that the exception would facilitate recovery from the major disaster and is consistent with safety and soundness. On January 8, 2025, the President declared that a major disaster existed in the State of California 2 due to damage resulting from wildfires and straight￾line winds beginning on January 7, 2025. The agencies have determined that granting relief from the appraisal requirements set forth in Title XI of FIRREA, and in the agencies’ appraisal regulations, for real estate-related financial transactions in Los Angeles County, California is consistent with the provisions of DIDRA. Facilitation of Recovery From the Major Disaster The agencies have determined that the disruption of real estate markets in the area designated as adversely affected by the major disaster interferes with the ability of depository institutions 3 to obtain appraisals that comply with Title XI statutory and regulatory requirements. Further, the agencies have determined that the disruption may impede institutions in making loans and engaging in other transactions that would aid in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected area. Accordingly, the agencies have determined that recovery from this major disaster would be facilitated by exempting certain transactions involving real estate located in the area designated as adversely affected by the wildfires and straight-line winds from the real estate appraisal requirements of VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:58 Apr 17, 2025 Jkt 265001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM 18APR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1

16456 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 74 / Friday, April 18, 2025 / Rules and Regulations 4 12 U.S.C. 3331–3355; 12 CFR 34.41 through 34.47 (OCC); 12 CFR part 225, subpart G (Board); 12 CFR part 323, subpart A (FDIC); 12 CFR part 722 (NCUA). 5This relief also includes loans modified during the effective period of this order. 6 12 U.S.C. 3352(b). 7Press Release, FEMA (January 8, 2025), available at https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250109/ president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-major￾disaster-declaration-california. 8This relief also includes loans modified during the effective period of this order. Title XI of FIRREA and its implementing regulations.4 Consistency With Safety and Soundness The agencies also have determined that the exceptions are consistent with safety and soundness, provided that the depository institution determines the following: (1) the transaction involves real property located in the area designated as adversely affected by the major disaster; (2) there is a binding commitment to fund the transaction 5 that was entered into on or after January 8, 2025, but no later than January 8, 2028; and (3) the value of the real property supports the institution’s decision to enter into the transaction. In addition, the transaction must continue to be subject to review by management and by the agencies in the course of examinations of the institution. Expiration Date Exceptions made under section 1123 of FIRREA may be provided for no more than 3 years after the President determines a major disaster exists in an area.6 Accordingly, the exceptions provided for by this order shall expire 3 years after the date the President declared a major disaster existed in Los Angeles County, California, which is January 8, 2028. Order In accordance with section 2 of DIDRA, relief is hereby granted from the provisions of Title XI of FIRREA and the agencies’ appraisal regulations for any real estate-related financial transaction that requires the services of an appraiser under those provisions, provided that the institution determines each of the following: (1) The transaction involves real property located in Los Angeles County,7 which has been designated as adversely affected by a major disaster by the President as a result of the wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on January 7, 2025. (2) There is a binding commitment to fund the transaction 8 that was entered into on or after January 8, 2025, but no later than January 8, 2028. (3) The value of the real property supports the institution’s decision to enter into the transaction. Rodney E. Hood, Acting Comptroller of the Currency. By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Ann E. Misback, Secretary of the Board. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. By order of the Board of Directors. Dated at Washington, DC, on April 9, 2025. Jennifer M. Jones, Deputy Executive Secretary. By order of the National Credit Union Administration Board. Dated at Alexandria, VA, this 10th day of April, 2025. Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks, Secretary of the NCUA Board. [FR Doc. 2025–06748 Filed 4–17–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6714–01–P; 7535–01–P; 4810–33–P; 6210–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2024–2425; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00967–R; Amendment 39–23009; AD 2025–07–07] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109C, A109E, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape on a batch of main rotor blades (MRBs). This AD requires repetitively tap inspecting certain MRBs and replacing those MRBs. This AD also prohibits installing those MRBs, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 2025. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 23, 2025. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2024–2425; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer￾Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@ easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. • You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2024–2425. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Huynh, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 983– 5288; email: frank.huynh@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109C, A109E, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2024 (89 FR 91291). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023–0159, dated August 10, 2023, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2023–0159) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a report was received of a quality escape on a batch of MRBs, where the tip cap had been replaced by following a procedure and using tools not in accordance with Leonardo Technical Publications. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively tap inspecting certain MRBs and replacing those MRBs. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing those MRBs. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent premature debonding of an MRB tip cap, which could lead to the loss of the MRB tip cap in flight, possibly resulting VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:58 Apr 17, 2025 Jkt 265001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM 18APR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1