ELIGIBILITY OF EMPLOYEES OF STATE, COUNTY, OR AREA COMMITTEE FOR LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES.

SEC. 5321. ELIGIBILITY OF EMPLOYEES OF STATE, COUNTY, OR AREA COMMITTEE FOR LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES. Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981-2008j) is further amended by adding at the end the following: “SEC. 377. ELIGIBILITY OF EMPLOYEES OF STATE, COUNTY, OR AREA COMMITTEE FOR LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES. “(a) In General.—The Secretary shall not prohibit an employee of a State, county or area committee established under section 8(b)(5) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)) or an employee of the Department of Agriculture from obtaining a loan or loan guarantee under subtitle A, B or C ot this title. “(b) Approvals.— “(1) County or area office.—In the case of a loan application from an employee in a county or area office, the Farm Service Agency State office shall be responsible for reviewing and approving the application. “(2) State office.—In the case of a loan application from an employee of a State office, the Farm Service Agency national office shall be responsible for reviewing and approving the application.”.