Welcome to the FS Policy Report! Our goal is to provide weekly updates on Agency policy actions, including directives and regulations.

Recently issued directives:

Appraisal Handbook (FSH 5409.12)
The Appraisal Handbook was last revised Jan.30, 2005. The update aligns with the technical and legal requirements of the real estate appraisal industry, Department of Justice standards, and other federal agency policies regarding valuation services. Specifically, this 2021 update incorporates industry-wide appraisal policies, procedures and standards as outlined by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, Federal requirements as outlined by the Department of Justice Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions updated in 2016, and the Forest Service requirements as outlined in FSM 5410 which was updated in 2017. Chapter 60, Appraisal Contracting, is moved to Chapter 40, and Chapter 70, Appraisal Review, is moved to Chapter 50.

• FSH 5409.12 Table of Contents-Appraisal Handbook (7/21/2021)
• FSH 5409.12 Zero Code-Appraisal Handbook (7/21/2021)
• FSH 5409.12 Chapter 10-Principles & Procedures (7/21/2021)
• FSH 5409.12 Chapter 20-Appraisal Applications (7/21/2021)
• FSH 5409.12 Chapter 30-Appraisal Products (7/21/2021)
• FSH 5409.12 Chapter 40-Appraisal Contracting (7/21/2021)
• FSH 5409.12 Chapter 50-Appraisal Review (7/21/2021)

Directives published for public comment:
No new directives were published for public comment from the period of 07/20/2021 to 07/26/2021.

Regulatory actions:
No new regulatory actions were published from the period of 07/20/2021 to 07/26/2021.

Announcements:
There are no new announcements regarding upcoming events, but please continue to check this report weekly as new updates may be included in the future.

If you have questions or recommendations for Policy Report content that would be valuable to you and your colleagues, please contact Miranda Galadima (Miranda.galadima@usda.gov).