The definitions in this section apply to this subpart.

Act. The Federal Crop Insurance Act, 7 U.S.C. 1501-1524.

Approved insurance provider. A private insurance company that has been approved by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to sell and service Federal crop insurance policies under a reinsurance agreement with FCIC.

FAA. The Federal Arbitration Act found at 9 U.S.C. 1 et seq.

FCIC. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, a wholly owned government corporation within the United States Department of Agriculture.

NAD. The USDA National Appeals Division. See 7 CFR part 11.

Participant. Any applicant for Federal crop insurance, an insured, or approved insurance provider or their agent, loss adjuster, employee or contractor.

Procedure. All FCIC issued handbooks, manuals, memoranda, and bulletins for any crop insurance policy reinsured by FCIC.

Proceeding. The process that starts with the filing of a complaint, notice of appeal, or other such document that commences the appeals process, and ends with the adjudicatory body issuing its decision, and includes all necessary activities, such as discovery, that occur within that time frame.

RMA. The Risk Management Agency, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.

[83 FR 66581, Dec. 27, 2018, as amended at 90 FR 54530, Nov. 28, 2025; 91 FR 16155, Apr. 1, 2026]