Notice2023-21907
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 4, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture Department
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68559-68561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21907]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments
are requested regarding: whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility; the
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments regarding this information collection received by November
2, 2023 will be considered. Written
[[Page 68560]]
comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection
should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on
the following website <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this
particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day
Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 4280--Common Forms Package for Financial Assistance
Forms for Loans/Grants.
OMB Control Number: 0575-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service
(RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter
referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural
development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency
offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and
support economic development and essential services such as housing;
health care; first responder services and equipment; and water,
electric and communications infrastructure.
The Authorities that allow the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service
(RUS), Agencies within Rural Development (RD) are as follows:
The RHS is authorized under various sections of Title V of the
Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide financial assistance to
construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings,
which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to
eligible individuals in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, as amended, authorizes the credit programs of the RHS,
RBCS and RUS to provide financial assistance for essential community
facilities such as construction of community facilities and water and
waste systems; and the improvement, development, and financing of
businesses, industries, and employment.
Need and Use of the Information: The information will be collected
through the use of forms that can be accessed electronically (or in
hard copy) for use as attachments to financial assistance applications.
The information is collected once and is not typically shared, unless
by a FOIA request. (USDA agencies and staff offices will have the
option of adding the forms to their individual application packages on
the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website that is managed by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. The formal process of having the forms added to
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> will occur after they are approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)).
Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits; Farms;
Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 1.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1910-B and C, Federal Debt and Employment Verification
Compliance Requirements.
OMB Control Number: 0575-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service
(RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter
referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural
development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency
offers offer loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and
support economic development and essential services such as housing;
health care; first responder services and equipment; and water,
electric and communications infrastructure on an equal opportunity
basis.
The information collection under OMB Number 0575-New will enable
the Agencies to effectively monitor a recipient's compliance with the
federal debt reporting and to determine employment verification and
eligibility for Federal financial assistance.
The Agencies offer supervised credit programs to build modest
housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. Section 517
(d) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provides the
authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to issue loan guarantees for
the acquisition of new or existing dwellings and related facilities to
provide decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and other
structures in rural areas.
Need and Use of the Information: This information collection will
be utilized by the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and
Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS), Agencies
within Rural Development (RD) for various loan and grant making
activities. Information requested can include financial documents such
as confirmation of household income, assets and liabilities, a credit
record, evidence the borrower has adequate repayment ability for the
loan amount requested and if the condition and location of the property
meet program guidelines. All information is necessary to confirm the
borrower qualifies for all assistance for which they are eligible.
Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits; Not-
for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 4.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1927--Common Forms Package for Real Estate Title
Clearance and Loan Closing.
OMB Control Number: 0575-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service
(RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter
referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural
development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency
offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and
support economic development and essential services such as housing;
health care; first responder services and equipment; and water,
electric and communications infrastructure.
The Authorities that allow the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service
(RUS), Agencies within Rural Development (RD) are as follows:
The RHS is authorized under various sections of Title V of the
Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide financial assistance to
construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings,
which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to
eligible individuals in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, as amended, authorizes the credit programs of the RHS,
RBCS and RUS to provide financial assistance for essential community
facilities such as construction of community facilities and water and
waste systems; and the improvement, development, and financing of
businesses, industries, and employment.
[[Page 68561]]
In several sections of both acts, the policies and responsibilities
including the collection and use of information necessary to complete
real estate title clearance and loan closing are prescribed. Also, the
Secretary is authorized to prescribe regulations to ensure that Federal
funds are not wasted or dissipated and that construction will be
undertaken economically and will not be of elaborate or extravagant
design or materials.
Information for the RD forms and their usage in this collection
package are included in this supporting statement.
Need and Use of the Information: The required information is
collected by the Closing Agent/Attorney and the field office staff.
Forms and/or guidelines are provided to assist in the collection and
submission of this information. Most of these forms collect information
that is standard in the industry and do not entail additional burdens
on the public beyond the time needed to review and understand the forms
and fill them out.
Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 1.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1942, Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions for Loan and
Grant Agreement Common Forms Package.
OMB Control Number: 0575-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service
(RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter
referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural
development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency
offers offer loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and
support economic development and essential services such as housing;
health care; first responder services and equipment; and water,
electric and communications infrastructure.
The Authorities that allow the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service
(RUS), Agencies within Rural Development (RD) are as follows:
The RHS is authorized under various sections of Title V of the
Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide financial assistance to
construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings,
which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to
eligible individuals in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, as amended, authorizes the credit programs of the RHS,
RBCS and RUS to provide financial assistance for essential community
facilities such as construction of community facilities and water and
waste systems; and the improvement, development, and financing of
businesses, industries, and employment.
In several sections of both acts, loan limitations are established
as percentages of development costs, requiring careful monitoring of
those costs. Also, the Secretary is authorized to prescribe regulations
to ensure that Federal funds are not wasted or dissipated. The
information collection under OMB Number 0575-New will enable the
Agencies to effectively monitor a recipient's compliance with the
conditions set forth in the loan and/or grant agreement.
The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1936(b) to
make or guarantee loans to eligible entities (Indian tribes, public
agencies, cooperatives and nonprofit corporations) so that loans will
be provided to individuals and entities for the purposes that
predominantly serve communities in rural areas and promote community
development, establish new businesses, establish and support
microlending programs and create or retain employment opportunities.
The Agencies are required to provide Federal financial assistance
through its housing and community and business programs. The laws
implemented in 7 CFR part 1942, require the recipients of RD Federal
financial assistance to collect various types of information.
Recipients of awards are required to submit reporting and payment
request information to facilitate monitoring of the award and
disbursement of funds.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is of
such type and nature that the use of improved information technology,
such as data and word processing would not significantly reduce the
public burden. Information for each loan/grant application is unique
and, therefore, cannot take significant advantage of this technology.
Forms have been automated and are available on the USDA Service Center
website. Provision of information is faster, however the time for
electronic input roughly equals the time for handwriting the form.
Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits; Farms;
Not-for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 1.
Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-21907 Filed 10-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 4, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.