Notice2026-03140
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
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
February 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this extension to a currently approved information collection package for the Broadband Technical Assistance Program (BTA Program). The BTA Program provides financial assistance to technical assistance providers and rural communities to promote the expansion of broadband service into unserved rural areas.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7429-7430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03140]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket No. RUS-26-TELECOM-0001]
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved
Information Collection
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
invites comments on this extension to a currently approved information
collection package for the Broadband Technical Assistance Program (BTA
Program). The BTA Program provides financial assistance to technical
assistance providers and rural communities to promote the expansion of
broadband service into unserved rural areas.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 20, 2026 to be
assured of consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adyam Negasi, Regulations Management
Division, Innovation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#60010419010d4e0e050701130920151304014e070f16"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2a4b4e534b4704444f4d4b59436a5f594e4b044d455c">[email protected]</span></a>. Telephone: (202) 221-9298.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB)
regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS
will submit to OMB for regular approval.
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information including validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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 may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal,
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. In the ``Search'' box, type in the Docket No. RUS-
26-TELECOM-0001. and click the ``Search'' button. From the search
results: click on or locate the document title and select the
``Comment'' button. To submit a comment: Insert comments under the
``Comment'' title. Information on using <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through
the site's ``FAQ'' link.
Title: Broadband Technical Assistance Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0160.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service administers the Broadband
Technical Assistance Program (BTA Program) as authorized pursuant to
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58). The
purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to technical
assistance providers and rural communities to promote the expansion of
broadband service into unserved rural areas. Program funds must be used
to support broadband technical assistance activities which include, but
are not limited to, project planning and community engagement,
operations support, financial sustainability, environmental compliance,
construction and engineering, accessing federal resources, and data
collection and reporting.
The reporting burden covered by this collection of information
consists of forms, documents and written burden to support a request
for funding for BTA Program assistance. This information collection
will be used to obtain information necessary to evaluate applications
to determine the eligibility of the applicant and the project for the
program and to qualitatively assess the project's technical and
financial merit to determine which projects should be funded.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 2.638 hours per response.
Respondents: Respondents for this data my include Tribes and Tribal
Entities, state or local governments, a
[[Page 7430]]
territory or possession of the United States, an institution of higher
learning, non-profit entities with 501(c)(3) IRS status, cooperatives
or mutual organizations, corporations and limited liability companies
or limited liability partnerships.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 95.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 9.31.
Estimated Number of Responses: 885.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,335 hours.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Adyam
Negasi, Rural Development Innovation Center, Regulations Management
Division, at (202) 221-9298. All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments
will also become a matter of public record.
Karl Elmshaeuser,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03140 Filed 2-17-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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