[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 32608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2925]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service (RHS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA), 
USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agencies intention to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection in support of the programs 
for Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement Statement.''

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 13, 2007 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teresa Sumpter, Loan Specialist, 
Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, Rural Housing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Mail STOP 0783, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0783, Telephone 202-720-1485. (This is not a toll 
free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement Statement.''
    OMB Number: 0575-0088.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 30, 2007.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Agencies are requesting an extension of the OMB 
clearance for Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement Statement.'' The Real 
Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), as amended, required the 
disclosure of real estate settlement costs to home buyers and sellers. 
The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 
was instructed by the RESPA to develop a standard form for the 
statement of settlement costs to be used for all federally related 
transactions. Form RD 1940-59 is similar to the HUD-1 Settlement 
Statement used by HUD, the Veterans Administration, and the private 
mortgage industry, with some minor adaptations acceptable under RESPA.
    Form RD 1940-59 is completed by Settlement Agents, Closing 
Attorneys, and Title Insurance Companies performing the closing of RHS 
loans and credit sales used to purchase or refinance Section 502 
Housing, Rural Rental Housing, and Farm Labor Housing. The same parties 
performing the closing of FSA Farm Ownership loans and credit sales 
also complete the form. The information is collected to provide the 
buyer and seller with a statement detailing the actual costs of the 
settlement services involved in the Agencies financed real estate 
transactions.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .36 hours per response.
    Respondents: Settlement Agents, Closing Attorneys, and Title 
Insurance Companies performing the closing of the Agencies loans and 
credit sales.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,928.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.8.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 21,135.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,530 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita 
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0035.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agencies, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
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 to Renita Bolden, Regulation and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Stop 0742, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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.

    Dated: June 6, 2007.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

    Dated: June 6, 2007.
Glen L. Keppy,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 07-2925 Filed 6-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P