[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68559-68561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21907]


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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 www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. 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 Grants.gov website that is managed by the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services. The formal process of having the forms added to 
Grants.gov 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