[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27919-27920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13639]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural-Business Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; Comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's intention to 
request a reinstatement of an information collection in support of the 
program for ``Rural Development Loan Servicing.''

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 20, 1998, to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David W. Lewis, Loan Specialist, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 
USDA, Stop 3224, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-3224, 
Telephone: (202) 690-0797.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Rural Development Loan Servicing.
    OMB Number: 0570-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement of Information Collection.
    Abstract: This regulation is for servicing and liquidating loans 
made by

[[Page 27920]]

the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), under the Intermediary 
Relending Program (IRP) to eligible IRP intermediaries and applies to 
ultimate recipients and other involved parties. This regulation is also 
for servicing the existing Rural Development Loan Fund (RDLF) loans 
previously approved and administered by the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) under 45 CFR part 1076. The objective of the 
IRP is to improve community facilities and employment opportunities and 
increase economic activity in rural areas by financing business 
facilities and community development. This purpose is achieved through 
loans made by RBS to intermediaries that establish programs for the 
purpose of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business 
facilities and community development. The regulations contain various 
requirements for information from the intermediaries and some 
requirements may cause the intermediary to require information from 
ultimate recipients. The information requested is vital to RBS for 
prudent loan servicing, credit decisions and reasonable program 
monitoring. The provisions of this subpart supersede conflicting 
provisions of any other subpart.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.02 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit corporations, public agencies, and 
cooperatives.
    Estimated number of Respondents: 420.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 9.96.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 12,675 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RBS 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 Cheryl Thompson, Regulations 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: May 14, 1998.
Wilbur T. Peer,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13639 Filed 5-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-M