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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 103771-103772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30217]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service

Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY: Economic Research Service (ERS), US Department of Agriculture 
(USDA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to request renewal of currently approved 
information collection; request to comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. 
L. 104-12), this notice announces the intention of the Economic 
Research Service (ERS) to request extension of a currently approved 
information collection, the Generic Clearance for Survey Research 
Studies, OMB Number 0536-0073.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 18, 
2025 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to 
[email protected] and [email protected] identified by docket number 
0536-0073.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Julie 
Parker at [email protected] or 202-868-7945.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of collection: Generic Clearance for Survey Research Studies.
    OMB Control Number: 0536-0073.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2025.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Extend an Information 
Collection for 3 Years.
    Abstract: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-13) and OMB regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, 
August 29, 1995), this notice announces the ERS' intention to request 
renewal of approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
a generic clearance that will allow ERS to rigorously develop, test, 
and evaluate its survey methodologies, instruments, and administration. 
The mission of ERS is to provide economic and other social science 
information and analysis for public and private decisions on 
agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural America. This request 
is part of an on-going initiative to improve ERS data product quality, 
as recommended by both its own guidelines and those of OMB. The purpose 
of this generic clearance is to allow ERS to evaluate, adopt, and use 
state-of-the-art and multi-disciplinary research to improve and enhance 
the quality of its current data collections. This clearance will also 
be used to aid in the development of new surveys. It will help to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. ERS 
envisions using a variety of survey improvement techniques, as 
appropriate to the individual project under investigation. These 
include focus groups, market

[[Page 103772]]

analysis, cognitive and usability laboratory and field techniques, 
exploratory interviews, behavior coding, and respondent debriefing. 
Following standard OMB requirements, ERS will inform OMB individually 
in writing of the purpose, scope, time frame, and number of burden 
hours used for each survey improvement or development project it 
undertakes under this generic clearance. ERS will also provide OMB with 
a copy of the data collection instrument (if applicable), and all other 
materials describing the project.
    Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of US 
Code (U.S.C.) 7 U.S.C. 2204(a) General duties of Secretary, advisory 
functions, research and development and 7 U.S.C 6971, Under Secretary 
of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, as implemented 
under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 7 CFR 2.21 which delegates 
to the Under Secretary, as Chief Scientist, the responsibility for 
agricultural systems and technology, including emerging agricultural 
research, education, and extension needs. The data collected are for 
nonstatistical purposes and not for public dissemination. ERS intends 
to protect respondent information under the Privacy Act of 1974, 
Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, and 7 U.S.C. 2276.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for these collections 
of information is estimated to average from .5 to 2 hours per 
respondent, depending upon the information collection and the technique 
used to test for that particular collection.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, farms, and businesses or 
other for-profits.
    Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 1,815.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,630 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of ERS, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of ERS's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, use, and clarity of the information for respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology; 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.

Spiro Stefanou,
Administrator, Economic Research Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2024-30217 Filed 12-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P
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