```

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 165 (Monday, August 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48385-48386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18583]

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

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 (1) 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; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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 
September 29, 2021 will be considered. Written 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/

[[Page 48386]]

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.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

    Title: 7 CFR part 15 subpart D--Data Collection Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 0503-0022.
    Summary of Collection: Under 7 CFR 15d.4(5) The Office of Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) shall require agencies to collect 
the race, ethnicity, and gender (REG) of applicants and program 
participants, who choose to provide such information on a voluntary 
basis. Currently, Section 14006 of the 2008 Farm Bill requires the 
Secretary of Agriculture to annually compile for each county and state 
in the United States program application and participation rate of 
socially-disadvantaged farmers or ranchers for each program of USDA 
that serves agricultural producers or landowners.
    Need and Use of the Information: The requested information will 
help USDA better determine if programs and services are reaching the 
needs of the public, beneficiaries, recipients, partners, and other 
stakeholders and supports USDA's planning, outreach, and compliance 
efforts. The uniform collection of REG data allows USDA to administer 
programs from a proactive rather than a reactive position and enables 
the Department to assess the accomplishments of program delivery 
mandates and objectives. Moreover, when allegations of disparate 
treatment or service arise, it provides USDA the ability to determine 
the validity of alleged discrimination complaints and resolve conflicts 
and issues in an expeditious manner. Failure to collect this 
information will have a negative impact on USDA's outreach and 
compliance activities.
    Description of Respondents: Producers, applicants, and USDA 
customers.
    Number of Respondents: 1,200.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (once).
    Total Burden Hours: 40.

    Dated: August 25, 2021.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-18583 Filed 8-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-9R-P
```