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###### Department of Agriculture

###### Rural Utilities Service

          - [Docket No. RUS-22-TELECOM-0021]

# AGENCY:

Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

# ACTION:

Notice; comment requested.

# SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the above-named agency to request Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for an extension of a currently approved information collection in support of RUS Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers.

# DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by August 16, 2022.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Susan Woolard, Management Analyst, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-9631. Email                         *susan.woolard@usda.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an existing information collection that the Agency is submitting to OMB for extension.

## Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 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 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 by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to                     *http://www.regulations.gov*                     and, in the lower “Search Regulations and Federal Actions” box, select “RUS” from the agency drop-down menu, then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select [RUS-22-TELECOM-0021] to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using                     *Regulations.gov,*                     including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link.                

*Title:*                     Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     0572-0031.                

*Type of Request:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection.                

*Abstract:*                     The Operating Report for Telecommunications Borrowers and the Operating Report for Broadband Borrowers—which includes reports submitted by borrowers under the Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee Program as well as the Broadband Initiatives Program, are required by the loan contract and provide RUS with vital financial information necessary to ensure the maintenance of the security for the Government's loans and service data which enable RUS to ensure the provision of quality telecommunications and broadband service as mandated by the RE Act of 1936 [7 CFR 1738.154(e), 1744.209(b), and                     *Appendix to Subpart C of Part 1770, 106.B.*]. In addition, for telecommunications loans, the Operating Report is the basis for developing an applicant's current financial condition, upon which financial and service projections are based when determining the feasibility of a loan application [7 CFR 1737.70(g)].                

*Estimate of Burden:*                     Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 4 hours per response.                

*Respondents:*                     Businesses, not-for-profit institutions and others.                

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     242.                

*Total Annual Responses:*                     1,668.                

*Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent:*                     6.89.                

*Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:*                     6,711 hours.                

                    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Susan Woolard, Management Analyst, Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, at (202) 720-9631. Email:                     *susan.woolard@usda.gov.*

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.

Christopher A. Mclean,

Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

[FR Doc. 2022-13102 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P