[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 36454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13102]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

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


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; comment requested.

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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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#54272127353a7a233b3b3835263014212730357a333b22"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8cbcdcbd9d696cfd7d7d4d9cadcf8cdcbdcd996dfd7ce">[email protected]</span></a>.

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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fa898f899b94d48d9595969b889eba8f899e9bd49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c2f292f3d32722b3333303d2e381c292f383d723b332a">[email protected]</span></a>.
    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


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