[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 125 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33485-33486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16354]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-13), this notice announces the Farm Service Agency's 
(FSA) intention to request an extension for and revision to an 
information collection currently approved for the farm credit 
programs guaranteed loan regulations of FSA, formerly administered 
by the USDA, Farmers Home Administration. These regulations are 
published under the authority of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act, as amended (CONACT).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before August 26, 
1996, to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Steven Ford, Senior Loan Officer, Farm Credit 
Programs, Farm Service Agency, USDA, P. O. Box 2415, AgBox 0522, 
Washington, D.C. 20013-2415; telephone (202) 720-3889.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Guaranteed Farm Credit Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0155.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Number 0560-0155, as identified above, is needed to enable 
FSA to effectively administer the guaranteed loan program under the 
CONACT.
    The Agency requires some of the information it collects to be 
reported in a standard manner. Although lending institutions generally 
require and collect information similar to that requested by FSA, there 
is a wide diversity in reporting practices. The Agency requires some 
information to be reported on standard forms in order to facilitate an 
effective and efficient decision making process.
    Respondents generally consist of farm operators applying for loans 
and lenders. Compliance with local, State, and Federal laws is 
required; and evidence of compliance with these laws may be required. 
Evidence of compliance with zoning ordinances, environmental standards, 
equal opportunity standards, historic preservation requirements, etc., 
may be required when warranted.
    The information collection required by this rule will be used by 
the Agency to approve or determine the need for loans and subordination 
in accordance with this rule. The Agency considers the information 
collected to be essential to prudent loan making decisions. Failure to 
make sound loans would jeopardize the Government's loan portfolio, 
result in large losses to both the borrower and the Government, and 
weaken the overall agricultural economy.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information 
collection is estimated to average .71 hours per response.
    Respondents: State or Federally chartered banks, Farm Credit System 
Institutions, and other lending institutions as well as farm operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 21,000 (3000 lenders; 18,000 loan 
applicants).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 9.17.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 192,625.
    Comments regarding (a) 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; (b) the 
accuracy of the Agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology should be sent to the Desk Officer for 
Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503 and to Steven Ford, 
Senior Loan Officer, Farm Credit Programs, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 
P. O. Box 2415, AgBox 0522, Washington, D.C. 20013-2415; telephone 
(202) 720-3889. Copies of the

[[Page 33486]]

information collection may be obtained from Steven Ford at the above 
address.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required to make a 
decision concerning the collection of information contained in these 
proposed regulations between 30 and 60 days after submission to OMB. 
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect 
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. This does not affect 
the deadline for the public to comment on the proposed regulation.
    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.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on June 20, 1996.
Bruce R. Weber,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 96-16354 Filed 6-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P