[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29703-29704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14268]


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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, this 
notice announces the intention of Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request 
extension for and revision to the Power of Attorney and Power of 
Attorney for Husband and Wife provisions. This information is collected 
in support of programs administered by FSA. The Power of Attorney 
collection information is being separated from inclusion with several 
other unrelated

[[Page 29704]]

forms previously cleared under OMB 0560-0004 to eliminate confusion 
with other requirements and to provide clear information specifically 
for the authorization of Power of Attorney.

DATEs: Comments on this notice must be received on or before August 1, 
1997 to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Joanne Franta, Agricultural 
Program Specialist, Compliance and Production Adjustment Division, 
USDA, FSA, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 
20250-0517, (202)720-5103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION OR COMMENTS:

    Title: Power of Attorney.
    OMB Number: 0560-0004.
    Expiration Date: June 30, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Producers may file Power of Attorney information 
authorizing someone to act for the producer under a variety of programs 
administered by FSA. A Power of Attorney form is completed once and 
remains in full force and effect until written notice of its revocation 
has been duly served upon FSA. This one-time collection supports all 
FSA requirements for Power of Attorney authorization. The authority 
granted by a Power of Attorney is valid in all counties of the United 
States unless otherwise noted. Completion of a Power of Attorney form 
grants the attorney authority to act with respect to actions involving 
FSA. The Power of Attorney, Form FSA-211, grants to the attorney full 
authority with respect to programs and records to complete FSA 
transactions(s). Such programs and records for which a Power of 
Attorney may be used are determined by FSA. The Form FSA-211-1 is used 
by one spouse to grant signing authority for another for such programs 
and records as determined by FSA. These forms provide a service to 
producers who are not always able to be present to sign documents. They 
save the producers the legal fees associated with obtaining a power of 
attorney and protect the government and producers from an unauthorized 
individual signing on behalf of the producer.
    Estimate of Burden. Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response for either 
the FSA-211 or FSA-211-1.
    FSA-211, Power of Attorney:
    Respondents: Individual producers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 125,000 hours.
    FSA-211-1, Power of Attorney for Husband and Wife:
    Respondents: Spouse.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 25,000 hours.
    Proposed topics for comment include: (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 collected; 
or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the 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 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 Joanne Franta, Agricultural Program Specialist, USDA, 
Farm Service Agency, Compliance and Production Adjustment Division, 
STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0517, 
(202) 720-5103.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on May 13, 1997.
Richard O. Newman,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 97-14268 Filed 5-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P