[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 53315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25552]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in 
support of the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 30, 1999, 
to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Bonnet, Senior Commercial Loan 
Specialist, Business Programs Processing Division, Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 3221, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3221, Telephone (202) 720-
1804, E-mail ``[email protected]''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Guaranteed Loanmaking--Business and Industry Loans.
    OMB Number: 0570-0017.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The purpose of the program is to improve, develop, or 
finance businesses, industries, and employment and improve the economic 
and environmental climate in rural communities. This purpose is 
achieved through bolstering the existing private credit structure 
through the guaranteeing of quality loans made by lending institutions, 
thereby providing lasting community benefits. This subpart contains 
requirements applicable to Business and Industry Loan Program loans 
administered by the Agency.
    Information being collected from lenders on guaranteed loan 
borrowers is typically collected by lenders. There are no new data 
collection requirements contained in the renewal notice. In contrast to 
the burden package approved in 1996, the estimates no longer include 
burden hours for customary and usual business practices. However, the 
total burden hours are higher because of a significant increase in the 
program funding level.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.4 hours per response.
    Respondent: Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,350.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 6,350.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 21,385 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RBS's estimate of the burden of the proposed 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 are to 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 to Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0742. 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.

    Dated: September 15, 1999.
William F. Hagy III,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25552 Filed 9-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P