[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71407-71408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33056]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 22, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Program 
Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4034 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Certification of Authority.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0074.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages loan programs 
in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.) (RE Act). A major factor in managing loan programs 
is controlling the advance of funds. One reason to control funds is so 
that the actual borrowers get their money. The use of RUS Form 675 
allows this control to be achieved by providing a list of authorized 
signatures against which signatures requesting funds are compared. RUS 
Form 675 provides an effective control against the unauthorized release 
of funds by providing a list of authorized signatures. OMB Circular A-
123, Management Accountability and Control, states that information 
should be maintained on a current basis and that cash should be 
protected from unauthorized use. This

[[Page 71408]]

form allows borrowers to keep RUS up-to-date of any changes in 
signature authority and controls the release of funds only to 
authorized borrower representatives.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.1 of an hour per response.
    Respondents: Small businesses and organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 450.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 45.
    Copies of this information collection, and related form and 
instructions, can be obtained from Bob Turner, Program Development and 
Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-0696.
    Comments are invited on (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 assumption 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 respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology. Comments may be sent to F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., 
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Stop 1522, Room 4034 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
    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: December 14, 1999.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33056 Filed 12-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P