[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15300-15301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7037]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Revision and Extension of 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

[[Page 15301]]

notice announces the intent of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request 
revision and extension of currently approved information collections 
used in support of FSA's Farm Loan Programs (FLP). The renewal includes 
revisions to information collections resulting from the new Low-
Documentation Direct Operating Loan application process which will be 
published under a separate Federal Register publication titled, 
``Implementation of Lo-Documentation Direct Operating Loan (Lo-Doc) 
Regulations.'' Lo-Doc makes the Direct Operating Loan program 
application process more consistent with the guaranteed loan program 
and standard industry practices. Loan processing will be more efficient 
and less time consuming.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before May 22, 
2000 to be assured consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Quayle, Senior Loan Officer, 
USDA, Farm Service Agency, Loan Making Division, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW, STOP 0522, Washington, D.C. 20250-0522; Telephone (202) 
690-4018; Electronic mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Receiving and Processing 
Applications.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0178.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Revision and Extension of Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under OMB Control Number 0560-
0178 is used in processing applications for direct FLP loans. 
Specifically, the Agency uses the information in making eligibility and 
financial feasibility determinations for direct operating, farm 
ownership, and emergency loans, as authorized under the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act. The specific information collected is 
business and entity supporting documentation on organizational 
structure and financial information, documentation of farm experience 
and training, verification that the applicant is unable to obtain 
credit elsewhere, historical financial and production records, and 
copies of any lease agreements or legal descriptions of real estate 
they own. Regulations are being revised under a separate Federal 
Register publication to implement a Lo-Doc application process which 
will decrease collections required from applicants requesting operating 
loans of $50,000 or less, or recurring annual operating loans. Lo-Doc 
will decrease the burden on both FSA employees and customers. 
Specifically, for Lo-Doc application processing only the entity 
supporting documentation information from this collection may be 
required.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4.2 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses or others for 
profit, and farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 34,970.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.03.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 147,551.
    Comments are sought on these requirements including: (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 through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collections techniques or other forms of information technology.
    These 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 Cathy Quayle, USDA, FSA, Farm 
Loan Programs, Loan Making Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 
0522, Washington D.C. 20250-0522. Copies of the information collection 
may be obtained from Cathy Quayle at the above address.
    Comments regarding paperwork burden will be summarized and included 
in the request for OMB approval of the information collection. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed in Washington, D.C., on March 13, 2000.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 00-7037 Filed 3-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P