[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 68 (Friday, April 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 18274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8679]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension 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 Farm Service Agency's (FSA) intention to request 
an extension for a currently approved information collection in support 
of the program for Guaranteed Farm Loans.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 6, 2000 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phillip Elder, Senior Loan Officer, 
USDA, FSA, Farm Loan Programs, Loan Servicing Division, STOP 0523, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0523, telephone (202) 690-
4012 or Electronic mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: (7 CFR part 762) Guaranteed Farm Loans
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0155.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Section 309(h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1929(h)) authorizes the Secretary of 
Agriculture to guarantee loans for CONACT purposes made by legally 
authorized lending agencies to eligible farmers and ranchers. FSA must 
assure that farmers and ranchers, joint operators, farm cooperatives, 
private domestic corporations and partnerships that are controlled by 
farmers and ranchers engaged primarily and directly in farming or 
ranching in the United States comply with CONACT requirements and 
implementing regulations at 7 CFR part 762 in order to obtain the 
requested assistance. A guaranteed farm ownership loan applicant, for 
example, must be a citizen of the United States; own and operate or 
become the owner and operator of not larger than a family size farm; 
and be unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere at reasonable rates 
and terms. The reporting and record keeping requirements imposed on the 
public by regulations set out in 7 CFR part 762 are necessary to 
administer the Farm Loan Programs (FLP) guaranteed loan program in 
accordance with the statutory requirements listed above and are 
consistent with commonly performed lending practices. Periodic 
collection of information after loans are made is necessary to protect 
the Government's financial interest. The information is stored in the 
FSA county office loan files or state office lender files.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 46 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses or other for 
profits, and farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 14,500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 20.24.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 293,538.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 226,935 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the subject Agency, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency'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 should be sent to the Desk Office for Agriculture, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, D.C. 20503 and to Phillip Elder, Senior Loan Officer, USDA, 
FSA, Farm Loan Programs, Loan Servicing Division, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW, STOP 0523, Washington, D.C. 20250-0523.
    Comments regarding paperwork burden will be summarized and included 
in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter 
of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2000.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 00-8679 Filed 3-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P