[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37112-37113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14844]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 114 / Tuesday, June 13, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 37112]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS), and Farm Service Agency (FSA), USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the above-named Agencies to request 
an extension for a currently approved information collection in support 
of debt settlement of Community and Business Programs Loans.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 14, 2000, to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For inquiries on the Information 
Collection Package, contact Tracy Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork 
Management Branch, (202) 692-0039. For program content, contact Joseph 
Ben-Israel, Senior Loan Specialist, Community Programs, RHS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW, Mail Stop 0787, Washington, DC 20250-0787, 
Telephone (202) 720-1490, E-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR part 1956, subpart C Debt Settlement-Community and 
Business Programs.
    OMB Number: 0575-0124.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The following Community and Business Programs loans and 
grants are debt settled by this currently approved docket (0575-0124). 
The Community Facilities loan and grant program is authorized by 
Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, 
and Indian tribes for the development of essential community facilities 
primarily serving rural residents.
    The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, title 3 (Pub. L. 88-452), 
authorizes Economic Opportunity Cooperative loans to assist 
incorporated and unincorporated associations to provide low-income 
rural families essential processing, purchasing, or marketing services, 
supplies, or facilities.
    The Food Security Act of 1985, section 1323 (Pub. L. 99-198), 
authorizes loan guarantees and grants to Nonprofit National 
Corporations to provide technical and financial assistance to for-
profit or nonprofit local businesses in rural areas.
    The Business and Industry program is authorized by section 310 B (7 
U.S.C. 1932) (Pub. L. 92-419, August 30, 1972) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act to improve, develop, or finance business, 
industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental 
climate in rural communities, including pollution abatement and 
control.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, section 310 B(c) 
(7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorizes Rural Business Enterprise Grants to 
public bodies and nonprofit corporations to facilitate the development 
of private businesses in rural areas.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, section 310 
B(f)(i) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorized Rural Cooperative Development 
Grants to nonprofit institutions for the purpose of enabling such 
institutions to establish and operate centers for rural cooperative 
development.
    The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is authorized by 25 U.S.C. sections 
488-494, to make loans through its Indian tribal land loan program to 
individuals, tribes, or tribal corporations within tribal reservations 
and Alaskan communities. The authority for FSA to make loans for 
grazing, irrigation and drainage, and farm ownership recreation loans 
is provided by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1926 sections 330-381).
    The purpose of the debt settlement function for the above programs 
is to provide the delinquent client with an equitable tool for the 
compromise, adjustment, cancellation, or charge-off of a debt owed to 
the Agency. The information collected is similar to that required by a 
commercial lender in similar circumstances.
    Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, 
borrowers, consultants, lenders, and attorneys.
    Failure to collect information could result in improper servicing 
of these loans.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 8.08 hours per response.
    Respondents: Public bodies and nonprofit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 14.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 622 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, (202) 692-0039.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 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 Tracy 
Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20250. 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.

[[Page 37113]]


    Dated: May 24, 2000.
James C. Kearney,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
    Dated: May 10, 2000.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Dated: May 23, 2000.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 00-14844 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-U