[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47373-47374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19451]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


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. This 
information collection is used to support the USDA service center 
agencies (FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural 
Development) in conducting business and accepting signatures on certain 
documents via telefacsimile.

DATE: Comments on this notice must be received on or before October 2, 
2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Virgil Ireland, Agricultural Program 
Specialist, Emergency Preparedness and Program Branch, Production, 
Emergencies, and Compliance Division, FSA, at (202) 720-5103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Facsimile Signature Authorization and Verification.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0203.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Persons wanting to conduct business and provide certain 
signed documents to the USDA service center agencies via telefacsimile 
machines must complete a FSA-237, Facsimile Signature Authorization and 
Verification, form. The FSA-237 serves as evidence that the person is 
willing to conduct business and provide signed documents through 
telefacsimile machines. The FSA-237 also provides the agencies a source 
to authenticate signatures and transactions in the event of errors or 
fraud that require legal remedies. The information collected on the 
FSA-237 is limited to the person's name, signature, and identification 
number. Persons must agree to the terms and conditions of conducting 
business via telefacsimile machines. Without the

[[Page 47374]]

collection of this information, USDA service center agencies cannot 
ensure the authenticity of signatures received via telefacsimile unless 
they are supplemented with the original signature.
    Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average .02 hours per 
response.
    Respondents: Individuals who have signature authority for 
themselves and/or also for partnerships, corporations, tribes, and 
other legal entities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,598,266.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: Collection of 
the information is a one-time occurrence. The FSA-237 will be 
maintained indefinitely.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondent: Collection of the 
information is a one-time occurrence with an estimated reporting burden 
of .02 hours per response.
    Proposed topics for comment include: (a) whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the USDA service center the agency's estimate of burden, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) methods to 
enhance the usefulness of the information collected; (d) accepting 
electronic signatures via the internet; or (e) ways to minimize the 
burden of the collection of the information on those who respond. 
Comments must be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503, and to Virgil Ireland, Agricultural Program 
Specialist, USDA-FSA-PECD, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 720-5103; or telefacsimile (202) 
690-3610. Copies of the information collection may be obtained from Mr. 
Ireland at the above address.
    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.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on July 24, 2000.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 00-19451 Filed 8-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P