[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18069-18070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8417]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public comment period on the 
information collection requests (ICRs) associated with crop insurance 
policies administered by Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC).

DATES: Written comments on this notice will be accepted until close of 
business June 4, 2001.

[[Page 18070]]


ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
the Director, Product Development Division, Federal Crop Insurance 
Corporation, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 6501 
Beacon Drive, Kansas City, MO 64133.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Clauser, Supervisory Insurance 
Management Specialist, Research and Development, Product Development 
Division, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, at the Kansas City, MO 
address listed above, telephone (816) 926-7730.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Multiple Peril Crop Insurance.
    OMB Number: 0563-0053.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2001.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: FCIC is renewing the currently approved information 
collection package number 0563-0053. It is currently up for renewal and 
extension for three years. FCIC is conducting a thorough review of 
information collections associated with its crop insurance policies. 
FCIC is using data elements in this renewal package instead of form 
standards. The information collected by FCIC allows it to provide an 
actuarially sound insurance program for producers and increases 
producers' risk management options. The information is collected by 
insurance companies reinsured by FCIC, crop insurance agents, and FCIC. 
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation requires several data elements 
to be reported to them. This information comes from the producer 
applying for crop insurance, the insurance company accepting and 
issuing crop insurance policies and determining insurance coverage, 
premiums, the amount of production and loss, and indemnities. This data 
is used to administer the Federal crop insurance program in accordance 
with the Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended.
    The collections identified in this notice also provide FCIC with 
data for establishing new and different types of insurance coverage or 
crop options to increase insurance protection. Policy provisions and 
options permit producers to personalize their insurance coverage 
through written agreements which allow deviations from the written 
policy. Producer may elect exclusion for hail and fire or high risk 
land, etc.
    Since crops differ significantly, FCIC customizes its required 
information collections for each crop that it insures. The type and 
amount of information determined by FCIC as necessary to establish and 
maintain the crop insurance program must also be reasonable, and FCIC 
must take into consideration the time and cost to producer, insurance 
providers, insurance agents, and loss adjusters. FCIC is reviewing the 
burden calculation in preparation of applying for renewal of OMB 
approval of its information collections.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend 
its approval of our use of this information collection activity for an 
additional 3 years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
concerning this information collection activity. These comments will 
help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.4 hours per response.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Parties affected by the information 
collection requirements included in this Notice are producers, 
insurance companies reinsured by FCIC, and insurance agents.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,304,390.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.6.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 3,345,415.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,194,316.
    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 in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2001.
Phyllis W. Honor,
Acting Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 01-8417 Filed 4-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P