[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 71 (Thursday, April 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 18894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9046]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 71 / Thursday, April 12, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 18894]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service (RHS) 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 Rural Housing Service's intention to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
the program for Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement Statement''.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 11, 2001 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teresa Sumpter, Loan Specialist, 
Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, RHS, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 0783, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250, telephone 202-720-1485.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement Statement''.
    OMB Number: 0575-0088.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2001.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Agencies are requesting an extension of the OMB 
clearance for Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement Statement.'' The Real 
Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), as amended, requires the 
disclosure of real estate settlement costs to home buyers and sellers. 
The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 
was instructed by the RESPA to develop a standard form for the 
statement of settlement costs to be used for all federally related 
transactions. Form RD 1940-59 is similar to the HUD-1 Settlement 
Statement used by HUD, the Veterans Administration, and the private 
mortgage industry, with some minor adaptations acceptable under RESPA.
    Form RD 1940-59 is completed by Settlement Agents, closing 
attorneys, and title insurance companies performing the closing of RHS 
loans and credit sales used to purchase or refinance section 502 
Housing, Rural Rental Housing and Farm Labor Housing. The same parties 
performing the closing of FSA Farm Ownership loans and credit sales 
also complete the form. The information is collected to provide the 
buyer and seller with a statement detailing the actual costs of the 
settlement services involved in certain Agency financed real estate 
transactions.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Settlement Agents, Closing Attorneys, and Title 
Insurance Companies performing the closing of Agency loans and credit 
sales.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 17,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.4.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 29,000.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jean 
Mosley, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 690-0041.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agencies, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' 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 Jean 
Mosley, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 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.

    Dated: March 26, 2001.
James C. Alsop
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
    Dated: April 2, 2001.
James R. Little,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 01-9046 Filed 4-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P