[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 13894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6800]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 20, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4036 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-9550. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS 
is submitting to OMB for reinstatement.
    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: F. 
Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, Program Development and Regulatory 
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: 
(202) 720-4120.
    Title: 7 CFR 1744-C, Advance and Disbursement of Funds--
Telecommunications.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0023.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection package.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages the 
Telecommunications loan program in accordance with the Rural 
Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, 
and as prescribed by OMB Circular A-129, Policies for Federal Credit 
Programs and Non-Tax Receivables.
    In addition, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(Pub. L. 101-171) amended the RE Act to add title VI, Rural Broadband 
Access, to provide loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of 
construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment 
for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities. 
RUS therefore requires Telecommunications and Broadband borrowers to 
submit RUS Form 481, Financial Requirement Statement. This form 
implements certain provisions of the standard RUS loan documents by 
setting forth requirements and procedures to be followed by borrowers 
in obtaining advances and making disbursements of loan funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit, not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 815.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,660 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele 
Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 690-1078. 
FAX: (202) 720-4120.
    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 7, 2003.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-6800 Filed 3-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P