[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 54200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23529]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Information Collection; Guaranteed Farm Loan Programs

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested 
individuals and entities on the extension and revision of currently 
approved information used in support of the guaranteed Farm Loan 
Programs (FLP). The collection of information is intended to reduce 
paperwork burden on program participants and agency employees, make 
assistance available to more farmers, reduce the costs of the program, 
and enhance the fiscal integrity of the program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before November 
17, 2003 to be assured consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Tracy 
L. Jones, Senior Loan Officer, USDA Farm Service Agency, Loan Making 
Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0522, Washington, DC 
20250-0522, and to: the Desk Office for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503. Comments may be submitted by email to: [email protected]. Copies of the information collection may be 
obtained by contacting Tracy Jones.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Jones, Loan Making Division, 
(202) 720-3889.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR 762--Guaranteed Farm Loans.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0155.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension and Revision to a Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under OMB Control Number 0560-
0155 is needed to effectively administer the FSA guaranteed farm loan 
programs. The information is collected by the FSA loan official in 
consultation with participating commercial lenders. The basic objective 
of the guaranteed loan program is to provide credit to applicants who 
are unable to obtain credit from lending institutions without a 
guarantee. The reporting requirements imposed on the public by the 
regulations at 7 CFR part 762 are necessary to administer the 
guaranteed loan program in accordance with statutory requirements of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and are consistent with 
commonly performed lending practices. Collection of information after 
loans are made is necessary to protect the Government's financial 
interest.
    Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for the 
collection of information in this regulation is estimated to average 
0.7535 hours per response. Respondents: Commercial Banks, Farm Credit 
System, farmers and ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,500 lenders, 9,000 loan 
applicants.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 49.90 per lender, 
2.14 per loan applicant.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 221,360.
    Comment is invited on: (a) Whether collection of information is 
necessary for the above stated purposes and the proper performance of 
FSA, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden, including the validity 
of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information being 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.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the Office of Management 
and Budget Approval.

    Signed in Washington, DC on September 9, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-23529 Filed 9-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P