[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18038-18039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7700]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Farm Service Agency Notice of Request for Extension of a 
Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCIES: 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 Agencies intention to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection in support of the programs 
for Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement Statement.''

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 7, 2004 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gale Richardson, Loan Specialist, 
Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, Rural Housing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Mail STOP 0783, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0783, Telephone 202-720-1459. (This is not a toll 
free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement Statement.''
    OMB Number: 0575-0088.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension of a 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, required 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

[[Page 18039]]

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 the Agencies financed real estate 
transactions.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .50 hours per response.
    Respondents: Settlement Agents, Closing Attorneys, and Title 
Insurance Companies performing the closing of the Agencies loans and 
credit sales.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 14,909.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 14,909.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,455 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Givelekin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0039.

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 Tracy 
Givelekin, Regulation and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Rural Development, Stop 0742, 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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 3, 2004.
Arthur A. Garcia,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

    Dated: February 29, 2004.
James Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 04-7700 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-U