[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 30857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8318]


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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. 71, No. 104 / Wednesday, May 31, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 30857]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 24, 2006.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Use of Consultants Funded by Borrowers, 7 CFR 1789.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0115.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture that makes mortgage 
loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, telecommunications, and 
water and waste facilities in rural areas. The loan programs are 
managed in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, and as prescribed by Office of 
Management and Budget Circular A-129, Policies for Federal Credit 
Programs and Non-Tax Receivable, which states that agencies must, based 
on a review of a loan application, determine that an applicant complies 
with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements 
for loan assistance. RUS has the authority to use consultants 
voluntarily funded by borrowers for financial, legal, engineering, and 
other technical services. However, all RUS borrowers are eligible to 
fund consultant services but are not required to fund consultants.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine whether it is appropriate to use a consultant voluntarily 
funded by the borrower to expedite a particular borrower application. 
If the information were not submitted, RUS would be unable to determine 
if using a consultant would accelerate the specific application 
process.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency Of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-8318 Filed 5-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P