[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34246-34247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13548]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 11, 2008.
    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

[[Page 34247]]

the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1980-E, Business and Industry Loan Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0014.
    Summary of Collection: Section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (Con Act), legislated in 1972 the Business and 
Industry (B&I) program. The purpose of the program is to improve, 
develop, or finance businesses, industries, and employment and improve 
the economic and environmental climate in rural communities, including 
pollution abatement and control. This purpose is achieved through 
bolstering the existing private credit structure by making direct 
loans, thereby providing lasting community benefits. The B&I program is 
administered by the Agency through Rural Development State and sub-
State Offices serving the State.
    7 CFR part 1980-E, in conjunction with 7 CFR part 1942-A, and other 
regulations, is currently used only for making B&I Direct Loans. 7 CFR 
part 1951-E is used for servicing B&I Direct and Community Facility 
loans. All reporting and recordkeeping burden estimates for making and 
servicing B&I Guaranteed Loans have been moved to the B&I Guaranteed 
Loan Program regulations, 7 CFR parts 4279-A and B and 4287-B. 
Consequently, only a fraction of the total reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for making and servicing B&I Direct Loans is reflected in this 
document.
    Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect the minimum 
information needed from loan applicants and commercial lenders to make 
determinations regarding program eligibility, the current financial 
condition of a business and loan security as required by the Con Act. 
The majority of the information is collected only once and the agency 
monitors the progress of the business through the analysis of annual 
borrower financial statements and visits to the borrower.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; State, Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 152.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 835.

Rural Business Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1951-R, Rural Development Loan Servicing.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0015.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Development (RD) Loan Servicing 
was legislated in 1985 under Section 1323 of the Food and Security Act 
of 1985. This action is needed to implement the provision of Section 
407 of the Health and Human Services Act of 1986, which amended Section 
1323 of the Food and Security Act of 1985. 7 CFR part 1951, Subpart R 
contains regulations for servicing and liquidating existing loans 
previously approved and administered by the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) under 45 CFR part 1076 and transferred from 
HHS to the Department of Agriculture. This subpart contains regulations 
for servicing and liquidating loans made by RD, successor to the 
Farmers Home Administration under the Intermediary Relending Program to 
eligible intermediaries and applies to ultimate recipients and other 
involved parties.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Intermediary will provide RD 
information from, i.e. assets and liabilities, income statement and a 
summary of its lending and guarantee program. The required financial 
information provided by the Intermediary is vital to RD for the Agency 
to make sound credit and financial analysis decisions and monitor the 
program.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 420.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; quarterly; semi-
annually; annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 11,235.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-13548 Filed 6-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XT-P