[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 33 (Friday, February 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 7438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3163]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 33 / Friday, February 19, 2010 / 
Notices  

[[Page 7438]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 12, 2010.
    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: Request for Release of Lien and/or Approval of Sale
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0041
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. RUS 
manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act 
(RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended (RE Act). A 1949 
amendment to the RE Act established the telephone program in RUS with 
the purpose of making loans to furnish and improve rural telephone 
service. Section 201 of the RE Act provides that loans shall not be 
made unless RUS finds and certifies that the security for the loan is 
reasonably adequate and that the loan will be repaid within the time 
agreed. In addition to providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS 
main objectives is to safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid.
    Need and Use of the Information: A borrower's assets provide the 
security for a Government loan. The selling of assets reduces the 
security and increases the risk of loss to the Government. A borrower 
seeking permission to sell some of its assets uses RUS Form 793. The 
form contains detailed information regarding the proposed sale. If the 
information in Form 793 is not collected when capital assets are sold, 
the capital assets securing the Government's loans could be liquidated 
and the Government's security either eliminated entirely or diluted to 
an undesirable level. This increases the risk of loss to the Government 
in the case of a default.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
local or Tribal government
    Number of Respondents: 40
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion
    Total Burden Hours: 110

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1738, Rural Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0130
    Summary of Collection: Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act), provides 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 in State and territories of the 
United States. The regulation prescribes the types of loans available, 
facilities financed and eligible applicants, as well as minimum credit 
support requirements considered for a loan. In addition, Title VI of 
the RE Act requires that Rural Utilities Service (RUS) make or 
guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance that the loan, 
together with all outstanding loans and obligations of the borrower, 
will be repaid in full within the time agreed.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine whether an applicant's eligibility to borrow from RUS under 
the terms of the RE Act and that the applicant complies with statutory, 
regulatory and administrative eligibility requirements for loan 
assistance. RUS will use the information to determine that the 
Government's security for loans made are reasonable, adequate and that 
the loans will be repaid within the time agreed.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions
    Number of Respondents: 40
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion
    Total Burden Hours: 13,480

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-3163 Filed 2-18-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P