[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 17, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50743-50744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20280]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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. 158 / Tuesday, August 17, 2010 / 
Notices  

[[Page 50743]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 11, 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 Housing Service

    Title: Real Estate Title Clearance and Loan Closing--7 CFR 1927-B.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0147.
    Summary of Collection: Rural Housing Service is a credit agency for 
the Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers a supervised credit 
program to build family farms, modest housing, sanitary water and sewer 
systems, essential community facilities, businesses and industries in 
rural areas. Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (CONTACT), 7 U.S.C. 1926.a (as amended), authorizes RUS to make 
loans to public agencies, American Indian Tribes, and non-profit 
corporations. The loans fund the development of drinking water, 
wastewater, and solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas with 
populations of up to 10,000 residents. Section 501 of Title V of the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provides authorization to extend 
financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace or 
rehabilitate dwellings and to provide decent, safe and sanitary living 
conditions in rural areas. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized 
to prescribe regulations to ensure that these loans, made with Federal 
funds, are legally secured.
    Need and Use of the Information: The approved attorney/title 
company (closing agent) and the field office staff collect the required 
information. Forms and or guidelines are provided to assist in the 
collection, certification and submission of this information. Most of 
these forms collect information that is standard in the industry. If 
the information is collected less frequently, the agency would not 
obtain the proper security position on the properties being taken as 
security and would have no evidence that the closing agents and agency 
meet the requirements of these regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 18,410.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,395.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: Direct Single Family Housing Loan and Grant Program, 7 CFR 
3550,
    HB-1-3550, HB-2-3550.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0172.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is a credit 
agency for rural housing and community development within the Rural 
Development mission area of the Department of Agriculture. Section 501 
of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, authorizes the 
Secretary of Agriculture to administer such programs and to prescribe 
regulations to ensure that these loans and grants provided with Federal 
Funds are made to eligible applicants for authorized purposes, and that 
subsequent servicing and benefits provided to borrowers are consistent 
with the authorizing statute. RHS offers a supervised credit program to 
extend financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, 
replace or rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, 
safe, and sanitary housing to eligible individuals living in rural 
areas. To assist individuals in obtaining affordable housing, a 
borrower's house payment may be subsidized to an interest rate as low 
as 1%. The information requested by RHS is vital to be able to process 
applications for RHS assistance and make prudent credit and program 
decisions. RHS will collect information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to 
verify program eligibility requirements; continued eligibility 
requirements for borrower assistance; servicing of loans; eligibility 
for special servicing assistance such as: payment subsidies, moratorium 
(stop) on payments, delinquency workout agreements; liquidation of 
loans; and, debt settlement. The information is used to ensure that the 
direct Single Family Housing Programs are administered in a manner 
consistent with legislative and administrative requirements. Without 
the information RHS would be unable to determine if a borrower would 
qualify for services or if assistance has been granted to which the 
customer would not be eligible under current regulations and statutes.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.

[[Page 50744]]

    Number of Respondents: 200,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 612,076.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: Non-Profit Customer Voluntary Survey on the Equal Treatment 
Rule.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0192.
    Summary of Collection: In accordance with the Government 
Performance and Results Act and Executive Order 13280, Responsibilities 
of the Department of Agriculture and the Agency for International 
Development With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the 
survey will measure Rural Development's implementation of and 
compliance with the Equal Treatment Rule (7 CFR part 16) as well as 
implement action plans and measure improvements. The 14 Rural 
Development programs under the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives 
provide insured or guaranteed loans and/or grants to eligible 
applicants (including non-profit entities) located in rural geographic 
areas to assist them in providing services to beneficiaries, low-income 
individuals and communities.
    Need and Use of the Information: To facilitate improved participant 
outcome, and in an effort to continuously improve program services, the 
survey can measure impediments that applicants may have encountered 
when they submitted an application. The outcome of the Voluntary Survey 
on the Equal Treatment Rule will provide the general satisfaction level 
among non-profit borrowers throughout the nation, highlight areas that 
need improvement, provide a benchmark for future surveys, and 
improvement in implementation of and compliance with the Equal 
Treatment Rule.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: One time.
    Total Burden Hours: 320.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-20280 Filed 8-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XT-P