[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 86 (Monday, May 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25561-25562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10161]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Information Collection; Certified State Mediation Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested 
individuals and organizations on an extension with a revision of a 
currently approved information collection that supports the Certified 
State Mediation Program. The information collection is necessary to 
ensure that the grant program is administered properly. The collection 
of information is used to determine whether participants meet the 
eligibility requirements to be a recipient of grant funds. Lack of

[[Page 25562]]

adequate information to make the determination could result in the 
improper administration of Federal grant funds.

DATES: We will consider comments we receive by July 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your 
comments, include date, volume and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to: www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Gene Christie, Senior Loan Officer, USDA, FSA, Stop 
0521, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    You may also send comments to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may 
be requested by contacting Gene Christie at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Christie; (202) 690-2517.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Certified State Mediation Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0165.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2014.
    Type of Request: Extension with revision.
    Abstract: FSA administers the Certified State Mediation Program 
according to Subtitles A and B of Title V of the Agricultural Credit 
Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5106). The number of state-certified mediation 
programs has remained stable for several years, and the current 
submission eliminates collections that are no longer applicable. In 
particular, requests to add a new state-certified mediation program 
have not been received in several years and are therefore removed from 
the time calculation.
    To effectively administer the Program, FSA requires an application 
for recertification, which includes submission of a letter from the 
State, and completion of a letter from the grantee, SF-424, SF-424A, 
SF-424B, and SF-425. In addition, approved grantees provide a mid-year 
report as well as an annual report that includes information on 
mediation services provided during the preceding Federal fiscal year, 
assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the State's Program, 
and any other matters related to the Program as the State elects to 
include. In addition, program participants complete SF-270 to request 
either advance funding or reimbursement of expenses already paid. The 
information requested is necessary for FSA to determine participants' 
eligibility and administer the Program efficiently and effectively. 
Lastly, the times included in previous requests were excessive; they 
have been adjusted accordingly to reflect current use.
    The formula used to calculate the total burden hours is estimated 
average time per response (includes travel times) hours/minutes times 
total annual responses. The estimated annual burden per respondent is 
different from the estimated average time per response because one or 
more forms are filed more than once a year.
    Estimated Annual Burden: The public reporting burden for this 
information collection is estimated to average 10 hours per 
unduplicated respondent.
    Respondents: State agencies, Universities, and Non-Profit 
Organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 37.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 222.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 1.66.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 370.
    We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information 
collection to help us to:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of FSA, including whether the information will 
have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of FSA's estimate of burden, including 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) 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.
    All responses to this notice, including name and addresses, when 
provided, will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed on April 25, 2014.
Juan M. Garcia,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2014-10161 Filed 5-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P