[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 245 (Monday, December 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76298-76299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29806]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection: Advisory Committee and Research and 
Promotion Background Information

AGENCY: Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
(USDA) intention to request an extension for and a revision to the 
currently approved Advisory Committee and Research and Promotion 
Background Information collection form. The revised form will now 
require applicants to indicate their lobbyist status. The primary 
objective is to determine the qualifications, suitability, and 
availability of a candidate to serve on advisory committees and/or 
research and promotion boards.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 20, 2015 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: USDA invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. Comments may be submitted through one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
     Mail, including CD-ROMs: White House Liaison Office, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., the Whitten 
Building, Room 507-A, Washington, DC 20250-3700. Hand- or courier-
delivered submittals: Deliver to White House Liaison Office, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., the Whitten 
Building, Room 507-A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or email must include the 
Agency name and docket number. Comments received in response to this 
notice will be made available for public inspection and posted without 
change, including any personal information, to http://www.regulations.gov.

[[Page 76299]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Cikena Reid, Committee 
Management Officer, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., the Whitten Building, Room 
507-A, Washington, DC 20250; telephone: 202-720-2406; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture's (USDA) intention to request an extension 
for and a revision to the Advisory Committee and Research and Promotion 
Background Information collection form. Federally registered lobbyists 
are permitted to serve on advisory committees and boards as 
``representatives.'' Therefore, the revised form will now require 
applicants to indicate their lobbyist status. The primary objective is 
to determine the qualifications, suitability, and availability of a 
candidate to serve on advisory committees and/or research and promotion 
boards.
    Title: Advisory Committee and Research and Promotion Background 
Information.
    OMB Number: 0505-0001.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2015.
    Type of Request: Extension and Revision of a currently approved 
information collection document.
    Abstract: The primary objective is to determine the qualifications, 
suitability, and availability of a candidate to serve on advisory 
committees and/or research and promotion boards. The information will 
be used both to conduct background clearances on the candidates and to 
compile annual reports regarding membership.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2419.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One (1).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1210.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments may be sent Cikena Reid, Committee Management Officer, 
Office of the White House Liaison, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., the 
Whitten Building, Room 507-A, Washington, DC 20250; fax: 202-720-9286; 
or email: [email protected]. Comments must be postmarked 10 
business days prior to the deadline to ensure timely receipt.
    All comments received will be available for public inspection 
during regular business hours at the same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Signed: December 11, 2014.
Thomas J. Vilsack,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2014-29806 Filed 12-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P