[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60115-60116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25147]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on this information collection for which approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 4, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA-RUS, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5164 South Building, Washington, 
DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4492. Fax: (202) 720-8435.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS 
is submitting to OMB for extension. Comments are invited on: (a) 
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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (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. Comments may be sent to: Thomas P. Dickson, Acting 
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA-RUS, STOP 
1522, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Fax: (202) 
720-8435.
    Title: 7 CFR part 1744-C, Advance and Disbursement of Funds--
Telecommunications.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0023.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection package.
    Abstract: The RUS manages the Telecommunications loan program in 
accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, and as prescribed by OMB Circular A-
129, Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables. In 
addition, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 
101-171) amended the RE Act to add Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, to 
provide 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. RUS 
therefore requires Telecommunications and Broadband borrowers to submit 
Form 481, Financial Requirement Statement. This form implements certain 
provisions of the standard Rural Utilities Service loan documents by 
setting forth requirements and procedures to be followed by borrowers 
in obtaining advances and making disbursements of loan funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.

[[Page 60116]]

    Respondents: Business or other for profit, not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 177.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,223 hours.

    Dated: September 29, 2015.
Brandon McBride,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-25147 Filed 10-2-15; 8:45 am]
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