[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 26773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10419]


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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. 81, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / 
Notices  

[[Page 26773]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utility Service


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 28, 2016.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding (1) 
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; (2) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information to be collected; (4) 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 regarding this information collection received by June 3, 
2016 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 
725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to 
submit their comments to OMB via email to: [email protected] 
or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) 
may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    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: Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0031.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture. The Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq) 
authorizes the Secretary to make mortgage loans and loan guarantees to 
finance electric, telecommunications, broadband, and water and waste 
facilities in rural areas. In addition to providing loans and loan 
guarantees, one of RUS' main objectives is to safeguard loan security 
until the loan is repaid. The RE Act also authorizes the Secretary to 
make studies, investigations, and reports concerning the progress of 
borrowers' furnishing of adequate telephone service and publish and 
disseminate this information.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information from the Operating 
Report for both telecommunication and broadband borrowers provides RUS 
with vital financial information needed to ensure the maintenance of 
the security for the Government's loans and service data which enables 
RUS to ensure the provision of quality telecommunications and broadband 
service as mandated by the RE Act of 1936. Form 674, ``Certificate of 
Authority to Submit or Grant Access to Data'' will allow 
telecommunication and broadband borrowers to file electronic Operating 
Reports with the agency using the new USDA Data Collection System. 
Accompanied by a Board Resolution, it will identify the name and USDA 
e-Authentication ID for a certifier and security administrator that 
will have access to the system for purposes of filing electronic 
Operating Reports.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 647.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 8,525.

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: 100.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-10419 Filed 5-3-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P