[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 40539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18021]



[[Page 40539]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Notice of Request for an Extension or Renewal of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department 
of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Office of the Assistant Secretary 
for Civil Rights (OASCR) to request a renewal of a currently approved 
information collection. OASCR will use the information collected to 
process Respondents' discrimination complaints about programs conducted 
or assisted by USDA.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 24, 2017 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights/Office of 
Compliance, Policy, and Training invites interested persons to submit 
comments on this notice. Comments may be submitted by 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 on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments.
    Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700, Mailstop 9401.
    Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700, Mailstop 9401.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights/Office 
of Compliance, Policy, and Training, Docket No. 0508-0002, Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, go 
to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights/Office of 
Compliance, Policy, and Training, Docket Room at 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700, Mailstop 9401, between 8:00 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Anna G. Stroman, Deputy 
Director, Office of Compliance, Policy, and Training, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250, (202) 205-5953 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form.
    OMB Number: OMB No. 0508-0002.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2017.
    Type of Request: Extension or renewal of the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form.
    Abstract: Under 7 CFR 15.6, ``Any person who believes himself/
herself or any specific class of individuals to be subjected to 
discrimination [in any USDA assisted program or activity] * * * may by 
himself/herself or by an authorized representative file * * * a written 
complaint.'' Under 7 CFR 15d.4, ``Any person who believes that he or 
she (or any specific class of individuals) has been, or is being, 
subjected to [discrimination in any USDA conducted program or activity] 
* * * may file on his or her own, or through an authorized 
representative, a written complaint alleging such discrimination.'' The 
collection of this information is an avenue by which the individual or 
his representative may file such a program discrimination complaint.
    The requested information, which can be submitted by filling out a 
form or by submitting a letter, is necessary in order for USDA OASCR to 
address the alleged discriminatory action. The Respondent is asked to 
state his/her name, mailing address, property address (if different 
from mailing address), telephone number, email address (if any) and to 
provide a name and contact information for the Respondent's 
representative (if any). A brief description of who was involved with 
the alleged discriminatory action, what occurred and when, is 
requested. In the event that the Respondent is filing the program 
discrimination complaint more than 180 days after the alleged 
discrimination occurred, the Respondent is asked to provide the reason 
for the delay.
    Finally, the Respondent is asked to identify which bases are 
alleged to have motivated the discriminatory action. The form explains 
that laws and regulations prohibit on the bases of race, color, 
national origin, age, sex, gender identity (including gender 
expression), disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital or 
familial status, or because all or part of the individual's income is 
derived from any public assistance program, but that not all bases 
apply to all programs.
    The program discrimination complaint filing information, which is 
voluntarily provided by the Respondent, will be used by the staff of 
USDA OASCR to intake, investigate, resolve, and/or adjudicate the 
Respondent's complaint. The program discrimination complaint form will 
enable OASCR to better collect information from complainants in a 
timely manner, therefore, reducing delays and errors in determining 
USDA jurisdiction.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average one hour per response.
    Respondents: Producers, applicants, and USDA customers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 141.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 141 hours.
    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 to Anna G. Stroman, 
Deputy Director, Office of Compliance, Policy, and Training, Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. 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 Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
become a matter of public record.

Winona Lake Scott,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
[FR Doc. 2017-18021 Filed 8-24-17; 8:45 am]
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