[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11168-11169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05114]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 9, 2018.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to 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; and (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 April 
13, 2018 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 Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1901-E, Civil Rights Compliance Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0018.

[[Page 11169]]

    Summary of Collection: Rural Development (RD) is required to 
provide Federal financial assistance through its farmer, housing, and 
community and business programs on an equal opportunity basis. The laws 
implemented in 7 CFR 1901-E, require the recipients of Rural 
Development`s Federal financial assistance to collect various types of 
information by race, color, and national origin.
    Need and Use of the Information: RD will use the information to 
monitor a recipient's compliance with the civil rights laws, and to 
determine whether or not service and benefits are being provided to 
beneficiaries on an equal opportunity basis. This information is made 
available to USDA officials, officials of other Federal agencies and to 
Congress for reporting purposes. Without the required information, RD 
and its recipient will lack the necessary documentation to demonstrate 
that their programs are being administered in a nondiscriminatory 
manner and in full compliance with the civil rights laws.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Not-for-
profit institutions; Business or other for-profit; State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 27,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 542,369.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1951-E, Servicing of Community and Direct Business 
Programs Loans and Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0066.
    Summary of Collection: Rural Development (Agency) is the credit 
agency for agriculture and rural development for the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture. The Community Facilities program is authorized to make 
loans and grants for the development of essential community facilities 
primarily serving rural residents. The Direct Business and Industry 
Program is authorized to make loans to improve, develop, or finance 
business, industry, and employment, and improve the economic and 
environmental climate in rural communities. Section 331 and 335 of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, authorizes the 
Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Agency, to establish 
provisions for security servicing policies for the loans and grants in 
questions. When there is a problem, a recipient of the loan, grant, or 
loan guarantee must furnish financial information to aid in resolving 
the problem through reamortization, sale, transfer, debt restructuring, 
liquidation, or other means provided in the regulations.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Agency will use several 
different forms to collect information from applicants, borrowers, 
consultants, lenders and attorneys. This information is used to 
determine applicant/borrower eligibility and project feasibility for 
various servicing actions. The information enables field staff to 
ensure that borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan and grant 
funds for authorized purposes.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-
for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 154.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,540.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 3550--Direct Single Family Housing Loan and Grant 
Program, HB-1-3550, HB-2-3550.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0172.
    Summary of Collection: USDA Rural Development (RD) is committed to 
helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. RD's 
Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) offers a variety of programs to 
build or improve housing and essential community facilities in rural 
areas. The Housing Act of 1949 provides the authority for the RHS' 
direct single family housing loan and grant programs. The programs 
provide eligible applicants with financial assistance to own adequate 
but modest homes in rural areas. 7 CFR part 3550 sets forth the 
programs' policies and the programs' procedures can be found in its 
accompanying handbooks (Handbook-1-3550 and Handbook-2-3550). To 
originate and service direct loans and grants that comply with the 
programs' statute, policies, and procedures, RHS must collect 
information from low- and very low-income applicants, third parties 
associated with or working on behalf of the applicants, borrowers, and 
third parties associated with or working on behalf of the borrowers. 
RHS will collect information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to 
verify program eligibility requirements; continued eligibility 
requirements for borrower assistance; servicing of loans; eligibility 
for special servicing assistance such as: Payment subsidies, moratorium 
(stop) on payments, delinquency workout agreements; liquidation of 
loans; and, debt settlement. The information is used to ensure that the 
direct Single Family Housing Programs are administered in a manner 
consistent with legislative and administrative requirements. Without 
the information RHS would be unable to determine if a borrower would 
qualify for services or if assistance has been granted to which the 
customer would not be eligible under current regulations and statutes.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 106,300.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 315,570.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-05114 Filed 3-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P