[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 118 (Thursday, June 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36830-36831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13182]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket #RHS-20-CF-0014]


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an

[[Page 36831]]

extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
the program for Fire and Rescue Loans.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 17, 2020 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Bennett, Rural Development 
Innovation Center, Regulations Management Division, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0793, Room 4015 South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-0793. Telephone: (202) 720-9639. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 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 approval. 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 by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 
http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and 
Federal Actions'' box, select ``Rural Housing Service'' from the agency 
drop-down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, 
select RHS-20-CF-0014 to submit or view public comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information 
on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing 
documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close 
of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' 
link.
    Title: Fire and Rescue Loans.
    OMB Number: 0575-0120.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Fire and Rescue Loan program is authorized by Section 
306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) 
to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, and Indian 
tribes for the development of community facilities for public use in 
rural areas and is covered by 7 CFR 1942-C. The primary regulation for 
administering the Community Facilities program is 7 CFR 1942-A (OMB 
Number 0575-0015) that outlines eligibility, project feasibility, 
security, and monitoring requirements.
    The Community Facilities fire and rescue program has been in 
existence for many years. This program has financed a wide range of 
fire and rescue projects varying in size and complexity from 
construction of a fire station with fire fighting and rescue equipment 
to financing a 911 emergency system. These facilities are designed to 
provide fire protection and emergency rescue services to rural 
communities.
    Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, 
borrowers, and consultants. This information will be used to determine 
applicant/borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and to ensure 
borrowers operate on a sound basis and use funds for authorized 
purposes. Failure to collect proper information could result in 
improper determination of eligibility, improper use of funds, and/or 
unsound loans.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.10 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions, State, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.75.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 3,746.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,881 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela 
Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center, Regulations Management 
Division, at (202) 720-9639. All responses to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments 
will also become a matter of public record.

Bruce Lammers,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-13182 Filed 6-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P