[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 124 (Friday, June 26, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 38358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13750]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-20-TELECOM-0024]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; comment requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Rural Housing Service (RHS) invites comments on this information 
collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) will be requested. The intention is to request a revision for a 
currently approved information collection in support of the program for 
Telecommunications System Construction Policies and Procedures.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 25, 2020 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Jones, Rural Development 
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 2445, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250. Telephone: (202) 772-1172. Email [email protected].

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 RHS 
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 by the following method:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal 
Actions'' box, select ``Rural Utilities Service'' from the agency drop-
down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select 
RUS-20-TELECOM-0024 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: Telecommunications System Construction Policies and 
Procedures.
    OMB Number: 0572-0059.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2020.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the programmatic interest of the 
RE Act, and, in order to assure that loans made or guaranteed by the 
Agency are adequately secured, the Agency, as a secured lender, has 
established certain forms for materials, equipment and construction of 
electric and telecommunications systems. The use of standard forms, 
construction contracts, and procurement procedures helps assure the 
Agency that appropriate standards and specifications are maintained, 
the Agency's loan security is not adversely affected; and the loan 
response. In an effort to improve customer service provided to RUS 
rural borrowers, the Agency continues to revise, consolidate, and/or 
streamline its current contracts and contracting procedures.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3 hours per response.
    Respondents: Public bodies, not for profits, or Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 572.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,233 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Robin M. 
Jones, Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, at (202) 
772-1172, Email: [email protected].
    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.

Chad Rupe,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-13750 Filed 6-25-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P