[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 143 (Friday, July 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44850-44851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16041]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

July 21, 2020.
    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: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; 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 August 
24, 2020 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    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: 7 CFR part 1744, subpart B, Lien Accommodations and 
Subordination Policy.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0126.
    Summary of Collection: The information collected in this 
information collection package is received from RUS telecommunications 
borrowers. The policy of considering Lien Accommodations will continue 
to facilitate funding from non-agency sources in order to meet the 
growing capital needs of rural Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). 
Depending on the purposes for which a lien accommodation is sought, RUS 
will utilize the information to provide an expedited approval for 
borrowers that meet the financial tests described in this rule. RUS 
believes that borrowers that are financially sound should be afforded 
more flexibility with regard to financial arrangements with outside 
lenders for the purpose of promoting rural telecommunications. The 
tests are designed to ensure that the financial strength of the 
borrower is more than sufficient to protect the government's loan 
security interests; hence, the lien accommodations will not adversely 
affect the government's financial interests.
    Need and Use of the Information: In order to facilitate 
supplemental financing for telecommunications services projects, RUS 
provides fast track lien accommodations to private lenders who propose 
to lend to RUS borrowers who meet certain financial strength 
evaluations. Depending on the purposes for which a lien accommodation 
is sought, RUS will use the information to provide expedited approval 
for borrowers that meet the financial tests. The tests are designed to 
ensure that the financial strength of the borrower is more than 
sufficient to protect the government's loan security interests; hence, 
the lien accommodations will not adversely affect the government's 
financial interests.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR part 1752, Special Servicing of Telecommunication 
Programs Loans for Financially Distressed Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0153.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the 
Agency) Telecommunications Program (Program) provides loan funding to 
build and expand broadband and telecommunications services into 
unserved and underserved rural communities, along with very limited 
funding to support the costs to acquire equipment to provide distance 
learning and telemedicine service. RUS published a Final rule codifying 
a new servicing regulation on February 25, 2020 in the Federal Register 
which outlines policies for servicing actions

[[Page 44851]]

associated with distressed borrowers from the Telecommunications 
Infrastructure Loan Program, Rural Broadband Program, Distance Learning 
and Telemedicine Program, Broadband Initiatives Program, and Rural e-
Connectivity Pilot Program. The purpose of the regulation is to 
streamline servicing actions, improve the government's recovery on such 
loans, and improve customer service.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collection 
addresses RD's expanded authority, with the codification of the 
rulemaking, to address servicing actions. RD considers it imperative to 
use the expanded authority for servicing actions associated with the 
RUS Telecommunications Programs in order to: (1) Maximize risk 
management of loan portfolio; (2) reduce duplication of effort between 
federal agencies, which may expedite servicing of distressed borrowers; 
(3) ensure efficient recovery of debt which may mitigate negative 
impact on program subsidy rates; and (4) simplify the servicing process 
for the Agency and therefore minimize the financial burden and costs on 
borrowers.
    The Agency provides forms and/or guidelines to assist in collection 
and submission of the information required to service loans. In some 
cases, use of Agency forms is optional and the borrower may submit the 
information required on other forms. The forms or related items 
completed by the borrower are submitted to and evaluated by the Agency. 
Failure to collect proper information from borrowers could result in 
improper determinations of servicing assistance, hinder the 
government's recovery of such loans as well as encumber customer 
service.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 5.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 695.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-16041 Filed 7-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P