[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75283-75284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26088]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 228 / Wednesday, November 25, 2020 / 
Notices  

[[Page 75283]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


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

AGENCY: Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

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 to an approved 
information collection. OASCR will use the information collected to 
process Respondents' program discrimination complaints conducted or 
assisted by USDA.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 25, 2021 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 
invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice. Comments 
may be submitted by one of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website 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 U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 9407, Washington, DC 20250.
    Hand or Courier-Delivered Submittals: Deliver to 355 E Street SW, 
Room 7-205, Washington, DC 20024.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil 
Rights. 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 at 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, 507-A, Washington, DC 20250 between 8:00 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise A. Banks, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 401-7654 and 
fax number (202) 690-1782.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the intention 
of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights to request 
approval for an existing collection in use with an OMB control number.
    Title: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form.
    OMB Number: OMB No. 0508-0002.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2020.
    Type of Request: Extension and renewal of a currently approved 
information collection.
    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.5, ``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 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. If 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: 278.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 278.
    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)

[[Page 75284]]

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.
    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.

Devon Westhill,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
[FR Doc. 2020-26088 Filed 11-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P