[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45081-45082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16042]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-22-TELECOM-0045]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Distance 
Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program; OMB Control No.: 
0572-0096

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service 
announces its' intention to request an extension of a currently 
approved information collection and invites comments on this 
information collection.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 26, 2022 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically by the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the 
``Search Field'' box, labeled ``Search for Rules, Proposed Rules, 
Notices or Supporting Documents,'' enter the following docket number: 
(RUS-22-TELECOM-0045). To submit or view public comments, click the 
``Search'' button, select the ``Documents'' tab, then select the 
following document title: (60-Day Notice of Proposed Information 
Collection: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program; OMB 
Control No.: 0572-0096) from the ``Search Results'' and select the 
``Comment'' button. Before inputting your comments, you may also review 
the ``Commenter's Checklist'' (optional). Insert your comments under 
the ``Comment'' title, click ``Browse'' to attach files (if available). 
Input your email address and select ``Submit Comment.''
    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 
``FAQ'' link.
    Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development 
and its programs is available on the internet at https://www.rd.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin M. Jones, Management Analyst, 
Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, 
United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 772-1172. 
Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 requires that interested members of the public and affected 
agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and 
recordkeeping activities. This notice identifies the following 
information collection that Rural Utilities Service is submitting to 
OMB as extension to an existing collection with Agency adjustment.
    Title: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0096.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2022.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.45 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit, not-for-profit 
institutions, and State.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

[[Page 45082]]

    Estimated Number of Responses: 6,840.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 17,814 hours.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine (DLT) Loan and Grant program provides loans and grants for 
advanced telecommunications services to improve rural areas' access to 
educational and medical services. The various forms and narrative 
statements required are collected from the applicants (rural community 
facilities, such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and medical 
facilities, for example). The purpose of collecting the information is 
to determine such factors as eligibility of the applicant; the specific 
nature of the proposed project; the purposes for which loan and grant 
funds will be used; project financial and technical feasibility; and, 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, for 
grants funded pursuant to the competitive evaluation process, 
information collected facilitates RUS' selection of those applications 
most consistent with DLT goals and objectives in accordance with the 
authorizing legislation and implementing regulation.
    Comments are invited on:
    (a) 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;
    (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
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 respondents, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Robin M. 
Jones, Rural Development 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.

Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-16042 Filed 7-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P