[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3967-3968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01211]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No. RHS-23-Admin-0001]


Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and 
Rural Utilities 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 intention of the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service, Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Utilities Service, 
agencies of the Rural Development mission area within the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter collectively referred to 
as the Agency to request approval for a new information collection in 
support of compliance with applicable acts for federal debt credit 
reporting and employment verification.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 24, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the following method:
     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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Gilbert, Rural Development 
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. 
Telephone: (202) 690-2682. 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 Rural 
Development is submitting to OMB for a new collection.
    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 ``RHS'' from the agency drop-down menu, 
then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select RHS-23-Admin-
0001 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.

[[Page 3968]]

    Title: 7 CFR 1910--Common Forms Package for Federal Debt and 
Employment Verification Forms.
    OMB Number: 0575-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-New will 
enable the Agencies to effectively monitor a recipient's compliance 
with the federal debt reporting and to determine employment 
verification and eligibility for Federal financial assistance.
    The Agencies offer supervised credit programs to build modest 
housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. Section 
517(d) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provides the 
authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to issue loan guarantees for 
the acquisition of new or existing dwellings and related facilities to 
provide decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and other 
structures in rural areas.
    Because the Agency extends credit through loan guarantees, it is 
necessary to collect information from both a potential homebuyer, 
lender or other entity. All information collected is vital for the 
Agency to determine if borrowers qualify for all assistance for which 
they are eligible.
    The Agency loan guarantee is used to offset the lender's risk of 
originating loan-to-value ratio loans in rural areas and is not 
intended to offset risks that stem from inadequate employment, credit 
history, or substandard property condition. Lenders must provide the 
Agency with clear and accurate information so Agency staff can promptly 
determine if the loan qualifies for a loan guarantee.
    Information requested can include financial documents such as 
confirmation of household income, assets and liabilities, a credit 
record, evidence the borrower has adequate repayment ability for the 
loan amount requested and if the condition and location of the property 
meet program guidelines. All information is necessary to confirm the 
borrower qualifies for all assistance for which they are eligible.
    In accordance with OMB Circular A-129, Agencies must make sure that 
lenders and servicers participating in Federal Credit programs meet all 
applicable financial and programmatic requirements. To ensure these 
standards are met, the Agency must collect documentation that 
demonstrates the lender's ability to originate, underwrite, service and 
report loans in accordance with Agency program guidelines is collected. 
Information collected must support that a participating lender has a 
high standard of demonstrated ability to originate and service sound 
loans and operates in a prudent and businesslike manner.
    Estimate of Burden: RD is requesting approval for one respondent 
and a one-hour place holder in order for OMB to issue a control number 
for these forms. The burden for each of the forms will be accounted for 
within the individual Rural Development program collection packages 
using the form(s).
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for 
profit.

    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent per Form in Package
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                                                          Responses per
                       Form No.                            respondent
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1910-11, 1910-5.......................................                1
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    Comments from interested parties 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) 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 responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-01211 Filed 1-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P