[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65650-65651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20667]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2023 / 
Notices  

[[Page 65650]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

[Docket ID FSA-2023-0019]


Information Collection Request; Certified State Mediation Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Farm 
Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested 
individuals and organizations on a revision of a currently approved 
information collection that supports the Certified State Mediation 
Program. The information collection is necessary to ensure that the 
grant program is administered properly. The collection of information 
is used to determine whether participants meet the eligibility 
requirements to be a recipient of grant funds. Lack of adequate 
information to make the determination could result in the improper 
administration of Federal grant funds.

DATES: We will consider comments we receive by November 24, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following method: Federal 
eRulemaking Portal; Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for 
Docket ID FSA-2023-0019. You may also send comments to the Desk Officer 
for Agriculture, Office of the Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments will be 
available for public inspection online at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Jones, by telephone: 202-720-
6771; or by email: [email protected]. Individuals who require 
alternative means of communication should contact the USDA TARGET 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial 711 
for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and text telephone 
users can initiate this call from any telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Certified State Mediation Program (7 CFR 785).
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0165.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2024.
    Type of Request: Revision.
    Abstract: FSA administers the Certified State Mediation Program 
(Program) according to Subtitles A of the Title V of the Agricultural 
Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101-5106). To effectively administer the 
Program, FSA requires an application for recertification, which 
includes submission of a letter from the State, a letter from the 
grantee, SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and SF-425. Approved grantees 
provide a mid-year report as well as an annual report that includes 
information on mediation services provided during the preceding Federal 
fiscal year, assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the 
State's Program, and any other matters related to the Program as the 
State elects to include. In addition, approved grantees complete SF-270 
to request either advance funding or reimbursement of expenses already 
paid. The information requested is necessary for FSA to determine the 
grantee's eligibility and administer the Program effectively.
    The total annual burden of 2,898 hours and the respondents of 42 
did not change since the last OMB submission. However, the increased 
responses of 126 was omitted by error in the calculation previously for 
the estimated number of unduplicated responses to average, four 
responses per respondent. Those respondents would provide one mid-year 
report, one annual report, one request for Recertification, and 
submitting a Request for Advance or Reimbursement (SF-270), at least 
one time per fiscal year.
    For the following estimated total annual burden on respondents, the 
formula used to calculate the total burden hours is the estimated 
average time per response multiplied by the estimated total annual 
responses.
    Estimate of Average Time to Respond: Public reporting burden for 
collecting information under this notice is estimated to average 5.75 
hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collections of information.
    Type of Respondents: State.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 42.
    Estimated Average Number of Responses per Respondent: 12.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 504.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,898 hours.
    The purpose of this notice is to request comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning the information collection 
request. The comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate 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) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the 
collection of information including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Evaluate the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
technology; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who 
respond through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses where provided, will be made a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office 
of Management and Budget approval.

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family or parental status, income derived from a public 
assistance program, political

[[Page 65651]]

beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in 
any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases 
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by 
program or incident.
    Individuals who require alternative means of communication for 
program information (for example, braille, large print, audiotape, 
American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or 
the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone 
(TTY)) or dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and 
text telephone users can initiate this call from any telephone). 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://ww.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and 
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in 
the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy 
of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form 
or letter to USDA by: (1) mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) 
email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Zach Ducheneaux,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2023-20667 Filed 9-22-23; 8:45 am]
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