[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 202 (Friday, October 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72422-72423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23160]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No.: RUS-23-TELECOM-0014]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Lien 
Accommodation and Subordination Policy; OMB Control No.: 0572-0126

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 
(RUS) announces its' intention to request a revision of a currently 
approved information collection and invites comments on this 
information collection.

[[Page 72423]]


DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 19, 2023 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search Field'' box, 
labeled ``Search for dockets and documents on agency actions,'' enter 
the following docket number: (RUS-23-TELECOM-0014), and click 
``Search.'' To submit public comments, 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 applicable). Input your 
email address and select an identity category then click ``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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: MaryPat Daskal, Chief, Branch 1, Rural 
Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, United 
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-7853. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 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 the 
Agency is submitting to OMB for extension.
    Title: 7 CFR part 1744, subpart B, Lien Accommodations and 
Subordination Policy.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0126.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2024.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 36.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 18.
    Abstract: RUS borrowers and other organizations providing 
telecommunications in rural areas, due to changes in the 
telecommunications industry, including deregulation and technological 
developments, may consider undertaking projects that provide new 
telecommunications services and other telecommunications services not 
ordinarily financed by RUS. Although some of these services may not be 
eligible for financing under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE 
Act), the services may nevertheless advance RE Act objectives where the 
borrower obtains financing from private lenders. To facilitate the 
financing of those projects and services, this program assists in 
facilitating funding from non- RUS sources in order to meet the growing 
capital needs of rural Local Exchange Carriers (LECs).
    The information collected for lien accommodation requests is used 
by RUS to ascertain a borrower's level of financial strength and, upon 
agency approval of the lien accommodation, ensures that the 
government's loan security interest is protected.
    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 https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble 
Brown, Innovation Center--Regulations Team, at (202) 720-6780, or 
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.

Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-23160 Filed 10-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P