[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 202 (Friday, October 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 72422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23243]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-23-TELECOM-0015]


Notice of an Extension to an Existing Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS or Agency), an 
agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, intention to request an extension to an existing 
information collection package for the Special Servicing of 
Telecommunications Programs Loans for Financially Distressed Borrowers. 
The Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program, Rural Broadband 
Program, Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, and the Rural 
eConnectivity Program (hereinafter collectively referred to as the 
``RUS Telecommunications Programs'') provide loan funding to build and 
expand broadband and telecommunications services in rural communities.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Bennett, Regulations Management 
Division, Innovation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Email: 
[email protected]. Telephone: (202) 720-9639.

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 RUS 
will submit to OMB for regular approval.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information including 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 and, in the ``Search'' box, type in the 
Docket No. RUS-23-TELECOM-0015. A link to the Notice will appear. You 
may submit a comment here by selecting the ``Comment'' button or you 
can access the ``Docket'' tab, select the ``Notice,'' and go to the 
``Browse & Comment on Documents'' Tab. Here you may view comments that 
have been submitted as well as submit a comment. To submit a comment, 
select the ``Comment'' button, complete the required information, and 
select the ``Submit Comment'' button at the bottom. 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 at the 
bottom.
    A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Data 
furnished by the applicants will be used to determine eligibility for 
program benefits. Furnishing the data is voluntary; however, failure to 
provide data could result in program benefits being withheld or denied.
    Title: Special Servicing of Telecommunications Programs Loans for 
Financially Distressed Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0153.
    Type of Request: Extension to an existing information collection.
    Abstract: The RUS Telecommunications Programs currently take 
servicing actions on approximately 10-12 projects each year. These 
actions are taken in accordance with 7 CFR part 1752 which outlines the 
general policies and procedures for servicing actions associated with 
the RUS Telecommunications Programs Borrowers in financial distress. 
The reporting burden covered by this collection from the borrower may 
include but is not limited to, a request and explanation for servicing 
action, various financial, subscriber, and organizational information, 
as well as other documents and information that may be relevant as 
determined by RUS. The collection of this information will help the 
Agency streamline and expedite servicing actions, improve the 
Government's recovery on such loans, and improve overall customer 
service. Since most RUS Telecommunications Program borrowers are 
utilities, faster resolution of servicing actions will ensure that 
rural Americans continue to receive service.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Respondents for this data may include not-for-profit 
institutions; businesses or other for-profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 27.4.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 137.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 694.50 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela 
Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center, Regulations Management 
Division, at (202) 720-9639. 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. 2023-23243 Filed 10-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P