[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88041-88042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27969]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

[Docket ID: FSA-2023-0022]


Information Collection Request; County Committee Elections

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested 
individuals and entities on an extension of a currently approved 
information collection associated with FSA county committee elections. 
The collection of information from FSA farmers and ranchers is used to 
receive nominations from eligible voters for the FSA county committee.

DATES: We will consider comments we receive by February 20, 2024.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may 
submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID FSA-2023-
0022. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. All 
comments received will be posted without change and will be publicly 
available on https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to 
collection

[[Page 88042]]

activities, please contact Cherie Moore; telephone: (202) 941-8659; 
email: [email protected]. Individuals who require alternative means 
for 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 of Collection: County Committee Election.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0229.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2024.
    Type of Request: Extension.
    Abstract: This information collection is necessary to effectively 
allow farmers and ranchers to nominate potential candidates using the 
form FSA-669A for the FSA county committee election in accordance with 
the requirements as authorized by the Soil Conservation and Domestic 
Allotment Act, as amended. Specifically, FSA uses the information 
provided by the nominee annually or, if needed, throughout the year for 
special elections to create ballots for FSA county committee elections. 
Elections for FSA county committees are held each year; therefore, 
nominations for eligible nominees are requested each year. Any 
individual who meets the qualifications mentioned in form FSA-669A may 
be nominated by another person or by themselves. The form FSA-669A is 
used to collect the information for nominations; it requires the name 
and address of the nominee and the signatures of both the nominee and 
the person nominating the individual to be a nominee (only one 
signature is required for self-nominated individuals). The nominee must 
be eligible to vote in the designated FSA county committee election, 
eligible to hold the office of FSA county committee member, and willing 
to serve, if elected. For more information about FSA county committees, 
including elections, nominations, eligible voters, eligibility, and 
other related information, see the regulations in 7 CFR part 7. In 
addition, the form also includes a voluntary request for race, 
ethnicity, and gender information from the nominee.
    The number of respondents, responses and burden hours have not 
changed since the last OMB submission.
    For the following estimated total annual burden on respondents, the 
formula used to calculate the total burden hour is the estimated 
average time per response hours 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 0.25 
hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information for 
all respondents.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals (eligible voters).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Reponses: 10,500.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 0.25 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,625 hours.
    FSA is requesting comments on all aspects of this information to 
help us to:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of FSA, including whether the 
information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of FSA's estimate of burden including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (4) 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.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be 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 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 
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 
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://www.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 mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Zach Ducheneaux,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2023-27969 Filed 12-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EB-P