[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57386-57387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15462]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No.: RHS-24-CF-0021]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Fire and Rescue 
Loans; OMB Control No.: 0575-0120

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
the program for Fire and Rescue Loans.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 13, 2024 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted through 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: (RHS-24-CF-0021), and click the 
``Search'' Button. To submit public

[[Page 57387]]

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, USDA, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, 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 RHS 
is submitting to OMB for extension.
    Title: 7 CFR 1942-C, ``Fire and Rescue Loans''.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0120.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2025.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.10 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions, State, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.75.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 3,746.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,881 hours.
    Abstract: The Fire and Rescue Loan program is authorized by Section 
306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) 
to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, and Indian 
tribes for the development of community facilities for public use in 
rural areas and is covered by 7 CFR 1942-C. The primary regulation for 
administering the Community Facilities program is 7 CFR 1942-A (OMB 
Number 0575-0015) that outlines eligibility, project feasibility, 
security, and monitoring requirements.
    The Community Facilities fire and rescue program has been in 
existence for over 35 years. This program has financed a wide range of 
fire and rescue projects varying in size and complexity from 
construction of a fire station with firefighting and rescue equipment 
to financing a 911 emergency system. These facilities are designed to 
provide fire protection and emergency rescue services to rural 
communities.
    Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, 
borrowers, and consultants. This information will be used to determine 
applicant/borrower eligibility, assess project feasibility, and ensure 
borrowers operate on a sound basis and use funds for authorized 
purposes. Failure to collect proper information could result in 
improper determination of eligibility, improper use of funds, and/or 
unsound loans.
    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.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble 
Brown, Rural Development Innovation Center, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. 
Telephone: (202) 720-6780. 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.

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15462 Filed 7-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P