[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59038-59039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16038]



[[Page 59038]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

[Docket ID: FSA-2024-0008]


Information Collection Request; Direct Loan Servicing--Special

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirement, 
the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all 
interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently 
approved information collection that supports Direct Loan Servicing--
Special. The information is used in eligibility and feasibility 
determinations on borrower requests for disaster set-aside, primary 
loan servicing, buyout at market value, and homestead protection, as 
well as liquidation of security.

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

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice. 
FSA prefers that the comments are submitted electronically through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal, identified by Docket ID No. FSA-2024-0008. 
Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for docket ID FSA-2024-
0008. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    All comments received will be posted without change and made 
publicly available on www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Nault; by telephone: (202) 720-
6834; or by email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Farm Loan Programs; Direct Loan Servicing--Special.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0233.
    OMB Expiration Date: 10/31/2024.
    Type of Request: Extension.
    Abstract: FSA's Farm Loan Programs provide loans to family farmers 
to purchase real estate and equipment and finance agricultural 
production. 7 CFR 766, Direct Loan Servicing-Special, provides the 
requirements for servicing financially distressed and delinquent direct 
loan borrowers. FSA's loan servicing options include disaster set-
aside, primary loan servicing (including reamortization, rescheduling, 
deferral, write down and conservation contracts), buyout at market 
value, and homestead protection. FSA also services borrowers who file 
bankruptcy or liquidate security when available servicing options are 
not sufficient to produce a feasible plan. The information collections 
contained in the regulation are necessary to evaluate a borrower's 
request for consideration of the special servicing actions.
    The annual burden hours and the number of respondents and responses 
is estimated to remain the same in this renewal request.
    When FSA is ready to implement a new servicing option for the 
distressed borrowers, FSA will expect to utilize the same collection 
already established under the Disaster Set-Aside process.
    Since the last OMB approval, most special servicing activities have 
been stayed due to FSA's response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) 
National Emergency, unless a borrower requested servicing assistance. 
Therefore, estimates prior to the stay are considered the most accurate 
and no additional revisions to the estimated annual burden hours and 
number of respondents have been made.
    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 multiplied by the estimated total annual 
responses.
    Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for this 
information collection is estimated to average 0.376 hours per response 
to include the time for reviewing instructions, searching information, 
gathering and maintaining the information, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses or other for-
profit farms.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 32,496.
    Estimated Number of Reponses per Respondent: 1.00.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 32,496.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 0.376 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,221 hours.
    We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information 
collection to help us to:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the FSA, including whether 
the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the 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 using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice 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 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 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)) 
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: (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].

[[Page 59039]]

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Zach Ducheneaux,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2024-16038 Filed 7-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-E2-P