[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78279-78280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21922]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No.: RHS-24-NONE-0030]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Civil Rights 
Compliance Requirements; OMB Control No.: 0575-0018

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and 
Rural Utilities Service, 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 (RHS), the Rural Business-
Cooperative Service (RBS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intention 
to request an extension for a currently approved information collection 
in support of compliance with Civil Rights laws.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 25, 2024 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically by the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search for 
dockets and documents on agency actions'' box, enter the docket number 
``RHS-24-NONE-0030,'' and click the ``Search'' button. From the search 
results: click on or locate the document title: ``60-Day Notice of 
Proposed Information Collection: Civil Rights Compliance Requirements; 
OMB Control No.: 0575-0018'' and select the ``Comment'' button. Before 
inputting comments, commenters may review the ``Commenter's Checklist'' 
(optional). To submit a comment: Insert comments under the ``Comment'' 
title, click ``Browse'' to attach files (if available), input email 
address, select box to opt to receive email confirmation of submission 
and tracking (optional), select the box ``I'm not a robot,'' and then 
select ``Submit Comment.'' 3.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.

[[Page 78280]]

    All comments will be available for public inspection online at the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal (https://www.regulations.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darren G. Kaihlanen, Acting Director, 
Civil Rights Office, USDA/Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, 
Washington, DC 20250, Cell Phone: (405) 446-2619 (voice/text).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 7 CFR 1901-E, Civil Rights Compliance Requirements.
    OMB Number: 0575-0018.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2025.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0018 
enables the RHS, RBS, and RUS, to effectively monitor a recipient's 
compliance with the civil rights laws, and to determine whether service 
and benefits are being provided to beneficiaries on an equal 
opportunity basis.
    The RBS, RHS, and RUS are required to provide Federal financial 
assistance through its housing and community and business programs on 
an equal opportunity basis. The laws implemented in 7 CFR part 1901, 
subpart E, require the recipients of RBS, RHS, and RUS Federal 
financial assistance to collect various types of information, including 
information on participants in certain of these agencies' programs, by 
race, color, and national origin.
    The information collected and maintained by the recipients of 
certain programs from RBS, RHS, and RUS is used internally by these 
agencies for monitoring compliance with the civil rights laws and 
regulations. This information is made available to USDA officials, 
officials of other Federal agencies, and to Congress for reporting 
purposes. Without the required information, RBS, RHS, RUS and its 
recipients will lack the necessary documentation to demonstrate that 
their programs are being administered in a nondiscriminatory manner, 
and in full compliance with the civil rights laws. In addition, the 
RBS, RHS, RUS and their recipients would be vulnerable in lawsuits 
alleging discrimination in the affected programs of these agencies and 
would be without appropriate data and documentation to defend 
themselves by demonstrating that services and benefits are being 
provided to beneficiaries on an equal opportunity basis.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Recipients of RBS, RHS, and RUS Federal financial 
assistance, loan, and loan guarantee programs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 27,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.72.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 73,559.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 550,276.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Crystal 
Pemberton, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management 
Division, at (202) 202-260-8621. Email: [email protected].
    Comments are invited on:
    (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Rural Development, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' 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 Crystal 
Pemberton, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management 
Division, at (202) 260-8621. 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.

Darren Kaihlanen,
Acting Civil Rights Director, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-21922 Filed 9-24-24; 8:45 am]
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