81 FR 59599 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utility Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 168 (August 30, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59599-59600]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20725]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utility Service


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 24, 2016.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding (1) 
whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information to be collected; (4) 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 regarding this information collection received by 
September 29, 2016 will be considered. Written comments should be 
addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New 
Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. 
Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Preloan Procedures and Requirements for Telecommunications 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0079.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes mortgage 
loans and loan guarantees to finance telecommunications, electric, and 
water and waste facilities in rural areas with a loan portfolio that 
totals nearly $58 billion. RUS manages loan programs in accordance with 
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et. seq. as 
amended, (RE Act). Section 201 of the RE Act authorizes the 
Administrator to make loans to qualified telephone companies for the 
purpose of providing telephone service to the widest practicable number 
of rural subscribers.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using 
several forms to determine an applicant's eligibility to borrow from 
RUS under the terms of the RE Act. The information is also used to 
determine that the Government's security for loans made by RUS are 
reasonably adequate and that the loans will be repaid within the time 
agreed. Without the information, RUS could not effectively monitor each 
borrower's compliance with the loan terms and conditions to properly 
ensure continued loan security.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 18.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,687.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: RUS Form 444, ``Wholesale Power Contracts.''
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0089.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE 
Act) as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), authorizes the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) to make and guarantee loans in the States and Territories 
of the United States that will enable rural consumers to obtain 
electric power. Rural consumers formed non-profit electric distribution 
cooperatives, groups of these distribution cooperatives banded together 
to form Generation and Transmission cooperatives (G&T's) that generate 
or purchase power and transmit the power to the distribution systems. 
All RUS and G&T borrowers

[[Page 59600]]

will enter into a Wholesale Power Contract with their distribution 
members by using RUS Form 444, as adapted to meet the needs of the 
borrower.
    Need and Use of the Information: To fulfill the purposes of the RE 
Act RUS will collect information to improve the credit quality and 
credit worthiness of loans and loan guarantees to G&T borrowers. RUS 
works closely with lending institutions that provide supplemental loan 
funds to borrowers. If the information were not collected, RUS could 
not determine whether Federal security interest would be adequately 
protected.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 13.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 78.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1703, Subparts D, E, F, and G, Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0096.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture and is authorized by 
Chapter 1 of subtitle D of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and 
Trade Act of 1990. The purpose of the Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program is to improve telemedicine services 
and distance learning services in rural areas through the use of 
telecommunications, computer networks, and related advanced 
technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals and rural 
residents. Section 6201 of Title VI of the 2014 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 113-
79) amended 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq, by extending the term of the 
program to the year 2018.
    Need and Use of the Information: The various forms and narrative 
statements required are collected from eligible applicants that are 
public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit rural community 
facilities, schools, libraries, hospitals, and medical facilities. The 
purpose of this information is to determine such factors as: 
Eligibility of the applicant; the specific nature of the proposed 
project; the purposes for which loan and grant funds will be used; 
project financial and technical feasibility; and compliance with the 
applicable laws and regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 190.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 11,031.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and 
Households Program (SEARCH).
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0146.
    Summary of Collection: The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 
2008, Public Law 110-234 (Farm Bill) amended Section 306(a)(2) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)(2)). The amendment created a grant program to make Special 
Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) 
Program grants.
    Under the SEARCH program, the Secretary may make predevelopment and 
planning grants to public or quasi-public agencies, organizations 
operated on a not-for-profit basis or Indian tribes on Federal and 
State reservations and other federally recognized Indian tribes. The 
grant recipients use the grant funds for feasibility studies, design 
assistance, and technical assistance for direct loans, grants and 
guaranteed loans, to financially distress communities in rural areas 
with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and waste 
disposal projects as authorized in Sections 306(a)(1), 306(a)(2) and 
306(a)(24) of the CONACT.
    Need and Use of the Information: Applicants applying for SEARCH 
grants must submit an application which includes an application form, 
various other forms, certifications, and supplemental information. 
Rural Utility Service will use the information collected from 
applicants, borrowers, and consultants to determine applicant 
eligibility, project feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet 
the grant and regulatory requirements.
    Failure to collect proper information could result in improper 
determinations of eligibility, improper use of funds, or hindrances in 
making grants authorized by the SEARCH program.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit Institutions and State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 125.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,688.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-20725 Filed 8-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P