SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The 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 the Agency is submitting to OMB for extension.

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 ( printed page 56834) through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments may be submitted electronically by the Federal eRulemaking Portal, www.regulations.gov/​. In the “Search for dockets and documents on agency actions” box enter the Docket No. RBS-26-BUSINESS-0430 and click the “Search” button. From the search results, click on or locate the document title: “Notice of Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection” 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.” 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. All comments will be available for public inspection online at the Federal eRulemaking Portal ( www.regulations.gov).

A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Data furnished by the applicants will be used to determine eligibility for program benefits. Furnishing the data is voluntary; however, failure to provide data could result in program benefits being withheld or denied.

Title: Rural Development Loan Modernization Initiative.

OMB Number: 0570-NEW.

Expiration Date of Approval: 3 Years from Approval.

Type of Request: New information collection.

Abstract: In accordance with USDA, Rural Development (RD) (made up of Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service) is launching the transformation of its loan and grant systems that support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities into one modern platform built for the 21st century. With a single customer file, step-by-step intake and eligibility tools, and online payments, this modern platform will manage all current active files in one place, enabling employees to deliver faster service to customers and lending partners.

To further improve customer experience and service delivery for applicants, RD is developing an Online Loan Application for the applicants to submit requests for Direct Loan assistance electronically. Future releases and iterations of the online application software will include expansion of functionality for direct loans, guarantees, and grant making and provide the ability for primary loan servicing application submission.

The use of hard copy applications will continue to be covered in the individual program information collections. However, RD will expect to further decrease the burden hours under individual OMB Control numbers as the functionally and use of the online application software expands, and more applicants shift away from using the hard copy application format.

Initial release of the online application system will be available for RBCS Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program and then RHS Community Facilities programs and RUS Water and Environmental Programs.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.06 hours per response.

Respondents: individuals, State/Tribal/Local, non-/for-profit entities.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,800.

Estimated Number of Responses: 18,563.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.6.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 19,842.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble Brown, RD Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, Telephone: 202-720-6780, email: Kimble.Brown@usda.gov.

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.

91 FR 56833