Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41070-41073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19350]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
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statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 145 / Thursday, July 29, 1999 / 
Notices

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

July 23, 1999.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6746.
    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.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 235, State Administrative Expense Funds.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0067.
    Summary of Collection: Because the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 
is accountable for State Administrative Expense (SAE) funds by fiscal 
year, State Agencies (SAs) are requested to report their SAE budget 
information on that basis. If the State budgets coincide with a fiscal 
year other than that used by the Federal government, the SA must 
convert its State budget figures to amounts to be used during the 
applicable Federal fiscal year for this purpose. Under 7 CFR Part 235, 
State Administrative Expense Funds, there are five reporting 
requirements which necessitate the collection of information. They are 
as follows: SAE Plan, Reallocation Report, Coordinated Review Effort 
(CRE) Data Base Update, Report of SAE Funds Usage, and Responses to 
Sanctions. SAs also must maintain records pertaining to SAE. These 
include Ledger Accounts, Source Documents, Documentation of 10 Percent 
Transfer Limitation, and Equipment Records. FNS will collect 
information using forms FCS-74 and 525.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information on 
the total SAE cost the SA expects to incur in the course of 
administering the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP); the indirect cost 
rate used by the SA in charging indirect cost to SAE, together with the 
name of the Federal agency that assigned the rate and the date the rate 
was assigned; breakdown of the current year's SAE budget between the 
amount allocated for the current year and the amount carried over from 
the prior year; and the number and types of personnel currently 
employed in administering the CNPs. The information is used to 
determine whether SA intends to use SAE funds for purposes allowable 
under OMB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State and Local 
Governments; does SA's administrative budget provides for sufficient 
funding from State sources to meet the Maintenance of Effort 
requirement; and is SA's staff adequate to effectively administer the 
programs covered by the SA's agreement with FNS.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 87.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 20,912.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 3575-A, Community Program Guaranteed Loans.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0137.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is 
authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public agencies, 
nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes for the development of 
essential community facilities primarily serving rural residents. The 
Community Facilities Division of the RHS is considered Community 
Programs under the 7 CFR, part 3575, subpart A. Implementation of the 
Community Programs guaranteed loan program was effected to comply with 
the Appropriations Act of 1990 when Congress allocated funds for this 
authority. The guaranteed loan program encourages lender participation 
and provides specific guidance in the processing and servicing of 
guaranteed community facilities loans. RHS will collect information 
using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to 
determine applicant borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and to 
ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan funds for 
authorized purposes. Failure to collect proper information could result 
in improper determination of eligibility, improper use of funds, and/or 
unsound loans.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 125.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 76,977.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Provisions Regulating the Quality of Domestically Produced 
Peanuts Handled by Persons Not Subject to the Peanut Marketing 
Agreement.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0163.
    Summary of Collection: Public Law 101-220, enacted December 12, 
1989, amended 608(b) of the Agricultural Agreement Act of 1937 (Act) to 
require all peanuts handled by persons who

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have not entered into the Peanut Marketing Agreement (Agreement) to be 
subject to the same quality and inspection requirements as are in 
effect under the Agreement. The Agreement, a contract between handlers 
and the Secretary of Agriculture, requires inspection of peanuts coming 
from the farm to a handler (incoming inspection) and inspection of 
peanuts sold by the handler in commercial outlets (outgoing) 
inspection. Quality requirements include sizing and tolerances for 
damage, minor defects, moisture, and foreign material. Aflatoxin 
testing is also required. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will 
collect information using forms FV-117, Handlers Monthly Report of 
Farmers' Stock and FV-117-1, Monthly Report of Dispositions of Peanuts.
    Need and use of the Information: AMS will collect information on a 
farmers' stock of their own production; a farmer's stock received form 
others and from the USDA loan program; the month of which peanuts are 
received, the source of the peanuts (farmer's name and address), 
whether the peanuts are custom shelled, remilled or blanched, or 
crushed for oil, and disposition of residuals. AMS will also collect 
information on total inedible peanut inventory yet the end of the month 
and total edible processed inventory at the end of the month; the 
shipping date of the disposed peanuts, and the location shipped to; lot 
number; milled certificate number; aflatoxin certification number; 
aflatoxin test results; and allowed a determination of the type of 
disposal-remilling or blanching, crushing for oil, animal feed, seed 
residuals, or exported. The information will be used for administrative 
assessing billing and compliance purposes as well as being input into 
the Non-Signer Peanut Program Databases. Without these forms, AMS will 
not be able to accurately assess each handler.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 33.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting; Weekly; Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 264.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Agricultural Labor Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0109.
    Summary of Collection: The 1938 Agricultural Adjustment Act, as 
amended in 1948, requires wage rate data for computation of an index 
component. This component is used in calculation of parity prices. 
General authority for these data collection activities is granted under 
U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. Agricultural labor statistics are an 
integral part of National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 
primary function of collecting, processing, and disseminating current 
state, regional, and national agricultural statistics. Comprehensive 
and reliable agricultural labor data are also needed by the Department 
of Labor in the administration of that H-2A program (non-immigrants who 
enter the United States for temporary or seasonal agricultural labor) 
and for setting Advance Effect Wage Rates. The Agricultural Labor 
Survey is the only timely and reliable sources of information on the 
size of the farm worker population. NASS will collect information using 
survey.
    Need and Use of the Information NASS will collect information on 
wage rate estimates and the year-to-year changes in these rates and how 
change in wage rates help measure the changes in costs of production of 
major farm commodities. NASS will also collect information on data to 
measure the availability of national farm workers. The information is 
used by farm worker organizations to help set wage rates and negotiate 
labor contracts as well as determine the need for additional workers 
and help ensure federal assistance for farm worker assistance programs 
supported with government funding.
    Description of Respondents: Farm.
    Number of Respondents: 12,425.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 10,608.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Tobacco Marketing Quota Referenda Ballot--7 CFR 717.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0182.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as 
amended, (1938 Act) requires the proclamation of national marketing 
quotas for tobacco and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct 
referenda to determine whether producers favor or oppose marketing 
quotas. Section 312 of the 1938 Act requires the Secretary of 
Agriculture to proclaim national marketing quotas for tobacco and to 
conduct a referendum of the farmers who are engaged in the production 
of the crop of tobacco harvested immediately prior to the referendum to 
determine whether such farmers are in favor of, or opposed to, national 
marketing quotas for the next succeeding marketing years. The Farm 
Service Agency (FSA) will collect information using voting ballots.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to 
determine whether marketing quotas will be in effect for certain kinds 
of tobacco and voters eligibility. Without conducting a referendum, the 
Secretary would be unable to administer statutory requirements 
regarding tobacco marketing quotas. If no referendum were held and 
approved by eligible voters, tobacco producers would not have the 
benefits of a marketing quota and thereby a price support program.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 51,666.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (every 3 yr).
    Total Burden Hours: 4,300.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Mid-To Upper Level Management and Sales/Field Representative 
Compensation.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) 
provides technical assistance, research, and education to all types of 
agricultural cooperatives. RBS has been mandated the responsibility to 
acquire and disseminate information pertaining to cooperatives under 
the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926; 7 U.S.C. 451-457, and Public Law 
No. 450. Section 3(b). RBS receives an increasing number of inquiries 
from cooperatives, farm organizations (NCFC, University extension 
agents, etc.), and other interested clientele asking for updated data 
on employee compensation and comparable salary information for various 
job categories; with an added interest for cooperative directors' 
compensation. The changing agricultural markets, services, and new 
farming techniques/technology available to cooperatives requires them 
to closely examine better methods to identify, attract, and retain the 
employment of competent, productive employees. To attract competent 
employees, salaries and benefits must be comparable to the skills they 
bring to the job and what other industries can offer them. RBS will 
collect information using a study.
    Need and use of the Information: RBS will collect information to do 
a comparison of their present salary/benefits base; to evaluate 
perspective employees' educational and/or work experience and 
backgrounds in order to formulate an adequate benefit/compensation 
package. The information will be used by cooperative managers to set 
their cooperative's salary levels, used as a recruiting tool for new 
employees, used to analyze the cost effectiveness of their own employee

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expenses, use for management planning-staffing costs for future 
activities, and to reevaluate their salary/benefits base in case of 
mergers and reorganizations. If the study is not undertaken, the salary 
and compensation structures adopted by many cooperatives will continue 
to be diverted from that necessary to attract and hold the quality and 
type of employees crucial to their ongoing economic success.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; Farms; Individuals or households; Federal 
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 300.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 300.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Handling of Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos 
Grown in Florida.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0094.
    Summary of Collection: Mrketing Order No. 905 (7 CFR Part 905), 
covering handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos 
grown in Florida, is authorized under the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937 (Act) (7 U.S.C. 601-674). The Act authorizes the 
regulation of certain agricultural commodities for the purpose of 
providing orderly marketing conditions in interstate commerce and to 
improve returns to growers. Regulatory provisions apply to varieties of 
citrus fruit grown in Florida shipped out of the production area to any 
market, except those specifically exempt. The Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) will collect information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on 
the issuance of grade, size, quality, maturity, pack container, 
inspection, and reporting requirements. The Order is administered by an 
18-member Florida Citrus Administrative Committee. The Committee has 
developed forms as a convenience to persons who are required to file 
information with the Committee relating to Florida Citrus fruit 
production, shipments, inspection and export. This information is 
needed to effectively carry out the administration of the program.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 1,729.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Weekly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 334.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Livestock & Meat Market News.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0154.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 
U.S.C. 1621), Section 203(q), directs and authorizes the collection and 
dissemination of marketing information including adequate outlook 
information, on a market area basis, for the purpose of anticipating 
and meeting consumer requirements aiding in the maintenance of farm 
income and to bring about a balance between production and utilization. 
Livestock and Meat Market News provides a timely exchange of accurate 
and unbiased information on current marketing conditions (supply, 
demand, prices, trends, movement, and other information) affecting 
trade in livestock, meats, grain, and wool. Administered by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), this 
nationwide market news program is conducted in cooperation with 30 
state departments of agriculture. AMS will collect information using 
market reports.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on 
price, supply, and movement of livestock, meat carcasses, meat and pork 
cuts, and meat byproducts. The information collected is used by several 
agencies, agricultural universities and colleges to keep appraised of 
the current market conditions and movement of livestock and meat in the 
United States and also to determine available supplies and current 
pricing.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; 
Farm; Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 450.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (Daily).
    Total Burden Hours: 7,020.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1724, Electric Engineering Architectural Services 
and Design Policies.
    OMB Control Number: 0272-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended provides authorities for the 
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for carrying out its obligations and 
responsibilities. RUS is a credit agency of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture. It makes loans (direct and guaranteed) to finance 
electric, telecommunications, and water and waste water facilities in 
rural areas. RUS's electric program is a leader in lending to upgrade, 
expand, maintain, and replace the vast rural American electric 
infrastructure. As a condition of a loan or loan guarantee under the RE 
Act, borrowers are normally required to enter into RUS loan agreements, 
whereby the borrowers agree to use RUS standard forms of contracts for 
construction, procurement, engineering services and architectural 
services financed in whole or in part by the RUS loan. RUS will collect 
information using RUS Forms 211, 220, and 236.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information on 
detailed contractual obligations and services to be provided and 
performed relating to construction, project design, construction 
management, compensation, and related information. The information is 
used by RUS electric borrowers, their engineering and architectural 
contractors, and RUS. The information is used to comply with the RUS 
standard loan contract and RUS regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 75.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 153.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Cranberries Grown in the States of MA, RI, CT, NJ, WI, MN, 
OR, WA, and Long Island in the State of NY--Marketing Order No. 929.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0103.
    Summary of Collection: Marketing Order No. 929 (7 CFR Part 929), 
regulates the handling of cranberries grown in 10 states and emanates 
from enabling legislation (the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 
1937, Secs. 1-19, 48 Stat. 31, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 601-674). The act 
was designed to permit regulation of certain agricultural commodities 
for the purpose of providing orderly marketing conditions in interstate 
commerce and improving returns to growers. The objective of the 
marketing agreement and order is to correlate the supply of cranberries 
available for sale in the various trade channels with the demand in 
those outlets. The Agricultural Marketing Service will collect 
information using forms FV-53, -259, -260, and -263.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information from 
the form on cranberry production, shipments, inspection, and export. 
The Cranberry Marketing Committee, which represents growers and locally 
administers the order are responsible for keeping information on 
individual handlers' inventories and receipt confidential. Information 
gathered by the committee would only be reported in the aggregate, 
along with other

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pertinent cranberry data. If information was not collected, data needed 
to keep the cranberry industry and the Secretary abreast of changes at 
the State and local level would not be available
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; farms.
    Number of Respondents: 1,306.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: quarterly; 
annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 874.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Stamp Program--Store Applications.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0008.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is designed to 
promote the general welfare and safeguard the health and well being of 
the Nation's population by raising levels of nutrition among low-income 
households. Section 2 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended states 
in part, that a Food Stamp Program is herein authorized which will 
permit low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet through 
normal channels of trade by increasing food purchasing power for all 
eligible households who apply for participation. Section 9(a) of the 
Act requires that regulations provide for an application to be 
submitted by retailers and wholesalers to request approval for 
authorization to accept and redeem food coupons. The need to collect 
information is established under the Act to determine the eligibility 
of retail food stores, wholesale food concerns, and food service 
organizations applying for authorization to accept and redeem food 
stamp benefits, to monitor these firms for continued eligibility, to 
sanction stores for non-compliance with the Act, and for program 
management. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will collect 
information using forms FNS-252, Food Stamp Application for Store, 
FN252-R, Food Stamp Program Application for Stores--Reauthorization, 
and FNS 252-2, Application to Participate in the Food Stamp Program for 
Communal Dining Facility/Others.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to 
determine a firm's eligibility for participation in the Food Stamp 
Program, program administration, compliance monitoring and 
investigations, and for sanctioning stores found to be violating the 
program. FNS is also responsible for requiring updates to application 
information and reviewing that information to determine whether or not 
the retail food store, wholesale food concern, or food service 
organization continues to meet eligibility requirements. Owners 
Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) and Social Security Numbers (SSN) 
may be disclosed to and used by Federal agencies or instrumentalities 
that otherwise gave access to EINs and SSNs. FNS and other Federal 
Government agencies examine such information during compliance review, 
audit review, special studies or evaluation efforts.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; Farms; Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 68,770.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours:  15,777.
Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-19350 Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M