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 February 26, 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: OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV 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: 7 CFR 1717 Subpart Y, Settlement of Debt Owed by Electric Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0116.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) makes mortgage loans and loan guarantees to electric systems to provide and improve electric service in rural areas pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et. seq.) (RE Act). This information collection requirement stems from passage of Public Law 104-127, which amended section 331(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.,) to extend to the RUS' loans and loan guarantees the Secretary authority to compromise, adjust, reduce, or charge-off debts or claims owed to the government (collectively, debt settlement) with respect to loans made or guaranteed by RUS. Only those electric borrowers that are unable to fully repay their debts to the government and who apply to RUS for relief will be affected by this collection of information. The information collected will be similar to that which any prudent lender would need to determine whether debt settlement is required and the amount of relief that is needed.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to determine the need for debt settlement; the amount of debt the borrower can repay; the future scheduling of debt repayment; and, the range of opportunities for enhancing the amount of debt that can be recovered.
Description of Respondents: Non-for-profit institutions; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1,000.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR part 1721, Extensions of Payments of Principal and Interest.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0123.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric program provides loans and loan guarantees to borrowers at interest rates and on terms that are more favorable than those generally available from the private sector. Procedures and conditions which borrowers may request extensions of the payment of principal and interest are authorized, as amended, in section 12 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, and section 236 of the “Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-606), as amended by the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354). As a result of obtaining federal financing, RUS borrowers receive economic benefits that exceed any direct economic costs associated with complying with (RUS) regulations and requirements.
Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information occurs only when the borrower requests an extension of principal and interest. Eligible purposes include financial hardship, energy resource conservation loans, renewable energy project, and contributions-in-aid of construction. These procedures are codified at 7 CFR part 1721, subpart B. The collections are made to provide needed benefits to borrowers while also maintaining the integrity of RUS loans and their repayment of taxpayer's monies.
Description of Respondents: Not for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 29.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 296.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR part 1738, Rural Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0130.
Summary of Collection: Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act), provides loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities in State and territories of the United States. The regulation prescribes the types of loans available, facilities financed and eligible applicants, as well as minimum credit support requirements considered for a loan. In addition, Title VI of the RE Act requires that Rural Utilities Service (RUS) make or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance that the loan, together with all outstanding loans and obligations of the borrower, will be repaid in full within the time agreed.
Need and Use of the Information: The information in the program application guide—RUS Bulletin 1738-1 provides applicants with needed information, definitions and details for completing and submitting an application. Information will be used to determine an applicant's eligibility, availability of broadband service for priority consideration, technical and economic feasibility of the proposed project (that the funds requested are adequate to complete the project taking into consideration any additional funding provided by the applicant and that the loan can be repaid within the allowable time frame), and the applicant complies with statutory, regulatory and administrative eligibility requirements for loan assistance.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 5.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2,095.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-01611 Filed 1-26-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P