2020-00722. Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice; comment requested.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested. The intention is to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Community Facility Loans.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by March 17, 2020 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas P. Dickson, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, Room 4233, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: [phone]. Email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 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 RHS 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 through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments may be sent by any of the following methods:

• Mail: Thomas P. Dickson, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, Room 4233, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Title: Community Facility Loans.

OMB Number: 0575-0015.

Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2020.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Community Facilities loan program is authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes for the development of community facilities for public use in rural areas.

Community Facilities programs have been in existence for many years. These programs have financed a wide range of projects varying in size and complexity from large general hospitals to small day care centers. The facilities financed are designed to promote the development of rural communities by providing the infrastructure necessary to attract residents and rural jobs.

Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, borrowers, and consultants. This information will be used to determine applicant/borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and to ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use funds for authorized purposes. Failure to collect proper information could result in improper determination of eligibility, improper use of funds, and/or unsound loans.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.0 hours per response.

Respondents: Public bodies, not for profits, or Indian Tribes.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,769.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 34,050.

Estimated Number of Responses: 12.29.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 41,523 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Robin M. Jones, Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, at [phone], Email: [e-mail].

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.

Bruce W. Lammers,

Administrator, Rural Housing Service.