2023-00937. Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Utilities Service, agencies of the Rural Development mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter collectively referred to as the Agency to request approval for a new information collection in support of compliance with federal assistance requests and following applicable conditions when accepting loan and grant monies.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by March 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted by the following method:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lynn Gilbert, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 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 Rural Development is submitting to OMB for a new collection.

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 the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower “Search Regulations and Federal Actions” box, select “RBS” from the agency drop-down menu, then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select RBS-23-BUSINESS-0001 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. 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 “User Tips” link.

Title:7 CFR 4280—Common Forms Package for Financial Assistance Forms for Loans/Grants.

OMB Number: 0575-New.

Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.

Type of Request: New information collection.

Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-New will enable the Agencies to effectively monitor a recipient's compliance with their loan and/or grant agreement and conditions upon being approved for the federal program they have applied for and accepted terms for.

The Agencies will use the forms contained in this information collection for several programs. One example is to provide funds to Agriculture Innovation Centers (Centers) which provide agricultural producers with technical and business development assistance. The Agencies also administers funding programs to intermediaries for the purpose of promoting rural economic development and job creation projects through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). This program provides rural microentrepreneurs with the skills necessary to establish new rural microenterprises; to provide continuing technical and financial assistance related to the successful operation of rural microenterprises; and to assist with the cost of providing other activities and services related to the successful operation of rural microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) and rural microenterprises.

The Agencies collect information from applicants to confirm eligibility for the program and to evaluate the quality of the applications. Recipients of awards are required to submit reporting and payment request information to facilitate monitoring of the award and disbursement of funds.

The Agencies need to receive the information contained in this collection of information to select the projects it believes will provide the most long-term economic benefit to rural areas. Through this collection of information, the Agencies can also make sure the funds are used for the intended purposes and, in the case of the loan, that the funds will be repaid. Agencies must determine that loans made from revolving loan funds established with grants are used for eligible purposes.

Estimate of Burden: Rural Development is requesting approval for one respondent and a one-hour place holder in order for OMB to issue a control number for these forms. The burden for each of the forms will be accounted for within the individual Rural Development program collection packages using the form(s).

Respondents: Recipients of Rural Development Federal financial assistance, loan, and loan guarantee programs.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent per Form in package:

Form No.	Responses per respondent
4280-2, 4280-4	1

Comments from interested parties are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Karama Neal,

Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.