2023-01211. 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 applicable acts for federal debt credit reporting and employment verification.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by March 24, 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 “RHS” from the agency drop-down menu, then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select RHS-23-Admin-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 1910—Common Forms Package for Federal Debt and Employment Verification Forms.

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 the federal debt reporting and to determine employment verification and eligibility for Federal financial assistance.

The Agencies offer supervised credit programs to build modest housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. Section 517(d) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provides the authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to issue loan guarantees for the acquisition of new or existing dwellings and related facilities to provide decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and other structures in rural areas.

Because the Agency extends credit through loan guarantees, it is necessary to collect information from both a potential homebuyer, lender or other entity. All information collected is vital for the Agency to determine if borrowers qualify for all assistance for which they are eligible.

The Agency loan guarantee is used to offset the lender's risk of originating loan-to-value ratio loans in rural areas and is not intended to offset risks that stem from inadequate employment, credit history, or substandard property condition. Lenders must provide the Agency with clear and accurate information so Agency staff can promptly determine if the loan qualifies for a loan guarantee.

Information requested can include financial documents such as confirmation of household income, assets and liabilities, a credit record, evidence the borrower has adequate repayment ability for the loan amount requested and if the condition and location of the property meet program guidelines. All information is necessary to confirm the borrower qualifies for all assistance for which they are eligible.

In accordance with OMB Circular A-129, Agencies must make sure that lenders and servicers participating in Federal Credit programs meet all applicable financial and programmatic requirements. To ensure these standards are met, the Agency must collect documentation that demonstrates the lender's ability to originate, underwrite, service and report loans in accordance with Agency program guidelines is collected. Information collected must support that a participating lender has a high standard of demonstrated ability to originate and service sound loans and operates in a prudent and businesslike manner.

Estimate of Burden: RD 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: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for profit.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent per Form in Package

Form No.	Responses per respondent
1910-11, 1910-5	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.

Joaquin Altoro,

Administrator, Rural Housing Service.