E6-17299. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 12, 2006.

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), [e-mail] or fax [phone] 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 [phone].

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 Housing Service

Title: 7 CFR 1951-F, Analyzing Credit Needs and Graduation of Borrower.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0093.

Summary of Collection: Section 333 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and Section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949, require the Rural Housing Service (RHS), the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to graduate their direct loan borrowers to other credit when they are able to do so. Graduation is an integral part of Agency lending, as Government loans beyond a borrower's need for subsidized rates of non-market terms. The notes, security instruments, or loan agreements of most borrowers require borrowers to refinance their Agency loans when other credit becomes available at reasonable rates and terns. If the borrower finds other credit is not available at reasonable rates and terms, the Agency will continue to review the borrower for possible graduation at periodic intervals. Information will be collected from the borrowers concerning their loans.

Need and Use of the Information: The information submitted by FSA, RBS, or RHS borrowers to Agency offices is used to graduate direct borrowers to private credit with or without the use of Agency loan guarantees. The data collected will include financial information such as income, farm operating expenses, asset values, and liabilities.

Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 18,383.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.

Total Burden Hours: 38,322.

Rural Housing Service

Title: USDA Rural Development—Centralized Servicing Center—Loan Servicing Satisfaction Survey.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0187.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) provides insured loans to low and moderate-income applicants located in rural geographic areas to assist them in obtaining decent, sanitary and safe dwellings. RHS Centralized Servicing Center (CSC) has been in operation since October 1996. The CSC was established to achieve a high level of customer service and operating efficiency that provides its borrowers with convenient access to their loan account information. RHS has developed a survey to measure the results and overall effectiveness of customer services provided.

Need and Use of the Information: RHS will use the outcome of the Customer Satisfaction Survey to determine the general satisfaction level among its customers throughout the nation, highlight areas that need improvement and provide a benchmark for future surveys and improvement in customer service. The survey is administered as part of CSC's on going service quality improvement program.

Description of Respondents: Individual or households.

Number of Respondents: 6,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 960.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.