2023-21907. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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 are requested regarding: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 November 2, 2023 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function

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 4280—Common Forms Package for Financial Assistance Forms for Loans/Grants.

OMB Control Number: 0575–NEW.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing; health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, electric and communications infrastructure.

The Authorities that allow the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS), Agencies within Rural Development (RD) are as follows:

The RHS is authorized under various sections of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to eligible individuals in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, authorizes the credit programs of the RHS, RBCS and RUS to provide financial assistance for essential community facilities such as construction of community facilities and water and waste systems; and the improvement, development, and financing of businesses, industries, and employment.

Need and Use of the Information: The information will be collected through the use of forms that can be accessed electronically (or in hard copy) for use as attachments to financial assistance applications. The information is collected once and is not typically shared, unless by a FOIA request. (USDA agencies and staff offices will have the option of adding the forms to their individual application packages on the Grants.gov website that is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The formal process of having the forms added to Grants.gov will occur after they are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)).

Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits; Farms; Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 1.

Frequency of Responses: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 1.

Rural Housing Service

Title:7 CFR 1910–B and C, Federal Debt and Employment Verification Compliance Requirements.

OMB Control Number: 0575–NEW.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers offer loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing; health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, electric and communications infrastructure on an equal opportunity basis.

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.

Need and Use of the Information: This information collection will be utilized by the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS), Agencies within Rural Development (RD) for various loan and grant making activities. 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.

Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits; Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 1.

Frequency of Responses: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 4.

Rural Housing Service

Title:7 CFR 1927—Common Forms Package for Real Estate Title Clearance and Loan Closing.

OMB Control Number: 0575–NEW.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing; health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, electric and communications infrastructure.

The Authorities that allow the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS), Agencies within Rural Development (RD) are as follows:

The RHS is authorized under various sections of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to eligible individuals in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, authorizes the credit programs of the RHS, RBCS and RUS to provide financial assistance for essential community facilities such as construction of community facilities and water and waste systems; and the improvement, development, and financing of businesses, industries, and employment.

In several sections of both acts, the policies and responsibilities including the collection and use of information necessary to complete real estate title clearance and loan closing are prescribed. Also, the Secretary is authorized to prescribe regulations to ensure that Federal funds are not wasted or dissipated and that construction will be undertaken economically and will not be of elaborate or extravagant design or materials.

Information for the RD forms and their usage in this collection package are included in this supporting statement.

Need and Use of the Information: The required information is collected by the Closing Agent/Attorney and the field office staff. Forms and/or guidelines are provided to assist in the collection and submission of this information. Most of these forms collect information that is standard in the industry and do not entail additional burdens on the public beyond the time needed to review and understand the forms and fill them out.

Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits.

Number of Respondents: 1.

Frequency of Responses: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 1.

Rural Housing Service

Title:7 CFR 1942, Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions for Loan and Grant Agreement Common Forms Package.

OMB Control Number: 0575–NEW.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers offer loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing; health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, electric and communications infrastructure.

The Authorities that allow the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service (RUS), Agencies within Rural Development (RD) are as follows:

The RHS is authorized under various sections of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to eligible individuals in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, authorizes the credit programs of the RHS, RBCS and RUS to provide financial assistance for essential community facilities such as construction of community facilities and water and waste systems; and the improvement, development, and financing of businesses, industries, and employment.

In several sections of both acts, loan limitations are established as percentages of development costs, requiring careful monitoring of those costs. Also, the Secretary is authorized to prescribe regulations to ensure that Federal funds are not wasted or dissipated. The information collection under OMB Number 0575–New will enable the Agencies to effectively monitor a recipient's compliance with the conditions set forth in the loan and/or grant agreement.

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1936(b) to make or guarantee loans to eligible entities (Indian tribes, public agencies, cooperatives and nonprofit corporations) so that loans will be provided to individuals and entities for the purposes that predominantly serve communities in rural areas and promote community development, establish new businesses, establish and support microlending programs and create or retain employment opportunities.

The Agencies are required to provide Federal financial assistance through its housing and community and business programs. The laws implemented in 7 CFR part 1942, require the recipients of RD Federal financial assistance to collect various types of information. Recipients of awards are required to submit reporting and payment request information to facilitate monitoring of the award and disbursement of funds.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is of such type and nature that the use of improved information technology, such as data and word processing would not significantly reduce the public burden. Information for each loan/grant application is unique and, therefore, cannot take significant advantage of this technology. Forms have been automated and are available on the USDA Service Center website. Provision of information is faster, however the time for electronic input roughly equals the time for handwriting the form.

Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits; Farms; Not-for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 1.

Frequency of Responses: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 1.

Levi S. Harrell,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.