2022-27806. 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 January 23, 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.

Risk Management Agency

Title: Multiple Peril Crop Insurance.

OMB Control Number: 0563-0053.

Summary of Collection: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) is a wholly-owned Government corporation created February 16, 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1501). The program was amended previously, by Public Law 96-365, dated September 26, 1980, that provided for nationwide expansion of a comprehensive crop insurance program. The Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act), as amended in later years, further expanded the role of the crop insurance program to be the principal risk management safety net used by producers to cover crop losses. The Act further required that the crop insurance program operate on an actuarially sound basis. To meet these goals, existing crop programs must be improved and expanded, new crop products developed, and new insurance concepts studied for possible implementation. Meeting these goals requires the collection of a wide range of information (data elements). These data elements are used in part to determine insurance coverage, premiums, subsidies, payments, and indemnities. It allows for other program and administrative operations. It also creates an information database used to support continued development and improvements in crop insurance products available to producers and which meet the goal of a sound insurance program. The Act was again amended on June 20, 2000, by Public Law 106-224 which mandates changes to crop insurance regulations, provides for independent review of crop insurance products by persons experienced as actuaries and in underwriting, and gives contracting authority for the development of new products.

Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information involves producers and insurance companies. Specific information (data) is required to apply for crop insurance, determine program eligibility, report crop information, establish liability, change coverage, determine a loss, etc. Producers must provide records, documents, or other information to the insurance company during an investigation or settlement of a claim. Insurance companies may provide late or prevented planting coverage, or provide coverage under a written agreement when coverage would not otherwise be available, etc. Pertinent information must be collected by the established dates to administer the crop insurance program in an actuarially sound manner.

The information collection requirements for this revised package are necessary for administering the crop insurance program. Insurance companies must obtain enough information so insurability, liability, premium, subsidy, and indemnities can be accurately determined. It is important that insurance agents work closely with producers to collect accurate information since the guarantee, liability, premium, subsidy, and any applicable indemnities are based on this information.

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

Number of Respondents: 534,379.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 8,067,906.

Levi S. Harrell,

Departmental Information Clearance Officer.