2018-27826. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 19, 2018.

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 (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 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 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 25, 2019 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725—17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. 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.

Office of the Secretary, White House Liaison Office

Title: Advisory Committee and Research and Promotion Board Membership Background Information.

OMB Control Number: 0505-0001.

Summary of Collection: The Department is required under Section 1804 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281, et seq.) to provide information concerning advisory committee members' principal place of residence, persons or companies by whom employed, and other major sources of income. The Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (Pub. L. 97-98) reiterates this requirement. Similar information will be required of research and promotion boards/committees/councils in addition to the supplemental commodity specific questions. The Secretary appoints board members under each program. Some of the information contained on form AD-755 is used by the Department to conduct background clearances of prospective board members required by departmental regulations. The clearance is required for all committee members who are appointed by the Secretary. The White House Liaison Office (WHLO) will collect information using form AD-755, “Advisory Committee and Research and Promotion Board Membership Background Information”.

Need and Use of the Information: The WHLO will collect information on the background of the nominees to make sure there are no delinquent loans to the United States Department of Agriculture, (USDA), as well as making sure they have no negative record that could be a negative reflection to the USDA. The information obtained from the form is used in the compilation of an annual report to Congress. Failure of the Department to provide this information would require the Secretary to terminate the pertinent committee or board.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 5,500.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 5,958.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.