2020-03720. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 20, 2020.

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 March 26, 2020 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.

Rural Housing Service

Title: 7 CFR part 1924-A, Planning and Performing Construction and Other Development.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0042.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is the credit agency for rural housing and community development within the Rural Development mission area of the United States Department of Agriculture. RHS offers a supervised credit program to build modest housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. Section 501, section 506 and section 509 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to extend financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings, farm buildings and/or related facilities to provide decent, safe sanitary living conditions and adequate farm building and other structures in rural areas.

Need and Use of the Information: RHS provides several forms to assist in the collection and submission of information. The information will be used to determine whether a loan/grant can be approved; to ensure that RHS has adequate security for the loans financed; to monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of the agency loan/grant and to monitor the prudent use of Federal funds. If the information is not collected and submitted, RHS would have no control over the type and quality of construction and development work planned and performed with Federal funds.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; State, Local and Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 12,425.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Report: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 51,572.

Rural Housing Service

Title: 7 CFR 1927-B, “Real Estate Title Clearance and Loan Closing”.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0147.

Summary of Collection: Rural Housing Service is a credit agency for the Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers a supervised credit program to build family farms, modest housing, sanitary water and sewer systems, essential community facilities, businesses and industries in rural areas. Section 501 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provides authorization to extend financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace or rehabilitate dwellings and to provide decent, safe and sanitary living conditions in rural areas. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prescribe regulations to ensure that these loans, made with federal funds, are legally secured.

Need and Use of the Information: The approved attorney/title company (closing agent) and the field office staff collect the required information. Forms and or guidelines are provided to assist in the collection, certification and submission of this information. Most of the forms collect information that is standard in the industry. If the information is collected less frequently, the agency would not obtain the proper security position on the properties being taken as security and would have no evidence that the closing agents and agency meet the requirements of this regulations.

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

Number of Respondents: 10,250.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 2,957.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.