E6-3502. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 7, 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.

Farm Service Agency

Title: Assignments of Payments and Joint Payment Authorization.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0183.

Summary of Collection: When the recipient of a Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) or a Farm Service Agency (FSA) payment chooses to assign a payment to another party or have the payment made jointly with another party, the other party must be identified. This is a free service that is available upon request by the program payee. The regulations for assignment of payments are at 7 CFR part 1404. FSA will collect information using various forms.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected on the forms will be used by FSA employee to record payment or contract being assigned, the amount of the assignment, the date, and the name and address of the assignee and the assignor. This is to enable FSA employee to pay the proper party when payments become due. FSA will also use the information to terminate joint payments at the request of both the producer and joint payee. If the information is not collected, there would be no payment to third party at the request of the respondents.

Description of Respondent: Farms; individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 69,325.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting; on occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 11,778.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.