2022-11768. Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comments Requested

AGENCY:

Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Proposed collection; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by August 1, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lynn Gilbert, Regulations Management Division, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Email: [e-mail]. Telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB as an extension to an existing collection. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (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.

Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the “Search” box, type in the Docket No. RUS-22-ELECTRIC-0029. A link to the Notice will appear. You may submit a comment here by selecting the “Comment” button or you can access the “Docket” tab, select the “Notice,” and go to the “Browse & Comment on Documents” Tab. Here you may view comments that have been submitted as well as submit a comment. Information on using Regulations.gov , including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “FAQ” link at the bottom. Comments on this information collection must be received by August 1, 2022.

Title: 7 CFR Part 1786, Prepayment of Rural Utilities Service Guaranteed and Insured Loans to Electric and Telephone Borrowers.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0088.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service relies on the information provided by the borrowers in their financial statements to make lending decisions as to borrowers' credit worthiness and to assure that loan funds are approved, advanced and disbursed for proper RE Act purposes. These financial statements are audited by a certified public accountant to provide independent assurance that the data being reported are properly measured and fairly presented.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.00 hours per response.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 38.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.00.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 76 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Lynn Gilbert, Regulations Management Division, at [phone].

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Christopher A. McLean,

Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.