98-19119. Privacy Act; System of Records  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 38546-38553]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-19119]
    
    
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    Notices
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    This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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    Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 137 / Friday, July 17, 1998 / 
    Notices
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Office of the Secretary
    
    
    Privacy Act; System of Records
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Notice of revised Privacy Act systems of records.
    
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    SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the USDA proposes to revise its 
    systems of records relating to the Rural Development Mission Area.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: This notice will be adopted without further publication 
    in the Federal Register on September 15, 1998, unless modified by a 
    subsequent notice to incorporate comments received from the public. 
    Although the Privacy Act requires only that the portion of the system 
    which describes the ``routine uses'' of the system be published for 
    comment, USDA invites comment on all portions of this notice. Comments 
    must be received by the contact person listed below on or before August 
    17, 1998.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Dorothy Hinden, Freedom of Information Officer, Support Services 
    Division, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
    Independence Avenue, SW, Stop 0742, Washington, DC 20250-0742; 
    telephone (202) 720-9638.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, 
    USDA is redesignating and revising seven systems of records and 
    deleting two systems of records formerly maintained by the Farmers Home 
    Administration (``FmHA''). In 1994, USDA reorganized, transferring the 
    farm loan functions of FmHA to the Farm Service Agency (``FSA''). The 
    revisions USDA is proposing reflect this reorganization. The following 
    are the constituent agencies of Rural Development: (1) Rural Housing 
    Service, (2) Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and (3) Rural 
    Utilities Service. Specifically, USDA will delete the system designated 
    as USDA/FmHA-3, ``Designated Attorney and Escrow Agent File'' and 
    incorporate the records maintained in that system into USDA/Rural 
    Development-1, ``Applicant, Borrower, Grantee, or Tenant File.'' A 
    second system of records, USDA/FmHA-7, ``Reserved Mineral Interests'', 
    is being deleted because the records are no longer maintained by USDA. 
    In addition, USDA is redesignating, reorganizing, and revising systems 
    as follows:
        (1) USDA will maintain the records relating to the Rural 
    Development Mission Area formerly maintained under the system 
    designation ``USDA/FmHA-1, Applicant, Borrower, Grantee, or Tenant 
    File'' under the new designation ``USDA/Rural Development-1, Applicant, 
    Borrower, Grantee, or Tenant File.'' That portion of the former system 
    pertaining to Farmer Loan Programs has already been redesignated as a 
    separate system entitled ``USDA/FSA-14, Applicant/Borrower.'' In 
    addition to the redesignation to reflect the reorganization of FmHA 
    programs as Rural Development programs, USDA is amending the system to 
    include social security or employee identification number, bank routing 
    and account number under the heading, ``categories of records in the 
    system.''
        USDA is making the following revisions to the routine uses in the 
    system:
        (1) Routine use number 3 which permits release of names, home 
    addresses, social security numbers, and financial information to 
    business firms in a trade area that buy chattel or crops or sell them 
    for commission is being deleted because it is no longer needed. It is 
    being replaced as follows: Referral of legally enforceable debts to the 
    Department of the Treasury under the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) and 
    the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-134. (2) 
    Additional language is being added to routine use number 7 to provide 
    information from this system to assist the borrower in placing the 
    property on the market through a real estate agent. Two new routine 
    uses have been added: (1) Routine use number 17 which provides to 
    consumer or commercial reporting agencies information from this system 
    indicating that an individual is responsible for a claim that is 
    current. (2) Routine use number 18 which permits release of names, home 
    and work addresses, home telephone numbers, social security numbers, 
    and financial information to escrow agents (which also could include 
    attorneys and title companies) selected by the applicant or borrower 
    for the purpose of closing the loan.
        (2) USDA is redesignating USDA/FmHA-2, ``Biographical Sketch File'' 
    as USDA/Rural Development-2 ``Biographical Sketch File.'' This system 
    is being amended to indicate a change in the record system location; 
    and to indicate a change in the categories of individuals covered by 
    the system.
        (3) USDA is redesignating USDA/FmHA-5, ``Graduation File'' as USDA/
    Rural Development-3, ``Graduation File.'' This system is being amended 
    to indicate a position title change and to remove the County Committee 
    from the categories of records in the system since it is no longer 
    needed. It is further being amended to add ``or to assist the borrower 
    in the sale of the property'' to the routine use number 3. The purpose 
    of this amendment is to assist the borrower in placing the property on 
    the market through a real estate agent. Stylistic changes have been 
    made in the three routine uses for purposes of clarification.
        (4) USDA is redesignating USDA/FmHA-6, ``Housing Contractor 
    Complaint File'' as USDA/Rural Development-4, ``Housing Contractor 
    Complaint File.'' Stylistic changes have been made in routine uses 1 
    and 2.
        (5) USDA/FmHA-8, ``Tort Claims File'' is being amended to indicate 
    a change in the system designation to USDA/Rural Development-5 ``Tort 
    Claims File.'' Rural Development has made stylistic changes in the 
    language of the routine use.
        (6) USDA/FmHA-9, ``Training Files'' is bend amended to indicate a 
    change in the system designation to USDA/Rural Development-6, 
    ``Training Files.'' This system is being amended to delete the Norman, 
    OK site. Stylistic changes have been made in the routine use for 
    purposes of clarification.
        (7) USDA/FmHA-10, ``Travel Records'' is being amended to indicate a 
    change in the system designation to USDA/Rural Development-7, ``Travel 
    Records'' and to reflect that the period ``Two years'' is being 
    replaced with ``six years'' under the retention and disposal schedule.
    
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        Changes in system locations, position titles for system managers, 
    and addresses have been made where appropriate; and all references to 
    Farmers Home Administration have been changed to Rural Development.
        A ``Report on Revised System,'' required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), as 
    implemented by Appendix III to OMB Circular A-130, was sent to the 
    Chairman, Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, the Chairman, House 
    Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and the Director, Office 
    of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget 
    on April 15, 1998.
    
        Signed at Washington, DC on April 15, 1998.
    Dan Glickman,
    Secretary of Agriculture.
    USDA/RURAL DEVELOPMENT-1
    
    SYSTEM NAME:
        Applicant, Borrower, Grantee, or Tenant File
    
    SYSTEM LOCATION:
        Each Rural Development applicant's, borrower's, grantee's, or 
    tenant's file is located in the Local, Area, or State Office through 
    which the financial assistance is sought or was obtained; in the 
    Centralized Service Center, St. Louis, Missouri; and in the Finance 
    Office in St. Louis, Missouri. A State Office version of the Local or 
    Area Office file may be located in or accessible by the State Office 
    which is responsible for that Local or Area Office. Correspondence 
    regarding borrowers is located in the State and National Office files.
        A list of all State Offices and any additional States for which an 
    office is responsible is as follows:
    
    Montgomery, AL
    Palmer, AK
    Phoenix, AZ
    Little Rock, AR
    Woodland, CA
    Lakewood, CO
    Camden, DE-DC, MD
    Gainsville, FL
    Athens, GA
    Hilo, HI-Western Pacific Terr.
    Boise, ID
    Champaign, IL
    Indianapolis, IN
    Des Monies, IA
    Topeka, KS
    Lexington, KY
    Alexandria, LA
    Bangor, ME
    Amherst, MA-CT, RI
    East Lansing, MI
    St. Paul, MN
    Jackson, MS
    Columbia, MO
    Bozeman, MT
    Lincoln, NE
    Carson City, NV
    Mt. Holy, NJ
    Albuquerque, NM
    Syracuse, NY
    Raleigh, NC
    Bismarck, ND
    Columbus, OH
    Stillwater, OK
    Portland, OR
    Harrisburg, PA
    Hato Rey, PR
    Columbia, SC
    Huron, SD
    Nashville, TN
    Temple, TX
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Montpelier, VT-NH, VI
    Richmond, VA
    Wentchee, WA
    Morgantown, WV
    Stevens Point, WI
    Casper, WY
    
        The address of Local, Area, and State Offices are listed in the 
    telephone director of the appropriate city or town under the heading 
    ``United States Government, Department of Agriculture, Rural 
    Development.'' The Financial Office is located at 1520 Market Street, 
    St. Louis, Missouri 63103.
    
    CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
        Present and former Rural Development applicants, borrowers, 
    grantees, tenants, and their respective household members, including 
    members of associations.
    
    CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
        The system includes files containing the names of applicants, 
    borrowers, grantees, tenants, their social security or employer 
    identification number, bank routing and account numbers; and their 
    respective household members' characteristics, such as gross and net 
    income, sources of income, capital, assets and liabilities, net worth, 
    age, race, number of dependents, marital status, reference material, 
    farm or ranch operating plans, and property appraisals. The system also 
    includes credit reports and personal references from credit agencies, 
    lenders, businesses, and individuals. In addition, a running record of 
    observation concerning the operations of the person being financed is 
    included. A record of deposits to and withdrawals from an individual's 
    supervised bank account is also contained in those files where 
    appropriate. In some Local Offices, this record is maintained in a 
    separate folder containing only information relating to activity within 
    supervised bank accounts. Some items of information are extracted from 
    the individual's file and placed in a card file for quick reference.
    
    Authority for maintenance of the system:
        7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq., and 42 U.S.C. 2706.
    
    Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
    of users and the purposes of such uses:
        1. When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other records, 
    indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, 
    criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general 
    statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order 
    issued pursuant thereto, disclosure may be made to the appropriate 
    agency, whether Federal, foreign, State, local, or tribal, or other 
    public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating, or 
    prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing 
    the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, if 
    the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, 
    investigative, or prospective responsibility of the receiving entity.
        2. A record from this system of records may be disclosed to a 
    Member of Congress or to a congressional staff member in response to an 
    inquiry of the congressional office made at the written request of the 
    constituent about whom the record is maintained.
        3. Rural Development will provide information from this system to 
    the U.S. Department of the Treasury and to other Federal agencies 
    maintaining debt servicing centers, in connection with overdue debts, 
    in order to participate in the Treasury Offset Program as required by 
    the Debt Collection Improvements Act, Pub. L. 104-134, Section 31001.
        4. Disclosure of the name, home address, and information concerning 
    default on loan repayment when the default involves a security interest 
    in tribal allotted or trust land. Pursuant to the Cranston-Gonzales 
    National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.), 
    liquidation may be pursued only after offering to transfer the account 
    to an eligible tribal member, the tribe, or the Indian housing 
    authority serving the tribe(s).
        5. Referral of names, home addresses, social security numbers, and 
    financial information to a collection or servicing contractor, 
    financial institution, or a local, State, or Federal agency, when Rural 
    Development determines such referral is appropriate for servicing or 
    collecting the borrower's account or as provided for in contracts with 
    servicing or collection agencies.
        6. It shall be a routine use of the records in this system of 
    records to disclose them in a proceeding before a court or adjudicative 
    body, when: (a)
    
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    The agency or any component thereof; or (b) any employee of the agency 
    in his or her official capacity; or (c) any employee of the agency in 
    his or her individual capacity where the agency has agreed to represent 
    the employee; or (d) the United States is a party to litigation or has 
    an interest in such litigation, and by careful review, the agency 
    determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the 
    litigation, provided, however, that in each case, the agency determines 
    that disclosure of the records is a use of the information contained in 
    the records that is compatible with the purpose for which the agency 
    collected the records.
        7. Referral of names, home addresses, and financial information for 
    selected borrowers to financial consultants, advisors, lending 
    institutions, packagers, agents, and private or commercial credit 
    sources, when Rural Development determines such referral is appropriate 
    to encourage the borrower to refinance his Rural Development 
    indebtedness as required by Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as 
    amended (42 U.S.C. 1471), or to assist the borrower in the sale of the 
    property.
        8. Referral of legally enforceable debts to the Department of the 
    Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to be offset against any tax 
    refund that may become due the debtor for the tax year in which the 
    referral is made, in accordance with the IRS regulations at 26 CFR 
    301.6402-6T, Offset of Past Due Legally Enforceable Debt Against 
    Overpayment, and under the authority contained in 31 U.S.C. 3720A.
        9. Referral of information regarding indebtedness to the Defense 
    Manpower Data Center, Department of Defense, and the United States 
    Postal Service for the purpose of conducting computer matching programs 
    to identify and locate individuals receiving Federal salary or benefit 
    payments and who are delinquent in their repayment of debts owed to the 
    U.S. Government under certain programs administered by Rural 
    Development in order to collect debts under the provisions of the Debt 
    Collection Act of 1982 (5 U.S.C. 5514) by voluntary repayment, 
    administrative or salary offset procedures, or by collection agencies.
        10. Referral of names, home addresses, and financial information to 
    lending institutions when Rural Development determines the individual 
    may be financially capable of qualifying for credit with or without a 
    guarantee.
        11. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, 
    and financial information to lending institutions that have a lien 
    against the same property as Rural Development for the purpose of the 
    collection of the debt. These loans can be under the direct and 
    guaranteed loan programs.
        12. Referral to private attorneys under contract with either Rural 
    Development or with the Department of Justice for the purpose of 
    foreclosure and possession actions and collection of past due accounts 
    in connection with Rural Development.
        13. It shall be a routine use of the records in this system of 
    records to disclose them to the Department of Justice when: (a) The 
    agency or any component thereof; or (b) any employee of the agency in 
    his or her official capacity where the Department of Justice has agreed 
    to represent the employee; or (c) the United States Government, is a 
    party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and by 
    careful review, the agency determines that the records are both 
    relevant and necessary to the litigation and the use of such records by 
    the Department of Justice is therefore deemed by the agency to be for a 
    purpose that is compatible with the purpose for which the agency 
    collected the records.
        14. Referral of names, home addresses, social security numbers, and 
    financial information to the Department of Housing and Urban 
    Development (HUD) as a record of location utilized by Federal agencies 
    for an automatic credit prescreening system.
        15. Referral of names, home addresses, social security numbers, and 
    financial information to the Department of Labor, State Wage 
    Information Collection Agencies, and other Federal, State, and local 
    agencies, as well as those responsible for verifying information 
    furnished to qualify for Federal benefits, to conduct wage and benefit 
    matching through manual and/or automated means, for the purpose of 
    determining compliance with Federal regulations and appropriate 
    servicing actions against those not entitled to program benefits, 
    including possible recovery of improper benefits.
        16. Referral of names, home addresses, and financial information to 
    financial consultants, advisors, or underwriters, when Rural 
    Development determines such referral is appropriate for developing 
    packaging and marketing strategies involving the sale of Rural 
    Development loan assets.
        17. Rural Development, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3711(e)(5), 
    will provide to consumer reporting agencies or commercial reporting 
    agencies information from this system indicating that an individual is 
    responsible for a claim that is current.
        18. Referral of names, home and work addresses, home telephone 
    numbers, social security numbers, and financial information to escrow 
    agents (which also could include attorneys and title companies) 
    selected by the applicant or borrower for the purpose of closing the 
    loan.
    
    DISCLOSURE TO CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCIES.
        Disclosures pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12): Disclosures may be 
    made from this system to consumer reporting agencies as defined in the 
    Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)) or the Federal Claims 
    Collection Act (31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3)).
    
    POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, 
    AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    STORAGE: 
        Records are maintained in file folders at the Local, Area, State, 
    and National Offices. A limited subset of personal, financial, and 
    characteristics data required for effective management of the programs 
    and borrower repayment status is maintained on disc or magnetic tape at 
    the Finance Office. This subset of data may by accessed by the 
    authorized personnel from each office.
    
    RETRIEVABILITY:
        Records are indexed by name, identification number and type of loan 
    or grant. Data may be retrieved from the paper records or the magnetic 
    tapes. A limited subset of data is available through telecommunications 
    capability, ranging from telephones to intelligent terminals. All Rural 
    Development offices have the telecommunications capability available to 
    access this subset of data.
    
    SAFEGUARDS:
        Records are kept in locked offices at the Local, Area, State, and 
    National Offices. A limited subset of data is also maintained in a tape 
    and disc library and an on-line retrieval system at the Finance Office. 
    Access is restricted to authorized Rural Development personnel. A 
    system of operator and terminal passwords and code numbers is used to 
    restrict access to the on-line system. Passwords and code numbers are 
    changed as necessary.
    
    RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
        Records are maintained subject to the Federal Records Disposal Act 
    of 1943 (44 U.S.C. 33), and in accordance with Rural Development's 
    disposal schedules. The Local, Area, State, and National Offices 
    dispose of records by shredding, burning, or other suitable disposal 
    methods after established retention periods have been fulfilled. 
    Finance Office records are disposed of
    
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    by overprinting. (Destruction methods may never compromise the 
    confidentiality of information contained in the records.)
        Applications, including credit reports and personal references, 
    which are rejected, withdrawn, or otherwise terminated are kept in the 
    Local, Area, or State Office for 2 full fiscal years and 1 month after 
    the end of the fiscal year in which the application was rejected, 
    withdrawn, canceled, or expired. If final action was taken on the 
    application, including an appeal, investigation, or litigation, the 
    application is kept for 1 full fiscal year after the end of the fiscal 
    year in which final action was taken.
        The records, including credit reports, of borrowers who have paid 
    or otherwise satisfied their obligation are retained in the Local, 
    Area, or State Office for 1 full fiscal year after the fiscal year in 
    which the loan was paid in full. Correspondence records at the National 
    Office which concern borrowers and applicants are retained for 3 full 
    fiscal years after the last year in which there was correspondence.
    
    SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
        The Community Development Manager at the Local Office, the Rural 
    Development Manager at the Area Office, and the State Director at the 
    State Office, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer in St. Louis, MO, and 
    the respective Administrators in the National Office at the following 
    addresses: Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA, 1400 
    Independence Avenue, SW, Room 5014, South Building, Stop 0701, 
    Washington, DC 20250-0701; Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative 
    Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 5045, South Building, 
    Stop 3201, Washington, DC 20250-3201; Administrator, Rural Utilities 
    Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4501, South Building, 
    Stop 1510, Washington, DC 2050-1510.
    
    NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
        Any individual may request information regarding this system of 
    records, or determine whether the system contains records pertaining to 
    him/her, from the appropriate System Manager. If the specific location 
    of the record is not known, the individual should address his or her 
    request to: Rural Development, Freedom of Information Officer, United 
    States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 
    0742, Washington, DC 20250-0742.
        A request for information pertaining to an individual must include 
    a name; an address; the Rural Development office where the loan or 
    grant was applied for, approved, and/or denied; the type of Rural 
    Development program; and the date of the request or approval.
    
    RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
        Any individual may obtain information regarding the procedures for 
    gaining access to a record in the system which pertains to him or her 
    by submitting a written request to one of the System Managers.
    
    CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
        Same as record access procedures.
    
    RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
        Information in this system comes primarily from the applicant, 
    borrower, grantee, or tenant. Credit reports and personal references 
    come primarily from credit agencies and creditors.
    
    EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:
        None.
    USDA/RURAL DEVELOPMENT-2
    
    SYSTEM NAME:
        Biographical Sketch File
    
    SYSTEM LOCATION:
        USDA/Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0730, 
    Washington, DC 20250-0730.
    
    CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
        All employees and former employees of Rural Development at or above 
    the Division Director level and all current and former Schedule C 
    employees and Senior Executive Service members.
    
    CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
        The system consists of files containing information concerning 
    employee's educational and employment history, awards, marital status, 
    number of children, present employment, place of birth, and current 
    residence. The employee knows the file is maintained and has approved 
    the biography.
    
    AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM
        7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq., and 5 U.S.C. 301.
    
    ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
    OF USERS AND THE PURPOSE OF SUCH USES:
        The information is furnished to the news media, congressional 
    committees, organizations to which the employee will be speaking, and 
    other interested parties.
    
    POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, 
    AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    STORAGE:
        Records are maintained in file folders at the National Office.
    
    RETRIEVABILITY:
        Records are indexed by name.
    
    SAFEGUARDS:
        Recors are kept in a building with full-time security.
    
    RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
        Indefinite.
    
    SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESSES:
        Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA, 1400 Independence 
    Avenue, SW., Room 5014, South Building, Stop 0701, Washington, DC 
    20250-0701; Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, 
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5045, South Building, Stop 3201, 
    Washington, DC 20250-3201; Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, 
    USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4501, South Building, Stop 
    1510, Washington, DC 20250-1510.
    
    NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE
        Any individual may request information concerning this system of 
    records, or information as to whether the system contains record 
    pertaining to him/her from the System Manager. A request for 
    information pertaining to an individual should contain: name, address, 
    position(s) held in Rural Development, and dates of employment.
    
    RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
        Any individual may obtain information as to the procedures for 
    gaining access to and contesting a record in the system which pertains 
    to him/her by submitting a written request to the System Manager.
    
    CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
        Same as record access procedures.
    
    RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
        Information in this system is provided by the employee, or is taken 
    from his/her recorded with his/her concurrence.
    USDA/RURAL DEVELOPMENT-3
    
    SYSTEM NAME:
        Graduation File.
    
    SYSTEM LOCATION:
        Each borrower's graduation file is located in the Local and Area 
    Offices through which the borrower obtained his loan, and, in some 
    cases, at the State Office responsible for that Local and Area Offices.
    
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        A list of State Offices and any additional States for which an 
    office is responsible is included under the system titled ``USDA/Rural 
    Development-1 Applicant, Borrower, Grantee, or Tenant File.'' The 
    address of State and Local Offices are listed in the telephone 
    directory or the appropriate city or town under the heading ``United 
    States Government, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development.''
    
    CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
        All Rural Development borrowers whose loans are eligible for review 
    to determine whether the borrower should obtain credit from other 
    sources. All borrowers who have been in debit for at least five years 
    on a real estate loan are considered eligible for review.
    
    CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
        The system consists of files containing names of borrowers eligible 
    for review, type of loan, whether graduation is advisable and any 
    communications with the borrower concerning whether the loan has been 
    paid off or if the borrower is usable to refinance, as well as comments 
    of the Community Development Manager.
    
    AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
        7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq., and 5 U.S.C. 301.
    
    ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
    OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
        1. When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other records, 
    indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, 
    criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general 
    statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order 
    issued pursuant thereto, disclosure may be made to the appropriate 
    agency, whether Federal, foreign, State, local, or tribal, or other 
    public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating, or 
    prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing 
    the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, if 
    the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, 
    investigative, or prosecutive responsibility of the receiving entity.
        2. A record from this system of records may be disclosed to a 
    Member of Congress or to a congressional staff member in response to an 
    inquiry of the Congressional office made at the written request of the 
    constituent about whom the record is maintained.
        3. Referral of names, home addresses, and financial information for 
    selected borrowers to financial consultants, advisors, lending 
    institutions, packagers, agents, and private or commercial credit 
    sources, when Rural Development determines such referral is appropriate 
    to encourage the borrower to refinance his Rural Development 
    indebtedness as required by Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as 
    amended (42 U.S.C. 1471), or to assist the borrower in the sale of the 
    property.
    
    POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, 
    AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    STORAGE:
        Records are maintained in file folders.
    
    RETRIEVABILITY:
        Records are indexed by name.
    
    SAFEGUARDS:
        Records are kept in locked offices at all levels, and access is 
    restricted to authorized Rural Development officials.
    
    RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
        Records are retained for three years after the list of borrowers 
    eligible for review was received by the Community Development Manager.
    
    SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
        The Community Development Manager and the State Director at the 
    appropriate levels.
    
    NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
        Any individual may request information regarding this system of 
    records, or information as to whether the system contains records 
    pertaining to him from the appropriate System Manager. If the specific 
    location of the record is not known, the individual should address a 
    request to the Freedom of Information Officer, Rural Development, USDA, 
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0742, Washington, DC 20250-0742. A 
    request for information pertaining to an individual should contain: 
    Name, address, State and county where loan was applied for or approved, 
    and particulars involved (i.e. date of request/approval, type of loan, 
    etc.).
    
    RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
        Any individual may obtain information as to the procedures for 
    gaining access to a record in the system which pertains to him/her by 
    submitting a written request to one of the System Managers referred to 
    in the proceeding paragraph.
    
    CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
        Same as access.
    
    RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
        Information in this system comes primarily from the borrower.
    USDA/RURAL DEVELOPMENT-4
    
    SYSTEM NAME:
        Housing Contractor Complaint File.
    
    SYSTEM LOCATION:
        Complaints concerning housing contractors may be filed in the 
    Local, Area, and State Offices in any State, County or District in 
    which the contractor has conducted business.
        A list of State Offices and any additional State for which an 
    office is responsible is included under the system titled ``USDA/Rural 
    Development-1 Applicant, Borrower, Grantee, or Tenant File.'' The 
    addresses of State and Local Offices are listed in the telephone 
    directory of the appropriate city or town under the heading ``United 
    States Government, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development.''
    
    CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
        All housing contractors who have performed work for Rural 
    Development borrowers and about whom the borrower has seen fit to file 
    a complaint.
    
    CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
        The system consists of files containing borrowers' complaints 
    concerning contractors.
    
    AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
        7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq., and 5 U.S.C. 301.
    
    ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
    OF USERS AND THE PURPOSE OF SUCH USES:
        1. When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other records, 
    indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, 
    criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general 
    statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order 
    issued pursuant thereto, disclosure may be made to the appropriate 
    agency, whether Federal, foreign, State, local, or tribal, or other 
    public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating, or 
    prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing 
    the statue, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, if 
    the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, 
    investigative, or prosecutive responsibility of receiving entity.
        2. It shall be a routine use of the records in this system of 
    records to disclose them in a proceeding before a court or adjudicative 
    body, when: (a) The agency or any component thereof; or (b) any 
    employee of the agency in his or her official capacity; or (c) any
    
    [[Page 38551]]
    
    employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the 
    agency has agreed to represent the employee; or (d) the United States 
    is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and by 
    careful review, the agency determines that the records are both 
    relevant and necessary to the litigation, provided, however, that in 
    each case, the agency determines that disclosure of the records is a 
    use of the information contained in the records that is compatible with 
    the purpose for which the agency collected the records.
    
    POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING 
    AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    STORAGE: 
        Records are maintained in file folders.
    
    RETRIEVABILITY:
        Records are indexed by the contractor or name of the construction 
    company.
    
    SAFEGUARDS:
        Records are kept in locked offices at all levels. Access at all 
    levels is restricted to authorized Rural Development officials.
    
    RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
        Records are maintained subject to the Federal Records Disposal Act 
    of 1943 (44 U.S.C. 33) and in accordance with Rural Development's 
    disposal schedules. Records are retained for three years after the 
    fiscal year of the complaint.
    
    SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
        The Community Development Manager at the Local Office level and the 
    State Director at the State Office level.
    
    NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
        Any individual may request information regarding this system of 
    records, or information as to whether the system contains records 
    pertaining to him/her from the appropriate System Manager. If the 
    specific location of the record is not known, the individual should 
    address his/her request to the Freedom of Information Officer, Rural 
    Development, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0742, 
    Washington, DC 20250-0742. A request for information pertaining to an 
    individual should contain: Name, address, and location where work was 
    performed for Rural Development borrowers.
    
    RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
        Any individual may obtain information as to the procedures for 
    gaining access to a record in the system which pertains to him/her by 
    submitting a written request to one of the System Managers referred to 
    in the preceding paragraph.
    
    CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
        Same as access.
    
    RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
        Information in this system comes primarily from the complainants.
    USDA/RURAL DEVELOPMENT-5
    
    SYSTEM NAME:
        Tort Claims File, USDA/Rural Development
    
    SYSTEM LOCATION:
        Each claimant's file is located in the office of the employee 
    against whom the action was filed, the applicable State Office, and the 
    National Office. A list of State Offices and any additional States for 
    which an office is responsible is included under the system titled 
    ``USDA/Rural Development-1 Applicant, Borrower, Grantee or Tenant 
    File.'' The addresses of State and Local Offices are listed in the 
    telephone directory of the appropriate city or town under the heading 
    ``United States Government, Department of Agriculture, Rural 
    Development.'' The National Office is located at the following address: 
    USDA/Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0742, 
    Washington, DC 20250-0742.
    
    CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
        All claimants who have filed civil suits against employees of Rural 
    Development, or against the Federal Government, including those filed 
    under the Tort Claims Act, as a result of circumstances involving Rural 
    Development.
    
    CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
        The system consists of files containing information as to the 
    circumstances of the loss for which the claimant is seeking relief, 
    opinions of the Office of General Counsel, USDA, and disposition of the 
    case.
    
    AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
        7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq., and 5 U.S.C. 301.
    
    ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
    OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
        When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other records, 
    indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, 
    criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general 
    statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order 
    issued pursuant thereto, disclosure may be made to the appropriate 
    agency, whether Federal, foreign, State, local, or tribal, or other 
    public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating, or 
    prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing 
    the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, if 
    the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, 
    investigative, or prosecutive responsibility of the receiving entity.
    
    POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, 
    AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    STORAGE:
        Records are maintained in file folders.
    
    RETRIEVABILITY:
        Records are indexed by claimant's name.
    
    SAFEGUARDS:
        Records are kept in locked offices at all levels. Access at all 
    levels is restricted to authorized Rural Development officials.
    
    RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
        Records are maintained subject to the Federal Records Disposal Act 
    of 1943 (44 U.S.C. 33) and in accordance with Rural Development's 
    disposal schedules. Records are retained for five years after the last 
    written report or document was placed in the file.
    
    SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
        The Community Development Manager at the Local Office level, the 
    State Director at the State Office level and the respective 
    Administrators in the National Office at the following addresses: 
    Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
    SW., Room 5014, South Building, Stop 0701, Washington, DC 20250-0701; 
    Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, 1400 
    Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5045, South Building, Stop 3201, 
    Washington, DC 20250-3201; Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, 
    USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4501, South Building, Stop 
    1510, Washington, DC 20250-1510.
    
    NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
        Any individual may request information regarding this system of 
    records, or information as to whether the system contains records 
    pertaining to him/her from the appropriate System Manager. If the 
    specific location of the record is not known, the individual should 
    address his/her request to the Freedom of Information Officer, Rural 
    Development, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0742,
    
    [[Page 38552]]
    
    Washington, DC 20250-0742. A request for information pertaining to an 
    individual should contain: Name, address, defendant in the action and 
    date of the initiation of the action.
    
    RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
        Any individual may obtain information as to the procedures for 
    gaining access to a record in the system which pertains to him/her by 
    submitting a written request to one of the System Managers referred to 
    in the preceding paragraph.
    
    CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
        Same as access.
    
    RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
        Information in this file comes primarily from the claimant.
    USDA/RURAL DEVELOPMENT-6
    
    SYSTEM NAME:
        Training Files.
    
    SYSTEM LOCATION:
        Training files may be located at the Rural Development National 
    Office, 501 School Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.
    
    CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
        All persons who have received or applied for training at the Rural 
    Development Training Center and other locations if such training was to 
    be at Rural Development expense.
    
    CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
        Name of individual, date(s) of training and course(s) taken or 
    applied for are included in this record.
    
    AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
        7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq., and 5 U.S.C. 301.
    
    ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
    OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
        When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other records, 
    indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, 
    criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general 
    statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order 
    issued pursuant thereto, disclosure may be made to the appropriate 
    agency, whether Federal, foreign, State, local, or tribal, or other 
    public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating, or 
    prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing 
    the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, if 
    the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, 
    investigative, or prosecutive responsibility of the receiving entity.
    
    POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING 
    AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    STORAGE:
        Records are maintained in file folders at the National Office.
    
    RETRIEVABILITY:
        Records are indexed by the name of the individual receiving/
    applying for training.
    
    SAFEGUARDS:
        Records are kept in a locked office.
    
    RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
        Retention is indefinite.
    
    SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
        Administrator, Rural Housing, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 
    Room 5014, South Building, Stop 0701, Washington, DC 20250-0701; 
    Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, 1400 
    Independence Avenue, SW, Room 5045, South Building, Stop 3201, 
    Washington, DC 20250-3201; Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, 
    USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4501, South Building, Stop 
    1510, Washington, DC 20250-1510.
    
    NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
        Any individual may request information regarding this system of 
    records, or information as to whether the system contains records 
    pertaining to him/her from the appropriate System Manager. Requests 
    should include name and address.
    
    RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
        Any individual may obtain information as to the procedures for 
    gaining access to a record in the system which pertain to him/her by 
    submitting a written request to the System Manager.
    
    CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
        Same as access.
    
    RECORDS SOURCE CATEGORIES:
        Information in this system comes from the applicant.
    USDA/RURAL DEVELOPMENT-7
    
    SYSTEM NAME:
        Travel Records.
    
    SYSTEM LOCATION:
        Each traveler's file is located in the Local Office or Area Office 
    in which he/she is employed; the State Office responsible for that 
    Local Office or Area Office; or in the National Finance Office if the 
    traveler is employed at either of those levels.
        A list of State Offices and any additional States for which an 
    office is responsible is included under the system titled ``USDA/Rural 
    Development-1 Applicant, Borrower, Grantee, or Tenant File.'' The 
    addresses of State, Local, and Area Offices are listed in the telephone 
    directory of the appropriate city or town under the heading ``United 
    States Government, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development.''
    
    CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
        All Rural Development employees and former employees whose travel 
    expenses have been paid for by Rural Development.
    
    CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
        The system consists of files containing employees; itineraries and 
    travel vouchers.
    
    AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
        7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq., and 5 U.S.C. 301.
    
    ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
    OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
        When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other records, 
    indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, 
    criminal, or regulatory in nature,and whether arising by general 
    statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order 
    issued pursuant thereto, disclosure may be made to the appropriate 
    agency, whether Federal, foreign, State, local, or tribal, or other 
    public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating, or 
    prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing 
    the statute, or rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto, if 
    the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, 
    investigative, or prosecutive responsibility of the receiving entity.
    
    POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING 
    AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    STORAGE:
        Records are maintained in file folders.
    
    RETRIEVABILITY:
        Records are indexed by name.
    
    SAFEGUARDS:
        Records are kept in locked offices at all levels. Access at all 
    levels is restricted to authorized Rural Development officials.
    
    [[Page 38553]]
    
    RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
        Records are maintained subject to the Federal Records Disposal Act 
    of 1943 (44 U.S.C. 33) and in accordance with Rural Development's 
    disposal schedules. Records are disposed of six years after the fiscal 
    year in which the travel occurred.
    
    System manager(s) and address:
        The Community Development Manager at the Local Office level, the 
    State Director at the State Office level, the Deputy Chief Financial 
    Officer for Finance Office records and the respective Administrators, 
    for the National Office files at the following addresses in the 
    National Office: Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA, 1400 
    Independence Avenue, SW, Room 5014, South Building, Stop 0701, 
    Washington, DC 20250-0701; Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative 
    Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 5045, South Building, 
    Stop 3201, Washington, DC 20250-3201; Administrator, Rural Utilities 
    Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4501, South Building, 
    Stop 1510, Washington, DC 20250-1510.
    
    Notification procedure:
        Any individual may request information regarding this system of 
    records, or information as to whether the system contains records 
    pertaining to him/her from the appropriate System Manager. If the 
    specific location of the record is not known, the individual should 
    address his/her request to the Freedom of Information Officer, Rural 
    Development, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0742, 
    Washington, DC 20250-0742. A request for information pertaining to an 
    individual should contain: Name, address, and dates and places of 
    employment.
    
    Record access procedures:
        Any individual may obtain information as to the procedures for 
    gaining access to a record in the system which pertains to him/her by 
    submitting a written request to one of the System Managers referred to 
    in the preceding paragraph.
    
    Contesting record procedures:
        Same as access.
    
    Record source categories:
        Information in this system comes primarily from the employee.
    
    [FR Doc. 98-19119 Filed 7-16-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-07-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/17/1998
Department:
Agriculture Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of revised Privacy Act systems of records.
Document Number:
98-19119
Dates:
This notice will be adopted without further publication in the Federal Register on September 15, 1998, unless modified by a subsequent notice to incorporate comments received from the public. Although the Privacy Act requires only that the portion of the system which describes the ``routine uses'' of the system be published for comment, USDA invites comment on all portions of this notice. Comments must be received by the contact person listed below on or before August 17, 1998.
Pages:
38546-38553 (8 pages)
PDF File:
98-19119.pdf