2022-16523. Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comments Requested

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Proposed Collection; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces its intention to request a revision of a currently approved collection and invites comments on this information collection.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by October 3, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 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 RHS is submitting to OMB for revision.

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. RHS-22-CF-0004. 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 October 3, 2022.

Title:7 CFR 3570 Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0198.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) is a competitive grant program which the Rural Housing Service (RHS) administers. Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT), 7 U.S.C. 1926, was amended by Section 6006 of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) to establish the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant. Section 6006 authorized grants be made to public bodies and private nonprofit corporations (including Indian Tribes) that will serve rural areas for the purpose of enabling the grantees to provide to associations technical assistance and training with respect to essential community facilities authorized under Section 306(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)). Grants can be made for 100 percent of the cost of assistance.

Need and Use of the Information: Eligible entities receive TAT grants to help small rural communities or areas identify and solve problems relating to essential community facilities. The grant recipients may provide technical assistance to public bodies and private nonprofit corporations. Applicants applying for TAT grants must submit an application, which includes an application form, narrative proposal, various other forms, certifications, and supplemental information. The Rural Development State Offices and the RHS National Office staff will use the information collected to determine applicant eligibility, project feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet the grant and regulatory requirements. Failure to collect proper information could result in improper determinations of eligibility or improper use of funds.

The regulations contain requirements that involve information collection activities, including documentation of assistance, indirect cost agreements, statement of compliance, evidence of legal authority, scope of work, budgets, project plan, appraisal reports, audit reports, selection priorities narrative, appealing denial of grant application, consultations, small business plan evidence, experience documentation, financial information, funding source documentation, performance reports and financial assistance plans.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.

Respondents: Not-for-Profit Institutions, Public Bodies and Tribal Organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 42.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,733.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Lynn Gilbert, Innovation Center, at [phone], Email: [e-mail].

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.

Joaquin Altoro,

Administrator, Rural Housing Service.