05-1080. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 13, 2005.

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: 7 CFR Part 1951-L, Servicing Cases Where Unauthorized Loan or Other Assistance was Received.

OBM Control Number: 0560-0160.

Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm loan programs are administered under the provisions of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) [Pub. L. 87-128]. Occasionally, FSA encounters cases where unauthorized assistance was received by a borrower. This assistance may be a loan where the recipient did not meet the eligibility requirements set forth in program regulations or where the borrower qualified for loan assistance but the interest rate used was incorrect. The assistance may also be loan servicing where a borrower received an excessive write down or write-off of their debt. The information collected under the provisions of this regulation is provided on a voluntary basis by the borrower, although failure to cooperate to correct loan accounts may result in liquidation of the account.

Need and Use of the Information: The information to be collected by FSA will primarily be financial data such as amount of income, farm operating expenses, crop yields, etc. The borrower will provide written records or other information to refute FSA's findings when it is determined through audit or by other means that a borrower has received unauthorized financial assistance. If the borrower is unsuccessful in having the FSA change its determination of unauthorized assistance, the borrower may appeal the FSA decision. Otherwise, the unauthorized loan recipient may pay the loan in full, apply for a loan under a different program, convey the loan security to the government, enter into an accelerated repayment agreement, or sell the security in lieu of forced liquidation.

Description of Respondents: Farms; individuals or household; business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 200.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting; on occasion; annually.

Total Burden Hours: 800.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.