2018-02845. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 7, 2018.

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 are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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 regarding this information collection received by March 15, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. 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.

Risk Management Agency

Title: Standard Reinsurance Agreement.

OMB Control Number: 0563-0069.

Summary of Collection: The Federal Crop Insurance Act, Title 7 U.S.C. Chapter 36 Sec. 1508(k), authorizes the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to provide reinsurance to approved insurance providers who insure producers of any agricultural commodity under one or more plans acceptable to FCIC. The Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) is a financial agreement between FCIC and the company to provide subsidy and reinsurance on eligible crop insurance. The SRA includes Regulatory Duties and Responsibilities, Plan of Operations, Policy Acceptance and Storage System and Quality Assurance and Program Integrity.

Need and Use of the Information: The Plan of Operations provides the information the insurer is required to file for the initial and each subsequent reinsurance year. FCIC uses the information as a basis for the approval of the insurer's financial and operational capability of delivering the crop insurance program and for evaluating the insurer's performance regarding implementation of procedures for training and quality control. If the information were not collected, FCIC would not be able to reinsure the crop business.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.

Number of Respondents: 20,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 171,500.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Clearance Officer.