2021-02673. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 4, 2021.

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: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 11, 2021 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

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.

Rural Housing Service

Title: Fire and Rescue Loans—7 CFR 1942, Subpart C.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0120.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public agencies, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes for the development of essential community facilities primarily servicing rural residents. The primary regulation for administering this Community Facility program is 7 CFR 1942-A. The Community Facilities program has been used to finance about 100 different types of facilities varying in size and complexity from fire trucks to hospitals. A significant portion of the loans made have been used for public safety to finance fire stations, fire trucks, ambulances, and rescue facilities and other small Community Facilities projects. The information must be collected to determine eligibility, analyze financial feasibility, take security, monitor the use of loan funds, and monitor the financial condition of borrowers, and otherwise assisting borrowers.

Need and Use of the Information: The information will be collected by Rural Development field offices from applicants/borrowers and consultants. This information will be used to determine applicant/borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan funds for authorized purposes.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 1,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 7,881.

Title: 7 CFR 1902-A, Supervised Bank Accounts.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0158.

Summary of Collection: 7 CFR 1902-A, Supervised Bank Accounts (SBA), prescribes the policies and procedures for disbursing loan and grant funds, establishing and closing supervised accounts, and placing Multi-Family housing reserve accounts in supervised accounts. The Rural Business Service extends financial assistance to applicants that do not qualify for loans under commercial rates and terms. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is the credit agency for agriculture and rural development in USDA. Supervised accounts are accounts with a financial institution in the names of a borrower and the United States Government, represented by Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Utilities Service, (Agency). Section 339 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1989 and Section 510 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1480) is the legislative authorities requiring the use of supervised accounts.

Need and Use of the Information: The agency's state and field offices will collect information from borrowers and financial institutions. The Agency use SBA's as a mechanism to (1) ensure correct disbursement and expenditure of all funds designated for a project; (2) help a borrower properly manage its financial affairs; (3) ensure that the Government's security is protected adequately from fraud, waste and abuse. The consequence to Federal program and policy activities if the collection of information was not conducted would be detrimental to both the Government and to borrowers.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 13,500.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 23,626.

Title: 7 CFR 1902-A, Supervised Bank Accounts.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0158.

Summary of Collection: 7 CFR 1902-A, Supervised Bank Accounts (SBA), prescribes the policies and procedures for disbursing loan and grant funds, establishing and closing supervised accounts, and placing Multi-Family housing reserve accounts in supervised accounts. The Rural Business Service extends financial assistance to applicants that do not qualify for loans under commercial rates and terms. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is the credit agency for agriculture and rural development in USDA. Supervised accounts are accounts with a financial institution in the names of a borrower and the United States Government, represented by Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Utilities Service, (Agency). Section 339 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1989 and Section 510 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1480) is the legislative authorities requiring the use of supervised accounts.

Need and Use of the Information: The agency's state and field offices will collect information from borrowers and financial institutions. The Agency use SBA's as a mechanism to (1) ensure correct disbursement and expenditure of all funds designated for a project; (2) help a borrower properly manage its financial affairs; (3) ensure that the Government's security is protected adequately from fraud, waste and abuse. The consequence to Federal program and policy activities if the collection of information was not conducted would be detrimental to both the Government and to borrowers.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 13,500.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 23,626.

Levi S. Harrell,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.