[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1603]
Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 26, 1994 /
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 26, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 17
Wednesday, January 26, 1994
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farmers Home Administration
7 CFR Part 2018
Extension of the Delegation of Authority for Freedom of
Information Act and Privacy Act Requests
AGENCY: Farmers Home Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this amendment to the Farmers Home
Administration (FmHA) regulations is to expand the delegation of
authority to include the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Specialist
and Management Analyst positions located in the Freedom of Information/
Torts Section at the National Office, and the State Administrative
Officers/Administrative Program Chiefs. This action is necessary due to
a noticeable increase in Freedom of Information requests that must be
processed. The intended effect is to speed up the processing of the
Freedom of Information Act requests.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 26, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorothy Hinden, Freedom of Information
Officer, General Services Staff, Farmers Home Administration (FmHA),
USDA, room 6847, South Agriculture Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0700, Telephone (202) 720-9638.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The State Directors, District Directors, County Supervisors and the
Freedom of Information Officer are the only positions currently
delegated authority to respond to requests under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA). During the last several years there has been a
noticeable increase in FOIA requests made to FmHA. To speed up
processing these requests, it will be necessary to expand the
delegation of authority to include the Administrative Officers and
Administrative Program Chief for each state and two additional
professional positions, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Specialist
and Management Analyst, located in the FmHA Freedom of Information/
Torts Section at the National Office.
Classification
This action has been reviewed under USDA procedures which implement
Executive Order 12886. The action is exempt from those requirements
because it involves only internal Agency management. While it is USDA
policy to publish for comment rules relating to public property, loans,
grants, benefits, or contracts notwithstanding the exemption in 5
U.S.C. 553 with respect to such rules, this action involves only
internal Agency management. Therefore, publication for comment is
unnecessary.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 2018
Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information.
Accordingly, part 2018 of chapter XVIII, title 7, Code of Federal
Regulations, is amended as follows:
PART 2018--GENERAL
1. The authority citation for part 2018 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552.
Subpart F--Availability of Information
2. The introductory paragraph of Sec. 2018.254 is revised to read
as follows:
Sec. 2018.254 Requests for records.
Requests for records are to be submitted in accordance with 7 CFR
1.3 and may be made to the appropriate County Supervisor, District
Director, State Administrative Officer, State Administrative Program
Chief, State Director, or the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act
Specialist, Management Analyst, or Freedom of Information Officer. The
last three positions are located in the General Services Staff, Farmers
Home Administration, Washington, DC 20250-0700. The phrase ``FOIA
REQUEST'' should appear on the outside of the envelope in capital
letters. Requests should be as specific as possible in describing the
records being requested. The Freedom of Information Officer, Freedom of
Information/Privacy Act Specialist, Management Analyst, each State
Administrator Officer, each Administrative Program Chief, each State
Director, each District Director, and each County Supervisor are
delegated authority to act respectively at the National, state,
district, or county level on behalf of Farmers Home Administration to:
* * * * *
Dated: December 14, 1993.
Bob Nash,
Under Secretary, Small Community and Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 94-1603 Filed 1-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-07-U
