[Federal Register: July 28, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 144)]
[Notices]               
[Page 40814-40815]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jy99-36]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

 
Notice of Request for Comments on Information Collection Package

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; Comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intent to request approval 
of an Information Collection Package in support of the program for 
servicing the Agency's Community Programs loans and grants.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 27, 1999 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For inquiries on the Information 
Collection Package, contact Tracy Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork 
Management Branch, at (202) 692-0039. For program content, contact Beth 
Jones, Senior Loan Specialist, Community Programs Servicing and Special 
Authorities Branch, RHS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., Mail Stop 0787, 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-0787, Telephone (202) 720-1498, E-mail 
epjones@rdmail.rural.usda.gov. Comments should be submitted to Ms. 
Gillin at USDA--Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mail 
Stop 0742, Washington, DC 20250-0742.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR 3570-E, Servicing of Community Programs Loans and 
Grants.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is a credit agency within 
the Rural Development mission area of the United States Department of 
Agriculture. Rural Development 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 
through the Community Facilities program for the development of 
essential community facilities primarily serving

[[Page 40815]]

rural residents. The information will be collected by Rural Development 
field offices from applicants, borrowers, consultants, lenders, and 
attorneys. This information is used to determine applicant/borrower 
eligibility and project feasibility for various servicing actions. This 
information enables field staff to ensure that borrowers operate on a 
sound basis and use loan and grant funds for authorized purposes. RHS 
is combining the applicable portions of seven regulations affecting the 
servicing of Community Programs (CP) loans and grants into one 
regulation. The administrative portion has been removed from the 
published regulation. Agency field personnel will receive an 
instruction which will include the administrative portion and the 
published regulation. This action is being taken as part of the 
National Partnership for Reinventing Government program to eliminate 
unnecessary regulations and improve those that remain in force. This 
effort will streamline the published regulations, improve efficiency 
and effectiveness, and increase the level and quality of customer 
service. The regulation is being published as a final rule because 
there are no policy or procedural changes.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 46 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions, State, Local, or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 266.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 15.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,783.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0039.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RHS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RHS'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 to Tracy Gillin, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, STOP 0743, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20250. 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.

    Dated: July 21, 1999.
Eileen M. Fitzgerald,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 99-19293 Filed 7-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P