[Federal Register: June 27, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 124)]
[Notices]
[Page 38285]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27jn03-40]
[[Page 38285]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Information Collection; Facsimile Signature Authorization and
Verification
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Farm Service Agency is seeking comments from all interested individuals
and entities on an extension of a currently approved collection.
Specifically, comments are sought about FSA-237, which serves as a
verification of producer's original signature and their desire to
conduct business with FSA electronically.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before August 26,
2003 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to
Virgil Ireland, Agricultural Program Specialist, USDA, FSA, STOP 0517,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250 and Desk Officer
for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office
of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments may be
submitted via facsimile to (202) 690-3632. Copies of the information
collection may be obtained from Mr. Ireland at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Virgil Ireland, Agricultural Program
Specialist, Emergency Preparedness and Program Branch, Production,
Emergencies, and Compliance Division, (202) 720-5103.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Description of Information Collection
Title: Facsimile Signature Authorization and Verification (7 CFR
part 718).
OMB Control Number: 0560-0203.
Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: Individuals wishing to conduct business and provide
certain signed documents to the USDA Service Center agencies via
facsimile machines must complete a FSA-237, Facsimile Signature
Authorization and Verification form. The FSA-237 serves as evidence
that the individual is willing to conduct business and provide signed
documents through facsimile machines. The FSA-211 also provides the
agencies a source to authenticate signatures and transactions in the
event of errors or fraud that require legal remedies. The information
collected on the FSA-237 is limited to the individual's name, signature
and identification number. Individuals must agree to the terms and
conditions of conducting business via facsimile machines. Without the
collection of this information, USDA service center agencies cannot
ensure the authenticity of signatures received via facsimile unless
they are supplemented with the original signature.
Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated to average .02 hours per
response.
Respondents: Individuals who wish to conduct business with USDA
service center agencies via facsimile.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 987,341 hours.
Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 19,747.
Comment is invited: (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 or scientific
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
collection of information, including the validity of 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 the information on respondents, including the use
of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
All comments received in response to this notice, including names
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public records.
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office
of Management and Budget approval.
Signed at Washington, DC, on June 20, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-16311 Filed 6-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P