[Federal Register: May 19, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 96)]
[Notices]               
[Page 27011]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19my03-25]                         


[[Page 27011]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

 
Request for Reinstatement and Revision of a Previously Approved 
Information Collection

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, this 
notice announces the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) intention to request a 
reinstatement and revision of a previously approved collection. This 
information is used to support FSA in conducting business and accepting 
signatures on certain documents from individuals acting on behalf of 
others.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before July 18, 
2003 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Virgil Ireland, Agricultural Program 
Specialist, Emergency Preparedness and Program Branch, Production, 
Emergencies, and Compliance Division, FSA, at (202) 720-5103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Power of Attorney (7 CFR part 718).
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0190.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement and revision of a previously 
approved information collection.
    Abstract: Individuals or authorized representatives of entities 
wanting to appoint another to act as their attorney-in-fact in 
connection with certain FSA, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), and 
Risk Management Agency (RMA) programs and related actions must complete 
a Power of Attorney form (FSA-211). The FSA-211 serves as evidence that 
the grantor has appointed another to act on their behalf for certain 
FSA, CCC, and RMA programs and related actions, giving the appointee 
legal authority to enter into binding agreements on the grantor's 
behalf.
    The FSA-211 also provides FSA, CCC, and RMA a source to verify an 
individual's authority to sign and act for another in the event of 
errors or fraud that require legal remedies. The information collected 
on the FSA-211 is limited to the grantor's name, signature and 
identification number, the grantee's name and address, and the 
applicable FSA, CCC, and RMA programs.
    Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average .25 hours per 
response.
    Respondents: Individuals or authorized representatives of entities, 
such as corporations, wanting to appoint an attorney-in-fact to act on 
their behalf.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 519,653.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 129,913.
    Proposed topics for comment include: (a) Whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the USDA service center; (b) the agency's estimate of burden; (c) 
methods to enhance the usefulness of the information collected; or (d) 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the information on 
those who respond. Comments must be sent to the Desk Officer for 
Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503, and to Virgil Ireland, 
Agricultural Program Specialist, USDA-FSA-PECD, STOP 0517, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 720-
5103; or fax (202) 690-3632. Copies of the information collection may 
be obtained from Mr. Ireland at the above address.
    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.

    Signed at Washington, DC on May 12, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-12388 Filed 5-16-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-05-P