Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 79461-79462 [2020-27115]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 238 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79461-79462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27115]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 238 / Thursday, December 10, 2020 / 
Notices

[[Page 79461]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 7, 2020.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and 
Budget (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; 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 January 
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 Utilities Service

    Title: OneRD Guaranteed Loan Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0155.
    Summary of Collection: Rural Development is implementing a new 
consolidated guaranteed loan program. This interim final rule would 
create a new guaranteed loan program that would combine four existing 
guaranteed loan programs under one regulatory platform. These four 
existing programs, described below, are: (1) The Community Facilities 
Program (0575-0137), (2) the Water and Waste Disposal Program (0572-
0122), (3) the Business and Industry Program (0570-0014), and (4) the 
Rural Energy for America Program (formerly known as the Renewable 
Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program--0570-0050) 
under Title IX, Section 9007 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill).
    Community Facilities Program. 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 serving rural residents. RHS 
has been making guaranteed loans through its Community Programs, which 
was authorized by Congress in 1990. Community Program guaranteed loans 
are used to finance many types of projects varying in size and 
complexity from large general hospitals to small firefighting equipment 
loans. The guaranteed loan program encourages lender participation and 
provides specific guidance in the processing and servicing of 
guaranteed Community Facility loans.
    Water and Waste Disposal Program. The Rural Utilities Service 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 water 
and waste disposal facilities primarily serving rural residents. Water 
and Waste Disposal Programs (WW), which has been in existence for 
approximately 60 years, was authorized with the Appropriations Act of 
1990, when Congress appropriated funds, to implement the Water and 
Waste Disposal guaranteed loan program. Water and waste disposal 
guaranteed loans are used to finance many types of projects varying in 
size and complexity. The guaranteed loan program encourages lender 
participation and provides specific guidance in the processing and 
servicing of guaranteed WW loans.
    Business and Industry Program. The Business and Industry (B&I) 
Guaranteed Loan Program was legislated in 1972 under Section 310B of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended. The 
purpose of the program is to improve, develop, or finance businesses, 
industries, and employment and improve the economic and environmental 
climate in rural communities. This purpose is achieved through 
bolstering the existing private credit structure through the 
guaranteeing of quality loans made by lending institutions, thereby 
providing lasting community benefits.
    Rural Energy for America Program. The Rural Energy for America 
Program is authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill to make loan guarantees 
and grants to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to purchase 
renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The 
program is designed to help farmers, ranchers, and rural small business 
reduce energy cost and consumption, develop new income streams, and 
help meet the nation's critical energy needs.
    In an effort to reduce paperwork and make Rural Development forms 
more consistent with each other, thereby improving customer service, RD 
has revised the forms in this burden package to accommodate all four 
programs.
    Need and Use of the Information: Lending entities who wish to 
participate in this program must submit an application and/or certain 
information to Rural Development. This information will be used to 
determine their eligibility for participation in this program.
    Eligible lenders and their prospective borrowers who are seeking 
guaranteed loans will have to submit applications with specified 
information, certifications, and agreements to the State Office. This 
information will be used to determine borrower eligibility,

[[Page 79462]]

to determine project eligibility and feasibility, and to ensure that 
borrowers operate on a sound basis and use funds for authorized 
purposes.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 740.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 50,242.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-27115 Filed 12-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P