Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection, 56885-56886 [2021-22215]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Housing Service

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56885-56886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22215]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 13, 2021 / 
Notices

[[Page 56885]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No. RHS-21-Admin-0018]


Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and 
Rural Utilities Service, 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 intention of the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service, Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Utilities Service, 
agencies of the Rural Development mission area within the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter collectively referred to 
as the Agency to request approval for a new information collection in 
support of compliance with applicable acts for planning and performing 
construction and other development work.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 13, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the following method:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas P. Dickson, Rural Development 
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. 
Telephone: (202)690-4492. Email thomas.dick[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that Rural 
Development is submitting to OMB for a new collection.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) The accuracy of the Agency'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 by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 
https://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and 
Federal Actions'' box, select ``RHS'' from the agency drop-down menu, 
then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select RHS-21-Admin-
0018 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and 
related materials available electronically. Information on using 
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, 
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the 
comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' link.
    Title: 7 CFR 1924--Common Forms Package for Rural Development 
Construction Forms.
    OMB Number: 0575-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-New will 
enable the Agencies to effectively administer the policies, methods, 
and responsibilities in the planning and performing of construction and 
other development work for the related construction programs.
    The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is authorized under various 
sections of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provides 
financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or 
rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, safe, and 
sanitary housing to eligible individuals in rural areas. The 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, authorizes the 
credit programs of the RHS, RBCS and RUS to provide financial 
assistance for essential community facilities such as construction of 
community facilities and water and waste systems; and the improvement, 
development, and financing of businesses, industries, and employment.
    In several sections of both acts, loan limitations are established 
as percentages of development costs, requiring careful monitoring of 
those costs. Also, the Secretary is authorized to prescribe regulations 
to ensure that Federal funds are not wasted or dissipated and that 
construction will be undertaken economically and will not be of 
elaborate or extravagant design or materials. The collection of 
information covered by the forms allows for the planning and performing 
of construction and other development work.
    Information for the RD forms and their usage in this collection 
package are included in this supporting statement.
    The Agencies provide forms and/or guidelines to assist in the 
collection and submission of information; however, most of the 
information may be collected and submitted in the form and content 
which is accepted and typically used in normal conduct of planning and 
performing development work in private industry when a private lender 
is financing the activity. The information is usually submitted via 
hand delivery or U.S. Postal Service to the appropriate Agency office. 
Electronic submittal of information is also possible through email or 
USDA's Service Center eForms website.
    If the information were not collected and submitted, the Agencies 
would not have control over the type and quality of construction and 
development work planned and performed with Federal funds. The Agencies 
would not be assured that the security provided for loans is adequate, 
nor would the

[[Page 56886]]

Agencies be certain that decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling or other 
adequate structures were being provided to rural residents as required 
by the different acts.
    Estimate of Burden: RD is requesting approval for one respondent 
and a one-hour place holder in order for OMB to issue a control number 
for these forms. The burden for each of the forms will be accounted for 
within the individual Rural Development program collection packages 
using the form(s).
    Respondents: Individuals or private entities; businesses or other 
for profit; not-for profit; small businesses; Federal, state, local or 
tribal governments; institutions of higher education or other research 
organizations and others.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent per Form in Package:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Responses
                          Form No.                               per
                                                              Respondent
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1924-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 19 and 25.............            1
1924-13....................................................         1.25
1924-18....................................................         1.75
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    Comments from interested parties are invited on: (1) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information including the validity of the 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 information on those who are to respond, including the 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Chadwick Parker,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22215 Filed 10-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P