Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 65732-65737 [2022-23699]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65732-65737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23699]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2022 / 
Notices

[[Page 65732]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    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 December 
1, 2022 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: Request for Approval to Sell Capital Assets.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0020.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. In 
addition to providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS' main 
objectives is to safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid. 
Accordingly, RUS manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et.seq., as amended, (RE ACT) 
and as prescribed by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
129, Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables, 
which states that agencies must, based on a review of a loan 
application, determine that an applicant complies with statutory, 
regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements for loan 
assistance.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS borrower will use form 369, 
Request for Approval to Sell Capital Assets, to seek agency permission 
to sell some of its assets. The form is used to collect detailed 
information regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the borrowers 
systems. RUS will collect information to determine whether or not the 
agency should approve a sale and also to keep track of what property 
exists to secure the loan. If the information in Form 369 is not 
collected when capital assets are sold, the capital assets securing the 
Government's loans could be liquidated and the Government's security 
either eliminated entirely or diluted to an undesirable level.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 33.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion; 
quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 165.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1744-C, Advance and Disbursement of Funds--
Telecommunications.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0023.
    Summary of Collection: Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act 
(RE Act) of 1936 authorizes the Administrator of the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) to make loans for the purpose of providing telephone 
service to the widest practicable number of rural subscribers. Title 
VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the RE Act authorizes RUS to provide 
loans and loan guarantee to fund the cost of construction, improvement, 
or acquisition facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband 
service in eligible rural communities.
    RUS Form 481, ``Financial Requirement Statement,'' must be 
submitted by the borrower to request loan advances. A supplemental 
sheet to Form 481 (a continuation sheet) may be used by borrowers 
needing additional space. The Form 481 is used by RUS to record and 
control transactions in the construction fund. Upon receipt of the Form 
481 and its accompanying documents complying with provisions of 7 CFR 
part 1744, subpart c, the Government, within a reasonable amount of 
time, will make and advance to the borrower a sufficient amount for the 
purposes specified in the statement of purposes. The borrower must 
immediately deposit all advanced money into a Special Construction 
account until disbursed.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
by RUS to record and control transactions and verify that the funds 
advanced in the construction fund are related directly to loan 
purposes. If the information were not collected, RUS would not have any 
control over how loan funds are spent or a record of the balance to be 
advanced.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 38.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 616.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1730, Review Rating Summary.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
    Summary of Collection: USDA Rural Development administers rural 
utilities programs through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency) 
and manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification 
Act (RE Act) of

[[Page 65733]]

1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended. One of the Agency's main 
objectives is to safeguard loan security by seeing that Agency financed 
facilities are being responsibly used, adequately operated, and 
adequately maintained. Future needs must be anticipated to ensure that 
facilities will continue to produce revenue and loans will be repaid as 
required by the Agency mortgage or loan agreement. A periodic 
operations and maintenance (O&M) review, using the RUS Form 300, Review 
Rating Summary, in accordance with 7 CFR part 1730, Electric System 
Operations and Maintenance, is an effective means for RUS to determine 
whether the Borrowers' systems are being properly operated and 
maintained, thereby protecting the loan collateral as prescribed by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for 
Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using 
form 300 Review Rate Summary to identity items that may be in need of 
additional attention; to plan corrective actions when needed; to budget 
funds and manpower for needed work; and to initiate ongoing programs as 
necessary to avoid or minimize the need for ``catch-up'' programs.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 151.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 604.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0031.
    Summary of Collection: Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency 
delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development 
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as RUS or the Agency, is a 
credit agency of the USDA. It makes loans and loan guarantees to 
finance electric, broadband, telecommunications, and water and waste 
facilities in rural areas. In addition to providing loans and loan 
guarantees, one of the main RUS objectives is to safeguard loan 
security until the loan is repaid. Section 201 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) 
authorizes that ``the Secretary is authorized and empowered to make 
loans to persons now providing or who may hereafter provide telephone 
service in rural areas . . . for the purposes of financing the 
improvement, expansion, construction, acquisition, and operation of 
telephone lines, facilities or systems to furnish and improve telephone 
service in rural areas.'' Similarly, section 601(c)(1) states that 
``the Secretary shall make or guarantee loans to eligible entities . . 
. to provide funds for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of 
facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in 
eligible rural communities.''
    Need and Use of the Information: Information from the Operating 
Report for both telecommunication and broadband borrowers provides RUS 
with vital financial information needed to ensure the maintenance of 
the security for the Government's loans and service data which enables 
RUS to ensure the provision of quality telecommunications and broadband 
service as mandated by the RE Act of 1936. Form 674, ``Certificate of 
Authority to Submit or Grant Access to Data'' will allow 
telecommunication and broadband borrowers to file electronic Operating 
Reports with the agency using the new USDA Data Collection System. 
Accompanied by a Board Resolution, it will identify the name and USDA 
e-Authentication ID for a certifier and security administrator that 
will have access to the system for purposes of filing electronic 
Operating Reports.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 242.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,711.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Request for Release of Lien and/or Approval of Sale.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0041.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
financing agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). RUS 
makes mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. RUS 
manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended (RE Act). Section 201 of the 
RE Act provides that loan shall not be made unless RUS finds and 
certifies that the security for the loan is reasonably adequate and 
that the loans will be repaid within the time agreed. In addition to 
providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS's main objectives is to 
safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid. This objective is in 
accordance with OMB Circular No. A-129, ``Policies for Federal Credit 
Programs and Non-Tax Receivables,'' which states that agencies must, 
based on a review of a loan application, determine that an applicant 
complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility 
requirements for loan assistance, and should follow sound financial 
practices in the administration of credit programs and protect the 
value of the government's assets.
    Need and Use of the Information: A borrower's assets provide the 
security for a government loan. The selling of assets reduces the 
security and increases the risk of loss to the Government. A borrower 
seeking permission to sell some of its assets uses RUS Form 793. The 
form contains detailed information regarding the proposed sale. If the 
information in Form 793 is not collected when capital assets are sold, 
the capital assets securing the Government's loans could be liquidated 
and the Government's security either eliminated entirely or diluted to 
an undesirable level. This increases the risk of loss to the Government 
in the case of a default.
    Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits: Not-
for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 30.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 231.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Certification of Authority, RUS Form 675.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0074.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service manages loan 
programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 901et seq.) (RE Act). A major factor in managing loan 
programs is controlling the advance of funds, including assuring that 
actual borrowers receive their funds. The OMB Circular A-123, 
Management Accountability and Control, provides that information should 
be maintained on a current basis and that funds should be protected 
from unauthorized use. The use of RUS Form 675 allows effective control 
against unauthorized release of funds by providing a list of authorized 
borrower signatures against which signatures requesting funds are 
compared. The Form 675 allows borrowers to keep RUS up to-date of 
changes in signature authority and controls release of funds only to 
authorized borrower representatives.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
ensure that only authorized representatives of the borrower signs the 
lending requisition form. Without the

[[Page 65734]]

information RUS would not know if the request for a loan advance was 
legitimate or not and the potential for waste, loss, unauthorized use, 
and misappropriation would be increased.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 176.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 18.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Preloan Procedures and Requirements for Telecommunications 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0079.
    Summary of Collection: USDA, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance telecommunications, 
electric, and water and waste facilities in rural areas with a loan 
portfolio that totals more than $58 billion. In addition to providing 
loans and loan guarantees, one of the objectives of RUS is to safeguard 
loan security until the loan is repaid. Accordingly, RUS manages loan 
programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, (RE Act), and as prescribed by Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for Federal 
Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables, which states that based on a 
review of a loan application, agencies must determine that an applicant 
complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility 
requirements for loan assistance. Section 201 of the RE Act authorizes 
the RUS Administrator to make loans to qualified telephone companies 
for providing telephone service to the widest practicable number of 
rural subscribers. The reporting burden covered by this collection of 
information consists of forms, documents and written burden to support 
a request for funding for a Telecommunications Infrastructure loan.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using 
several forms to determine an applicant's eligibility to borrow from 
RUS under the terms of the RE Act. The information is also used to 
determine that the Government's security for loans made by RUS are 
reasonably adequate and that the loans will be repaid within the time 
agreed. Without the information, RUS could not effectively monitor each 
borrower's compliance with the loan terms and conditions to properly 
ensure continued loan security.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 43.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Once.
    Total Burden Hours: 11,445.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR part 1786, Prepayment of RUS Guaranteed and Insured 
Loans to Electric and Telephone Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0088.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification (RE) Act of 1936, 
as amended, authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to make 
loans in the States and Territories of the United States for rural 
electrification and furnishing and improving electric and telephone 
service in rural areas and to assist electric borrowers to implement 
demand side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and 
off-grid renewable energy systems. The RE Act also authorizes and 
empowers the Administrator of RUS to provide financial assistance to 
borrowers for purposes provided in the RE Act by guaranteeing loans 
made by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, 
the Federal Financing Bank (FFB), and other lending agencies.
    This information collection package contains the paperwork and 
reporting burden for 7 CFR part 1786, subpart E, ``Discounted 
Prepayments on RUS Notes in the Event of a Merger of Certain RUS 
Electric Borrowers,'' subpart F, ``Discounted Prepayments on RUS 
Electric Loans,'' and subpart G, ``Refinancing and Prepayment of RUS 
Guaranteed FFB Loans Pursuant to Section 306(C) of the RE Act.'' 7 CFR 
1786, subparts E and F are authorized by section 306(B) of the RE Act 
of 1936, as amended, and subpart G is authorized by section 306(C) of 
the RE Act of 1936, as amended.
    The overall goal of subparts E and F is to allow Agency borrowers 
to prepay their RUS loan and the overall goal of subpart G is to 
refinance. Subpart E allows certain electric borrowers to prepay 
outstanding RUS Notes at the Discounted Present Value of the RUS Notes 
with private financing. Subpart F allows borrowers to prepay, with 
private financing or internally generated funds, outstanding RUS Notes 
evidencing electric loans at the Discounted Present Value of the RUS 
Note. Subpart G allows the borrower of an electric or telephone loan 
made by the FFB and guaranteed by RUS to prepay and refinance a loan or 
an advance on the loan, or any portion of the loan or advance, after 
meeting certain conditions using the procedures prescribed in the 
borrower's note.
    Need and Use of the Information: The required documentation and 
information will be collected from electric and telecommunications 
program borrowers. The purpose of the information collected is to 
provide borrowers an opportunity to request prepayment of their notes 
and to determine that the borrower is qualified to prepay under the 
authorizing statues. The overall goal of subparts E and F is to allow 
RUS borrowers to prepay their RUS loan and the overall goal of subpart 
G is to refinance.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 38.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 76.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: RUS Form 444, ``Wholesale Power Contracts''.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0089.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE 
Act) as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), authorizes the Administrator of 
RUS to make and guarantee loans in the States and Territories of the 
United States that will enable rural consumers to obtain electric 
power. Section 4 of the RE Act (7 U.S.C. 904) authorizes the 
Administrator to establish terms and conditions of loans to determine 
that the security for the loan is reasonably adequate and that the loan 
will be repaid within the time agreed.
    In response to the RE Act, rural consumers formed non-profit 
electric distribution cooperatives. Groups of these distribution 
cooperatives then banded together to form generation and transmission 
cooperatives (G&T's) that generate or purchase power and transmit the 
power to the distribution systems. For a RUS loan to a distribution 
system, a lien on the borrower's assets generally represents an 
adequate means to protect the Federal Government's security interest. 
However, since most G&T revenues flow from its distribution members, 
RUS requires as a condition of a loan or loan guarantee to a G&T that 
its distribution members enter into a long-term requirements wholesale 
power contract to purchase power from the G&T at rates that cover all 
the G&T's expenses, including debt service and margins.
    Need and Use of the Information: To fulfill the purposes of the RE 
Act RUS will collect information to improve the credit quality and 
credit worthiness of loans and loan guarantees to G&T

[[Page 65735]]

borrowers. RUS works closely with lending institutions that provide 
supplemental loan funds to borrowers. If the information were not 
collected, RUS could not determine whether Federal security interest 
would be adequately protected.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 8.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 48.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1703, subparts D, E, F, and G, Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0096.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency 
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is authorized by chapter 
1 of subtitle D of title XXIII of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.) to provide financial 
assistance for the purpose of financing the construction of facilities 
and systems to provide telemedicine services and distance learning 
services in sparsely populated rural areas. Financial assistance 
provided under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Loan and 
Grant Program consists of grants, cost of money loans, or both. The 
purpose of the DLT Loan and Grant Program is to encourage and improve 
telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas 
through the use of telecommunications, computer networks, and related 
advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and 
rural residents. Section 6102 of title VI of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) amended 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et 
seq, by extending the term of the program to the year 2023. The Agency 
administers the DLT Loan and Grant Program through 7 CFR1734, subparts 
A, B, C, and D.
    Need and Use of the Information: The various forms and narrative 
statements required are collected from eligible applicants that are 
public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit rural community 
facilities, schools, libraries, hospitals, and medical facilities. The 
purpose of this information is to determine such factors as: 
eligibility of the applicant; the specific nature of the proposed 
project; the purposes for which loan and grant funds will be used; 
project financial and technical feasibility; and compliance with the 
applicable laws and regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 300.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 17,814.

Rural Utility Service

    Title: Seismic Safety of New Building Construction, 7 CFR 1792, 
subpart C.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0099.
    Summary of Collection: Seismic hazards present a serious threat to 
people and their surroundings. These hazards exist in most of the 
United States, not just on the West Coast. Unlike hurricanes, times and 
location of earthquakes cannot be predicted; most earthquakes strike 
without warning and, if of substantial strength, strike with great 
destructive forces. To reduce risks to life and property from 
earthquakes, Congress enacted the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
1977 (Pub. L. 95-124, 42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), and directed the 
establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake reduction 
program. As a result, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program 
(NEHRP) was established. The objectives of the NEHRP include the 
development of technologically and economically feasible design and 
construction methods to make both new and existing structures 
earthquake resistant, and the development and promotion of model 
building codes. 7 CFR part 1792, subpart C, identifies acceptable 
seismic standards which must be employed in new building construction 
funded by loans, grants, or guarantees made by the Rural Utility 
Service (RUS) or the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) or through lien 
accommodations or subordinations approved by RUS or RTB.
    Need And Use Of The Information: Borrowers and grant recipients 
must provide to RUS a written acknowledgment from a registered 
architect or engineer responsible for the designs of each applicable 
building stating that the seismic provisions to 7 CFR part 1792, 
subpart C will be used in the design of the building. RUS will use this 
information to: (1) clarify and inform the applicable borrowers and 
grant recipients about seismic safety requirements; (2) improve the 
effectiveness of all RUS programs; and (3) reduce the risk to life and 
property through the use of approved building codes aimed at providing 
seismic safety.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 10.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 8.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Lien Accommodations and Subordinations 7 CFR part 1717, 
subparts R and S.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0100.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (The 
RE Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), authorizes and empowers the 
Administrator of RUS to make loans in the several United States and 
Territories of the United States for rural Electrification and the 
furnishing of electric energy to persons in rural areas who are not 
receiving central station service. The RE Act also authorizes and 
empowers the Administrator of RUS to provide financial assistance to 
borrowers for purposes provided in the RE Act by accommodating or 
subordinating loans made by the national Rural Utilities Cooperative 
Finance Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, and other lending 
agencies. Title 7 CFR part 1717, subparts R & S sets forth policy and 
procedures to facilitate and support borrowers' efforts to obtain 
private sector financing of their capital needs, to allow borrowers 
greater flexibility in the management of their business affairs without 
compromising RUS loan security, and to reduce the cost to borrowers, in 
terms of time, expenses and paperwork, of obtaining lien accommodations 
and subordinations. The information required to be submitted is limited 
to necessary information that would allow the Agency to make a 
determination on the borrower's request to subordinate and accommodate 
their lien with other lenders.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will use the information to 
determine an applicant's eligibility for a lien accommodation or lien 
subordination under the RE Act; facilitates an applicant's solicitation 
and acquisition of non-RUS loans as to converse available Government 
funds; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt covenants and 
regulatory requirements in order to protect loan security; and 
subsequently to granting the lien accommodation or lien subordination, 
administer each so as to minimize its cost to the Government. If the 
information were not collected, RUS would not be able to accomplish its 
statutory goals.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 19.

[[Page 65736]]

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1778, Emergency and Imminent Community Water 
Assistance Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0110.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is 
requesting OMB clearance of the reporting requirements for 7 CFR part 
1778, Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG). 
The legislative authority for this program is under section 306A of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), as 
amended. RUS is authorized to make grants under section 306A of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Act)(7 U.S.C. 1926(a)).
    Administered by the RUS National Office and Rural Development (RD) 
State Offices, the ECWAG regulation is used to administer grants made 
to rural communities of 10,000 or less that are experiencing a 
significant decline in quantity or quality of water or are expecting 
such a decline to be imminent. The grants assist the communities in 
obtaining or maintaining adequate quantities of water, thereby, meeting 
the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), (42 U.S.C. 300f, 
et seq.).
    Under the ECWAG program, there are two statutory levels of grant 
limitations--$1,000,000 and $150,000. Grants not to exceed upper 
threshold may be awarded for projects alleviating significant declines 
in potable water quantity or quality. The funds can be used for 
construction of new wells, reservoirs, treatment plants, and other 
sources of water. Grants awards up to $150,000 may be made for projects 
that will remedy acute shortages or significant declines in quality or 
quantity of potable water in an existing system. The funds can be used 
for distribution waterline extensions, repairs or partial replacement 
on distribution waterlines, and operation and maintenance items on a 
distribution system. Grants awarded under the ECWAG program may be made 
for up to 100 percent of eligible project costs. At least 50 percent of 
grant funds are targeted to rural areas with populations not exceeding 
3,000. Additionally, at least 70 percent of funds are to be used for 
projects addressing declines in the quantity or quality of water. The 
rural area's median household income must not exceed 100 percent of a 
State's non-metropolitan median household income.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect the information 
from applicants applying for grants under 7 CFR 1778. The information 
is unique to each borrower and emergency situation. Applicants must 
demonstrate that there is an imminent emergency or that a decline 
occurred within 2 years of the date the application was filed with 
Rural Development.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 409.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,173.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1717 subpart D, Mergers and Consolidations of Electric 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0114.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes mortgage 
loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, telecommunications, 
water and waste and water facilities in rural areas. Loan programs are 
managed in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended and as prescribed by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for Federal 
Credit Programs and Non-tax Receivable, states that agencies must base 
on a review of a loan application determine that an applicant complies 
with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements 
for loan assistance.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
streamline procedures and allow borrowers the flexibility to meet new 
business challenges and opportunities. The information is necessary for 
RUS to conduct business with successor entity while protecting the 
security of Government loans and avoiding defaults and to grant merger 
approval when required.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 10.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 140.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR part 1721, Extensions of Payments of Principal and 
Interest.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0123.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric 
program provides loans and loan guarantees to borrowers at interest 
rates and on terms that are more favorable than those generally 
available from the private sector. Procedures and conditions which 
borrowers may request extensions of the payment of principal and 
interest are authorized, as amended, in section 12 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, and section 236 of the ``Disaster Relief 
Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-606), as amended by the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354). As a result 
of obtaining federal financing, RUS borrowers receive economic benefits 
that exceed any direct economic costs associated with complying with 
(RUS) regulations and requirements.
    Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information 
occurs only when the borrower requests an extension of principal and 
interest. Eligible purposes include financial hardship, energy resource 
conservation loans, renewable energy project, and contributions-in-aid 
of construction. These procedures are codified at 7 CFR part 1721, 
subpart B. The collections are made to provide needed benefits to 
borrowers while also maintaining the integrity of RUS loans and their 
repayment of taxpayer's monies.
    Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits; Not 
for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 8.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 61.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Broadband Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0127.
    Summary of Collection: Congress has recognized the need to 
facilitate the deployment of broadband service to un-served rural 
areas. The provision to broadband transmission service is vital to the 
economic development, education, health, and safety of rural Americans.
    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (title III, Pub. L. 108-
199, Stat.3), 7 CFR 1739 subpart A, as amended, authorizes the Rural 
Development, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to administer the Community 
Connect Grant Program for the provision of broadband transmission 
service in rural America. Grant authority is utilized to deploy 
broadband infrastructure to extremely rural, lower income communities 
on a ``community-oriented connectivity'' basis.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS gives priority to rural areas 
that it believes have the greatest need for broadband transmission 
services. This broadband access is intended to promote economic 
development and provide enhanced educational and health care 
opportunities. RUS will provide financial assistance to eligible 
entities that are proposing to deploy

[[Page 65737]]

broadband transmission service in rural communities where such service 
does not currently exist and who will connect the critical community 
facilities including the local schools, libraries, hospitals, police, 
fire and rescue services and who will operate a community center that 
provides free and open access to residents.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 73.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,286.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1728, Electric Standards and Specifications for 
Materials and Construction.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0131.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, (RE Act) in Sec. 4 (7 U.S.C. 904) 
authorizes and empowers the USDA Rural Development, Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS or the Agency) Administrator to direct and coordinate the 
program to provide loans and loan guarantees to furnish electrification 
and improve electric energy service to persons in rural areas of the 
United States and Territories of the United States. The loan term may 
be up to 35 years and loans are secured by a first mortgage on the 
borrower's electric system. To assure loans made or guaranteed by RUS 
are adequately secured, used effectively, and for the intended 
purposes, the Agency has established standards and specifications for 
materials, equipment and the construction of electric systems. 
Utilization of standards and specifications for materials, equipment, 
and construction helps assure appropriate standards and specifications 
are maintained, loan security is not adversely affected, and loan and 
loan guarantee funds are used effectively for intended purposes.
    RUS policy is established by 7 CFR part 1728 which provides that 
materials and equipment purchased by RUS electric borrowers or accepted 
as contractor-furnished material must conform to Agency standards and 
specifications where they have been established and, if included in 
Agency IP 202-1, ``List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of 
Rural Development Electrification Borrowers'' (List of Materials), must 
be selected from that list or must have received technical acceptance 
from Rural Development.
    Need and Use of the Information: Manufacturers submit certified 
data demonstrating product compliance with RUS specifications, usually 
in the form of laboratory test results, catalog pages, or drawings. RUS 
will evaluate the data to determine that the quality of the products 
are acceptable and that their use will not jeopardize loan security. 
The information is closely reviewed to be certain that test data; 
product dimensions and product material compositions fully comply with 
RUS technical standards and specifications that have been established 
for the particular product. Without this information, RUS has no means 
of determining the acceptability of products for use in the rural 
environment.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 38.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,000.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and 
Households Program (SEARCH).
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0146.
    Summary of Collection: The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 
2008, Public Law 110-246 (Farm Bill) amended section 306(a)(2) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1926 
(a)(2)). The amendment created a grant program to make Special 
Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) 
Program grants. Under the SEARCH program, the Secretary may make 
predevelopment and planning grants to public or quasi-public agencies, 
organizations operated on a not-for-profit basis or Indian tribes on 
Federal and State reservations and other federally recognized Indian 
tribes. The grant recipients shall use the grant funds for feasibility 
studies, design assistance, and development of an application for 
financial assistance to financially distressed communities in rural 
areas with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and 
waste disposal projects as authorized in sections 306(a)(1), 306(a)(2) 
and 306(a)(24) of the CONACT.
    Need and Use of the Information: Applicants applying for SEARCH 
grants must submit an application which includes an application form, 
various other forms, certifications, and supplemental information. 
Rural Utility Service will use the information collected from 
applicants, borrowers, and consultants to determine applicant 
eligibility, project feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet 
the grant and regulatory requirements.
    Failure to collect proper information could result in improper 
determinations of eligibility, improper use of funds, or hindrances in 
making grants authorized by the SEARCH program.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 88.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,985.

Rural Utility Service

    Title: New Equipment Contract (Form 395) for Telecommunications and 
Broadband Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0149.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utility Service (RUS) manages the 
Telecommunications loan program and the Rural Broadband program, to 
provide loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, 
improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the 
provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities. RUS has 
established the use of certain standardized forms for materials, 
equipment, and construction of electric and telecommunications systems. 
The use of standard forms, construction contracts, and procurement 
procedures help to assure that appropriate standards and specifications 
are maintained by the borrower in order to not adversely affect RUS's 
loan security and ensure that loan and loan guarantee funds are 
effectively used for the intended purpose(s).
    Need and Use of the Information: This information is used to 
implement provisions of the Agency standard form of loan documents 
regarding the Awardee's purchase of materials and equipment and the 
construction of its telecommunications or broadband system by contract. 
This collection of information will be used by Agency Awardees and 
their contractors. In the Telecommunications industry, when a 
cooperative or company enters into contracts for services, some type of 
contract form is used. The Agency has developed the specific forms 
cleared with this package to be used by its Awardees when entering into 
contracts for goods or services.
    Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 28.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 114.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-23699 Filed 10-31-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P