Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records, 72820-72824 [2024-20068]

Download as PDF 72820 Notices Federal Register Vol. 89, No. 173 Friday, September 6, 2024 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. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Rural Business-Cooperative Service Rural Utilities Service [DOCKET NO: RUS–24–AGENCY–0009] Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of a modified system of records. In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA), Rural Development (RD) gives notice of its proposal to modify the system of records entitled USDA/RD–1 Current or Prospective Producers or Landowners, Applicants, Borrowers, Grantees, Tenants, and other Participants in RD programs, to communicate the addition of Routine Use 27 published below. In addition, updates were made to the System Location, Authority to Maintenance of the System, Policies and Practices for Retention and Disposal of Records, and to the Record Act Procedures. SUMMARY: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11), this notice is applicable upon publication, subject to a 30-day notice and comment period in which to comment on the routine uses described in the ‘‘Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System’’ section of this system of records notice. Please submit any comments by October 7, 2024. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov and, in the ‘‘Search for dockets and documents on agency actions’’ box, type in the Docket No. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Sep 05, 2024 Jkt 262001 For general questions, please contact: Therese McGhie, USDA Privacy Team, Cybersecurity and Privacy Operations Center, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720–2791, option 3; Email: RDprivacy@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), requires agencies to publish in the Federal Register notice of new or revised systems of records maintained by the agency. In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–130, RD of the USDA is proposing to revise an existing Privacy Act system of records, which was last published in full on May 14, 2019 (84 FR 21315). The agency proposes to revise USDA/ RD–1 by: (a) Adding Routine Use 27 to account for a new computer matching agreement among USDA/RD, the U.S. Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Routine Use 27 will apply to records already identified in USDA/RD– 1; (b) Updating the System Location; (c) Updated the Authority for Maintenance of System; and (d) Updating the Policies and Practices for Retention and Disposal of Records. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AGENCY: DATES: RUS–24–AGENCY–0009 and click the ‘‘Search’’ button. From the search results, click on or locate the document title and select the ‘‘Comment’’ button. Before inputting comments, commenters may review the ‘‘Commenter’s Checklist’’ (optional). Insert comments under the ‘‘Comment’’ title, click ‘‘Browse’’ to attach files (if available), input email address and select ‘‘Submit Comment.’’ 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 ‘‘FAQ’’ link. All comments received will be posted without change and be available for public inspection online at regulations.gov. SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER: USDA/RD–1 Current or Prospective Producers or Landowners, Applicants, PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Borrowers, Grantees, Tenants, and other participants in RD programs. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified. SYSTEM LOCATION: Records are located at USDA RD, Suite 1701, 211 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102 and DISC Enterprise Data Center, 8930 Ward Parkway Blvd., Kansas City, MO. SYSTEM MANAGER(S): The Community Development Manager at the Local Office; the RD Manager at the Area Office; and the State Director at the State Office; the Deputy Chief Financial Officer in St. Louis, MO; and the respective Administrators in the National Office at the following addresses: Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 5014A, South Building, Stop 0701, Washington, DC 20250–0701; Administrator, Rural BusinessCooperative Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Rm. 5803, Stop 3201, Washington, DC 20250–3201; Administrator, Rural Utilities Service,— USDA 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Rm. 4121, Stop 1510, Washington, DC 20250–1510. Contact information can be found at rd.usda.gov. AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended; Section 12204 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113–79); Agricultural Credit of 1961 & Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.); Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.); section 901 of the Food Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110–246); Rural Electrification and Telephone Service (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.); and Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115–334), as amended. PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM: The purpose of this system is for Rural Development (RD) to maintain information that is used for current or prospective producers or landowners, applicants, borrowers, grantees, tenants, and other participants in RD programs designed to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. These financial systems support such essential public facilities and service as water and sewer systems, housing, E:\FR\FM\06SEN1.SGM 06SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2024 / Notices health clinics, emergency service facilities, and electric and telephone services. Additionally, RD systems and feeder applications promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions, and community-managed lending pools. The suite of RD systems covered by this system of records is developed and maintained by the Chief Information Officer, Washington, DC. CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM: Current or prospective producers or landowners, applicants, borrowers, grantees, tenants, and their respective household members, including members of associations and other participants in RD programs. CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: Records include individual’s social security or employer identification number, bank routing and account numbers; and their respective household members’ characteristics, such as gross and net income, sources of income, capital, assets and liabilities, net worth, age, race, number of dependents, marital status, reference material, farm or ranch operating plans, and property appraisal. The system also tracks credit reports and personal references from credit agencies, lenders, businesses, and individuals. In addition, a running record of observation concerning the operations of the person being financed is included. A record of deposits to and withdrawals from an individual’s supervised bank account is also contained in those files where appropriate. In some local offices, this record is maintained in a separate folder containing only information relating to activity within supervised bank accounts. Some items of information are extracted from the individual’s file and placed in a card file for quick reference. RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES: Information in this system comes primarily from credit reports. Personal references come primarily from current or prospective producers or landowners, applicants, borrowers, grantees, tenant, credit agencies, and creditors. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES: In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, records contained in this system may be disclosed outside USDA as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. a(b)(3) to the extent that such uses are compatible with the purpose for which the information was collected as follows: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Sep 05, 2024 Jkt 262001 1. When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other records, indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order issued pursuant thereto, disclosure may be made to the appropriate agency, whether Federal, foreign, state, local, or tribal, or other public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating or prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, if the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, investigative or prospective responsibility of the receiving entity. 2. To a Member of Congress or to a Congressional staff member in response to an inquiry of the Congressional office made at the written request of the constituent about whom the record is maintained. 3. RD will provide information from these systems to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and to other Federal agencies maintaining debt servicing centers, in connection with overdue debts, in order to participate in the Treasury’s Offset Program as required by the Debt Collection Improvements Act, Public Law 104–134, section 31001. 4. Disclosure to RD of name, home addresses, and information concerning default on loan repayment when the default involves a security interest in tribal allotted or trust land. Pursuant to the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.), liquidation may be pursued only after offering to transfer the account to an eligible tribal member, the tribe, or the Indian housing authority serving the tribe(s). 5. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, and financial information to a collection or servicing contractor, financial institution, or a local, state, or Federal agency, when RD determines such referral is appropriate for servicing or collecting the borrower’s account or as provided for in contracts with servicing or collection agencies. 6. To a court or adjudicative body in a proceeding when: (a) The agency or any component thereof; or (b) any employee of the agency in his or her official capacity; or (c) any employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the agency has agreed to represent the employee; or (d) the United States Government, is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and by careful review, the agency determines that the records are PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72821 both relevant and necessary to the litigation and the use of such records is therefore deemed by the agency to be for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records. 7. Disclosure of names, home addresses, and financial information for selected borrowers to financial consultants, advisors, lending institutions, packagers, agents, and private or commercial credit sources, when RD determines such referral is appropriate to encourage the borrower to refinance his RD indebtedness as required by Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1471), or to assist the borrower in the sale of the property. 8. Disclosure of legally enforceable debts to the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to be offset against any tax refund that may become due the debtor for the tax year in which the referral is made, in accordance with the IRS regulations at 26 CFR 301.6402–6T, Offset of Past Due Legally Enforceable Debt Against Overpayment, and under the authority contained in 31 U.S.C. 3720A. 9. Disclosure of information regarding indebtedness to the Defense Manpower Data Center, Department of Defense, and the United States Postal Service for the purpose of conducting computer matching programs to identify and locate individuals receiving Federal salary or benefit payments and who are delinquent in their repayment of debts owed to the U.S. Government under certain programs administered by RD in order to collect debts under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (5 U.S.C. 5514) by voluntary repayment, administrative or salary offset procedures, or by collection agencies. 10. Disclosure of names, home addresses, and financial information to lending institutions when RD determines the individual may be financially capable of qualifying for credit with or without a guarantee. 11. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, and financial information to lending institutions that have a lien against the same property as RD for the purpose of the collection of the debt. These loans may be under the direct and guaranteed loan programs. 12. Disclosure to private attorneys under contract with either RD or with the Department of Justice for the purpose of foreclosure and possession actions and collection of past due accounts in connection with RD. 13. To the Department of Justice when: (a) The agency or any component E:\FR\FM\06SEN1.SGM 06SEN1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 72822 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2024 / Notices thereof; or (b) any employee of the agency in his or her official capacity where the Department of Justice has agreed to represent the employee; or (c) the United States Government, is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and by careful review, the agency determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and the use of such records by the Department of Justice is therefore deemed by the agency to be for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records. 14. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, and financial information to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the purpose of evaluating a loan applicant’s creditworthiness, information that will allow for the prescreening of applicants through the Credit Alert Verification Reporting System (CAIVRS) computer matching program. An applicant shall be prescreened for any debts owed or loans guaranteed by the Federal government to ascertain if the applicant is delinquent in paying a debt owed to or insured by the Federal government. Authorized employees of, and approved private lenders acting on behalf of, the Federal agencies participating in the CAIVRS computer matching program will be able to search the CAIVRS database. 15. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, and financial information to the Department of Labor, State Wage Information Collection Agencies, and other Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as those responsible for verifying information furnished to qualify for Federal benefits, to conduct wage and benefit matching through manual and/or automated means, for the purpose of determining compliance with Federal regulations and appropriate servicing actions against those not entitled to program benefits, including possible recovery of improper benefits. 16. Disclosure of names, home addresses, and financial information to financial consultants, advisors, or underwriters, when RD determines such referral is appropriate for developing packaging and marketing strategies involving the sale of RD loan assets. 17. Disclosure of names, home and work addresses, home telephone numbers, social security numbers, and financial information to escrow agents (which also could include attorneys and title companies) selected by the applicant or borrower for the purpose of closing the loan. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Sep 05, 2024 Jkt 262001 18. Disclosure to Health and Human Services (HHS) parent locator system for finding parents who do not pay child support: The name and current address of record of an individual may be disclosed from this system of records to the parent locator service of the Department of HHS or authorized persons defined by Public Law 93–647, 42 U.S.C. 653. 19. To agency contractors, grantees, experts, consultants or volunteers who have been engaged by the agency to assist in the performance of a service related to this system of records and who need to have access to the records to perform the activity. Recipients shall be required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(m). 20. Disclosure to customer service agents for training and evaluation purposes. Information is collected during calls made by the client to the CSC Customer Service Section to discuss questions or concerns pertaining to their mortgage account(s) with RD. The information discussed during the call to the CSC help desk is captured and used for training and evaluation purposes to ensure proper procedures are being followed and accurate information is provided when assisting the client. 21. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when (1) RD suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the system of records, (2) RD has determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals, RD (including its information systems, programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national security; and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with RD efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm’’ suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm. 22. To another Federal agency or Federal entity, when RD determines that information from this system of records is reasonably necessary to assist the recipient agency or entity in (1) responding to a suspected or confirmed breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or remedying the risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including its information systems, programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23. To comply with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) and similar statutory requirements for public disclosure in situations where records reflect loans, grants, or other payments to members of the public: USDA will disclose information about individuals from this system of records in accordance with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109– 282; codified at 31 U.S.C. 6101, et seq.); section 204 of the E-Government Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107–347; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note), and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403 et seq.), or similar statutes requiring agencies to make available publicly information concerning Federal financial assistance, including grants, sub grants, loan awards, cooperative agreements and other financial assistance; and contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, task orders, and delivery orders. 24. To the National Archives and Records Administration for to the National Archives and Records Administration for records management inspections conducted under 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906. 25. To the Department of the Treasury for the purpose of identifying, preventing, or recouping improper payments to an applicant for, or recipient of, Federal funds, including funds disbursed by a State in a Stateadministered, federally funded program, information that will allow for prepayment eligibility review of a loan applicant through the Do Not Pay computer matching program. Authorized employees of, and approved private lenders acting on behalf of, the Federal agencies participating in the Do Not Pay computer matching program will be able to search the Do Not Pay database. The disclosure may include applicant’s name, home address, Social Security Number, income/financial data, date of birth, personal telephone number, and personal email address. 26. To financial institutions (including government sponsored enterprises), Federal agencies, and other entities for the purposes of enhancing program operations and performance through automated underwriting, credit scoring and risk management. 27. Disclose information pursuant to the Computer Matching Agreements with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the purpose of identification and income verification and compliance with Title II, Title XVI, Improper Payment Information Act. E:\FR\FM\06SEN1.SGM 06SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2024 / Notices Explanatory Text: Verification will assist USDA RD to assess eligibility for the Rental Assistance, Single Family Direct, and Voucher programs; and to certify compliance with the Improper Payment Information Act by reducing improper payments and unauthorized assistance. The matching agreements will provide USDA RD with an indicator of whether participants have reported complete and accurate income. Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies: Disclosures pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12): Disclosures may be made from this system to consumer reporting agencies as defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)) or the Federal Claims Collection Act (31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3)). lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS: Records are maintained in file folders at the local, area, state, and national offices. All records are converted to electronic format and stored on a USDA managed certified and accredited storage repository. Once agency employees convert the paper documents to digital records, verify that the digital record is readable and successfully ported to the imaging repository the manual documents are destroyed in compliance with RD regulation (shredding). Other program imaging repositories are utilized to allow multipoint access to electronic records, but the manual documents are retained securely in the local office until such time as the account is considered closed per Rural Development Regulation 2033–A. At that time, the documents/ case files are destroyed in a manner as outlined in RD regulation. If the office cannot accommodate proper, manual file retention standards (inadequate space to secure and house documents/ files that require retention), inactive documents/case files (i.e., charge-offs, pay-offs, denials, withdrawn) can be retired to the Federal Records Center. Any records shipped to the Center for retention must be clearly inventoried and marked with a destroy-by date. The destroy date is determined by the record type after it is closed (e.g., loss to the government retention is 7 years after case is closed). The retention schedule can be found at RD 2033–A and the Operational Records Manual. For further information contact the RD Records Officer. If closed/inactive files are retained at the local office until such time as they are eligible for destruction, they are stored in a secured location. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Sep 05, 2024 Jkt 262001 POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS: Records are indexed by name, identification number, and type of loan or grant. Data may be retrieved from the paper records or the electronic storage. All RD state and field offices as well as the financial office and the Customer Service Center (CSC) have the telecommunications capability available to access this subset of data. POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS: Records are retained in accordance with the General Records Schedule and/ or Agency Controlled Records Schedule. Records are maintained subject to the Federal Records Disposal Act of 1943 (44 U.S.C. 33), and as amended in accordance with RD disposal schedules. The local, area, state, and national offices dispose of records by shredding, burning, or other suitable disposal methods after established retention periods have been fulfilled. (Destruction methods may never compromise the confidentiality of information contained in the records.) Applications, including credit reports and personal references, which are rejected, withdrawn, or otherwise terminated are kept in the local, area, or state offices in accordance with approved records schedules. Correspondence records at the National Office, which concern borrowers and applicants, are retained for seven full fiscal years. ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS: Paper records are kept in locked offices at the Local, Area, State, and National Offices. For electronic records and an online retrieval system at the Finance Office access is restricted to authorize Rural Development personnel. A system of operator and terminal passwords and code numbers is used to restrict access to the online system. Passwords and code numbers are changed as necessary. The records are protected by the confidentiality requirements of the USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Cyber Security Manuals and the provisions of the Privacy Act. Only authorized USDA employees will have access to the records in this system on a need to know basis. Role based access controls are used and the systems are accessible via the USDA Intranet. Only authorized USDA personnel will have access to these records. The systems covered by this notice have been categorized as having a Moderate security categorization impact as identified in Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199, PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72823 Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems. The security controls implemented within the systems will correspond with those published in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800–53, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Technology Systems for a Moderate impact system. Users are only granted system access upon successful completion of information security training and each user is supplied with a unique and strong user-id and password. The user roles are restrictive and based on the principle of least privilege allowing for adequate performance of job functions and access to information is based on a need to know. Due to the financial nature of the systems covered by this notice, the systems also adhere to the security controls identified in the Federal Information Security Control Audit Manual (FISCAM). The mandatory requirements of FIPS 199 and FIPS 200, Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems, support the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and the FISCAM supports the mandated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–123, Management of Internal Controls. Moreover, specific USDA security requirements are adhered to through the USDA Cyber Security Manuals including but not limited to: DM3545– 000, Personnel Security, and DM3510– 001, Physical Security Standards for Information Technology Restricted Space. RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: Any individual may request information regarding this system of records or determine whether the system contains records pertaining to him/her, from the appropriate System Manager. If the specific location of the record is not known, the individual should address his or her request to: Rural Development, Freedom of information Officer, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0742, and Washington, DC 20250–0742, https://efoia-pal.usda.gov/app/ Home.aspx. A request for information pertaining to an individual must include a name; an address; the RD office where the loan or grant was applied for, approved, and/ or denied; the type of RD program; and the date of the request or approval. E:\FR\FM\06SEN1.SGM 06SEN1 72824 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2024 / Notices CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: See ‘‘Record Access Procedure’’ above. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES: See ‘‘Record Access Procedure’’ above. EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM: None. HISTORY: System of Records: USDA/Rural Development-1 Current or Prospective Producers or Landowners, Applicants, Borrowers, Grantees, Tenants, and Other Participants in RD Programs. A Notice by the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service published to the Federal Register May 14, 2019 (84 FR 21315, No. 93, FR Doc. 2019–09874). Basil I. Gooden, Under Secretary, Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture. [FR Doc. 2024–20068 Filed 9–5–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Business Meeting of the Alabama Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Commission on Civil Rights. Announcement of business meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Alabama Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a business meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Central time. The Committee will review Committee processes to discuss civil rights topics. DATES: The business meeting will take place on Thursday September 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. Public Call Information: Dial: 833– 435–1820, Confirmation Code: 161 773 2050#. Join from the meeting link: https:// www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/ WN_Czvk2MR9RCaEXpoUTpV-jg. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Barreras, DFO, at dbarreras@ usccr.gov or (202) 656–8937 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of the public may listen to this discussion through the above call-in number. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Sep 05, 2024 Jkt 262001 allows. Callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over land-line connections to the toll-free telephone number. Individuals who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hear hearing may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and confirmation code. Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Regional Programs Unit, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S. Dearborn, Suite 2120, Chicago, IL 60604. They may also be faxed to the Commission at (312) 353–8324 or emailed to Corrine Sanders at csanders@ usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit at (312) 353– 8311. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meeting will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Alabama Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s website, https:// www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above email or street address. Agenda I. Welcome and roll call II. Chair’s Comments III. Committee Discussion IV. Next steps V. Public comment VI. Adjournment Dated: August 30, 2024. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2024–20001 Filed 9–5–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Ohio Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Commission on Civil Rights. Notice of virtual business meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, that the Ohio Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a public meeting via Zoom. The purpose of this meeting is discuss, revise, and vote, as needed, on matters related to the Committee’s draft report on source of income discrmination in Ohio housing. DATES: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held via Zoom. Registration Link (Audio/Visual): https://bit.ly/3AJ8lmJ. Join by Phone (Audio Only): 1–833– 435–1820 USA Toll Free; Webinar ID: 160 920 9212#. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Wojnaroski, Designated Federal Officer, at mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 1– 202–618–4158. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Committee meeting is available to the public through the registration link above. Any interested members of the public may attend this meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make oral statements as time allows. Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, public minutes of the meeting will include a list of persons who are present at the meeting. If joining via phone, callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over land-line connections to the toll-free telephone number. Closed captioning is available by selecting ‘‘CC’’ in the meeting platform. To request additional accommodations, please email svillanueva@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to each meeting. Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the scheduled meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Sarah Villanueva at svillanueva@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at 1–202– 618–4158. Records generated from these meetings may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06SEN1.SGM 06SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 173 (Friday, September 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72820-72824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20068]


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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. 89, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2024 / 
Notices

[[Page 72820]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service

[DOCKET NO: RUS-24-AGENCY-0009]


Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and 
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of a modified system of records.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974 
as amended, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA), Rural 
Development (RD) gives notice of its proposal to modify the system of 
records entitled USDA/RD-1 Current or Prospective Producers or 
Landowners, Applicants, Borrowers, Grantees, Tenants, and other 
Participants in RD programs, to communicate the addition of Routine Use 
27 published below. In addition, updates were made to the System 
Location, Authority to Maintenance of the System, Policies and 
Practices for Retention and Disposal of Records, and to the Record Act 
Procedures.

DATES: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11), this notice is 
applicable upon publication, subject to a 30-day notice and comment 
period in which to comment on the routine uses described in the 
``Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System'' section of this 
system of records notice. Please submit any comments by October 7, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go 
to regulations.gov and, in the ``Search for dockets and documents on 
agency actions'' box, type in the Docket No. RUS-24-AGENCY-0009 and 
click the ``Search'' button. From the search results, click on or 
locate the document title and select the ``Comment'' button. Before 
inputting comments, commenters may review the ``Commenter's Checklist'' 
(optional). Insert comments under the ``Comment'' title, click 
``Browse'' to attach files (if available), input email address and 
select ``Submit Comment.'' 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 ``FAQ'' link. All comments received will 
be posted without change and be available for public inspection online 
at regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions, please contact: 
Therese McGhie, USDA Privacy Team, Cybersecurity and Privacy Operations 
Center, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 
(202) 720-2791, option 3; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 
U.S.C. 552a), requires agencies to publish in the Federal Register 
notice of new or revised systems of records maintained by the agency. 
In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular 
A-130, RD of the USDA is proposing to revise an existing Privacy Act 
system of records, which was last published in full on May 14, 2019 (84 
FR 21315).
    The agency proposes to revise USDA/RD-1 by:
    (a) Adding Routine Use 27 to account for a new computer matching 
agreement among USDA/RD, the U.S. Social Security Administration, and 
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Routine Use 27 will 
apply to records already identified in USDA/RD-1;
    (b) Updating the System Location;
    (c) Updated the Authority for Maintenance of System; and
    (d) Updating the Policies and Practices for Retention and Disposal 
of Records.

SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
    USDA/RD-1 Current or Prospective Producers or Landowners, 
Applicants, Borrowers, Grantees, Tenants, and other participants in RD 
programs.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
    Unclassified.

SYSTEM LOCATION:
    Records are located at USDA RD, Suite 1701, 211 North Broadway, St. 
Louis, MO 63102 and DISC Enterprise Data Center, 8930 Ward Parkway 
Blvd., Kansas City, MO.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
    The Community Development Manager at the Local Office; the RD 
Manager at the Area Office; and the State Director at the State Office; 
the Deputy Chief Financial Officer in St. Louis, MO; and the respective 
Administrators in the National Office at the following addresses: 
Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, Room 5014A, South Building, Stop 0701, Washington, DC 20250-0701; 
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW, Rm. 5803, Stop 3201, Washington, DC 20250-3201; 
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service,--USDA 1400 Independence Ave. 
SW, Rm. 4121, Stop 1510, Washington, DC 20250-1510. Contact information 
can be found at rd.usda.gov.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended; 
Section 12204 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79); 
Agricultural Credit of 1961 & Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.); Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et 
seq.); section 901 of the Food Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 
(Pub. L. 110-246); Rural Electrification and Telephone Service (7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.); and Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 
115-334), as amended.

PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
    The purpose of this system is for Rural Development (RD) to 
maintain information that is used for current or prospective producers 
or landowners, applicants, borrowers, grantees, tenants, and other 
participants in RD programs designed to help improve the economy and 
quality of life in rural America.
    These financial systems support such essential public facilities 
and service as water and sewer systems, housing,

[[Page 72821]]

health clinics, emergency service facilities, and electric and 
telephone services. Additionally, RD systems and feeder applications 
promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through 
banks, credit unions, and community-managed lending pools. The suite of 
RD systems covered by this system of records is developed and 
maintained by the Chief Information Officer, Washington, DC.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
    Current or prospective producers or landowners, applicants, 
borrowers, grantees, tenants, and their respective household members, 
including members of associations and other participants in RD 
programs.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    Records include individual's social security or employer 
identification number, bank routing and account numbers; and their 
respective household members' characteristics, such as gross and net 
income, sources of income, capital, assets and liabilities, net worth, 
age, race, number of dependents, marital status, reference material, 
farm or ranch operating plans, and property appraisal. The system also 
tracks credit reports and personal references from credit agencies, 
lenders, businesses, and individuals. In addition, a running record of 
observation concerning the operations of the person being financed is 
included. A record of deposits to and withdrawals from an individual's 
supervised bank account is also contained in those files where 
appropriate. In some local offices, this record is maintained in a 
separate folder containing only information relating to activity within 
supervised bank accounts. Some items of information are extracted from 
the individual's file and placed in a card file for quick reference.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    Information in this system comes primarily from credit reports. 
Personal references come primarily from current or prospective 
producers or landowners, applicants, borrowers, grantees, tenant, 
credit agencies, and creditors.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
    In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, records contained in this system may be 
disclosed outside USDA as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. a(b)(3) to 
the extent that such uses are compatible with the purpose for which the 
information was collected as follows:
    1. When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other records, 
indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, 
criminal or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general 
statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order 
issued pursuant thereto, disclosure may be made to the appropriate 
agency, whether Federal, foreign, state, local, or tribal, or other 
public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating or 
prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing 
the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, if 
the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, 
investigative or prospective responsibility of the receiving entity.
    2. To a Member of Congress or to a Congressional staff member in 
response to an inquiry of the Congressional office made at the written 
request of the constituent about whom the record is maintained.
    3. RD will provide information from these systems to the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury and to other Federal agencies maintaining 
debt servicing centers, in connection with overdue debts, in order to 
participate in the Treasury's Offset Program as required by the Debt 
Collection Improvements Act, Public Law 104-134, section 31001.
    4. Disclosure to RD of name, home addresses, and information 
concerning default on loan repayment when the default involves a 
security interest in tribal allotted or trust land. Pursuant to the 
Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12701 et seq.), liquidation may be pursued only after offering to 
transfer the account to an eligible tribal member, the tribe, or the 
Indian housing authority serving the tribe(s).
    5. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, 
and financial information to a collection or servicing contractor, 
financial institution, or a local, state, or Federal agency, when RD 
determines such referral is appropriate for servicing or collecting the 
borrower's account or as provided for in contracts with servicing or 
collection agencies.
    6. To a court or adjudicative body in a proceeding when: (a) The 
agency or any component thereof; or (b) any employee of the agency in 
his or her official capacity; or (c) any employee of the agency in his 
or her individual capacity where the agency has agreed to represent the 
employee; or (d) the United States Government, is a party to litigation 
or has an interest in such litigation, and by careful review, the 
agency determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to 
the litigation and the use of such records is therefore deemed by the 
agency to be for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose for 
which the agency collected the records.
    7. Disclosure of names, home addresses, and financial information 
for selected borrowers to financial consultants, advisors, lending 
institutions, packagers, agents, and private or commercial credit 
sources, when RD determines such referral is appropriate to encourage 
the borrower to refinance his RD indebtedness as required by Title V of 
the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1471), or to assist the 
borrower in the sale of the property.
    8. Disclosure of legally enforceable debts to the Department of the 
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to be offset against any tax 
refund that may become due the debtor for the tax year in which the 
referral is made, in accordance with the IRS regulations at 26 CFR 
301.6402-6T, Offset of Past Due Legally Enforceable Debt Against 
Overpayment, and under the authority contained in 31 U.S.C. 3720A.
    9. Disclosure of information regarding indebtedness to the Defense 
Manpower Data Center, Department of Defense, and the United States 
Postal Service for the purpose of conducting computer matching programs 
to identify and locate individuals receiving Federal salary or benefit 
payments and who are delinquent in their repayment of debts owed to the 
U.S. Government under certain programs administered by RD in order to 
collect debts under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 
(5 U.S.C. 5514) by voluntary repayment, administrative or salary offset 
procedures, or by collection agencies.
    10. Disclosure of names, home addresses, and financial information 
to lending institutions when RD determines the individual may be 
financially capable of qualifying for credit with or without a 
guarantee.
    11. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, 
and financial information to lending institutions that have a lien 
against the same property as RD for the purpose of the collection of 
the debt. These loans may be under the direct and guaranteed loan 
programs.
    12. Disclosure to private attorneys under contract with either RD 
or with the Department of Justice for the purpose of foreclosure and 
possession actions and collection of past due accounts in connection 
with RD.
    13. To the Department of Justice when: (a) The agency or any 
component

[[Page 72822]]

thereof; or (b) any employee of the agency in his or her official 
capacity where the Department of Justice has agreed to represent the 
employee; or (c) the United States Government, is a party to litigation 
or has an interest in such litigation, and by careful review, the 
agency determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to 
the litigation and the use of such records by the Department of Justice 
is therefore deemed by the agency to be for a purpose that is 
compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records.
    14. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, 
and financial information to the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development for the purpose of evaluating a loan applicant's 
creditworthiness, information that will allow for the pre- screening of 
applicants through the Credit Alert Verification Reporting System 
(CAIVRS) computer matching program. An applicant shall be pre- screened 
for any debts owed or loans guaranteed by the Federal government to 
ascertain if the applicant is delinquent in paying a debt owed to or 
insured by the Federal government.
    Authorized employees of, and approved private lenders acting on 
behalf of, the Federal agencies participating in the CAIVRS computer 
matching program will be able to search the CAIVRS database.
    15. Disclosure of names, home addresses, social security numbers, 
and financial information to the Department of Labor, State Wage 
Information Collection Agencies, and other Federal, State, and local 
agencies, as well as those responsible for verifying information 
furnished to qualify for Federal benefits, to conduct wage and benefit 
matching through manual and/or automated means, for the purpose of 
determining compliance with Federal regulations and appropriate 
servicing actions against those not entitled to program benefits, 
including possible recovery of improper benefits.
    16. Disclosure of names, home addresses, and financial information 
to financial consultants, advisors, or underwriters, when RD determines 
such referral is appropriate for developing packaging and marketing 
strategies involving the sale of RD loan assets.
    17. Disclosure of names, home and work addresses, home telephone 
numbers, social security numbers, and financial information to escrow 
agents (which also could include attorneys and title companies) 
selected by the applicant or borrower for the purpose of closing the 
loan.
    18. Disclosure to Health and Human Services (HHS) parent locator 
system for finding parents who do not pay child support: The name and 
current address of record of an individual may be disclosed from this 
system of records to the parent locator service of the Department of 
HHS or authorized persons defined by Public Law 93-647, 42 U.S.C. 653.
    19. To agency contractors, grantees, experts, consultants or 
volunteers who have been engaged by the agency to assist in the 
performance of a service related to this system of records and who need 
to have access to the records to perform the activity. Recipients shall 
be required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, 
as amended, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
    20. Disclosure to customer service agents for training and 
evaluation purposes. Information is collected during calls made by the 
client to the CSC Customer Service Section to discuss questions or 
concerns pertaining to their mortgage account(s) with RD. The 
information discussed during the call to the CSC help desk is captured 
and used for training and evaluation purposes to ensure proper 
procedures are being followed and accurate information is provided when 
assisting the client.
    21. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when (1) RD 
suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the system of 
records, (2) RD has determined that as a result of the suspected or 
confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals, RD (including 
its information systems, programs, and operations), the Federal 
Government, or national security; and (3) the disclosure made to such 
agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in 
connection with RD efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed 
breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm'' suspected or 
confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.
    22. To another Federal agency or Federal entity, when RD determines 
that information from this system of records is reasonably necessary to 
assist the recipient agency or entity in (1) responding to a suspected 
or confirmed breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or remedying the 
risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including 
its information systems, programs, and operations), the Federal 
Government, or national security, resulting from a suspected or 
confirmed breach.
    23. To comply with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency 
Act (FFATA) and similar statutory requirements for public disclosure in 
situations where records reflect loans, grants, or other payments to 
members of the public: USDA will disclose information about individuals 
from this system of records in accordance with the Federal Funding 
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282; codified 
at 31 U.S.C. 6101, et seq.); section 204 of the E-Government Act of 
2002 (Pub. L. 107-347; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note), and the Office of Federal 
Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403 et seq.), or similar statutes 
requiring agencies to make available publicly information concerning 
Federal financial assistance, including grants, sub grants, loan 
awards, cooperative agreements and other financial assistance; and 
contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, task orders, and delivery 
orders.
    24. To the National Archives and Records Administration for to the 
National Archives and Records Administration for records management 
inspections conducted under 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
    25. To the Department of the Treasury for the purpose of 
identifying, preventing, or recouping improper payments to an applicant 
for, or recipient of, Federal funds, including funds disbursed by a 
State in a State-administered, federally funded program, information 
that will allow for pre-payment eligibility review of a loan applicant 
through the Do Not Pay computer matching program. Authorized employees 
of, and approved private lenders acting on behalf of, the Federal 
agencies participating in the Do Not Pay computer matching program will 
be able to search the Do Not Pay database. The disclosure may include 
applicant's name, home address, Social Security Number, income/
financial data, date of birth, personal telephone number, and personal 
email address.
    26. To financial institutions (including government sponsored 
enterprises), Federal agencies, and other entities for the purposes of 
enhancing program operations and performance through automated 
underwriting, credit scoring and risk management.
    27. Disclose information pursuant to the Computer Matching 
Agreements with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and with 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the purpose of 
identification and income verification and compliance with Title II, 
Title XVI, Improper Payment Information Act.

[[Page 72823]]

    Explanatory Text: Verification will assist USDA RD to assess 
eligibility for the Rental Assistance, Single Family Direct, and 
Voucher programs; and to certify compliance with the Improper Payment 
Information Act by reducing improper payments and unauthorized 
assistance. The matching agreements will provide USDA RD with an 
indicator of whether participants have reported complete and accurate 
income.
    Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies: Disclosures pursuant to 
5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12): Disclosures may be made from this system to 
consumer reporting agencies as defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act 
(15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)) or the Federal Claims Collection Act (31 U.S.C. 
3701(a)(3)).

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
    Records are maintained in file folders at the local, area, state, 
and national offices. All records are converted to electronic format 
and stored on a USDA managed certified and accredited storage 
repository. Once agency employees convert the paper documents to 
digital records, verify that the digital record is readable and 
successfully ported to the imaging repository the manual documents are 
destroyed in compliance with RD regulation (shredding). Other program 
imaging repositories are utilized to allow multi- point access to 
electronic records, but the manual documents are retained securely in 
the local office until such time as the account is considered closed 
per Rural Development Regulation 2033-A. At that time, the documents/
case files are destroyed in a manner as outlined in RD regulation. If 
the office cannot accommodate proper, manual file retention standards 
(inadequate space to secure and house documents/files that require 
retention), inactive documents/case files (i.e., charge-offs, pay-offs, 
denials, withdrawn) can be retired to the Federal Records Center. Any 
records shipped to the Center for retention must be clearly inventoried 
and marked with a destroy-by date. The destroy date is determined by 
the record type after it is closed (e.g., loss to the government 
retention is 7 years after case is closed). The retention schedule can 
be found at RD 2033-A and the Operational Records Manual. For further 
information contact the RD Records Officer. If closed/inactive files 
are retained at the local office until such time as they are eligible 
for destruction, they are stored in a secured location.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
    Records are indexed by name, identification number, and type of 
loan or grant. Data may be retrieved from the paper records or the 
electronic storage. All RD state and field offices as well as the 
financial office and the Customer Service Center (CSC) have the 
telecommunications capability available to access this subset of data.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
    Records are retained in accordance with the General Records 
Schedule and/or Agency Controlled Records Schedule. Records are 
maintained subject to the Federal Records Disposal Act of 1943 (44 
U.S.C. 33), and as amended in accordance with RD disposal schedules. 
The local, area, state, and national offices dispose of records by 
shredding, burning, or other suitable disposal methods after 
established retention periods have been fulfilled. (Destruction methods 
may never compromise the confidentiality of information contained in 
the records.) Applications, including credit reports and personal 
references, which are rejected, withdrawn, or otherwise terminated are 
kept in the local, area, or state offices in accordance with approved 
records schedules. Correspondence records at the National Office, which 
concern borrowers and applicants, are retained for seven full fiscal 
years.

ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
    Paper records are kept in locked offices at the Local, Area, State, 
and National Offices. For electronic records and an online retrieval 
system at the Finance Office access is restricted to authorize Rural 
Development personnel. A system of operator and terminal passwords and 
code numbers is used to restrict access to the online system.
    Passwords and code numbers are changed as necessary.
    The records are protected by the confidentiality requirements of 
the USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Cyber Security 
Manuals and the provisions of the Privacy Act. Only authorized USDA 
employees will have access to the records in this system on a need to 
know basis. Role based access controls are used and the systems are 
accessible via the USDA Intranet.
    Only authorized USDA personnel will have access to these records. 
The systems covered by this notice have been categorized as having a 
Moderate security categorization impact as identified in Federal 
Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199, Standards for Security 
Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems. The 
security controls implemented within the systems will correspond with 
those published in the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
(NIST) Special Publication 800-53, Recommended Security Controls for 
Federal Information Technology Systems for a Moderate impact system.
    Users are only granted system access upon successful completion of 
information security training and each user is supplied with a unique 
and strong user-id and password. The user roles are restrictive and 
based on the principle of least privilege allowing for adequate 
performance of job functions and access to information is based on a 
need to know.
    Due to the financial nature of the systems covered by this notice, 
the systems also adhere to the security controls identified in the 
Federal Information Security Control Audit Manual (FISCAM). The 
mandatory requirements of FIPS 199 and FIPS 200, Minimum Security 
Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems, support 
the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and the FISCAM 
supports the mandated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
123, Management of Internal Controls.
    Moreover, specific USDA security requirements are adhered to 
through the USDA Cyber Security Manuals including but not limited to: 
DM3545-000, Personnel Security, and DM3510-001, Physical Security 
Standards for Information Technology Restricted Space.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
    Any individual may request information regarding this system of 
records or determine whether the system contains records pertaining to 
him/her, from the appropriate System Manager. If the specific location 
of the record is not known, the individual should address his or her 
request to: Rural Development, Freedom of information Officer, United 
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 
0742, and Washington, DC 20250-0742, https://efoia-pal.usda.gov/app/Home.aspx.
    A request for information pertaining to an individual must include 
a name; an address; the RD office where the loan or grant was applied 
for, approved, and/or denied; the type of RD program; and the date of 
the request or approval.

[[Page 72824]]

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
    See ``Record Access Procedure'' above.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
    See ``Record Access Procedure'' above.

EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
    None.

HISTORY:
    System of Records: USDA/Rural Development-1 Current or Prospective 
Producers or Landowners, Applicants, Borrowers, Grantees, Tenants, and 
Other Participants in RD Programs. A Notice by the Rural Housing 
Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural 
Utilities Service published to the Federal Register May 14, 2019 (84 FR 
21315, No. 93, FR Doc. 2019-09874).

Basil I. Gooden,
Under Secretary, Rural Development, United States Department of 
Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2024-20068 Filed 9-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P


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