Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection, 73355-73356 [2024-20403]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 10, 2024 / Notices
Research, Education, and Economics; or
the Administrator of NASS may request.
The Committee will meet at least
annually. All meetings are open to the
public. Committee members are
reimbursed for official travel expenses
only.
Description of Duties: The duties of
the Committee are solely advisory in
nature. The Committee makes
recommendations to the Secretary of
Agriculture regarding the agricultural
statistics program of NASS, and such
other matters as it may deem advisable,
or which the Secretary of Agriculture;
the Under Secretary for Research,
Education, and Economics; or the
Administrator of NASS may request.
Agency or Official to Whom the
Committee Reports: The Committee
reports to the Secretary of Agriculture
through the Under Secretary for
Research, Education, and Economics.
Committee Membership: The
Secretary of Agriculture will appoint the
membership of the Committee.
Furthermore, members will serve for
two-year terms, and may serve no more
than three consecutive terms for a total
of six consecutive years. Membership
will consist of 22 individuals with
diverse capabilities distinguished by
their broad range of knowledge and
interest in, though not limited to,
agricultural economics, rural sociology,
farm policy analysis, and agricultural
education. Members will also be drawn
from Educational and Research
Organizations; Farm Service and
Marketing Organizations; State
Government Agricultural Agencies; and
Farm, Ranch and Agriculture Producers.
A representative from the Bureau of the
Census, U.S. Department of Commerce,
and a representative from the Economic
Research Service, USDA, shall serve as
ex-officio members of the Committee.
This Committee will be fairly
balanced in its membership in terms of
the points of view represented and the
functions to be performed. Steps will be
taken to encourage fresh points of view,
such as establishing staggered
membership terms and limiting the
number of renewed memberships.
Equal opportunity practices in
accordance with USDA policies will be
followed in all appointments to the
Committee. To ensure that the
recommendations of the Committee
have taken into account the needs of the
diverse groups served by the
Department, membership shall include,
to the extent practicable, individuals
with demonstrated ability to represent
the many communities, identities, races,
ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities,
cultures, and beliefs of the American
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16:45 Sep 09, 2024
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people, including underserved
communities.
The USDA prohibits discrimination in
all of its programs and activities on the
basis of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, (including gender identity
and sexual orientation), disability, age,
marital status, familial or parental
status, income derived from a public
assistance program, political beliefs,
genetic information, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity,
in any program or activity conducted or
funded by USDA (not all bases apply to
all programs).
Ethics Statement: To maintain the
highest levels of honesty, integrity and
ethical conduct, no Committee or
Subcommittee member shall participate
in any ‘‘specific party matters’’ (i.e.,
matters are narrowly focused and
typically involve specific transactions
between identified parties) such as a
lease, license, permit, contract, claim,
grant, agreement, or related litigation
with the Department in which the
member has a direct or indirect
financial interest. This includes the
requirement for Committee or
Subcommittee members to immediately
disclose to the Designated Federal
Officer (DFO) any specific party matter
in which the member’s immediate
family, relatives, business partners or
employer would be directly seeking to
financially benefit from the Committee’s
recommendations.
All members will receive ethics
training to identify and avoid any
actions that would cause the public to
question the integrity of the
Committee’s advice and
recommendations. Members who are
appointed as ‘‘Representatives’’ are not
subject to Federal ethics laws because
such appointment allows them to
represent the point(s) of view of a
particular group, business sector or
segment of the public.
Members appointed as ‘‘Special
Government Employees’’ (SGEs) are
considered intermittent Federal
employees and are subject to Federal
ethics laws. SGEs are appointed due to
their personal knowledge, academic
scholarship, background or expertise.
No SGE may participate in any activity
in which the member has a prohibited
financial interest. Appointees who are
SGEs are required to complete and
submit a Confidential Financial
Disclosure Report (OGE–450 form) and,
upon request, USDA will assist SGEs in
preparing these financial reports. To
ensure the highest level of compliance
with applicable ethical standards USDA
will provide ethics training to SGEs on
an annual basis. The provisions of these
paragraphs are not meant to
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73355
exhaustively cover all Federal ethics
laws and do not affect any other
statutory or regulatory obligations to
which advisory committee members are
subject.
Recordkeeping: The records of this
Committee, formally and informally
established subcommittees, or other
subgroups of the committee, shall be
handled in accordance with General
Records Schedule (GRS) 6.2 or other
approved agency records disposition
schedule. These records shall be
available for public inspection and
copying, subject to the Freedom of
Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
Information about this Committee is
available online at: USDA—National
Agricultural Statistics Service—About
NASS—Advisory Committee on
Agriculture Statistics
Dated: August 21, 2024.
Cikena Reid, Committee Management Officer,
USDA.
[FR Doc. 2024–20408 Filed 9–9–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Notice of Intent To Request Revision
and Extension of a Currently Approved
Information Collection
National Agricultural Statistics
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the intention of the
National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) to request revision and
extension of a currently approved
information collection, the Generic
Clearance for Survey Research Studies.
There are minimal changes to burden
hours and number of contacts to
accommodate the proposed testing for
the upcoming three-year period.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be
received by November 12, 2024 to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by docket number 0535–0248,
by any of the following methods:
• Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov.
Include docket number above in the
subject line of the message.
• E-fax: (855) 838–6382.
• Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CDROM submissions to: Richard Hopper,
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Room 5336
South Building, 1400 Independence
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM
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khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
73356
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 10, 2024 / Notices
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–
2024.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand
deliver to: Richard Hopper, NASS
Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building,
1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250–2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph J. Prusacki, Acting Associate
Administrator, National Agricultural
Statistics Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, (202) 720–2707. Copies of
this information collection and related
instructions can be obtained without
charge from Richard Hopper, NASS–
OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720–
2206 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title:
Generic Clearance to Conduct Survey
Research Studies.
OMB Control Number: 0535–0248.
Type of Request: To revise and extend
a currently approved information
collection for a period of three years.
Abstract: The National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS) of the United
States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) will request approval from the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for a generic clearance that will
allow NASS to rigorously develop, test,
and evaluate its survey instruments and
methodologies. The primary objectives
of the National Agricultural Statistics
Service are to prepare and issue State
and national estimates of crop
production, livestock production,
economic statistics, and environmental
statistics related to agriculture and to
conduct the Census of Agriculture. This
request is part of an on-going initiative
to improve NASS surveys, as
recommended by both its own
guidelines and those of OMB.
In the last decade, rigorously
researched techniques have been
increasingly instituted by NASS and
other Federal agencies and are now
routinely used to improve the quality
and timeliness of survey data and
analyses, while simultaneously
reducing respondents’ cognitive
workload and burden. The purpose of
this generic clearance is to allow NASS
to continue to adopt and use these
rigorously researched techniques to
improve its current data collections
efforts. These tests will also be used to
aid in the development of new surveys.
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16:45 Sep 09, 2024
Jkt 262001
NASS envisions using a variety of
survey improvement techniques, as
appropriate to the individual project
under investigation. These include
focus groups, cognitive and usability
laboratory and field techniques,
exploratory interviews, behavior coding,
respondent debriefing, pilot surveys,
and split-panel tests. After obtaining
participants’ permission, NASS plans to
audio-record some cognitive interviews
and usability interviews, in order to
allow for more complete and accurate
summaries of these qualitative
interviews. This is a standard procedure
for cognitive interviews and usability
interviews at many other survey
organizations, including Federal
agencies. The consent form would be
used for audio recording some cognitive
interviews and usability interviews for
research purposes. For these types of
interviews, there will be no collection of
Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
or any identifying information about the
operator or operation.
In addition to the testing techniques
listed above NASS will be including
parallel testing with this renewal
request. NASS is investigating
methodologies using additional sources
of farm operators (including web
scraping). These methodologies will be
tested against the NASS’s current multiframe methodology.
Following standard OMB
requirements NASS will submit a
change request to OMB individually for
each survey improvement project it
undertakes under this generic clearance
and provide OMB with a copy of the
questionnaire (if one is used), and all
other materials describing the project.
Authority: These data will be
collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C.
2204(a). Individually identifiable data
collected under this authority are
governed by Section 1770 of the Food
Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276,
which requires USDA to afford strict
confidentiality to non-aggregated data
provided by respondents. This Notice is
submitted in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.
L. 104–13) and Office of Management
and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part
1320. Participation in all surveys and
studies conducted under this approval
will be voluntary.
All NASS employees and NASS
contractors must also fully comply with
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Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
all provisions of the Confidential
Information Protection and Statistical
Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, title III
of Public Law 115–435, codified in 44
U.S.C. ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS’s
pledge of confidentiality to all
respondents and facilitates the agency’s
efforts to reduce burden by supporting
statistical activities of collaborative
agencies through designation of NASS
agents, subject to the limitations and
penalties described in CIPSEA. NASS
uses the information only for statistical
purposes and publishes only tabulated
total data.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for these collections of
information is estimated to average from
15 minutes to 1.5 hours per respondent,
dependent upon the survey and the
technique used to test for that particular
survey. The overall average is estimated
to be 0.60 hours per response.
Respondents: Farmers, ranchers, farm
managers, farm contractors, agribusinesses, and households.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
25,000.
Frequency of Responses: On occasion.
Estimated Total Annual Burden:
15,000 hours.
Comments: Comments are invited on:
(a) whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection
of information including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, through
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, technological or
other forms of information technology
collection methods.
All responses to this notice will
become a matter of public record and be
summarized in the request for OMB
approval.
Signed at Washington, DC, August 6, 2024.
Joseph J. Prusacki,
Acting Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024–20403 Filed 9–9–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
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10SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73355-73356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20403]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently
Approved Information Collection
AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently
approved information collection, the Generic Clearance for Survey
Research Studies. There are minimal changes to burden hours and number
of contacts to accommodate the proposed testing for the upcoming three-
year period.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 12, 2024 to
be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0248, by any of the following methods:
Email: [email protected]. Include docket number
above in the subject line of the message.
E-fax: (855) 838-6382.
Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to:
Richard Hopper, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence
[[Page 73356]]
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: Richard Hopper,
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph J. Prusacki, Acting Associate
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. Copies of this information
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from
Richard Hopper, NASS-OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-2206 or at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Generic Clearance to Conduct Survey
Research Studies.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0248.
Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved
information collection for a period of three years.
Abstract: The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will request
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a generic
clearance that will allow NASS to rigorously develop, test, and
evaluate its survey instruments and methodologies. The primary
objectives of the National Agricultural Statistics Service are to
prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop production,
livestock production, economic statistics, and environmental statistics
related to agriculture and to conduct the Census of Agriculture. This
request is part of an on-going initiative to improve NASS surveys, as
recommended by both its own guidelines and those of OMB.
In the last decade, rigorously researched techniques have been
increasingly instituted by NASS and other Federal agencies and are now
routinely used to improve the quality and timeliness of survey data and
analyses, while simultaneously reducing respondents' cognitive workload
and burden. The purpose of this generic clearance is to allow NASS to
continue to adopt and use these rigorously researched techniques to
improve its current data collections efforts. These tests will also be
used to aid in the development of new surveys.
NASS envisions using a variety of survey improvement techniques, as
appropriate to the individual project under investigation. These
include focus groups, cognitive and usability laboratory and field
techniques, exploratory interviews, behavior coding, respondent
debriefing, pilot surveys, and split-panel tests. After obtaining
participants' permission, NASS plans to audio-record some cognitive
interviews and usability interviews, in order to allow for more
complete and accurate summaries of these qualitative interviews. This
is a standard procedure for cognitive interviews and usability
interviews at many other survey organizations, including Federal
agencies. The consent form would be used for audio recording some
cognitive interviews and usability interviews for research purposes.
For these types of interviews, there will be no collection of
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or any identifying
information about the operator or operation.
In addition to the testing techniques listed above NASS will be
including parallel testing with this renewal request. NASS is
investigating methodologies using additional sources of farm operators
(including web scraping). These methodologies will be tested against
the NASS's current multi-frame methodology.
Following standard OMB requirements NASS will submit a change
request to OMB individually for each survey improvement project it
undertakes under this generic clearance and provide OMB with a copy of
the questionnaire (if one is used), and all other materials describing
the project.
Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7
U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this
authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of
1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict
confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This
Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations
at 5 CFR part 1320. Participation in all surveys and studies conducted
under this approval will be voluntary.
All NASS employees and NASS contractors must also fully comply with
all provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and
Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, title III of Public Law
115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS's pledge of
confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency's efforts
to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative
agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations
and penalties described in CIPSEA. NASS uses the information only for
statistical purposes and publishes only tabulated total data.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for these collections
of information is estimated to average from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours per
respondent, dependent upon the survey and the technique used to test
for that particular survey. The overall average is estimated to be 0.60
hours per response.
Respondents: Farmers, ranchers, farm managers, farm contractors,
agri-businesses, and households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 25,000.
Frequency of Responses: On occasion.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 15,000 hours.
Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, technological or other forms of information
technology collection methods.
All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.
Signed at Washington, DC, August 6, 2024.
Joseph J. Prusacki,
Acting Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-20403 Filed 9-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P