[Federal Register: March 8, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 45)]
[Notices]               
[Page 11573-11574]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08mr06-30]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 6, 2006.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    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 Utility Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1773, Policy on Audits of RUS Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0095.
    Summary of Collection: Under the authority of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (ACT), as amended 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., the 
Administrator is authorized and empowered to make loans under certain 
specified circumstances for the purpose of furnishing and improving 
telephone service in rural areas. RUS, in representing the Federal 
Government as Mortgagee, relies on the information provided by the 
borrowers in their financial statements to make lending decisions as to 
borrowers' credit worthiness and to assure that loan funds are 
approved, advanced and disbursed for proper Act purposes. Borrowers are 
required to furnish a full and complete report of their financial 
condition, operations and cash flows, in form and substance 
satisfactory to RUS.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
evaluate borrowers' financial performance, determine whether current 
loans are at financial risk, and determine the credit worthiness of 
future losses. If information were not collected, it would delay RUS's 
analysis of the borrowers' financial strength, thereby adversely 
impacting current lending decisions.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

[[Page 11574]]

    Total Burden Hours: 16,677.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-3277 Filed 3-7-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P