[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 29698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12046]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 15, 2013.
    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 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, New Executive 
Office Building, 725 - 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. 
Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] 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 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 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that 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 
(RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended (RE Act). A 1949 
amendment to the RE Act established the telephone program in RUS with 
the purpose of making loans to furnish and improve rural telephone 
service. Section 201 of the RE Act provides that loans shall not be 
made unless RUS finds and certifies that the security for the loan is 
reasonably adequate and that the loan will be repaid within the time 
agreed. In addition to providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS 
main objectives is to safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid.
    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: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 40.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 110.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-12046 Filed 5-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P