[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 86 (Monday, May 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25561-25562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10161]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Information Collection; Certified State Mediation Program
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested
individuals and organizations on an extension with a revision of a
currently approved information collection that supports the Certified
State Mediation Program. The information collection is necessary to
ensure that the grant program is administered properly. The collection
of information is used to determine whether participants meet the
eligibility requirements to be a recipient of grant funds. Lack of
[[Page 25562]]
adequate information to make the determination could result in the
improper administration of Federal grant funds.
DATES: We will consider comments we receive by July 7, 2014.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your
comments, include date, volume and page number of this issue of the
Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to: www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Gene Christie, Senior Loan Officer, USDA, FSA, Stop
0521, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.
You may also send comments to the Desk Officer for Agriculture,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may
be requested by contacting Gene Christie at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Christie; (202) 690-2517.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Certified State Mediation Program.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0165.
Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2014.
Type of Request: Extension with revision.
Abstract: FSA administers the Certified State Mediation Program
according to Subtitles A and B of Title V of the Agricultural Credit
Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5106). The number of state-certified mediation
programs has remained stable for several years, and the current
submission eliminates collections that are no longer applicable. In
particular, requests to add a new state-certified mediation program
have not been received in several years and are therefore removed from
the time calculation.
To effectively administer the Program, FSA requires an application
for recertification, which includes submission of a letter from the
State, and completion of a letter from the grantee, SF-424, SF-424A,
SF-424B, and SF-425. In addition, approved grantees provide a mid-year
report as well as an annual report that includes information on
mediation services provided during the preceding Federal fiscal year,
assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the State's Program,
and any other matters related to the Program as the State elects to
include. In addition, program participants complete SF-270 to request
either advance funding or reimbursement of expenses already paid. The
information requested is necessary for FSA to determine participants'
eligibility and administer the Program efficiently and effectively.
Lastly, the times included in previous requests were excessive; they
have been adjusted accordingly to reflect current use.
The formula used to calculate the total burden hours is estimated
average time per response (includes travel times) hours/minutes times
total annual responses. The estimated annual burden per respondent is
different from the estimated average time per response because one or
more forms are filed more than once a year.
Estimated Annual Burden: The public reporting burden for this
information collection is estimated to average 10 hours per
unduplicated respondent.
Respondents: State agencies, Universities, and Non-Profit
Organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 37.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 222.
Estimated Average Time per Response: 1.66.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 370.
We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information
collection to help us to:
(1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of FSA, including whether the information will
have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of FSA's estimate of burden, including
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) 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.
All responses to this notice, including name and addresses, when
provided, will be summarized and included in the request for OMB
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.
Signed on April 25, 2014.
Juan M. Garcia,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2014-10161 Filed 5-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P