[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 13393-13394] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-6419] ======================================================================== 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. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 52 / Thursday, March 18, 1999 / Notices [[Page 13393]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request March 12, 1999. 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), Washington, DC 20503 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) 720-6746. 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. Foreign Agricultural Service Title: Request for Vessel Approval. OMB Control Number: 0551-0008. Summary of Collection: Title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480, 83rd Congress, as amended) provides for U.S. government financing of sales of U.S. agricultural commodities to recipients (foreign countries or private entities). In accordance with the law, an agreement providing for long- term credit financing is first negotiated with the recipient through diplomatic channels. Within the U.S. government, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the agency responsible for administering Public Law 480, Title I (``Title I'') agreements. After an agreement has been signed, the recipient applies to FAS for authorization to purchase each commodity provided in the agreement. A purchase authorization is issued which provides for financing of commodity sales by the Commodity Credit Corporation. The recipient then purchases the commodity for delivery at U.S. ports and arranges for ocean transportation. The recipient must send the pertinent terms of all proposed ocean freight contracts, regardless of whether any portion of the ocean freight is financed by CCC, to FAS for review and approval before the vessel is ``fixed'' (i.e., contracted). FAS will collect information using form CCC-105, ``Request for Vessel Approval''. Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information on the ocean freight contract. The information is needed to insure that Title I recipient comply with the requirement that U.S.-flag vessels carry 75 percent of the tonnage shipped under this program. The information is used by FAS to ensure that program recipients comply with Public Law 664 (Cargo Preference Act) and the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as amended. FAS also uses the information to prepare Form CCC- 106, ``Advice of Vessel Approval,'' which specifies what part of the ocean freight rate will be financed by the CCC. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 11. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 25. Rural Development Title: 7 CFR 1901-K, ``Certificates of Beneficial Ownership and Insured Notes''. OMB Control Number: 0575-0064. Summary of Collection: This regulation is currently shared by the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the Rural Business Service (RBS) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and is administered under the provisions of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) as amended. FSA's Farm Loan Program (FLP) provides supervised credit in the form of loans to family farmers and ranchers to purchase land and finance agricultural production. RHS provides supervised credit in the form of Multi-Family Housing (MFH) loans and Community Facility (CF) loans. The MFH loan program provides eligible persons with rental or cooperative housing pursuant to the Housing Act of 1949. RBS provides supervised credit in the form of direct loans to businesses in rural areas. In the past, these agencies financed the lending activity of their respective insurance funds through the sale of insured notes, insurance contracts, and Certificates of Beneficial Ownership (CBO) to the Federal Financing Bank and the public. Although this practice has been modified significantly and sales to the public of this type no longer occur, the agencies must still service outstanding certificates of beneficial ownership, insurance contracts, and ensured notes. Information will be collected, as appropriate, to process the sale of insured notes, assignment of CBO's, death of certificate owners, or the loss, theft, or destruction of a note or CBO. Rural Development (RD) will collect information using form RD 471-7. Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect information on the name and address of seller; name and address of buyer; date of sale; amount and date of original debt instrument; name of rural development borrower and case number on an as needed basis. Failure by RD to monitor Certificates of Beneficial Ownership (CBO) sales and transfers could possibly lead to noncompliance with statutory intent. The agencies keep information collection requirements to a minimum but must monitor CBO sales and transfer [[Page 13394]] consistent with sound financial management practices. Description of Respondents: Individuals or households. Number of Respondents: 98. Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 62. Rural Housing Service Title: Annual Survey of Housing Conditions for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers. OMB Control Number: 0575-NEW. Summary of Collection: Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are among the poorest and worst-housed groups in the United States. Only limited information has been collected on farmworker demographics and working conditions, and even less on the housing in which they live. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) plans to conduct a survey to collect data on the housing conditions of farmworkers in the Midwestern and Western migrant streams including types of structures occupied, proportion of households crowded, proportion of households cost burdened, proportion lacking full appliances and sanitary facilities, proportion residing in grower-provided housing, and other characteristics. In combination with a previous study of migrant workers in the East Coast, a national perspective on housing conditions for migrant and seasonal farmworkers will be gained. More detailed information concerning farmworker housing conditions is necessary in order to determine the significant health risks associated with farmworker housing and effectively focus housing resources on the areas of greatest need. The collection of housing data will greatly benefit farmworkers by improving the information available to organizations and federal agencies that address farmworker health and housing needs. The Rural Housing Service will collect information using a survey on Farmworker Housing. Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information on the types of housing occupied by farmworkers, the quality of that housing, its cost, and whether or not overcrowding is prevalent in farmworkers housing. The data collected will be used to improve how farmworker housing and health programs are used so that farmworkers' needs may be better met by the government and private organizations. Description of Respondents: Individuals or households. Number of Respondents: 6,000. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually. Total Burden Hours: 1,500. Nancy B. Sternberg, Departmental Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 99-6419 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-01-M