[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50792-50793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24318]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS) to request an extension of a currently approved 
information collection in support of the Servicing of Business and 
Industry Guaranteed Loans Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 19, 1999, 
to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David W. Lewis, Senior Loan 
Specialist, RBS, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Stop 3224, 
Washington, DC 20250-3224, telephone 202-690-0797.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Servicing Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans.
    OMB Number: 0570-0016
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: RBS, an agency within the Rural Development (RD) mission 
area of the USDA, operates several programs that provide guaranteed 
loans to banks, insurance companies, and other traditional lenders. The 
purpose of the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program is to 
improve, develop, or finance business, industry and employment and 
improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities, 
including pollution abatement and control. This purpose is achieved 
through bolstering the existing private credit structure through 
guarantee of quality loans, which will provide lasting community 
benefits.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.51 hours per response.
    Respondents: Guaranteed lenders.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,681.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.26.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 19,466.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 9,992.

[[Page 50793]]

    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RBS'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, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0742. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become 
a matter of public record.

    Dated: September 10, 1999.
Randall E. Torgerson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24318 Filed 9-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P