60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Fire and Rescue Loans; OMB Control No.: 0575-0120

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA.

ACTION:

Notice; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Fire and Rescue Loans.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by September 13, 2024 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the “Search Field” box, labeled “Search for dockets and documents on agency actions,” enter the following docket number: (RHS-24-CF-0021), and click the “Search” Button. To submit public comments, select the “Comment” button. Before inputting your comments, you may also review the “Commenter's Checklist” (optional). Insert your comments under the “Comment” title, click “Browse” to attach files (if applicable). Input your email address and select an identity category then click “Submit Comment.” Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “FAQ” link.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

MaryPat Daskal, Chief, Branch 1, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-7853. Email MaryPat.Daskal@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RHS is submitting to OMB for extension.

Title:7 CFR 1942-C, “Fire and Rescue Loans”.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0120.

Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2025.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.10 hours per response.

Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions, State, local, or tribal governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.75.

Estimated Number of Responses: 3,746.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,881 hours.

Abstract: The Fire and Rescue Loan program is authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes for the development of community facilities for public use in rural areas and is covered by 7 CFR 1942-C. The primary regulation for administering the Community Facilities program is 7 CFR 1942-A (OMB Number 0575-0015) that outlines eligibility, project feasibility, security, and monitoring requirements.

The Community Facilities fire and rescue program has been in existence for over 35 years. This program has financed a wide range of fire and rescue projects varying in size and complexity from construction of a fire station with firefighting and rescue equipment to financing a 911 emergency system. These facilities are designed to provide fire protection and emergency rescue services to rural communities.

Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, borrowers, and consultants. This information will be used to determine applicant/borrower eligibility, assess project feasibility, and ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use funds for authorized purposes. Failure to collect proper information could result in improper determination of eligibility, improper use of funds, and/or unsound loans.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 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.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble Brown, Rural Development Innovation Center, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-6780. Email kimble.brown@usda.gov.

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.