7 CFR 1744-C Advance and Disbursement of Funds

OMB Control No: 0572-0023	ICR Reference No: 201902-0572-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201512-0572-003
Agency/Subagency: USDA/RUS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: 7 CFR 1744-C Advance and Disbursement of Funds
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 11/06/2019
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 03/13/2019
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for 3 years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2022	36 Months From Approved	11/30/2019
Responses	433	0	1,112
Time Burden (Hours)	480	0	1,223
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The RUS manages the Telecommunications loan program and Rural Broadband Access, to provide loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities. RUS therefore requires Telecommunications and Broadband borrowers to submit Form 481, Financial Requirement Statement. This form implements certain provisions of the standard Rural Utilities Service loan documents by setting forth requirements and procedures to be followed by borrowers in obtaining advances and making disbursements of loan funds..

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 7 USC 901 et seq., as amended Name of Law: Rural Electrification Act of 1936    PL: Pub.L. 101 - 171 Title VI Name of Law: Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	83 FR 65138	12/19/2018
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 9076	03/13/2019
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name 7 CFR 1744-C Advance and Disbursement of Funds 481 Financial Requirement Statement

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	433	1,112	0	0	-679	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	480	1,223	0	0	-743	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: This is a revision of a previously approved collection. The total burden has been reduced due to a fewer number of respondents and responses actually having been reported during the years 2016, 2017, and 2018 than had been estimated in the prior versions. This trend is expected to continue under the covered current REA Infrastructure Telecom Loan Program and the Farm Bill Broadband Loan Program. The quantity of new program applications and loan awards, and the construction maturity stages of current projects are contributing to this trend. Costs of labor for public and government employees have been updated to the current published wage rates.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $16,760

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Diane Berger 715 619-3124 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 03/13/2019

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