[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 128 (Thursday, July 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39869-39870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14283]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Docket: RBS-20-CO-OP-0024]


Notice of Request for Revision 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 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Rural Business-
Cooperative Service's (RBCS) intention to revise a currently approved 
information collection in support of the program for the Annual Survey 
of Farmer Cooperatives, as authorized in the Cooperative Marketing Act 
of 1926.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 31, 2020 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Pamela Bennett, Rural Development 
Innovation Center, Regulations Management Division, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0793, Room 4015 South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-0793. Telephone: (202) 720-9639. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Annual Survey of Farmer Cooperatives.
    OMB Number: 0570-0007.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: One of the objectives of RBCS is to promote the 
understanding, use and development of the cooperative form of business 
as a viable option for enhancing the income of agricultural producers 
and other rural residents. RBCS direct role is providing knowledge to 
improve the effectiveness and performance of farmer cooperative 
businesses through technical assistance, research, information, and 
education. The annual survey of farmer cooperatives collects basic 
statistics on cooperative business volume, net income, members, 
financial status, employees, and other selected information to support 
RBCS' objective and role. Cooperative statistics are published in an 
annual report and other formats for use by the U.S. Department

[[Page 39870]]

of Agriculture, cooperative management and members, educators and 
researchers, other Federal agencies, cooperative trade associations, 
general agribusiness, cooperative development practitioners, students, 
teachers, consultants, and many others.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 76 minutes or less per response.
    Respondents: Farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,037.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,037.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 792 Hours.

Comments

    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 RBCS is submitting to 
OMB for approval. 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.
    Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 
http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and 
Federal Actions'' box, select ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service'' 
from the agency drop-down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket 
ID column, select RBS-20-CO-OP-0024 to submit or view public comments 
and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. 
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 ``User 
Tips'' link.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela 
Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center, Regulations Management 
Division, at (202) 720-9639. 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.

Mark Brodziski,
Acting Administrator,Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14283 Filed 7-1-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P