Overview
Title
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The people who take care of government farm programs want to keep asking people about extra computers and equipment they have, and they're asking everyone if this is a good idea or if it takes too much time. They are asking for thoughts and ideas from anyone to decide if they should keep doing it.
Summary AI
The Department of Agriculture's Office of Property and Environmental Management plans to extend an existing information collection related to managing excess computers and technical equipment, as authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. They are seeking public comments on the necessity and effectiveness of this information collection process to ensure it serves its purpose and minimizes respondent burden. Public responses will be summarized and considered for OMB approval. Comments should be submitted within 60 days of the notice's publication to be considered.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Office of Property and Environmental Management's intention to request an extension of a currently approved information Technical Equipment Pursuant to the 2008 Farm Bill.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register outlines the intention of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Property and Environmental Management to extend an information collection process related to the transfer of excess computers and other technical equipment. This process is in accordance with guidelines established by the 2008 Farm Bill, aiming to redistribute unused equipment to rural local government entities. The public is invited to voice their opinions on the necessity, utility, and burden of this information collection within 60 days of publication.
General Summary
This notice, guided by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, seeks to renew approval for a procedural method that involves managing surplus technical equipment. The document serves as a formal invitation for public input, specifically asking for comments about the process's efficiency and practicality. This open call demonstrates an effort to ensure that the program is beneficial and not unduly burdensome on rural stakeholders who could receive the equipment.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from the notice that may require further clarification and consideration. Firstly, the document lacks detailed justification for why an extension of the information collection is necessary, casting potential concern about unnecessary bureaucratic procedures. Additionally, while the abstract mentions "Technical Equipment Pursuant to the 2008 Farm Bill," it provides little detail, potentially leading to ambiguity regarding what exactly the collection entails.
The legal and bureaucratic language used in the document can be difficult for the general public to understand, potentially decreasing engagement and effective public participation. Furthermore, the methodology for calculating the respondent burden is not thoroughly described, which might affect the accuracy and reliability of the estimated burden time of .167 hours per response.
The invitation for comments largely emphasizes minimizing the burden but does not equally address evaluating the program's overall impact or effectiveness. Such evaluation could provide valuable insights into the program's success or failures and highlight areas for improvement.
Public Impact
For the general public, particularly those living in rural areas, the document indicates a potential benefit through access to technological resources that might otherwise be unavailable due to funding or logistical limitations. However, the bureaucratic nature of the process might deter smaller or less-resourced local government entities from participating.
Stakeholder Impact
The stakeholders most directly affected by this notice are rural city, town, or local government entities. These groups stand to benefit from cheaper or free access to technical resources, potentially improving their digital infrastructure. However, the potential for bureaucratic difficulties and lack of clarity could negatively impact their ability to fully engage with and benefit from the program.
On a broader level, stakeholders involved in policy-making and public resource management may find interest in the procedures and discussions sparked by public comments on the efficiency of information collection and redistribution practices. This input can shape future policy adjustments or developments within the USDA and other federal programs.
Overall, the notice represents a balance between regulatory requirements and public engagement, aiming to refine processes while ensuring utility and efficiency for stakeholders involved.
Issues
• The document requests an extension for an information collection without providing detailed justification for why the extension is necessary, raising concerns about potentially wasteful bureaucratic processes.
• The abstract is unclear in its mention of 'Technical Equipment Pursuant to the 2008 Farm Bill' without elaboration, which may lead to ambiguity.
• The document uses technical legal and bureaucratic language that may not be accessible to the general public, potentially hindering understanding and reducing public engagement.
• The estimated burden on respondents is slightly unclear as the methodology for calculating the burden is not provided in detail, which could affect the accuracy of the information.
• The invitation for comments primarily focuses on the burden of information collection and omits discussion of potential outcomes or effectiveness of the program, which might be beneficial to address.