Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Agriculture wants to make sure the right people get important documents to keep their loan programs running smoothly, so they need permission to ask certain questions using a form. People can say what they think about this plan until January 21, 2025.
Summary AI
The Department of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of an information collection requirement under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This involves using RUS Form 87, which collects data on the officers and officials of borrowing entities in the Rural Utilities Service's Electric and Telecommunications Programs. The information ensures that communications are correctly targeted and that proper officials are responsible for documents, helping to safeguard the government's interests in loan eligibility and administration. Public comments on this proposal are open until January 21, 2025.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is a notice from the Department of Agriculture, published as part of their efforts to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. It relates to a submission made to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the review and clearance of an information collection requirement. Specifically, the notice discusses the use of RUS Form 87, which is used by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to gather information about the officers and directors of entities borrowing under its Electric and Telecommunications Programs.
Summary of the Document
The notice seeks public feedback on the necessity and utility of the information collection, the accuracy of estimated burdens on respondents, and suggestions for improving the process and minimizing response burdens. Comments are requested and accepted until January 21, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One key issue with the document is the absence of an abstract, which would normally provide a concise summary of the notice's purpose and scope. This may hinder quick comprehension for readers trying to quickly grasp the essence of the document. Furthermore, the document includes technical jargon such as "RUS," "ReAct," and specific program names without offering definitions or context, which could confuse those unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Department of Agriculture or the Rural Utilities Service.
The document discusses RUS Form 87 and its role in ensuring proper communication and validation processes within the RUS's loan programs, yet it fails to explain this process in simpler terms. This omission could mean that potential respondents may not fully understand the importance or implications of the information they are expected to provide.
There is also no detailed explanation of how the number of respondents (869) and the estimated burden hours (217) were calculated, which leaves readers without a clear understanding of how these figures were derived. This absence of explanation might raise questions about the reasonableness and accuracy of these estimates.
Additionally, the lack of information on how public comments will be utilized or responded to might discourage participation from individuals or entities that could provide valuable insights.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this notice represents an opportunity to provide feedback on government data collection practices, which can influence the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental processes. However, the lack of clear communication and transparency in explaining the processes involved might deter public engagement and limit the potential for meaningful improvements.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Stakeholders directly affected by this information collection, including not-for-profit institutions and businesses involved in the Electric and Telecommunications Programs, might experience a bureaucratic burden. The data collection aims to aid in protecting governmental interests in loan processes, but if the process is perceived as cumbersome or unclear, it could strain relationships with borrowing entities.
Overall, while the document's intentions align with safeguarding financial and operational integrity within rural developmental programs, its presentation leaves several gaps that could be addressed to enhance transparency, clarity, and public involvement.
Issues
• The document lacks an abstract, making it difficult to quickly understand the purpose and scope of the notice.
• The publication uses technical terms (e.g., 'RUS', 'ReAct') without providing definitions or context, which may not be clear to all readers.
• The purpose of collecting information through 'RUS Form 87' is not explained in layman's terms, potentially making it confusing for respondents unfamiliar with governmental processes.
• The reasoning behind the number of respondents and the estimated total burden hours is not detailed, making it hard to assess whether the estimate is reasonable.
• There is no information on how feedback or comments submitted by January 21, 2025, will be used or acknowledged, which may discourage public participation.