FR 2025-07624

Summary of the Document

The document is a notice from the Small Business Administration (SBA), announcing its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for collecting certain information. This is in adherence to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), which mandates that federal agencies publish notices in the Federal Register for proposed information collections, allowing a 30-day period for public comment. The SBA is reaching out to the public to gather feedback on the collection of information, specifically regarding its necessity, accuracy, and ways to minimize its burden while enhancing its quality and clarity. Comments are directed to be sent to Bethany Shana at the Office of Credit Risk Management by July 1, 2025.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several critical issues with the document that warrant attention:

• Lack of Detail on Information Collection: The document does not explain the specifics of what information will be collected, making it difficult to assess its necessity or impact on stakeholders.

• Security Concerns: There is no mention of how the SBA plans to secure and protect the collected information, potentially raising privacy concerns for participants.

• Ambiguity in Terminology: Phrases like "unnecessary, unreasonable or prohibitive fees" are mentioned without clear definitions, which could lead to varied interpretations.

• Undefined Role of Agents: The term "Agents" is used without explaining who qualifies as an agent in this context, leading to ambiguity about the parties involved.

• Burden Estimate Clarity: The document lacks a detailed breakdown of the time or cost involved in responding to the information collection, making it hard to evaluate the true impact on small businesses.

• Lack of Discussion on Benefits and Drawbacks: There is no information provided on the potential benefits or drawbacks of the proposed information collection, which hinders the public's ability to provide meaningful comments.

Impact on the Public

The document primarily aims to gather public feedback on the proposed information collection by the SBA. Ideally, if implemented efficiently, this could ensure that businesses are not subjected to excessive bureaucratic requirements, helping to streamline processes and reduce unnecessary costs. However, the lack of clarity and detailed information might hinder the public's ability to provide constructive feedback. This could lead to an ineffective consultation process, where significant issues might remain unaddressed.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For small businesses, the document's lack of detail and clarity could result in increased uncertainty and apprehension regarding the potential administrative burden. The absence of a clear benefit discussion denies them the ability to properly weigh the costs against potential efficiency and service improvements. Conversely, the potential exists for the process to foster more transparent fee structures and reduce exploitative fees, benefiting these businesses if the SBA collects and uses the information effectively.

For agents working with the SBA, defining their roles and the expectations within the information collection process remains vague. A clearer understanding of their responsibilities and the intended monitoring could help alleviate compliance concerns and align expectations.

In summary, while the document aims to engage public participation in improving SBA's processes, it falls short in providing the necessary information that stakeholders need for informed commentary, potentially limiting the benefits of the proposed actions.