Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: March 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 54)]

[Notices]

[Page 13852]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr22mr99-131]

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: The United States Information Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the public use forms entitled ``Exchange Visitor Program Application'', and ``Update of Information on Exchange Visitor Program'', under OMB control number 3116-0210. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's burden estimates; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected and (d) ways to minimize the burden on the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information to the United States Information Agency, M/AOL, 301 Fourth Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Docket Library, Room 10202, NEOB, Washington, D.C. 20503. DATES: Comments are due on or before May 21, 1999.

COPIES: Copies of the Request for Clearance (OMB 83-I), supporting statement, and other documents that will be submitted to OMB for approval may be obtained from the USIA Clearance Officer. Comments should be submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for USIA, and also to the USIA Clearance Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Agency Clearance Officer, Ms. Jeannette Giovetti, United States Information Agency, M/AOL, 301 Fourth Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, internet address: JGiovett@USIA.GOV, telephone: (202) 619-4408; and for OMB review: Mr. Jeff Hill, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Docket Library, Room 10202, NEOB, Washington, D.C. 20503, Telephone (202) 395-5871.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collection activity involved with this program is conducted pursuant to the mandate given to the United States Information Agency (USIA) under the terms and conditions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public law 87-256 and 22 CFR Part 514, Exchange Visitor Program; Final Rule as amended. Public reporting burden for this collection of information (Paper Work Reduction Project: OMB No. 3116-0210) is estimated to average sixty (60) minutes per response for the IAP-37 and twenty (20) minutes per response for the IAP-87, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. For the IAP-37, responses are voluntary and respondents are requested to respond annually. For the IAP-87, responses are mandatory and respondents are requested to respond on an as needed basis.

Current Action: USIA is requesting a three-year extension of the currently approved information collection under OMB control number 3116-0210 which expires June 30, 1999.

Title(s): ``Exchange Visitor Program Application'', and ``Update of Information on Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor''.

Form Numbers: IAP-37, IAP-87.

Abstract: Under the requirements of 22 CFR Part 514, Exchange Visitor Program; Final Rule as amended and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, USIA has been delegated the authority to designate Sponsors for the Exchange Visitor Program for U.S. Government agencies, public and private educational and cultural exchange. The purpose of the exchange visitor program is intended to promote interchanges of persons engaged in Education, Arts, Sciences and to promote mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and other countries. The USIA IAP-37 form is used when organizations wishing to sponsor exchange visitors from abroad apply to USIA for a designation that will permit them to function as sponsors. The USIA IAP-87 form is used by the Exchange Visitor Sponsors to change the name of their institution and/or organization, the names of the personnel involved, addresses, or telephone numbers. The forms is also used to order a supply of additional IAP forms, code books, or to cancel the program.

Proposed Frequency of Responses

No. of Respondents--1,550.

Recordkeeping Hours--1.20.

Total Annual Burden--1,000.

Dated: March 16, 1999. Rose Royal, Federal Register Liaison.

[FR Doc. 99-6812Filed3-19-99; 8:45 am]

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