Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: June 15, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 114)]

[Notices]

[Page 32678-32679]

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

[DOCID:fr15jn98-64]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior (Department) announces that an information collection request has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection will be used by the Secretary of the Interior to document the local conditions of tribes, tribal justice systems and Courts of Indian Offenses and to determine the resources and funding, including base support funding, needed to provide for expeditious and effective administration of justice. The Department invites comment on the information collection described below.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before August 14, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the survey instrument and directions may be directed to Bettie Rushing, Office of Tribal Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, MS-4631, Washington, DC 20240, and 202/208-4400. The survey instrument will also be available on the BIA HOMEPAGE at http://www.bia.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Information Collection Request

The Department is seeking comments on the following Information Collection Request.

Type of review: New.

Title: Survey of Tribal Justice Systems and Courts of Indian Offenses.

Effected Entities: Tribal Governments; Tribal Courts.

Abstract: As required by the Indian Tribal Justice Act (Act), 25 U.S.C. 3601 et seq., the Secretary of the Interior contracted with a non-federal entity to develop and conduct a survey of the conditions of tribal justice systems and Courts of Indian Offenses. Under the guidance of an advisory group consisting of Tribal representatives and judges and following comments received at Indian judges conferences, the contractor developed a national survey to be distributed to all federally recognized tribes. The survey instrument includes questions regarding the geographic area and population to be served, levels of functioning and capacity of the tribal justice system; volume and complexity of caseloads, projected number of cases per month, projected number of persons receiving probation services or participating in diversion programs; facilities (including detention facilities) and program resources available, research resources available, funding levels and personnel staffing requirements, and training and technical assistance. (see: 25 U.S.C. 3612).

Burden Statement: The Survey of Tribal Justice Systems and Courts of Indian Offenses requires a reporting burden of 4.5 hours for each response from 554 tribes, of which an estimated 280 have tribal justice systems or are served by Courts of Indian Offenses. This estimate includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed, and completing the survey. The total burden for this collection is estimated to be 2,493 hours. The estimate of total burden hours is based upon staff and tribal expertise in the program area responsible for the development and management of tribal justice systems.

Number of Third party Frequency of Total annual Burden hours Annual burden Cost to respondents collection response

responses per response

hours

respondents

554............

0

1

554

4.5

2,493

$149,580

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will not conduct or require tribes and tribal justice systems to respond to a collection of information until the Survey of Tribal Justice Systems and Courts of Indian Offenses references a currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number.

2. Request for Comments

The Department solicits comments to:

(a) Evaluate 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) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies' estimates of burden of the proposed collection of information, including the methodology and assumptions used.

(c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

(d) 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 collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Tribes, organizations and individuals desiring to submit comments on the

[[Page 32679]]

information collection requirement should direct them to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Room 10202, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; Attention: Desk Officer for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Dated: June 5, 1998. Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.

[FR Doc. 98-15834Filed6-12-98; 8:45 am]

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