Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: July 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 137)]

[Notices]

[Page 38554]

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

[DOCID:fr17jy98-33]

[[Page 38554]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Form FNS-259, Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In accordance with 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), as amended by Section 2 of Pub. L. 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on the proposed information collections. This notice announces the Food and Nutrition Service's (FNS) intention to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and approve the agency's proposal to continue requiring the use of the Form FNS-259, Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report, for another 3 years. Section 7 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act), 7 U.S.C. 2016, requires that coupons be issued only to households which have been duly certified as eligible to participate in the Program; that Program benefits are timely distributed in the correct amounts; and that mail issued benefits and mail issuance reconciliation activities are properly conducted and accurately reported to FNS.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection must be received by September 15, 1998 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden that the proposed collection of information would impose, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and, (d) ways to minimize the information collection burden, including the use of appropriate system automation, other electronics, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques. Comments may be sent to Abigail C. Nichols, Director, Program Accountability Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Food Stamp Program, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 905, Alexandria, Virginia, 22302.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the information collection request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information regarding this information collection should be directed to Abigail C. Nichols at (703) 305-2414.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report.

OMB Number: 0584-0015.

Form No.: FNS-259.

Expiration Date: 10/31/98.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: Pursuant to Section 7(f) of the Act, Part 274.4 of the Food Stamp Program (FSP) regulations requires that State agencies account for all food stamp coupon mail issuances, including the number and value of mail issuance replacements. This part of the regulations requires each coupon issuer at intervals prescribed by the Secretary, but not less often than monthly, to submit a written report of the issuer's operations during such period. Part 276.2 of the regulations provides that State agencies be held strictly liable for mail issuance losses that are in excess of the State agency's preselected tolerance level for each administrative reporting unit. The program management information collected on Form FNS-259 is used by FNS to validate mail issuance, identify mail issuance losses, assess liabilities and bill State agencies for a portion of mail issuance losses.

Frequency of Responses: The FNS-259 collects monthly information for three consecutive calendar months which must be accumulated and submitted to FNS on a quarterly basis by the 45th day following the end of the quarter.

Affected Public: State and local government.

Number of Respondents: 1,470.

Number of Responses Per Respondent: 4.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 490.

Dated: July 7, 1998. George A. Braley, Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.

[FR Doc. 98-19118Filed7-16-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-30-M