[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18577-18578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9741]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Consumer Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Tracking Nutrition Security Changes: State Choices and 
the National Food Stamp Program

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Food and Consumer Service's intention to request 
Office of Management and Budget approval of the Tracking Nutrition 
Security Changes Study.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by June 16, 
1997.

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 will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be

[[Page 18578]]

collected; and (d) ways to 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 technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Comments may be sent to: Michael E. Fishman, Acting Director, Office of 
Analysis and Evaluation, Food and Consumer Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the proposed information collection forms should be directed 
to Michael E. Fishman, (703) 305-2117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Tracking Nutrition Security Changes: State Choices and the 
National Food Stamp Program.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: The new welfare reform law, the Personal Responsibility 
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, grants States a number 
of options in how they administer the Food Stamp Program. The Tracking 
Nutrition Security Changes Study will provide the USDA Food and 
Consumer Service with information on the nature and extent of States' 
decisions since the passage of the new law. The study will collect and 
synthesize information on State choices, primarily in three 
programmatic areas: eligibility determination, benefit calculation, and 
work requirements. The study will also assess the variance of food 
stamp policy choices across States and the implementation of these 
choices at the local food stamp office level.
    Information will be collected from States in two stages. First, 
descriptive information will be collected from all 50 State food stamp 
agencies by telephone interviews to identify the nature and scope of 
selected State food stamp choices. Next, on-site interviews with key 
informants will be conducted in 10 to 15 States. These data will be 
collected for a qualitative analysis of implementation issues and 
descriptions of specific agency practices.
    Affected Public: State and local governments, State nonprofit 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: One or two State food stamp 
officials will respond from each of the 50 States for the telephone 
survey. An average of 20 State and local government and nonprofit 
officials in each of up to 15 States will respond to on-site 
interviews, for a maximum total of 300 on-site interview respondents.
    Estimated Time per Response: Phone interviews will average 60 
minutes per State. On-site interviews will average 90 minutes per 
respondent.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 hours.

    Dated: April 7, 1997.
William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 97-9741 Filed 4-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U