[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48288-48289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24433]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION


Privacy Act of 1974; Proposed New System of Records

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed new system of records.

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SUMMARY: This Notice proposes the addition of a new system of records 
to be maintained by the Commission. The new system will contain 
information regarding the Commission's efforts to collect debts from 
individuals arising out of administrative or program activities or 
services administered by the Commission.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before October 15, 1997. The 
new system will be effective on October 27, 1997, unless comments are 
received that would result in a contrary determination.


[[Page 48289]]


ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted to: Joseph C. Polking, Secretary, 
Federal Maritime Commission, 800 N. Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC 
20573-0001, (202) 523-5725.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph C. Polking, (202) 523-5725.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is proposing to establish 
a new Privacy Act system of records related to debt collection 
activity it will be engaged in when implementing the Debt 
Collection Act of 1982, as amended by the Debt Collection 
Improvement Act of 1996 (``Act''), 31 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. 
Utilization by the Commission of the collection tools provided by 
the Act will help maximize collection of delinquent debts owed to 
the Government.

    Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 
U.S.C. 552a, the Commission proposes to establish a new system of 
records reading as follows:
FMC--31

SYSTEM NAME:
    Debt Collection Files.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
    Unclassified.

SYSTEM LOCATION:
    Records are located in the Office of Budget and Financial 
Management, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20573.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
    Individuals who are indebted to FMC.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    The Debt Collection Officer's file will contain copies of debt 
collection letters, bills for collection, and correspondence to and 
from the debtor relating to the debt. The file will include such 
information as the name and address of the debtor, taxpayer's 
identification number (which may be the social security number); amount 
of debt or delinquent amount; basis of debt; date debt arose; office/
bureau referring debt to the Debt Collection Officer; record of each 
collection made; credit report; financial statement reflecting the net 
worth of the debtor; date by which debt must be referred to the 
Department of the Treasury for further collection action; and citation 
or basis on which debt was terminated or compromised.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    31 U.S.C. 3701 et seq., Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-
365, 96 Stat. 1749) as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act 
of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-134, 101 Stat. 1321-358).

PURPOSE(s):
    Information is used for the purpose of collecting monies owed FMC 
arising out of any administrative or program activities or services 
administered by FMC. The Debt Collection Officer's file represents the 
basis for the debt and amount of debt and actions taken by FMC to 
collect the monies owed under the debt. The credit report or financial 
statement provides an understanding of the individual's financial 
condition with respect to requests for deferment of payment.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
    When debts are uncollectible, copies of the FMC Debt Collection 
Officer's file regarding the debt and actions taken to attempt to 
collect the monies are forwarded to the Department of Treasury for 
further collection action. FMC may also provide Treasury with copies of 
the debt collection letter, bill for collection, and FMC correspondence 
to the debtor.

DISCLOSURE TO CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCIES:
    Disclosure pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12): Disclosures may be 
made from this system to ``consumer reporting agencies'' as defined in 
the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f) or the Federal Claims 
Collection Act of 1966 (31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3)).

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETARINING, 
AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
STORAGE:
    Records are maintained in notebooks, file folders, on lists and 
forms, and in computer processible storage media.

RETRIEVABILITY:
    The system files are filed by bill for collection number, name, or 
taxpayer's identification number (which may be the social security 
number).

SAFEGUARDS:
    Personnel screening, hardware, and software computer security 
measures; paper records are maintained in locked containers and/or 
room. All records are maintained in areas that are secured by building 
guards during non-business hours. Records are retained in areas 
accessible only to authorized personnel.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
    Records are covered by General Records Schedule 6. The file on each 
debt on which administrative collection action has been completed shall 
be retained by Debt Collection Officer not less than one year after the 
applicable statute of limitation has run out. The file is then 
transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration for a 
period of six years and three months after the end of the fiscal year 
in which the debt was closed out by means of the debt being paid, 
terminated, compromised, or the statute of limitations had run out.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
    Director, Office of Budget and Financial Management, Federal 
Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC 
20573.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
    Individuals wishing to inquire whether this system of records 
contains information about themselves should contact the system manager 
identified above. Written requests should be clearly marked ``Privacy 
Act Request'' on the envelope and letter. Requests should include full 
name of the individual, some type of appropriate personal 
identification, and current address.
    For personal visits, the individuals should be able to provide some 
acceptable identification--that is, driver's license, employing 
organization identification card, or other picture identification card.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
    Same as Notification procedures above.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
    Same as Notification procedures above. The letter should state 
clearly and concisely what information is being contested, the reason 
for contesting it, and the proposed amendment to the information 
sought.
    FMC Privacy Act Regulations are promulgated in 46 CFR part 503.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    Directly from the debtor, the initial application, credit report 
from the commercial credit bureau, administrative or program offices 
within FMC.

    By the Commission.
Joseph C. Polking,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-24433 Filed 9-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-W