[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 14421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7736]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 57 / Wednesday, March 25, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 14421]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comment 
Request; FNS-260, Acquisition for Food Coupon Books

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on proposed information collection contained in form FCS-260, 
Requisition for Food Coupon Books.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information 
collection to: Suzanne Fecteau, Branch Chief, Redemption Management 
Branch, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    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 collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collections 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.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Suzanne Fecteau, (703) 305-2418.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Acquisition for Food Coupon Books.
    OMB Number: 0584-0022.
    Form Number: FCS-260.
    Expiration Date: 08/31/98.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Section 7(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, 
(the Act) (7 U.S.C. 2016(e)) requires the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) to prescribe appropriate procedures for the delivery 
of food coupon books to coupon issuers. States and local agencies use 
Form FNS-260, Requisition of Food Coupon Books, to order supplies of 
coupon books. The forms are completed and submitted in hard copy or 
electronic format to the appropriate Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 
regional office. The hard-copy format is normally used only when the 
electronic format is unavailable. The regional offices enter the order 
for coupon books into a database where it is automatically reviewed for 
conformance with policy for ordering. After the order passes the edit 
checks, FNS then transmits them electronically to the contractor who 
ships the coupon books. No coupon books are shipped until a completed 
order has been received and approved by FNS. The order of coupon books 
is essential to carrying out the policy of the Act of 1977.
    The need to print and order food coupons as the sole benefit 
delivery instrument for the Food Stamp Program has changed. Many areas 
of the country have switched to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) 
Systems and no longer issue food coupons to participating households. 
This has resulted in a direct reduction in the number of States and 
local agencies completing and submitting food coupon book orders. 
However, some areas are still using coupons and we must continue to 
require these areas to order food coupon books. The Office of 
Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of this information collection 
expires on August 31, 1998. We intend to seek an extension of OMB's 
approval for an additional 3 years.
    The number of respondents that must complete and submit food coupon 
orders is estimated to be 1,000 annually; a reduction of 150 
respondents. It is estimated that respondents will order coupons at 
least once every six months. It is further estimated that it takes 
about 30 minutes to complete and transmit the coupon book order. Thus, 
total annual burden associated with this information collection is 
estimated to be 3,000 hours annually (1,000  x  6  x  30 minutes).
    It should be noted that current versions of this form reflect our 
agency name as the Food and Consumer Service and the form number as 
FCS-260. The form will be revised at the next opportunity to change the 
agency's name to the Food and Nutrition Service and the form number to 
FNS-260. The hard-copy version of the form will also be revised when 
the current supply is exhausted.
    Affected Public: State and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per respondent: 6,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: one half hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,000 hours; a reduction of 450 
annually.

    Dated: March 16, 1998.
Yvette S. Jackson,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7736 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-M