[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 38554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19118]



[[Page 38554]]

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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.

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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. 98-19118 Filed 7-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-M