[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 44991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22395]



  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 162 / Friday, August 21, 1998 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 44991]]



DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Fiscal Service

31 CFR Part 285

RIN 1510-AA64


Offset of Federal Benefit Payments to Collect Past-due, Legally 
Enforceable Nontax Debt

AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to interim 
regulations.

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SUMMARY: In the rules and regulations portion of this Federal Register, 
the Financial Management Service is issuing an interim rule setting 
forth the rules governing the administrative offset of Federal benefit 
payments issued under the Social Security Act (other than Supplemental 
Security Income), part B of the Black Lung Benefits Act, and any law 
administered by the Railroad Retirement Board (other than tier 2 
benefit payments). The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires 
the Federal Government to withhold or reduce certain Federal payments 
to satisfy delinquent nontax debts owed to the United States by the 
payee. This process is known as ``administrative offset.'' The interim 
rule also serves as the text of this notice of proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments will be accepted until September 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Gerry Isenberg, 
Financial Program Specialist, Debt Management Services, Financial 
Management Service, Department of the Treasury, 401 14th Street SW, 
Room 151, Washington, DC 20227. A copy of this notice of proposed 
rulemaking is being made available for downloading from the Financial 
Management Service web site at the following address: http://
www.fms.treas.gov/debt/dms.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerry Isenberg, Financial Program 
Specialist, at (202) 874-6660; Ellen Neubauer or Ronda Kent, Senior 
Attorneys, at (202) 874-6680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The interim rule in this issue of the 
Federal Register establishes 31 CFR 285.4. For the text of the interim 
rule, see Offset of Federal benefit payments to collect past-due, 
legally enforceable nontax debt, Interim rule, published in the rules 
and regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register.

Regulatory Analyses

    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action as 
defined in Executive Order 12866. It is hereby certified that this 
proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The basis for this certification 
is that this proposed rule only impacts individuals who owe delinquent 
debt to the United States and receive the benefit payments discussed 
above. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 285

    Administrative practice and procedures, Black lung benefits, 
Claims, Debts, Disability benefits, Railroad retirement, Railroad 
unemployment insurance, Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI), Veterans benefits.

    Dated: August 13, 1998.
Richard L. Gregg,
Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 98-22395 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-35-P