[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46336-46337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21989]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request Form FNS-798 and FNS-798A, WIC Financial Management and 
Participation Report with Addendum

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Food and Nutrition Service's (FNS) intention to 
request approval for revision of a currently approved collection, Form 
FNS-498, WIC Monthly Financial Management and Participation Report.
    The revision will be named Form FNS-798 and FNS-798A, WIC Financial 
Management and Participation Report with Addendum, and will replace 
Form FNS-498, WIC Monthly Financial Management and Participation Report 
and Form FNS-227 and Form FNS-227A, WIC Program Annual Closeout Report 
with Addendum.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 25, 1999.

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 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: 
Patricia N. Daniels, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, 
Food and Nutrition Service, US Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park 
Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval, and will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection form and instructions should be 
directed to: Patricia N. Daniels, (703) 305-2749.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: WIC Financial Management and Participation Report with 
Addendum.
    OMB Number: 0584-0045.
    Expiration Date: 10-31-00.
    Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Abstract: Section 17(f)(4) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
U.S.C. 1786(f)(4)) provides that ``State agencies shall submit monthly 
financial reports and participation data to the Secretary.'' (See also 
7 CFR 246.25(b)(1).) The proposed WIC Financial Management and 
Participation Report (FNS-798) would replace the WIC Monthly Financial 
Management and Participation Report (FNS-498) as the form State 
agencies complete to comply with this requirement. The States and

[[Page 46337]]

FNS would continue to use the reported information for program 
monitoring, funds management, budget projections, monitoring caseload, 
policy development, and responding to requests from Congress and the 
interested public.
    Additionally, nonentitlement programs such as the WIC Program are 
required to conduct an annual closeout and reconciliation of grants. 
Departmental regulations at 7 CFR 3016.23(b) require that ``[a] grantee 
must liquidate all obligations incurred under the award not later than 
90 days after the end of the funding period (or as specified in a 
program regulation) to coincide with the submission of the annual 
Financial Status Report (SF-269).'' WIC Program regulations at 7 CFR 
246.17(b)(2) instruct WIC State agencies to ``submit to FNS, within 150 
days after the end of the fiscal year, final fiscal year closeout 
reports.'' The WIC Program Annual Closeout Report (FNS-227) with 
addendum (FNS-227A) is currently substituted for the SF-269, because a 
closeout form which maintains the integrity of WIC's two grant 
components (food and nutrition services and administration) and 
captures State agencies' decisions to shift WIC grant funds between 
Federal fiscal years is needed. The final WIC Financial Management and 
Participation Report (FNS-798) submitted for the year with its addendum 
(FNS-798A) would replace the WIC Program Annual Closeout Report (FNS-
227) with addendum (FNS-227A) as the substitute for the SF-269. The 
consolidated format is expected to reduce the reporting burden 
associated with the annual closeout and reconciliation of grants.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.1 hours per response, including 
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information.
    Respondents: Directors or Administrators of WIC State agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 88 respondents.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: Seventeen.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4637.6 hours.

    Dated: August 12, 1999.
Samuel Chambers, Jr.
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21989 Filed 8-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P