[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 55225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26496]


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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. 64, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 12, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 55225]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, 
Comment Request--Food Stamp Program: Operating Guidelines, Forms, and 
Waivers

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is publishing for public comment a 
summary of new information collection being required by proposed 
regulations. The proposed collection is an addition to collection 
currently approved under OMB No. 0584-0083.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 13, 1999, 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information 
collection to Jeffrey N. Cohen, Chief, Electronic Benefits Transfer 
Branch, Benefit Redemption Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. Comments may also 
be datafaxed to Mr. Cohen at (703) 605-0232 or they may be transmitted 
by e-mail to [email protected].
    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 a practical use; (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.
    All comments will be summarized and included for the Office of 
Management and Budget approval of the information collection. All 
comments will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey N. Cohen, telephone number 
(703) 305-2517.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Operating Guidelines, Forms and Waivers.
    OMB Number: 0584-0083.
    Expiration Date: October 2002.
    Type of Request: Addition to a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: On February 23, 1999, the Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) published a proposed rule at 64 FR 8733 without including 
separate notice of a new information collection burden in OMB No. 0584-
0083. This notice corrects that omission and explains the new 
information collection burden for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) 
system reporting.
    EBT systems currently deliver about 67% of all Food Stamp Program 
(FSP) benefits. Forty-one States and the District of Columbia have EBT 
systems and thirty-four of those are implemented throughout the entire 
State or the District. In 1990, Congress allowed EBT as an option to 
States for the delivery of FSP benefits. In 1996 Congress mandated that 
all State agencies must deliver FSP benefits using EBT systems by 
October 1, 2002.
    For the FSP, EBT systems move money from Federal accounts held in 
the name of each State to accounts at banks and other financial 
institutions held by or for food retailers. Retailers must first be 
authorized by FNS to accept food stamp benefits. States determine the 
eligibility and the monthly FSP allotments for recipients. They give 
each household a plastic EBT card and a Personal Identification Number 
(PIN). State EBT systems operate like a debit card system with an 
immediate decrement to the household account when the card and PIN are 
used for a food purchase. The amount of the purchase is credited to the 
food retailer account and funds are settled each bank working day 
through the Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) process.
    The FSP EBT regulations are being revised to require the SAS No. 70 
examinations and this will add new information collection burdens for 
States and auditors conducting SAS No. 70 examinations of EBT service 
providers. The SAS No. 70 examination results in a report on the 
policies and procedures placed in operation by the service provider and 
tests of their operating effectiveness. This kind of report is commonly 
referred to by auditors as a SAS No. 70 type 2 report. The new burden 
on State agencies is recordkeeping. The new burden on auditors is the 
examination and report.
    Respondents: State agencies with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) 
systems delivering Food Stamp Program benefits and auditors of EBT 
transaction processing service providers.
    Number of respondents: 53 State agency respondents and 10 auditors 
of EBT transaction processing service providers.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1 response per State 
agency to retain and provide copies of SAS No. 70 examination reports 
annually. 10 auditors performing 2 SAS No. 70 examinations annually.
    Estimate of the burden:
    10 auditors at an estimated 2,704 hours or 27,040 hours annually.
    53 State agencies at an estimated 0.25 hours or 13.25 hours 
annually.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 27,053.25 hours 
annually.

[Operating Guidlines, Forms, and Waivers]

    Dated: October 5, 1999.
Samuel Chambers, Jr.,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26496 Filed 10-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U