[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45747-45748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18695]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 25, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 45747]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

July 19, 2000.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, D.C. 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
D.C. 20250-7602.
    Comments regarding these information collections are best assured 
of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this 
notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 
(202) 720-6746.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 54-Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products 
(Grading, Certification, and Standards).
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0124.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as 
amended, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide consumers 
with voluntary Federal meat grading and certification services that 
facilitate the marketing of meat and meat products. This is 
accomplished by providing meat and meat products that are uniform in 
quality. The Meat Grading and Certification (MGC) Branch provides these 
services under the authority of 7 CFR Part 54--Meats, Prepared Meats, 
and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards). The 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will collect information using 
forms LS-313, ``Application for Service,'' and LS-315, ``Application 
for Commitment Grading or Certification Service.''
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information to 
identify the responsible authorities in establishments requesting 
services and to initiate billing and collection accounts. A signed and 
approved application (Form LS-313 or LS-315) constitutes authorization 
for any employee of AMS to enter the establishment for the purpose of 
performing official functions under the regulations. Without a properly 
signed and approved Form LS-313 or LS-315, AMS officials would not have 
the authority to enter the premises to provide grading and/or 
certification services nor would users of the services be legally 
obligated to abide by the regulations or to remit payment for services 
rendered.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 888.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 406.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Olives Grown in California.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0142.
    Summary of Collection: Marketing Order 932 (7 CFR Part 932), 
covering the handling of olives grown in California, emanates from 
enabling legislation (The Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, 
Sections 1-19, 48 Stats. 31, as amended; 7 USC 601-674). The order 
authorizes the issuance of grade and size standards, and incoming and 
outgoing inspection requirements. The order also has authority for 
research and development projects, including paid advertising. The 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will collect information using 
several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information to 
determine olive inventories, acquisition of olives, shipments, and 
disposition. Only authorized representatives of the USDA, including 
AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs' regional and headquarters' staff, 
and authorized employees of the committee would use the information 
collected.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 691.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion; 
Other (2-6 years)
    Total Burden Hours: 2,947.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Interoperability Funding Agreement.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: Under Section 7(k) of Pub. L. 106-71, the 
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Interoperability and Portability Act 
of 2000, the Secretary is required to ensure that electronic benefit 
transfer (EBT) systems used for the issuance and redemption of food 
stamp program (FSP) benefits are interoperable and that food stamp 
benefits are portable among all States by October 1, 2002, except where 
exemptions apply or a temporary waiver is granted.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Interoperability Funding 
Agreement will inform State agencies of the administrative procedures 
for requesting enhanced funding for interoperability costs, including 
prescribed formats for submitting requests for payment and submission 
deadlines. State agencies that request funding will be required to 
submit the signed agreement concurrent with the State agency's first 
request for payment for each fiscal year, indicating that it agrees to 
comply with the procedures established by the Department. If the 
agreement is not submitted it would prevent the Food and Nutrition 
Service from obligating enhanced funding each fiscal year for

[[Page 45748]]

interoperability costs incurred by State agencies.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 51.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 38.
    Agency is requesting an emergency approval by 7/31/00.

Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-18695 Filed 7-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M