[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 73 (Monday, April 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 19421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9377]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 73 / Monday, April 16, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 19421]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comment 
Request; FNS-260, Requisition for Food Coupon Books

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on the proposed information collection contained in form FNS-260, 
Requisition for Food Coupon Books.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information 
collection to: Jeffrey N. Cohen, Branch Chief, Electronic Benefit 
Transfer Branch, Benefit Redemption Division, Food and Nutrition 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, VA 22302. 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.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey N. Cohen, (703) 305-2523.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Requisition for Food Coupon Books.
    OMB Number: 0584-0022.
    Form Number: FNS-260.
    Expiration Date: 09/30/2001.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Section 7(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, 
(the Act) (7 U.S.C. 2016(e)) requires the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) to prescribe appropriate procedures for the delivery 
of food coupon books to coupon issuers. States and local agencies used 
Form FNS-260, Requisition for Food Coupon Books, to order supplies of 
coupon books. The forms are completed and submitted in hard copy or 
electronic format to the appropriate Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 
regional office. The hard-copy format is normally used only when the 
electronic format is unavailable. The regional offices enter the order 
for coupon books into a database where it is automatically reviewed for 
conformance with policy for ordering. After the order passes the edit 
checks, FNS then transmits them electronically to the contractor who 
ships the coupon books. No coupon books are shipped until a completed 
order has been received and approved by FNS.
    The need to print and order food coupons as the sole benefit 
delivery instrument for the Food Stamp Program has changed. Many areas 
of the country have switched to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) 
Systems and no longer issue food coupons to participating households. 
This has resulted in a direct reduction in the number of States and 
local agencies completing and submitting food coupon book orders. 
However, some areas are still using coupons and we must continue to 
require these areas to order food coupon books. The Office of 
Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of this information collection 
expires on September 30, 2001. We intend to seek an extension of OMB's 
approval for an additional 3 years.
    The number of respondents that must complete and submit food coupon 
orders is estimated to be 221 annually; a reduction of 779 respondents. 
It is estimated that respondents will order coupons at least six times 
annually. It is further estimated that it takes about 30 minutes to 
complete and transmit the coupon book order. Thus, total annual burden 
associated with this information collection is estimated to be 663 
hours annually (221 x 6 x 30 minutes).
    Affected Public: State and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 221.
    Estimated Number of Responses per respondent: 6.
    Estimated Time per Response: one half hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 663 hours; a reduction of 2337 hours 
annually.

    Dated: April 5, 2001.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-9377 Filed 4-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P