[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 29125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13410]



[[Page 29125]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6984-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; ``General Administration Request for Assistance 
Programs (Lobbying & Litigation Certification Amendment)''

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following amendment to an existing Information Collection Request (ICR) 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): General Administration 
Request for Assistance Programs (Lobbying & Litigation Certification 
Amendment), EPA ICR #0938.08, OMB #2030-0020. Before submitting the 
amendment to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on 
specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described 
below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Grants and 
Debarment, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460. A copy 
of the ICR may be obtained at no charge by contacting Bill Hedling at 
the above address or at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Hedling, phone: (202) 564-
5377, FAX: 202-565-2470, or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Affected entities include not-for-profit 
institutions, educational institutions, state, local or tribal 
governments and other entities receiving assistance awards under EPA's 
fiscal years (FY) 2000 and 2001 Appropriations Acts. Depending on 
future EPA Appropriations Act language, this requirement may also apply 
to these entities that receive assistance awards in subsequent fiscal 
years. Recipients of fellowship awards and other individuals receiving 
assistance awards are not affected.
    Estimated Number of Recipients: Approximately 2000 annually.
    Frequency of Response: Once per project or annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 166 hours annually for all 
recipients.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost (non-labor) Burden: $0.00.
    Title: ``General Administration Request for Assistance Programs 
(Lobbying & Litigation Certification Amendment)'' OMB #2030-0020, EPA 
ICR #0938.08, expiring 12/31/2002.
    Abstract: Public Law 106-377, Sec. 424 of the FY 2001 VA, HUD and 
Independent Agencies Appropriations Act (Appropriations Act) requires 
``A chief officer of any entity receiving funds under this Act shall 
certify that none of the funds have been used to engage in the lobbying 
of the Federal Government or in litigation against the United States 
unless authorized under existing law.'' Public Law 106-74, section 426 
of the FY 2000 Appropriations Act contains a similar provision. These 
provisions impose additional information collection requirements on EPA 
assistance agreements and thus necessitate an amendment to the existing 
ICR.
    The sole purpose of the certification is to validate that a chief 
executive officer of any entity receiving EPA assistance funds has 
certified that none of the funds were used in lobbying the Federal 
Government or in litigation against the United States. The 
certification will consist of a one-paragraph form that will be signed 
by a chief executive officer. It will normally be submitted with the 
final Financial Status Report. Recipients with multiple awards may 
choose to submit one certification covering all their awards on an 
annual basis.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments to:
    (i) Evaluate 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;
    (ii) Evaluate 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;
    (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    (iv) 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Burden Statement: It is projected that the time involved in signing 
this certification is minimal. The estimate of increased time to sign 
this certification is five minutes.
    Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources 
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or 
provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time 
needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize 
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and 
verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and 
disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to 
comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; 
train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; 
search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; 
and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

    Dated: May 17, 2001.
Howard F. Corcoran,
Director, Office of Grants and Debarment.
[FR Doc. 01-13410 Filed 5-25-01; 8:45 am]
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