[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 39948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14679]


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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. 67, No. 112 / Tuesday, June 11, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 39948]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Form FNS-259, Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report

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 a proposed revision of a currently approved information collection 
contained in form FNS-259, Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information 
collection to: 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Electronic BenefitsTransfer Branch, 
(703) 305-2517.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report.
    OMB Number: 0584-0015.
    Form Number: FNS-259.
    Expiration Date: 06/30/2002.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Section 7(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, 
(7 U.S.C. 2016(d)) requires that State agencies determine and monitor 
food stamp coupon inventories. Section 7(f) requires that the States 
are strictly liable for coupons losses except when the coupons are sent 
through the mail. In that case, the losses are to be determined by the 
regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 
2016(f)). The Food Stamp Program regulations at 7 CFR 274.4(b)(3) 
require State agencies to report mail issuance, replacements, and 
returns on the FNS-259, Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report. Data from the 
report is then used, as explained in 7 CFR 276.2(b)(4), for calculation 
of the State agency's liability for mail losses. The proposed revision 
to the information collection burden reflects the reduction in 
respondents because of the change from coupon issuance to electronic 
benefit delivery systems.
    Affected Public: State and local government employees and 
recipients.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 67 hours annually.

    Dated: May 30, 2002.
Eric M. Bost,
Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.
[FR Doc. 02-14679 Filed 6-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P