[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32540-32541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13573]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Information Collection Submission to OMB for Renewal and Approval 
of New Forms Under Paperwork Reduction Act

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces that an information collection request was submitted 
to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs for review and renewal. We have also requested 
approval for new forms that will be mandatory October 2003.

DATES: Written comments must be received by June 30, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to the Desk Officer for Department 
of the Interior, by facsimile at (202) 395-5806 or you may e-mail her 
at [email protected].
    Send a copy of your comments to Lynn Forcia, Office of Economic 
Development, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 
2412-MIB, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
additional copies of the information collection instructions and the 
November 27, 2002, Federal Register should be directed to Lynn Forcia, 
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, 
NW., MS 2412-MIB, Washington, DC 20240; Telephone 202-219-5270. (This 
is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collection for A Reporting 
System for the Public Law 102-477 Demonstration Project needs renewal. 
The 60-day notice requesting comments on OMB Control Number 1076-0135, 
``Public Law 102-477 Reporting,'' was published in the Federal Register 
on November 27, 2002 (67 FR 70963). We have held meetings with both 
tribal and Federal partners regarding the existing Public Law 102-477 
tribal report forms. We have also shared the changes mandated by the 
government-wide employment and training OMB requirements with Federal 
partners and tribal representatives. Based upon our requests for input 
and recommendations, we are requesting two actions: (1) That tribes be 
able to use existing forms which will be gradually phased out as tribes 
are able to use new forms, but no later than September 30, 2003, and 
(2) we are requesting approval of the revised forms which will become 
effective October 1, 2003, at the latest. Tribes may adopt the new 
revised forms as they have made the necessary alterations to their 
computer programs and data collection forms so that they may adequately 
collect and accurately report the required data.
    Abstract: The information collection is needed to document 
satisfactory compliance with statutory, regulatory and OMB requirements 
of the various integrated programs. Public Law 102-477 authorizes 
tribal governments to integrate Federally-funded employment, training 
and related services programs into a single, coordinated, comprehensive 
service delivery plan. Funding agencies include the Department of the 
Interior, Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human 
Services. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is statutorily required to serve 
as the lead agency. Section 11 of this Act requires that the Secretary 
of the Interior make available a single universal report format which 
shall be used by a tribal government to report on integrated activities 
and expenditures undertaken. The Bureau of Indian Affairs shares the 
information collected from these reports with the Department of Labor 
and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Method of Collection

    Existing Forms: Currently, tribal governments voluntarily 
participating in Public Law 102-477 are required to annually complete 
two single page, one-sided report forms and one narrative report, which 
includes four pages of instructions. They replace 166 pages of 
instructions and applications

[[Page 32541]]

representing three different agencies and twelve different funded but 
related programs. We estimate a 95 percent reduction in reporting which 
is consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act and goals of the 
National Performance Review. The statistical and narrative report will 
be used to demonstrate how well a plan was executed in comparison to 
proposed goals. The financial status report will be used to track cash 
flow, and will allow an analysis of activities versus expenditures and 
expenditures to approved budget. It is a slightly modified SF-269-A 
(short form). We are requesting approval of these existing forms for 
use through September 30, 2003.
    Revised Forms: These forms have been developed incorporating 
comments from the Department of Health and Human Services and the 
Department of Labor which provide program funds to tribes for portions 
of Public Law 102-477. The revised forms have also incorporated many of 
the comments from tribal grantees and other interested parties.
    The revised forms include a one page financial form which is a 
slightly modified SF-269-A (short form). The financial report also now 
adds one additional financial page at the request of the Department of 
Health and Human Services, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
(TANF) report. The form is accompanied by four pages of instructions. 
The additional form and instructions are only to be completed by those 
tribes receiving TANF funds under Public Law 102-477. A portion of the 
report is optional as requested by DHHS. Secondly, the revised forms 
includes a revised and expanded program statistical report.
    These report forms and narrative are limited but should satisfy the 
Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and the 
Department of the Interior. Both the existing and revised forms reduce 
the burden on tribal governments by consolidating data collection for 
employment, training, education, child care and related service 
programs. The reports are due annually. These forms have been developed 
within a partnership between tribes and representatives of all three 
Federal agencies to standardize terms and definitions, eliminate 
duplication and reduce frequency of collection.
    Action: Renewal of existing forms, and delayed approval of revised 
forms for FY 2004.
    Collection: OMB Control  1076-0135, A Reporting System for 
Public Law 102-477 Demonstration Project.
    Respondents: Tribes participating in Public Law 102-477 will report 
annually. Currently there are 49 grantees representing 240 tribes 
participating in the program.
    Burden: The hourly burden for present forms is 10 hours per 
respondent; 10 hours x 49 equals 490 annual burden hours. This is an 
increase of 12 more tribes in the program and represents an adjustment 
of 120 hours. Because we will use the estimate for the new forms which 
will require 16 hours per year to complete for each grantee, we are 
adding 294 hours as a program change in burden hours. This represents 
an overall increase in burden hours of 414 hours.

Public Comments and Responses

    All comments were considered in preparing BIA's response. The 
comments received relating to the information collection and OMB's 
responses are summarized below:
    As we stated in the Federal Register 60 day proposed collection the 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) wanted an additional 
report added to the financial report, including four pages of 
instructions. A portion of the financial report is optional for tribes 
to complete.
    DHHS has also requested additional data on the program statistical 
report to include the type of child care providers being used. We are 
also proposing to add the requested OMB required government-wide common 
performance measures for all Federal employment and training programs 
to the program statistical report which includes: Attainment of a job, 
attainment of a certificate or degree by program participants, earnings 
gains, and sufficient information to determine total program cost per 
placement in a job for adults. We have also added data collection for 
gains in literacy and numeracy for the youth program. Based upon our 
experience implementing Public Law 102-477, the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs proposes to expand and clarify the narrative instructions as 
further guidance to tribes in the completion of the narrative. Unmet 
needs, barriers to employment being faced and the necessity of 
reporting data on performance standards is provided.
    The Public Law 102-477 revised forms and procedures have been 
controversial since November of 2000. We have attempted to incorporate 
many of the comments received and believe the proposed document 
reflects negotiations among all parties involved.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning this information 
collection request between 30 and 60 days after publication of this 
document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a comment will receive the 
best consideration by OMB if it is submitted early during this comment 
period. Written comments should be sent as directed in the ADDRESSES 
section.
    You are reminded that an agency may not request or sponsor a 
collection of information unless OMB has approved the collection; you 
are not required to answer a collection of information that is not 
approved, and you will not be harmed by your refusal.

    Dated: April 17, 2003.
Aurene M. Martin,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 03-13573 Filed 5-29-03; 8:45 am]
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