[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 173 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 52813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14822]



[[Page 52813]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on a proposed extension of a currently approved collection. 
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice 
seeks comments concerning an informal appeals process to allow 
policyholders to request an appeal for an unsatisfactory decision on 
flood insurance claims.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 205 of the Bunning-Bereuter-
Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, Public Law 108-264, 
requires FEMA to establish by regulation a formal process for the 
appeal of decisions of flood insurance claims issued through the 
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The appeals process is 
available after the issuance of the insurer's final claim 
determination, which is the insurer's written denial, in whole or in 
part, of the insured's claim. An insured must file an appeal within 60 
days after receiving the insurer's final claim determination.

Collection of Information

    Title: National Flood Insurance Claims Appeal Process.
    Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0095.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Abstract: This information collection implements the mandates of 
section 205 of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform 
Act of 2004 to establish an appeal process for NFIP policyholders in 
cases of unsatisfactory decisions on claims, proof of loss, and loss 
estimates made by any insurance company, agent, adjuster, or FEMA 
employee or contractor.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households and Business or other 
for profit.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:

                                               Annual Burden Hours
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    Project/activity (survey,
form(s), focus group, worksheet,     Number of     Frequency of    Burden hours       Annual       Total annual
              etc.)                 respondents      responses    per respondent     responses     burden hours
                                             (A)             (B)             (C)     (D) = (AxB)     (E) = (CxD)
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appeal Letter...................           2,000               1               2           2,000           4,000
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................           2,000  ..............               2           2,000           4,000
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    Estimated Cost: Total cost to all respondents combined is estimated 
at $56,000. with an average cost per respondent of $28.00/appeal.
    Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether 
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) 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; (c) enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(d) 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. Comments must be submitted on or before 
November 6, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Chief, 
Records Management and Privacy, Information Resources Management 
Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Priscilla Scruggs, Section 
Chief, Mitigation Division, (202) 646-4155 for additional information. 
You may contact the Records Management Branch for copies of the 
proposed collection of information at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 
or e-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: September 1, 2006.
John A. Sharetts-Sullivan,
Chief, Records Management and Privacy Information Resources Management 
Branch, Information Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. E6-14822 Filed 9-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-11-P