[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 23, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68149-68150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30549]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Fiscal Service

31 CFR Part 285

RIN 1510-AB19


Debt Collection Authorities Under the Debt Collection Improvement 
Act of 1996

AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule adopts the interim rule, published in the 
Federal Register on June 11, 2009, concerning the time limitation on 
the collection of nontax debts by centralized offset.

DATES: This rule is effective December 23, 2009.

[[Page 68150]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Dungan, Policy Analyst, at 
(202) 874-6660, or Tricia Long, Senior Attorney, at (202) 874-6680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-334, 
Section 14219, 22 Stat. 923 (2008) (``the Act'') amended the Debt 
Collection Act of 1982 (as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement 
Act of 1996) to remove a restriction on the collection of debt by 
administrative offset, i.e., offset of payments pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 
3716. Prior to this change, administrative offset to collect debt was 
only available if the debt was delinquent for a period of less than ten 
years. The amendment to the law allows for the collection of debt by 
administrative offset without any time limitation and applies to any 
debt outstanding on or after the date of the enactment of the Act.
    On June 11, 2009, the Financial Management Service published in the 
Federal Register an interim rule implementing the statutory change. 
(See 74 FR 27707, June 11, 2009).

Comments on the Interim Rule

    By the close of the comment period, FMS received no comments on the 
interim rule.

Adoption as Final Rule

    Accordingly, the interim rule amending 31 CFR part 285, published 
at 74 FR 27707, June 11, 2009, is adopted as a final rule without 
change.

    Dated: December 18, 2009.
Richard L. Gregg,
Acting Fiscal Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-30549 Filed 12-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-35-P