[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39704-39707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15787]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Revision of Approved 
Information Collection; Comment Request--Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program (SNAP): Federal Collection of State Plan of 
Operations, Operating Guidelines and Forms

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), 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 this proposed information collection. This is a revision of a 
currently approved collection for State agency Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program (SNAP), administrative matters. FNS plans to develop 
and launch an electronic workflow system, SNAP Workflow Information 
Management (SWIM), to streamline FNS waiver processing, the current 
waiver request form will be transposed to an online waiver request 
form. The online version of the request form does not modify the 
currently approved burden hours in any way, but changes the method of 
collection for this information.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 3, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: 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 shall 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 that were 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 use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to: Michael Ribar, Food and Nutrition Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 810, 
Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the 
attention of Michael Ribar at 703-305-2454, or via email to 
[email protected]. Comments will also be accepted through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov, and 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 810, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Michael 
Ribar at 703-305-2449.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Operating Guidelines, Forms and Waivers.
    OMB Number: 0584-0083.
    Forms: FNS 366A--Program and Budget Summary Statement, FNS 366B--
Program Activity Statement, SWIM SNAP Waiver Request Form and SF 425 
Federal Financial Report
    Expiration Date: December 31, 2013.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Section 16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the 
Act) authorizes 50 percent Federal reimbursement for State agency costs 
to administer the program. 7 CFR 272.2(a) of SNAP regulations requires 
that State agencies plan and budget program operations and establish 
objectives for the next year. The basic components of the State Plan of 
Operation are the

[[Page 39705]]

Federal/State Agreement, the Budget Projection Statement and the 
Program Activity Statement (7 CFR 272.2(a)(2)). Under 7 CFR 272.2(c), 
the State agency shall submit to FNS for approval a Budget Projection 
Statement (which projects total Federal administrative costs for the 
upcoming fiscal year) and a Program Activity Statement (which provides 
program activity data for the preceding fiscal year). In addition, 
certain attachments to the plan as specified in subparagraphs (c) and 
(d) are to be submitted. As specified in subparagraph (f), State 
agencies only have to provide FNS with changes to these attachments as 
they occur. Consequently, these attachments are considered State plan 
updates. Under Section 11(o) of the Act each State agency is required 
to develop and submit plans for the use of automated data processing 
(ADP) and information retrieval systems to administer SNAP. Section 
16(a) of the Act authorizes partial Federal reimbursement of State 
costs for State ADP systems that the Secretary determines will assist 
meeting the requirements of the Act, meets conditions prescribed by the 
Secretary, are likely to provide more efficient and effective 
administration of the program, and are compatible with certain other 
Federally-funded systems. Under 7 CFR 277.18(c)(1) of SNAP regulations, 
State agencies must obtain prior written approval from FNS when it 
plans to acquire ADP equipment with a total acquisition cost of $5 
million or more in Federal and State funds. The State agency must 
submit an Advance Planning Document (APD) prior to acquiring planning 
services and an Implementation APD prior to acquiring ADP equipment or 
services.
    Budget Projection: State agencies are required to submit to FNS for 
approval a Budget Projection Statement, Form FNS-366A, which includes 
projections of the total Federal costs for major areas of program 
operations. The budget projection allows FNS to estimate funding needs 
so we can fund the State administrative costs for the fiscal year.
    Program Activity Statement: State agencies are required to submit 
to FNS a Program Activity Statement, Form FNS-366B, providing a summary 
of program activity for the State agency's operations during its 
preceding fiscal year. The activity report is required annually to 
substantiate the costs the State agency expects to incur during the 
next fiscal year. It provides data on the number of applications 
processed, number of fair hearings and fraud control activity. FNS uses 
the data to monitor State agency activity levels and performance.
    State Plan of Operation Updates: State agencies submit the 
operations planning documents to the appropriate regional office for 
approval. This information explains how States are operating the 
program for monitoring purposes and allows FNS to know which States 
have implemented which activities and options for data and cost 
analysis purposes. State agencies administering SNAP may submit formal 
written requests, SNAP waiver requests, to obtain approval from FNS to 
deviate from a specific program rule or regulation. SNAP waiver 
requests fall into three broad categories based on statutory or 
regulatory authority.
    Demonstration Waivers: Section 17(b) of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 2026(b), 
the Secretary may waive certain requirements of the Act to test program 
changes that might increase the efficiency of SNAP and improve the 
delivery of SNAP benefits to eligible households. Waivers of provisions 
of the Act are referred to as demonstration waivers.
    Administrative Waivers: The FNS Administrator may authorize waivers 
to deviate from specific regulatory program requirements per 7 CFR 
272.3(c) and 273.21(a). Waivers of the regulations are commonly called, 
``administrative waivers.'' Administrative waivers are the most common 
waiver requested by States and approved by FNS.
    Disaster Related Waivers/D-SNAP Waivers: Disaster assistance 
through SNAP is authorized by sections 402 and 502 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 
et seq.) and the temporary emergency provisions contained in section 5 
of the Act, and in 7 CFR part 280 of the SNAP regulations.
    Current procedures require that in order for FNS to approve a SNAP 
waiver request, the State agency must submit the SNAP Waiver Request 
Form. With the development of SWIM, an electronic workflow system to 
streamline FNS waiver processing, the current waiver request form will 
be converted to an online waiver request form. Waivers have always been 
included in the State Plan of Operations.
    The online version of the SNAP Waiver Request Form does not modify 
the currently approved burden hours in any way but changes the method 
of collection for this information.

Burden Estimates

    The burden consists of five major components. It covers the FNS-
366A, the FNS-366B, the plan of operation updates submitted as 
attachments to the FNS-366B, SNAP Waiver Request other Advance Planning 
Documents (APD) and update submissions, and quarterly financial 
reporting. The estimated total annual burden for this collection is 
3,071 (3,014 reporting hours and 57 recordkeeping hours). The 
calculation of the burden for each of these components is described 
below:
    Reporting Burden Estimates:
    Affected Public: State, Local and Tribal Government Agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 14.345283.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 760.3.
    Estimated Reporting Time per Response: 3.9636722 hours.
    Estimated Annual Reporting Burden Hours: 3,013.58.

Reporting

    FNS-366A. Fifty-three (53) State agencies (SA) submits 1 response 
annually for a total of 53 annual responses. The annual burden for the 
FNS-366A is 689 hours. Form FNS-366A provides an estimate of the 
funding needed to operate the program. A copy is maintained for 3 
years.
    The reporting burden is estimated to be 13.00 hours annually per 
respondent.
    FNS-366B. Fifty-three (53) SA submits 1 response annually for a 
total of 53 annual responses. The annual reporting burden for the FNS-
366B report is 17.93 hours per respondent to complete the form. The 
reporting burden for the FNS-366B alone is 950.29 hours.
    State Plan of Operation Updates. Fifty-three (53) SA submits 1 
response annually for a total of 53 annual responses. The reporting 
burden for submission of updates to State Plans of Operation as 
attachments to the FNS-366B is 6.58 hours per respondent, resulting in 
estimated burden hours of 348.99 (53 x 6.5847 = 348.99). The SNAP 
Waiver Request Form is included as part of the total reporting burden 
for State Plan of Operation Updates. Approximately 45 SA will submit 
3.94 SNAP Waiver Requests annually for a total of 177 responses (45 x 
3.94 = 177.3). The estimated average number of burden hours per 
submission is 1 hour resulting in estimated total burden hours of 
177.3. The total reporting burden for the State Plan of Operation 
updates is 526.29 hours (348.99 + 177.3 = 526.29).
    Other Plans and Submissions. We now estimate that up to 53 State 
agencies may submit on an average of four (4) APD, plan, or update 
submission for a total of 212 annual responses at an average estimate 
of 2.5

[[Page 39706]]

hours per respondent. The reporting burden is 530 hours. The Final Rule 
will reduce the frequency of responses for submission of M&O IAPDs it 
is now estimated that the responses is reduced from five (5) to four 
(4) APD, Plan or Update submittals. For this activity, the burden 
represents a decrease of 132.5 hours due to that reduction in 
frequency.
    Financial Reporting. FNS requires State agencies to report 
expenditures for administrative costs and cash-out benefit costs using 
SF-425 (OMB: 0348-0061; Expiration date: 2/28/2015) in 
conjunction with the FNS 366-A which requests Federal funding. FNS 
estimates that 53 State agencies will submit 1 report quarterly, the 
total annual responses is 212 and the estimated burden per response is 
1.50 hours for a total reporting burden of 318 hours annually.

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                                                                                                                             Time per         Annual
             Affected public                           Forms                 Number of     Frequency of    Total annual      response        reporting
                                                                            respondents      response        responses         (hrs)       burden hours
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State Agencies...........................  FNS-366A.....................              53               1              53           13.00          689.00
                                           FNS-366B.....................              53               1              53           17.93          950.29
                                           Plan of Operation Updates                  53               1              53            6.58          348.99
                                            (366B).
                                           Plan of Operation Updates                  45            3.94           177.3            1.00          177.30
                                            (Waivers).
                                           Other APD Plan or Update.....              53               4             212            2.50          530.00
                                           SF-425 Financial Reporting...              53               4             212            1.50          318.00
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    Reporting Total Burden Estimates.....  .............................              53  ..............             760  ..............        3,013.58
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    Recordkeeping Burden Estimates:
    Affected Public: State, Local and Tribal Government Agencies.
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: 53.
    Estimated Number of Records per Recordkeepers: 11.
    Estimated Total Annual Records: 583.
    Estimated Recordkeeping time per Recordkeepers: 0.0979588.
    Estimated Annual Recordkeeping Burden Hours: 57.10998 or 57.11.

Recordkeeping

    FNS-366A. There is a total number of 53 recordkeepers for each 
activity. Each State agency submits 1 response annually for a total of 
53 annual responses. A copy is maintained for 3 years. It takes 
approximately 0.05 minutes to maintain each record. Total annual 
recordkeeping burden for FNS-366A is estimated at 2.65 hours annually 
per recordkeeper.
    FNS-366B. Each State agency submits 1 response annually for a total 
of 53 annual responses; each record takes approximately 0.05 minutes to 
maintain. The annual recordkeeping burden for FNS-366B is estimated 
annually at 2.65 hours per recordkeeper.
    State Plan of Operation Updates. Each State agency submits 1 
response annually for a total of 53 annual responses; each record takes 
approximately 0.07 minutes to maintain. The annual recordkeeping burden 
for updates to State Plans of Operation as attachments to the FNS-366B 
is 3.71 hours per recordkeeper. There is no recordkeeping burden for 
the use of the SNAP Waiver Request Form.
    Other Plans and Submissions. FNS estimated that up to 53 State 
agencies may submit an average of 4 APD, Plan, or Update submissions 
and approximately 212 records at an average estimate of 0.11 minutes 
per record keeper for an estimated total of 23.32 recordkeeping burden 
for this activity hours. This represents a decrease of 5.83 burden 
hours due to a reduction in the average number of APD submissions 
annually from five (5) to four (4).
    Financial Reporting. Fifty-three State agencies submits one SF-425 
quarterly for a total of 212 responses. We estimate that it takes 
approximately (0.1169 minutes) to maintain these records annually. The 
annual burden for this recordkeeping activity is estimated at 24.78. A 
copy is maintained for 3 years.
    Recordkeeping burden estimates used for the SF-425 in this 
collection are accounted for below; however, the burden hours estimates 
are approved and maintained in the Uniform Grant Application for Non-
Entitlement Discretionary Grants, OMB Control No.: 0584-0512; 
Expiration date: 1/31/2016.

 
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                                                                                            (d) Number    (e) Est. total
             Affected public                (b) Form number or activity     (c) Number      records per   annual records   (f) Hours per     (g) Total
                                                                           recordkeepers    respondent         (cxd)       recordkeeper    burden  (exf)
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State Agencies...........................                                                  RECORDKEEPING
                                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           FNS-366A.....................              53               1              53            0.05            2.65
                                           FNS-366B.....................              53               1              53            0.05            2.65
                                           Plan of Operations...........              53               1              53            0.07            3.71
                                           Other APD Plan or Update.....              53               4             212            0.11           23.32
                                           SF-425 Financial Reporting...              53               4             212          0.1169           24.78
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Recordkeeping Total Burden Estimates.  .............................              53  ..............             583  ..............           57.11
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[[Page 39707]]


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                                                                    Est. total
        Summary of burden              Total                          annual                        Est. total
                                    respondents                      responses                     annual burden
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Grand Total Reporting and                     53  ..............         1,343.3  ..............        3,070.69
 recordkeeping..................
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    Dated: June 25, 2013.
Jeffrey J. Tribiano,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15787 Filed 7-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P