[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8946-8947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03415]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY


Departmental Offices; Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, on behalf of itself and the 
United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on a new 
proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). The BEP has 
requested and received approval for a generic clearance to conduct 
conference studies and focus groups. This generic clearance has allowed 
the BEP to collect information from attendees of conferences and 
gatherings for persons who are blind and visually impaired about which 
tactile features most effectively provide meaningful access to 
denominate United States paper currency. BEP is now considering a 
series of scientific studies that will help gauge the acuity with which 
blind and visually impaired persons can denominate United States paper 
currency using various tactile features

[[Page 8947]]

currently being evaluated. BEP has previously conducted an approved 
acuity study under OMB control number 1520-0010. Given the results of 
the first study and the information collected pursuant to the generic 
clearance, BEP now requests a second stand-alone clearance for a series 
of more focused scientific studies.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before April 20, 2015 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding these information collections should be 
addressed to the BEP Contact listed below and to the Treasury 
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Department of the Treasury, Room 
11000, 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the submission(s) may be 
obtained by contacting Sidney Rocke, Deputy Chief Counsel, United 
States Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 
14th and C Streets SW., Washington, DC 20228, by telephone at 202-874-
2306, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Study for Meaningful Access Determination.
    OMB Control Number: NEW.
    Abstract: A court order was issued in American Council of the Blind 
v. Paulson, 591 F. Supp. 2d 1 (D.D.C. 2008) (``ACB v. Paulson'') 
requiring the Department of the Treasury and BEP to ``provide 
meaningful access to United States currency for blind and other 
visually impaired persons, which steps shall be completed, in 
connection with each denomination of currency, not later than the date 
when a redesign of that denomination is next approved by the Secretary 
of the Treasury . . . .''
    In compliance with the court's order, BEP intends to meet with 
blind and visually impaired persons and request their feedback about 
tactile features that BEP is considering for possible incorporation 
into the next U.S. paper currency redesign.
    The BEP intends to contract with a specialist in the field of 
tactile acuity to conduct scientific tests. The specialist contracted 
with by the BEP will conduct acuity testing with select groups of blind 
and visually impaired volunteers. The acuity tests will help either 
confirm or provide other perspectives on the results of BEP's 
information collections at national conferences and conventions. The 
acuity tests will also help provide a scientific basis on which BEP 
determines the tactile feature to be incorporated into the next United 
States paper currency design.
    Type of Review: New Collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals, Organizations.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    The study or studies will likely involve up to 500 subjects. Each 
individual data collection session will be approximately 90 minutes 
long.
    Estimated Average Time per Respondent: 90 minutes per response.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Approximately 750 burden 
hours.
    Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record. The public is invited to submit written comments 
concerning: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including 
whether the information will have practical uses; (b) the accuracy of 
the above estimate of the burden of the proposed information 
collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the reporting 
burdens on respondents, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Direct Comments to: Sidney Rocke, Deputy Chief Counsel, United 
States Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 
14th and C Streets SW., Washington, DC 20228.

Robert Dahl,
Treasury Department PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-03415 Filed 2-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-25-P