[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 57021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23493]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[OMB Number 1123-0011]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection 
eComments Requested; Update With Changes, of a Previously Approved 
Collection Which Expires January 18, 2018: Department of Justice 
Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification

AGENCY: Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, Department of 
Justice.

ACTION: 30-day notice.

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SUMMARY:  The Department of Justice (DOJ), Criminal Division, Asset 
Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, will be submitting the 
following information collection request to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is 
published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. 
This proposed information collection was previously published in the 
Federal Register Volume 80 FR 42546, on July 17, 2015, allowing for a 
60 day comment period.

DATES:  The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 
days for public comment until October 21, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have comments, especially on 
the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, 
or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with 
instructions or additional information, please contact Jennifer 
Bickford, Assistant Deputy Chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering 
Section, 1400 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20005 (phone: 202-
514-1263). Written comments and/or suggestions can also be directed to 
the Office of Management and Budget, Officer of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attention Department of Justice Desk Officer, 
Washington DC 20503 or sent to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written comments and suggestions from the 
public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of 
information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of 
the following four points:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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.

Overview of This Information Collection

    1. Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement, with changes, of 
the Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Agreement and 
Certification, a previously approved collection for which approval will 
expire on January 31, 2018.
    2. The Title of the Form/Collection: Department of Justice 
Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification.
    3. The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of 
the Department sponsoring the collection: There is not an agency form 
number. The applicable component within the Department of Justice is 
the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, in the Criminal 
Division.
    4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract:
    The Attorney General is required by statute to ``assure that any 
property transferred to a State or local law enforcement agency . . . 
will serve to encourage further cooperation between the recipient State 
or local agency and Federal law enforcement agencies.'' 21 U.S.C. 
881(e)(3). The Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section (AFMLS) 
ensures such cooperation by requiring that all such ``equitably 
shared'' funds be used only for law enforcement purposes and not be 
distributed to other governmental agencies by the recipient law 
enforcement agencies. By requiring that law enforcement agencies that 
participate in the Equitable Sharing Program (Program) file an 
Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification (ESAC), AFMLS can readily 
ensure compliance with its statutory obligations.
    The ESAC requires information regarding the receipt and expenditure 
of Program funds from the participating agency. In addition, AFMLS will 
now require reporting in response to Executive Order 13688 ``Federal 
Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition'', issued 
January 16, 2015, that identified controlled equipment. Executive Order 
13688 requires the applicable federal agency to collect and report data 
on any purchases of controlled equipment, as defined in the Executive 
Order, by state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
    Accordingly, it seeks information that is exclusively in the hands 
of the participating agency.
    5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of 
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: An estimated 7,600 
state and local law enforcement agencies electronically file the ESAC 
annually with AFMLS. It is estimated that it takes 30 minutes per year 
to enter the information. All of the approximately 7,600 agencies must 
fully complete the form each year to maintain compliance and continue 
participation in the Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program.
    6. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: The estimated public burden associated with this 
collection is 3,800 hours. It is estimated that respondents will take 
30 minutes to complete the form. (7,600 participants x 30 minutes = 
3,800 hours).
    If additional information is required contact: Jerri Murray, 
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, 
Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two 
Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE., 3E.405B, Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: September 15, 2015.
Jerri Murray,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2015-23493 Filed 9-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-14-P