[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36623-36624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16203]


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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 November, 2018: Department of Justice 
Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification

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

[[Page 36624]]


ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), Criminal Division, Money 
Laundering and Asset Recovery 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.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until 
September 28, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have additional 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 
Matthew Colon, Senior Attorney Advisor, Money Laundering and Asset 
Recovery Section, 1400 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 (phone: 
202-514-1263).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This process is conducted in accordance with 
5 CFR 1320.10. 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 Bureau of Justice 
Statistics, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
--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;
--Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected can be enhanced; 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: Update with changes, of the 
Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification, a 
previously approved collection for which approval will expire on 
November 30, 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 Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (``MLARS''), 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). MLARS 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), MLARS can readily 
ensure compliance with its statutory obligations. The ESAC requires 
information regarding the receipt and expenditure of Program funds from 
the participating agency. 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 6,900 
state and local law enforcement agencies electronically file the ESAC 
annually with MLARS. It is estimated that it takes 30 minutes per year 
to enter the information. All of the approximately 6,500 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 3,250 hours. It is estimated that respondents will take 
30 minutes to complete the form. (6,500 participants x 30 minutes = 
3,250 hours).
    If additional information is required contact: Melody Braswell, 
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: July 25, 2018.
Melody Braswell,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2018-16203 Filed 7-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-14-P