[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49944-49945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21528]
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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.
ACTION: 30-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 30 days until
November 2, 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). Written comments and/or suggestions can also be directed
to the Office of Management
[[Page 49945]]
and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention
Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503 or sent to
[email protected].
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: September 28, 2018.
Melody Braswell,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2018-21528 Filed 10-2-18; 8:45 am]
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