    [Federal Register Volume 85, Number 168 (Friday, August 28, 2020)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 53319-53320]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 2020-18952]

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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

    Food and Nutrition Service

    Agency Information Collection Activities: National Study of State
    Adoption and Use of Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer During Covid-
    19

    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 collection is a new
    collection to collect information on the operational aspects of the
    Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program (P-EBT).

    DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 27, 2020.

    ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Edward Harper, Food and Nutrition
    Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place,
    Alexandria, VA 22314. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the
    attention of Edward Harper at 703-305-2340 or via email to
    edward.harper@usda.gov. 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 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 Edward
    Harper at 703-305-2340.

    [[Page 53320]]

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
        Title: National Study of State Adoption and Use of Pandemic-
    Electronic Benefit Transfer during Covid-19.
        Form Number: Not applicable.
        OMB Number: Not Yet Assigned.
        Expiration Date: Not Yet Assigned.
        Type of Request: New collection.
        Abstract: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020
    provides the Secretary of Agriculture authority to approve State agency
    plans for temporary emergency benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act
    of 2008. Children who would receive free or reduced-price meals under
    the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, if not for the school
    closures, are eligible under this provision.
        This collection seeks to gather information on operational issues
    and challenges encountered by Child Nutrition (CN) and Supplemental
    Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) State agencies while implementing
    the PEBT program. The study will collect information on State systems,
    including student information and direct certification systems and the
    records contained in those systems, school meal application data,
    information on the efficacy of the PEBT program, costs of operating the
    program, and organizational and operational challenges. This study will
    also seek to collect administrative data on per recipient benefits at
    the school district level.
        Affected Public: Respondent groups include: (1) All CN State
    agencies administering the NSLP and SBP; (2) All SNAP State agencies
    administering the SNAP program.
        Estimated Number of Respondents: The total estimated number of
    respondents is 150. This includes 75 CN State agency respondents and 75
    SNAP State agency respondents. In some States, more than one State
    agency administers the school meal programs. There are 59 State
    agencies that administer the school meal programs. The additional
    respondents included in the estimate account for time spent consulting
    with staff actively involved in the P-EBT operations.
        Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: The CN and SNAP State
    agencies will be asked to complete one survey and provide requested
    administrative data for the period P-EBT was operational. There will be
    one response per respondent.
        Estimated Total Annual Responses: 150 x 1 = 150.
        Estimated Time per Response: The response time is estimated to be
    about 3 hours for each CN and SNAP State agency to complete.
        Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 450 hours. See the
    table below for estimated total annual burden for each State agency
    director.

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                                                                                      Estimated avg.
                                         Estimated       Responses     Total annual      number of       Estimated
               Respondent                 number       annually per      responses       hours per      total hours
                                        respondent      respondent                       response
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                                                    Reporting Burden
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    Child Nutrition State agencies..              75               1           75.00               3             225
    SNAP State agencies.............              75               1           75.00               3             225
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    Pamilyn Miller,
    Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
    [FR Doc. 2020-18952 Filed 8-27-20; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-30-P