Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Food Stamp Program Redemption Certificate, Form, FNS-278B; Food Stamp Program Wholesaler Redemption Certificate, Form FNS-278-4, 10935-10936 [05-4298]
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10935
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 70, No. 43
Monday, March 7, 2005
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
March 1, 2005.
The Department of Agriculture has
submitted the following information
collection requirement(s) to OMB for
review and clearance under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13. Comments
regarding (a) whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; (d) ways to 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 should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office, of Management and Budget
(OMB),
OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
fax (202) 395–5806 and to Department
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–
7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received
within 30 days of this notification.
Copies of the submission(s) may be
obtained by calling (202) 720–8681.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
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18:15 Mar 04, 2005
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the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Food Stamp
Program Redemption Certificate, Form,
FNS–278B; Food Stamp Program
Wholesaler Redemption Certificate,
Form FNS–278–4
Title: RUS Electric Loan Application
and Related Reporting Burdens.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0032.
Summary of Collection: The Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) was established
in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance
Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L.
103–354, 108 stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941
et seq.) as successor to the Rural
Electrification Administration (REA)
with respect to certain programs,
including the electric loan and loan
guarantee program authorized under the
Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of
1936. The RE Act authorize and
empowers the Administrator of RUS to
make and guarantee loans to furnish and
improve electric service in rural areas.
These loans are amortized over a period
of up to 35 years and secured by the
borrower’s electric assets. RUS will
collect information including studies
and reports to support borrower loan
applications.
Need and Use of the Information:
RUS will collect information to
determine the eligibility of applicants
for loans and loan guarantees under the
RE Act; monitor the compliance of
borrowers with debt covenants and
regulatory requirements in order to
protect loan security; ensure that
borrowers use loan funds for purposes
consistent with the statutory goals of the
RE Act; and obtain information on the
progress of rural electrification and
evaluate the success of RUS program
activities.
Description of Respondents: Not-forprofit institutions; Business or other forprofit; State, Local or Tribal
Government.
Number of Respondents: 801.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 65,717.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05–4289 Filed 3–4–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–M
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Food and Nutrition Service
Food and Nutrition Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Food and Nutrition Service is
publishing for public comment a
summary of a proposed information
collection. The proposed collection is a
revision of a currently approved
collection of the Food Stamp Program
for which approval expires on February
28, 2005. The Food Stamp Act of 1977,
as amended, requires that the Food and
Nutrition Service will provide all
authorized retail food stores and
wholesale food concerns with
redemption certificates. The redemption
certificates are to be used by all
authorized retailers and wholesale firms
to present food coupons to insured
financial institutions for credit or for
cash. Requirements in the Food Stamp
Program regulations are the basis for the
information collected on Form FNS–
278B, Food Stamp Redemption
Certificate and Form FNS–278–4,
Wholesaler Redemption Certificate.
The Food and Nutrition Service is
rapidly phasing out the use of paper
food coupons. Currently, 99.9 percent of
all food stamp benefits are issued
electronically. Forty-eight States, the
District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, and Puerto Rico have online
operating Electronic Benefit Transfer
(EBT) systems. Two States operate
offline food stamp EBT systems and
issue paper food coupons to recipients
who move out of State and have
remaining food stamp benefits. Many
States have already closed out their
coupon inventory completely and more
will be doing the same in the upcoming
year. Approximately 438,955
Redemption Certificates were processed
by retailers and wholesalers in Fiscal
Year 2004, and the number continues to
decline due to 100 percent EBT
E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM
07MRN1
10936
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 43 / Monday, March 7, 2005 / Notices
implementation. Until all of the paper
food coupons issued are redeemed, the
Redemption Certificate will remain an
essential document to the food stamp
redemption process.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before May 6, 2005 to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Andrea
Gordon, Chief, Redemption
Management Branch, Benefit
Redemption Division, Food and
Nutrition Service, U. S. Department of
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive,
Room 404, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Comments may also be submitted via
fax to the attention of Andrea Gordon at
(703) 305–1863 or via e-mail to: brdhqweb@fns.usda.gov.
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 will 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 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
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
All written comments will be open for
public inspection at the office of the
Food and Nutrition Service during
regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101
Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia
22302, Room 404.
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 Andrea Gordon,
(703) 305–2456.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Food Stamp Redemption
Certificate.
OMB Number: 0584–0085.
Form Number: FNS–278B and FNS–
278–4.
Expiration Date: February 28, 2005.
Type of Request: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Abstract: The Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture is the Federal Agency
responsible for the Food Stamp Program
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18:15 Mar 04, 2005
Jkt 205001
(FSP). Section 10 of the Food Stamp Act
of 1977, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 2019)
requires that FNS provide for the
redemption, through financial
institutions, of food coupons accepted
by retail food stores and wholesale food
concerns from program participants. 7
CFR 278.3 and 7 CFR 278.4 of the FSP
regulations governs the participation of
authorized wholesale food concerns and
retail stores in the food coupon
redemption process. Form FNS–278B,
Food Stamp Redemption Certificate and
Form FNS–278–4, Wholesaler
Redemption Certificates (RCs) are
required to be used by all authorized
wholesalers or retailers, and are
processed by financial institutions when
they are presented for cash or credit.
Without the RCs, no vehicle would exist
for financial institutions, Federal
Reserve Banks, and FNS to track
deposits of food coupons.
The burden associated with this form
is derived from the numbers of RCs
processed annually, based on
information available in our Store
Tracking and Redemption System
database. As of September 2004, the
number of program respondents was
152,499 retailers and wholesalers and
5,850 banks participating in the FSP.
The number of completed RC responses
by authorized retailers was 438,955
annually. We estimate that it takes an
average of 1.2 minutes (or .020 hours)
for a retailer to complete the
information on the RC and for the
financial institution to handle and
process the document.
For this information collection
package, we calculated the burden
hours from each year, added them
together (2005–2007) and divided by
three to obtain the average burden for
which we are seeking OMB approval.
We estimate the average burden hours
for the next three years to be 69.501
hours.
The burden for each of the three fiscal
years (FYs) are estimated as follows:
In FY 2005, we estimate the number
of program respondents will be 7,624
respondents with 5,850 banks
continuing to participate in the FSP—a
reduction of 144,874 (or 95 percent)
respondents. We also estimate that the
number of completed RC responses by
authorized retailers to be 8,779.1
annually—providing for a reduction of
430,175.9 (or 95 percent) annual
responses, and a total burden hours
calculated to be 175.582 hours.
In FY 2006, we estimate the number
of program respondents will be 2,668.73
respondents with 5,850 banks
continuing to participate in the FSP—a
reduction of 4,956.22 (or 65 percent)
respondents. We also estimate that the
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
number of completed RC responses by
authorized retailers to be 1,316.86
annually—providing for a reduction of
7,462.23 (or 85 percent) annual
responses, and a total burden hours
calculated to be 26.337 hours.
In FY 2007, we estimate the number
of program respondents will be 667.18
respondents with 5,850 banks
continuing to participate in the FSP—a
reduction of 2,001.55 (or 75 percent)
respondents. We also estimate that the
number of completed RC responses by
authorized retailers to be 329.217
annually—providing for a reduction of
987.66 (or 75 percent) annual responses,
and a total burden hours calculated to
be 6.584 hours.
The estimated reduction of
respondents and annual burden hours is
based on a projected decrease in the
number of authorized retailers
participating in the FSP, and a decrease
in the number of RCs processed as a
result of fewer authorized retailers
accepting paper food coupons due to
FNS phasing out the use of paper food
coupons.
Respondents: Businesses, wholesale
food concerns, or other not-for-profit
financial institutions.
Estimated Average Number of
Respondents: 3,653.62.
Estimated Annual Number of
Responses per Respondent: 0.951.
Estimated Total Average Annual
Responses: 3,475.062.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average .020 hours per
response.
Estimated Total Average Annual
Burden: 69.501 hours.
Dated: March 1, 2005.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 05–4298 Filed 3–4–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
2005 Forest Land Recovery Program
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of program
implementation.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Military Construction
Appropriations and Emergency
Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations
Act, 2005 (Pub. L. 108–324) makes
$10,000,000 available to the Secretary of
Agriculture to provide assistance to
eligible nonindustrial private forest
landowners who suffered losses during
2004, as a result of hurricane, tropical
E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM
07MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 43 (Monday, March 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10935-10936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4298]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Food Stamp Program Redemption Certificate, Form, FNS-
278B; Food Stamp Program Wholesaler Redemption Certificate, Form FNS-
278-4
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Food and Nutrition Service is publishing for public comment a summary
of a proposed information collection. The proposed collection is a
revision of a currently approved collection of the Food Stamp Program
for which approval expires on February 28, 2005. The Food Stamp Act of
1977, as amended, requires that the Food and Nutrition Service will
provide all authorized retail food stores and wholesale food concerns
with redemption certificates. The redemption certificates are to be
used by all authorized retailers and wholesale firms to present food
coupons to insured financial institutions for credit or for cash.
Requirements in the Food Stamp Program regulations are the basis for
the information collected on Form FNS-278B, Food Stamp Redemption
Certificate and Form FNS-278-4, Wholesaler Redemption Certificate.
The Food and Nutrition Service is rapidly phasing out the use of
paper food coupons. Currently, 99.9 percent of all food stamp benefits
are issued electronically. Forty-eight States, the District of
Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico have online
operating Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems. Two States operate
offline food stamp EBT systems and issue paper food coupons to
recipients who move out of State and have remaining food stamp
benefits. Many States have already closed out their coupon inventory
completely and more will be doing the same in the upcoming year.
Approximately 438,955 Redemption Certificates were processed by
retailers and wholesalers in Fiscal Year 2004, and the number continues
to decline due to 100 percent EBT
[[Page 10936]]
implementation. Until all of the paper food coupons issued are
redeemed, the Redemption Certificate will remain an essential document
to the food stamp redemption process.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 6, 2005 to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Andrea Gordon, Chief, Redemption
Management Branch, Benefit Redemption Division, Food and Nutrition
Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room
404, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to
the attention of Andrea Gordon at (703) 305-1863 or via e-mail to:
brdhq-web@fns.usda.gov.
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 will 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 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
All written comments will be open for public inspection at the
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive,
Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 404.
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 Andrea
Gordon, (703) 305-2456.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Food Stamp Redemption Certificate.
OMB Number: 0584-0085.
Form Number: FNS-278B and FNS-278-4.
Expiration Date: February 28, 2005.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture is the Federal Agency responsible for the
Food Stamp Program (FSP). Section 10 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as
amended, (7 U.S.C. 2019) requires that FNS provide for the redemption,
through financial institutions, of food coupons accepted by retail food
stores and wholesale food concerns from program participants. 7 CFR
278.3 and 7 CFR 278.4 of the FSP regulations governs the participation
of authorized wholesale food concerns and retail stores in the food
coupon redemption process. Form FNS-278B, Food Stamp Redemption
Certificate and Form FNS-278-4, Wholesaler Redemption Certificates
(RCs) are required to be used by all authorized wholesalers or
retailers, and are processed by financial institutions when they are
presented for cash or credit. Without the RCs, no vehicle would exist
for financial institutions, Federal Reserve Banks, and FNS to track
deposits of food coupons.
The burden associated with this form is derived from the numbers of
RCs processed annually, based on information available in our Store
Tracking and Redemption System database. As of September 2004, the
number of program respondents was 152,499 retailers and wholesalers and
5,850 banks participating in the FSP. The number of completed RC
responses by authorized retailers was 438,955 annually. We estimate
that it takes an average of 1.2 minutes (or .020 hours) for a retailer
to complete the information on the RC and for the financial institution
to handle and process the document.
For this information collection package, we calculated the burden
hours from each year, added them together (2005-2007) and divided by
three to obtain the average burden for which we are seeking OMB
approval. We estimate the average burden hours for the next three years
to be 69.501 hours.
The burden for each of the three fiscal years (FYs) are estimated
as follows:
In FY 2005, we estimate the number of program respondents will be
7,624 respondents with 5,850 banks continuing to participate in the
FSP--a reduction of 144,874 (or 95 percent) respondents. We also
estimate that the number of completed RC responses by authorized
retailers to be 8,779.1 annually--providing for a reduction of
430,175.9 (or 95 percent) annual responses, and a total burden hours
calculated to be 175.582 hours.
In FY 2006, we estimate the number of program respondents will be
2,668.73 respondents with 5,850 banks continuing to participate in the
FSP--a reduction of 4,956.22 (or 65 percent) respondents. We also
estimate that the number of completed RC responses by authorized
retailers to be 1,316.86 annually--providing for a reduction of
7,462.23 (or 85 percent) annual responses, and a total burden hours
calculated to be 26.337 hours.
In FY 2007, we estimate the number of program respondents will be
667.18 respondents with 5,850 banks continuing to participate in the
FSP--a reduction of 2,001.55 (or 75 percent) respondents. We also
estimate that the number of completed RC responses by authorized
retailers to be 329.217 annually--providing for a reduction of 987.66
(or 75 percent) annual responses, and a total burden hours calculated
to be 6.584 hours.
The estimated reduction of respondents and annual burden hours is
based on a projected decrease in the number of authorized retailers
participating in the FSP, and a decrease in the number of RCs processed
as a result of fewer authorized retailers accepting paper food coupons
due to FNS phasing out the use of paper food coupons.
Respondents: Businesses, wholesale food concerns, or other not-for-
profit financial institutions.
Estimated Average Number of Respondents: 3,653.62.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 0.951.
Estimated Total Average Annual Responses: 3,475.062.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average .020 hours per response.
Estimated Total Average Annual Burden: 69.501 hours.
Dated: March 1, 2005.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4298 Filed 3-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
