Information Collection Request; Debt Settlement Policies and Procedures, 5227-5228 [2012-2259]

Download as PDF 5227 Notices Federal Register Vol. 77, No. 22 Thursday, February 2, 2012 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 Farm Service Agency Commodity Credit Corporation Information Collection Request; Debt Settlement Policies and Procedures Farm Service Agency and Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) are requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection that supports the FSA and CCC Debt Settlement Policies and Procedures regulations. DATES: We will consider comments that we receive April 2, 2012. ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your comments, include date, OMB control number, volume, and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Thomas F. Harris II, Claims Program Specialist, Financial Management Division, Office of Budget and Finance, Farm Service Agency, USDA, STOP 0581, 355 E Street SW., Suite 11–181B, Washington, DC 20024. Comments also should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may be obtained from Thomas F. Harris II at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas F. Harris II, Claims Program Specialist, telephone (202) 772–6014. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Feb 01, 2012 Jkt 226001 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Debt Settlement Policies and Procedures. OMB Control Number: 0560–0146. Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2012. Type of Request: Extension with no revision. Abstract: This information collection is needed to enable FSA and CCC to effectively administer the regulations at 7 CFR 792 (FSA) and 7 CFR 1403 (CCC) on debt settlement policies and procedures and on the identification of and settlement of outstanding claims. Collection of outstanding debts owed to FSA or to CCC can be effected by installment payments if a debtor furnishes satisfactory evidence of inability to pay a claim in full, and if the debtor specifically requests an installment agreement. Part of the requirement is that the debtor furnishes this request in writing and with a financial statement or other information that would disclose a debtor’s assets and liabilities. This information is required in order to evaluate any proposed plan. Such requests for documentation furnished by the debtor are also used in the other collection tools employed by both FSA and CCC in managing debt settlement policies and procedures. If an installment agreement is approved, then a Promissory Note (CCC–279), or an approved alternative promissory note format, must be executed between the debtor and the FSA/CCC representative(s). During the past two years, over $22,425,803.74 in debt collection for Farm Programs and for the Commodity Office were facilitated by the use of this requested information and 149 Promissory Notes were established between debtors and FSA and CCC from 10/01/2009 to 10/01/2011. Total active Note amount for the past two years is presently 228 total Promissory Notes (includes beginning outstanding notes (227); total notes established (149); notes defaulted (3), notes paid off in full (50); notes paid, small balance loans (41); notes written off (45) and notes discharged in Bankruptcy (09) with a beginning outstanding amount in 2009 of $31,131,509.78, and an ending outstanding amount of $22,425,803.74). The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires the head of an agency to take all appropriate steps to collect delinquent debts before discharging PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 such debts. The current information collection forms and formats have been successfully used for the past several years and have become familiar tools for both the agency employees and for the producer. Thus, adequate forms and formats already exist and are in use. Developing new forms and formats could be costly and is not required to meet the demands of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. Nonetheless, comment is requested on how the forms and process may be improved, as specified below. Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response. The average travel time, which is included in the total burden, is estimated to be 1 hour per respondent. Respondents: Producers participating in FSA and CCC programs. Estimated number of Annual Respondents: 300. Estimated number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 300. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 200 hours. We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information collection and to help us to: (1) Determine whether the continued collection of information is still necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the FSA, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Assess the accuracy of the FSA’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (4) 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. All responses to this notice, including name and addresses when provided, will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM 02FEN1 5228 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 22 / Thursday, February 2, 2012 / Notices Signed on January 27, 2012. James Monahan, Acting Administrator Farm Service Agency, and Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 2012–2259 Filed 2–1–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–05–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Summer Food Service Program; 2012 Reimbursement Rates Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice informs the public of the annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates for meals served in the Summer Food Service Program for Children. These adjustments address changes in the Consumer Price Index, as required under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The 2012 reimbursement rates are presented as a combined set of rates to highlight simplified cost accounting procedures. The 2012 rates are also presented individually, as separate operating and administrative rates of reimbursement, to show the effect of the Consumer Price Index adjustment on each rate. DATES: Effective Date: January 1, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tina Namian, Head, CACFP and SFSP Section, Policy and Program Development Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302, (703) 305–2590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.559 and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation SUMMARY: with State and local officials (7 CFR part 3015, Subpart V, and final rule-related notice published at 48 FR 29114, June 24, 1983). In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– 3518), no new recordkeeping or reporting requirements have been included that are subject to approval from the Office of Management and Budget. This notice is not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612) and thus is exempt from the provisions of that Act. Additionally, this notice has been determined to be exempt from formal review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866. Definitions The terms used in this notice have the meaning ascribed to them under 7 CFR part 225 of the Summer Food Service Program regulations. Background This notice informs the public of the annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates for meals served in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). In accordance with sections 12(f) (42 U.S.C. 1760(f)) and 13 (42 U.S.C. 1761) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA), and SFSP regulations in 7 CFR part 225, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces the adjustments in SFSP payments for meals served to participating children during calendar year 2012. The 2012 reimbursement rates are presented as a combined set of rates to highlight simplified cost accounting procedures. Reimbursement is based solely on a ‘‘meals times rates’’ calculation, without comparison to actual or budgeted costs. Sponsors receive reimbursement that is determined by the number of reimbursable meals served multiplied by the combined rates for food service operations and administration. However, the combined rate is based on separate operating and administrative rates of reimbursement, each of which is adjusted differently for inflation. Calculation of Rates The combined rates are constructed from individually authorized operating and administrative reimbursements. Simplified procedures provide flexibility, enabling sponsors to manage their reimbursements to pay for any allowable cost, regardless of the cost category. Program sponsors remain responsible, however, for ensuring proper administration of the Program, while providing the best possible nutrition benefit to children. The operating and administrative rates are calculated separately. However, the calculations of adjustments for both are based on the same set of changes in the Food Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. They represent a 2.87 percent increase in this series for the 12 month period, from November 2010 through November 2011 (from 227.512 in November 2010 to 234.046 in November 2011). Table of 2012 Reimbursement Rates Presentation of the 2012 maximum per meal rates for meals served to children in SFSP combines the results from the calculations of operational and administrative payments, which are further explained in this notice. The total amount of payments to State agencies for disbursement to SFSP sponsors will be based upon these adjusted combined rates and the number of meals of each type served. These adjusted rates will be in effect from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM [2012 Reimbursement rates (combined)] All states except Alaska and Hawaii srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Per meal rates in whole or fractions of U.S. dollars Rural or self-prep sites Breakfast .......................................................................... Lunch or Supper .............................................................. Snack ............................................................................... VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Feb 01, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 1.9350 3.3800 0.7975 Fmt 4703 Alaska Rural or self-prep sites All other types of sites 1.8975 3.3250 0.7800 Sfmt 4703 3.1325 5.4900 1.3000 E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM Hawaii All other types of sites 3.0725 5.4000 1.2725 02FEN1 Rural or self-prep sites 2.2650 3.9650 0.9325 All other types of sites 2.2225 3.9000 0.9100

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5227-5228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2259]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 22 / Thursday, February 2, 2012 / 
Notices

[[Page 5227]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

Commodity Credit Corporation


Information Collection Request; Debt Settlement Policies and 
Procedures

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency and Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) 
are requesting comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on an extension of a currently approved information 
collection that supports the FSA and CCC Debt Settlement Policies and 
Procedures regulations.

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive April 2, 2012.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your 
comments, include date, OMB control number, volume, and page number of 
this issue of the Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Thomas F. Harris II, Claims Program Specialist, 
Financial Management Division, Office of Budget and Finance, Farm 
Service Agency, USDA, STOP 0581, 355 E Street SW., Suite 11-181B, 
Washington, DC 20024.
    Comments also should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may 
be obtained from Thomas F. Harris II at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas F. Harris II, Claims Program 
Specialist, telephone (202) 772-6014.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Debt Settlement Policies and Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0146.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2012.
    Type of Request: Extension with no revision.
    Abstract: This information collection is needed to enable FSA and 
CCC to effectively administer the regulations at 7 CFR 792 (FSA) and 7 
CFR 1403 (CCC) on debt settlement policies and procedures and on the 
identification of and settlement of outstanding claims. Collection of 
outstanding debts owed to FSA or to CCC can be effected by installment 
payments if a debtor furnishes satisfactory evidence of inability to 
pay a claim in full, and if the debtor specifically requests an 
installment agreement. Part of the requirement is that the debtor 
furnishes this request in writing and with a financial statement or 
other information that would disclose a debtor's assets and 
liabilities. This information is required in order to evaluate any 
proposed plan. Such requests for documentation furnished by the debtor 
are also used in the other collection tools employed by both FSA and 
CCC in managing debt settlement policies and procedures. If an 
installment agreement is approved, then a Promissory Note (CCC-279), or 
an approved alternative promissory note format, must be executed 
between the debtor and the FSA/CCC representative(s).
    During the past two years, over $22,425,803.74 in debt collection 
for Farm Programs and for the Commodity Office were facilitated by the 
use of this requested information and 149 Promissory Notes were 
established between debtors and FSA and CCC from 10/01/2009 to 10/01/
2011. Total active Note amount for the past two years is presently 228 
total Promissory Notes (includes beginning outstanding notes (227); 
total notes established (149); notes defaulted (3), notes paid off in 
full (50); notes paid, small balance loans (41); notes written off (45) 
and notes discharged in Bankruptcy (09) with a beginning outstanding 
amount in 2009 of $31,131,509.78, and an ending outstanding amount of 
$22,425,803.74).
    The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires the head of an 
agency to take all appropriate steps to collect delinquent debts before 
discharging such debts. The current information collection forms and 
formats have been successfully used for the past several years and have 
become familiar tools for both the agency employees and for the 
producer. Thus, adequate forms and formats already exist and are in 
use. Developing new forms and formats could be costly and is not 
required to meet the demands of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 
1996. Nonetheless, comment is requested on how the forms and process 
may be improved, as specified below.
    Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this information 
collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response. The average 
travel time, which is included in the total burden, is estimated to be 
1 hour per respondent.
    Respondents: Producers participating in FSA and CCC programs.
    Estimated number of Annual Respondents: 300.
    Estimated number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 300.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 200 hours.
    We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information 
collection and to help us to:
    (1) Determine whether the continued collection of information is 
still necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the FSA, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Assess the accuracy of the FSA's estimate of burden including 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (4) 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.
    All responses to this notice, including name and addresses when 
provided, will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.


[[Page 5228]]


    Signed on January 27, 2012.
James Monahan,
Acting Administrator Farm Service Agency, and Executive Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2012-2259 Filed 2-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P

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