Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Notice of Loss and Proof of Loss, 29144 [2023-09612]

Agencies

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 29144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09612]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID: FEMA-2022-0037; OMB No. 1660-NW163]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Notice of Loss and Proof of Loss

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: 60-Day notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public to take this opportunity to comment on a new 
information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the Generic Clearance 
for the Collection of the Notice of Loss and Proof of Loss for 
claimants who file a claim with the Agency seeking compensation for 
injury or loss of property resulting from fires.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 5, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID FEMA-
2023-0037. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    All submissions received must include the Agency name and Docket 
ID, and will be posted, without change, to the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, and will include any personal 
information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes 
it public. You may wish to read the Privacy and Security Notice that is 
available via a link on the homepage of www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angelica Searls, Emergency Management 
Specialist, Recovery Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
202-701-9021, [email protected]. You may contact the 
Information Management Division for copies of the proposed collection 
of information at email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FEMA proposes to collect information from 
parties who apply for compensation under FEMA-established fire claims 
programs stemming from its role providing financial assistance and 
direct services to individuals applying for disaster assistance 
benefits in the event of a federally declared disaster as specified by 
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(Stafford Act), Public Law 93-288, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121-5207). On 
September 30, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Hermit's Peak/
Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act (``Act'') Public Law 117-180, division 
G--Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act. Congress passed the 
Act to compensate those parties who suffered injury and loss of 
property from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. Such a generic 
clearance will minimize delays in FEMA's ability to respond to future 
fire incidents resulting in the establishment of claims offices.

Collection of Information

    Title: Generic Clearance for Notice of Loss and Proof of Loss.
    Type of Information Collection: New information collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-NW163.
    FEMA Forms: None.
    Abstract: The Federal Emergency Management Agency will use the 
collected information to commence the process and procedures for 
claimants to seek compensation for injury or loss of property resulting 
from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and other Fires that meet the 
criteria. Affected State, local and Tribal governments, private sector 
businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals and 
households that suffered injuries resulting from Fires will be eligible 
to apply for compensation. Claimants will submit a Notice of Loss to 
the Agency, meet with a FEMA Claims Reviewer, obtain documentation 
needed to substantiate claims, sign a Proof of Loss, and complete and 
return a Release and Certification form.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, State, local or Tribal 
government, private sector businesses, and not-for-profit 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 287,250.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 287,250.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 732,490.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost: $31,606,900.
    Estimated Respondents' Operation and Maintenance Costs: $0.
    Estimated Respondents' Capital and Start-Up Costs: $0.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Federal Government: $65,103,002.

Comments

    Comments may be submitted as indicated in the ADDRESSES caption 
above. Comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed data 
collection is necessary for the proper performance of the Agency, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) 
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; (c) enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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.

Millicent L. Brown,
Records Management Branch Chief, Office of the Chief Administrative 
Officer, Mission Support, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2023-09612 Filed 5-4-23; 8:45 am]
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