[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 87 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 25978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11085]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0466]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each proposed 
reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for 
which approval has expired, and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for information 
needed to verify beneficiaries' deposit remaining at a financial 
institution against a fiduciary's accounting.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before July 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20420. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0466'' in any 
correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-7079 
or FAX (202) 275-5947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Certificate of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to 
Disclose Financial Records, VA Form 27-4718a.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0466.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: Fiduciaries are required to obtain certifications that 
the balances remaining on deposit in financial institutions as shown on 
accountings are correct. The form is completed by a certifying official 
at a financial institution who must also affix the financial seal or 
stamp. An Estate analyst reviews the information provided on this form 
when auditing accounting to determine the veracity of the information 
supplied by fiduciaries. The purpose is to prevent fiduciaries from 
supplying false certification, embezzling funds, and possibly prevent 
and/or identify fraud, waste, and abuse of government funds paid to 
fiduciaries on behalf of VA beneficiaries.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households, Business or Other for-
Profit, Not for Profit Institutions, and State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,185 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 3 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 23,700.

    Dated: April 24, 2000.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11085 Filed 5-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P