[Federal Register: August 21, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 162)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 44991]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21au98-20]

[[Page 44991]]

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Fiscal Service

31 CFR Part 285

RIN 1510-AA64


Offset of Federal Benefit Payments to Collect Past-due, Legally
Enforceable Nontax Debt

AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to interim
regulations.

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SUMMARY: In the rules and regulations portion of this Federal Register,
the Financial Management Service is issuing an interim rule setting
forth the rules governing the administrative offset of Federal benefit
payments issued under the Social Security Act (other than Supplemental
Security Income), part B of the Black Lung Benefits Act, and any law
administered by the Railroad Retirement Board (other than tier 2
benefit payments). The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires
the Federal Government to withhold or reduce certain Federal payments
to satisfy delinquent nontax debts owed to the United States by the
payee. This process is known as ``administrative offset.'' The interim
rule also serves as the text of this notice of proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments will be accepted until September 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Gerry Isenberg,
Financial Program Specialist, Debt Management Services, Financial
Management Service, Department of the Treasury, 401 14th Street SW,
Room 151, Washington, DC 20227. A copy of this notice of proposed
rulemaking is being made available for downloading from the Financial
Management Service web site at the following address: http://
www.fms.treas.gov/debt/dms.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerry Isenberg, Financial Program
Specialist, at (202) 874-6660; Ellen Neubauer or Ronda Kent, Senior
Attorneys, at (202) 874-6680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The interim rule in this issue of the
Federal Register establishes 31 CFR 285.4. For the text of the interim
rule, see Offset of Federal benefit payments to collect past-due,
legally enforceable nontax debt, Interim rule, published in the rules
and regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register.

Regulatory Analyses

    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action as
defined in Executive Order 12866. It is hereby certified that this
proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. The basis for this certification
is that this proposed rule only impacts individuals who owe delinquent
debt to the United States and receive the benefit payments discussed
above. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 285

    Administrative practice and procedures, Black lung benefits,
Claims, Debts, Disability benefits, Railroad retirement, Railroad
unemployment insurance, Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security
Income (SSI), Veterans benefits.

    Dated: August 13, 1998.
Richard L. Gregg,
Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 98-22395 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-35-P