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###### Department of the Interior

###### Bureau of Indian Affairs

          - [256A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900; OMB Control Number 1076-0160]

# AGENCY: 

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

# ACTION: 

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

# SUMMARY: 

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are proposing to renew an information collection.

# DATES: 

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before November 12, 2024.

# ADDRESSES: 

                        Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection request (ICR) should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) through                         *https://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRA/​icrPublicCommentRequest?​ref_​nbr=​202405-1076-005*                         or by visiting                         *https://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain*                         and selecting “Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments” and then scrolling down to the “Department of the Interior.”                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

                        To request additional information about this ICR, contact Steven Mullen, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action—Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1001 Indian School Road NW, Suite 229, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104;                         *comments@bia.gov;*                         (202) 924-2650. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. You may also view the ICR at                         *https://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​Forward?​SearchTarget=​PRA&​textfield=​1076-0160.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501*et seq.*) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.                

                    A                     **Federal Register**                     notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on June 21, 2024 (89 FR 52076). No comments were received.                

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following:

(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

                    (4) How might the agency 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 response.                

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

*Abstract:*                     The BIA is seeking renewal of the approval for the information                           ( print page 82254)                        collection conducted under 25 U.S.C. 43, 36 Stat. 472, inter alia, and implementing regulations, at 25 CFR part 5, regarding verification of Indian preference for employment. The purpose of Indian preference is to encourage qualified Indian persons to seek employment with the BIA and the Indian Health Service (IHS) by offering preferential treatment to qualified candidates of Indian heritage. The BIA collects the information to ensure compliance with Indian preference hiring requirements. The information collection relates only to individuals applying for employment with the BIA and/or IHS. The tribe's involvement is limited to verifying membership information submitted by the applicant. The collection of information allows certain persons who are of Indian descent to receive preference when appointments are made to vacancies in positions with the BIA and the IHS as well as in any unit that has been transferred intact from the BIA to a Bureau or office within the Department of the Interior or the Department of Health and Human Services and that continues to perform functions formerly performed as part of the BIA and the IHS. You are eligible for preference if (a) you are a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe; (b) you are a descendent of a member and you were residing within the present boundaries of any Indian reservation on June 1, 1934; (c) you are an Alaska native; or (d) you possess one-half degree Indian blood derived from tribes that are indigenous to the United States.                

*Title of Collection:*                     Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and the IHS.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     1076-0160.                

*Form Number:*                     BIA 4432.                

*Type of Review:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection.                

*Respondents/Affected Public:*                     Qualified Indian persons who are seeking preference in employment with the BIA and the IHS.                

*Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents:*                     5,000 per year, on average.                

*Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses:*                     5,000 per year, on average.                

*Estimated Completion Time per Response:*                     30 minutes.                

*Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours:*                     2,500 hours.                

*Respondent's Obligation:*                     A response is required to obtain a benefit.                

*Frequency of Collection:*                     On occasion.                

*Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost:*                     $7,640.                

## Authority

                    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501*et seq.*).                

Steven Mullen,

Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action—Indian Affairs.

[FR Doc. 2024-23405 Filed 10-9-24; 8:45 am]

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