[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19249-19250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10736]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Form FCS-471, Coupon Account and Destruction Report

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.


[[Page 19250]]


ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on proposed information collections. Sections 7, 11, and 13 of the Food 
Stamp Act of 1977 are the bases for the information collected on Form 
FCS-471, Coupon Account and Destruction Report. The Food Stamp Act 
requires an appropriate procedure for determining and monitoring the 
level of coupon inventories under the control of issuance agents for 
the purpose of maintaining inventories at proper levels. The procedure 
also involves monitoring deliveries and returns of coupons to 
inventory, and exercising control over removal of coupons from 
circulation.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 2, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) 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) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
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. Comments may be sent to James I. 
Porter, Supervisor, Issuance and Accountability Section, State 
Administration Branch, Food and Consumer Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Requests for additional information or copies 
of the information collection form and instructions should be directed 
to James Porter, (703) 305-2385.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Coupon Account and Destruction Report.
    OMB Number: 0584-0053.
    Form Number: FCS-471.
    Expiration Date: 5/31/96.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of this previously 
approved collection of information.
    Abstract: 7 CFR 274.7 (f), (g) and (h) of the Food Stamp Program 
regulations require that State agencies dispose of coupons which are 
received at issuance, claims collection, inventory, and bulk storage 
points, within 30 days after the end of the month in which they were 
received. These are coupons received as payments on claims, mutilated 
or improperly manufactured coupons, old-series coupons which are 
exchanged for current series, and coupons which are returned for 
various other reasons. Coupon books returned intact and unsigned are 
reusable and returned to inventory. Since coupons are a Federal 
obligation, the value and books by denomination of unusable coupons are 
documented and reported on Form FCS-471, and the coupons are destroyed. 
Form FCS-471 is also used to document overages and shortages discovered 
by issuance and bulk storage points during coupon shipment or transfer. 
The information contained on the Form FCS-471 is necessary to 
substantiate coupon inventory and claims collection (coupon payment) 
data.
    Affected Public: State and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,276.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.33.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 40,331 hours.

    Dated: April 23, 1996.
William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10736 Filed 4-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U