Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 2 / Wednesday, January 3, 1996 / Notices 159

Receivable (USDA/FCIC–1), containing

records on approximately 3,600 debtors

(approximately 3,600 will be sent for the

match), a full description of which was

last published in the Federal Register at

53 FR 4047 on February 11, 1988

(routine use number 9); (3) Claims Data

Base (Automated) (USDA/ASCS–28),

containing records on approximately

25,000 debtors, (approximately 25,000

will be sent for the match) a full

description of which was last published

in the Federal Register at 53 FR 12175

on April 13, 1988 (routine use number

9); and (4) Administrative Billings and

Collections (USDA/OFM–3), containing

records on approximately 46,500

debtors (approximately 4,500 will be

sent for the match) a full description of

which was last published in the Federal

Register at 54 FR 25883 on June 20,

1989 (routine use number 6).

8. Individual notice and opportunity

to contest. USDA will provide to

matched individuals due process

consisting of USDA’s verification of

debt; 30-day written notice to the debtor

explaining the debtor’s rights; provision

for debtor to examine and copy of the

USDA’s documentation of the debt;

provision for debtor to seek USDA’s

review of the debt and opportunity for

the individual to enter into a written

agreement satisfactory to USDA for

repayment. Prior to use of the salary

offset provision, an individual will be

afforded the opportunity for a hearing

concerning the amount or existence of

the debt or the offset repayment

schedule. The hearing will be before an

individual not under the supervision or

control of the Secretary, USDA. Unless

the individual notifies USDA otherwise

within 30 days from the date of the

notice, USDA will conclude that the

date provided to the individual is

correct and will take the necessary

action to recoup the debt.

9. Inclusive date of the matching

program. This computer matching

program is subject to review by the

Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) and Congress. If no objections

are raised by either and the mandatory

30 day public notice period for

comment has expired for this Federal

Register notice with no significant

adverse public comments having been

received that would result in a contrary

determination, then this computer

matching program becomes effective

and the respective agencies may begin

the exchange of data on the later of 30

days after the date of this published

notice or 40 days after notice to OMB

and Congress, at a mutually agreeable

time. Exchange of data will be repeated

on an annual basis, unless OMB or the

Treasury Department requests a match

twice a year. Under no circumstances

will the matching program be

implemented before the respective 30

and 40-day notice periods have elapsed,

as this time period cannot be waived. By

agreement between USDA and USPS,

the matching program will be in effect

and continue for 18 months with an

option to renew for 12 additional

months. The matching program may be

terminated by written notification from

either participating agency to the other.

10. Address for receipt of public

comments or inquiries. Reynaldo

Gonzalez, USDA/OCFO, 14th and

Independence Avenue, SW, Room 3313,

South Building, Washington, DC 20250.

Telephone (202) 720–1168.

Signed at Washington, DC on December 21,

1995.

Dan Glickman,

Secretary of Agriculture.

[FR Doc. 96–00021 Filed 1–2–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–KS–M

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV–96–352]

Notice of Request for Extension and

Revision of a Currently Approved

Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for

comments.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44

U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice

announces the Agricultural Marketing

Service’s (AMS) intention to request an

extension and revision to a currently

approved information collection in

support of the Reporting and Record

Keeping Requirements Under

Regulations (Other Than Rules of

Practice) Under the Perishable

Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930

(PACA)(7 U.S.C. 499a–499s).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be

received by March 4, 1996.

FOR INFORMATION OR COMMENTS CONTACT:

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 will 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; and (d) ways to minimize the

burden of the collection of information

on those who are to respond, including

through the use of appropriate

technology. Comments may be sent to

Michael A. Clancy, Head, License and

Program Review Section, PACA Branch,

Fruit and Vegetable Division,

Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box

96456, Washington, DC 20090–6456,

(202)720–2814.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Reporting and Record Keeping

Requirements Under Regulations (Other

Than Rules of Practice) Under the

Perishable Agricultural Commodities

Act, 1930.

OMB Number: 0581–0031.

Expiration Date of Approval: April 30,

1996.

Type of Request: Extension and

revision of a currently approved

information collection.

Abstract: The PACA was enacted by

Congress in 1930 to establish a code of

fair trading practices covering the

marketing of fresh and frozen fruits and

vegetables in interstate or foreign

commerce. It protects growers, shippers,

and distributors dealing in those

commodities by prohibiting unfair and

fraudulent practices.

The law provides for the enforcement

of contracts by providing a forum for

resolving contract disputes, and for the

collection of damages from anyone who

fails to meet contractual obligations. In

addition, the PACA impresses a

statutory trust on licensees for

perishable agricultural commodities

received, products derived from them,

and any receivables or proceeds due

from the sale of the commodities for the

benefit of suppliers, sellers, or agents

that have not been paid. An amendment

to the PACA, enacted into law on

November 15, 1995, reduced the record

keeping and reporting burden imposed

under the trust provision by removing

the requirement that trust claimants file

notices of intent to preserve trust

benefits with the Department of

Agriculture. The burden is, therefore

being revised to remove the record

keeping and time requirements that

were necessary for the filing of trust

claims. This action will decrease the

time requirement by 20,741 total hours

and the paperwork burden by 124,445

total annual responses.

The PACA is enforced through a

licensing system and is user-fee

financed through a license fee. All

commission merchant, dealers, and

brokers engaged in business subject to

the PACA must be licensed. The license

is effective for one (1) year unless

withdrawn by USDA for valid reasons,

and must be renewed annually. Those
160 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 2 / Wednesday, January 3, 1996 / Notices

who engage in practices prohibited by

the PACA may have their licenses

suspended or revoked.

The information collected from

respondents is used to administer

licensing provisions under the PACA.

The records maintained are used to

adjudicate reparation and

administrative complaints filed against

licensees to determine the imposition of

sanctions on firms and responsibly

connected individuals who have

engaged in unfair trading practices. We

estimate the paperwork and time burden

as follows:

Form FV–211 Application for License:

average of 15 minutes per application

per response.

Form FV–231 Application for Renewal

of License: average of 5 minutes per

application per response.

Regulations Section 46.13—Letters to

Notify USDA of Changes in Business

Operations: average of 5 minutes per

notice per response.

Regulations Section 46.20—Records

Reflecting Lot Numbers: average of 8.25

hours with approximately 1,000 record

keepers.

Regulations Section 46.46(d)(2)—

Waiver of Rights to Trust Protection:

average of 15 minutes per notice with

approximately 100 principals.

Regulations Sections 46.46(f) and

46.2(aa)(11)—Copy of Written

Agreement Reflecting Times for

Payment: average of 20 hours with

approximately 2,000 record keepers.

Estimate of Burden: The total public

reporting burden for this collection of

information is estimated to average 3

hours per response.

Respondents: commission merchants,

dealers, and brokers engaged in the

business of buying, selling, or

negotiating the purchase or sale of fresh

and/or frozen fruits and vegetables in

interstate or foreign commerce are

required to be licensed under the PACA

(7 U.S.C. 499(c)(a)).

Estimated Number of Respondents:

15,550

Estimated Number of Responses per

Respondent: 1

Estimated Total Annual Burden on

Respondents: 49,448 hours

Copies of this information collection

can be obtained from Michael A.

Clancy, Head, License and Program

Review Section, PACA Branch, at (202)

720–2814.

Send comments regarding the

accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to

minimize the burden, including through

the use of automated collection

techniques or other forms of information

technology, or any other aspect of this

collection for information to:

Michael A. Clancy, Head, License and

Program Review Section, PACA Branch,

Fruit and Vegetable Division,

Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Room 2715–

South Building, P.O. Box 96456,

Washington, D.C. 20090–6456.

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.

Dated: December 26, 1995.

Kenneth C. Clayton,

Acting Administrator.

[FR Doc. 96–00025 Filed 1–2–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–02–P

Food and Consumer Service

Collection Requirements Submitted for

Public Comment and

Recommendations: Study of Direct

Certification

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service,

USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this

notice announces the Food and

Consumer Service’s (FCS) intention to

request Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) review of the Study of

Direct Certification.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be

received by March 4, 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 will 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; and (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:

Michael E. Fishman, Acting Director,

Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 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

become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael E. Fishman, (703) 305-2117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Study of Direct Certification.

OMB Number: Not yet assigned.

Expiration Date: N/A.

Type of Request: New collection of

information.

Abstract: Direct certification is a

simplified method used to certify

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

eligibility for children who reside in

households which participate in the

Food Stamp Program (FSP) or in Aid to

Families with Dependent Children

(AFDC). This study will estimate the

costs and administrative savings of

using direct certification as an alternate

means of approving automatically

eligible children for free school meals

under the terms and conditions of

Section 9(b)(6) of the National School

Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(6). It will

also assess the affect that direct

certification has on the certification and

participation rates of children eligible

for free meals; provide descriptive

information on the use of direct

certification; and identify factors that

contribute to a successful direct

certification program.

The study’s data collection

component is comprised of five

telephone-interview surveys:(1)

interviews with all the state NSLP

agencies in the contiguous forty-eight

states to ascertain the status of direct

certification in each state; (2) screening

interviews with 1,000 randomly chosen

school food authorities (SFAs) to

determine if they use direct

certification; (3) interviews with the

SFAs identified as utilizing direct

certification; (4) interviews with 150

schools, randomly selected from schools

in the direct certification SFAs, on their

experiences with direct certification;

and (5) interviews with a purposively

selected sample of the Aid to Families

with Dependent Children/Food Stamp

(AFDC/FS) offices that work with the

direct certification SFAs on their

experiences with direct certification. All

survey respondents will be

administered one data collection

instrument, except the SFAs using

direct certification. They will be

administered two.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting

burden for this collection of information

is estimated to average 50 minutes for

the NSLP state agencies, 20 minutes for

the SFAs in the screening interview, 120

minutes for the direct certification

SFAs, 120 minutes for the direct

certification schools, and 30 minutes for

the AFDC/FS offices.

Respondents: For each survey, the

entity providing the data will be asked

to have the individual most

knowledgeable of direct certification