[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 127 (Monday, July 1, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33876-33878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16038]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

25 CFR Part 21

RIN 1076-AD 61


Social Welfare Arrangements With States or Other Agencies

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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Summary: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is proposing to revise the 
regulations in this part to improve the clarity of the regulations and 
understanding by the public.

Dates: Comments must be received on or before August 30, 1996.

Addresses: Mail comments to Larry Blair, Chief, Division of Social 
Services,

[[Page 33877]]

Office of Tribal Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the 
Interior, 1849 C St. NW., Mail Stop 4603-MIB, Washington, DC 20240; or, 
hand deliver them to Room 4603 at the above address. Comments will be 
available for inspection at this address from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 
Monday through Friday beginning approximately July 15, 1996.

For Further Information Contact: Larry Blair, Chief of the Division of 
Social Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs at telephone number (202) 
208-2721.

Supplementary Information: The authority to issue rules and regulations 
is vested in the Secretary of the Interior by 5 U.S.C. 301 and sections 
463 and 465 of the Revised Statutes, 25 U.S.C. 2 and 9.
    Publication of the proposed rule by the Department of the Interior 
(Department) provides the public an opportunity to participate in the 
rulemaking process. Interested persons may submit written comments 
regarding the proposed rule to the location identified in the Addresses 
section of this document.

Executive Order 12778

    The Department has certified to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) that this rule meets the applicable standards provided in 
sections 2(a) and 2(b)(2) of Executive Order 12778.

Executive Order 12866

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under Executive 
Order 12866 and does not require review by the Office of Management and 
Budget.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

Executive Order 12630

    The Department has determined that this rule does not have 
``significant takings'' implications. This rule does not pertain to 
``taking'' of private property interests, nor does it impact private 
property.

Executive Order 12612

    The Department has determined that this rule does not have 
significant federalism effects because it pertains solely to Federal-
tribal relations and will not interfere with the roles, rights and 
responsibilities of states.

NEPA Statement

    The Department has determined that this rule does not constitute a 
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment and that no detailed statement is required pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995

    This rule imposes no unfunded mandates on any governmental or 
private entity and is in compliance with the provisions of the Unfunded 
Mandates Act of 1995.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Sections 21.3 and 21.4 contain information collection requirements. 
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)), 
the Department of the Interior has submitted a copy of these sections 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review.
    The Bureau of Indian Affairs may enter into agreements with state, 
county, or other Federal agencies to provide welfare services for 
Indians. The information collected will be used to determine the amount 
of funds necessary to provide services for Indians within specified 
service areas. It will detail the services to be rendered and a plan 
for the expenditure of funds by the contractor. The information 
collected will also be used to measure performance of the contractor 
and plan future services.
    No similar agreement specific information pertaining to welfare 
services for Indians is collected by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or 
any other Federal agency. Since tribal circumstances vary from one 
location to another, no information is available which can be used to 
contract this service.
    The information to be collected from third parties is the same 
information that a state, county, or other Federal agency would 
otherwise collect in the provision of welfare services.
    The estimate of total burden hours is based upon staff expertise in 
the program area responsible for the management of welfare services 
budgets.

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                                                                 Total        Burden       Annual               
            CFR section              Number of    Frequency      annual     hours per      burden      Cost to  
                                    respondents  of response   responses     response      hours     respondents
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21.3..............................           50            1            1           16           16         $400
21.4..............................           50            5            1           32           32          800
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    Organizations and individuals desiring to submit comments on the 
information collection requirement should direct them to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Room 10202, New Executive 
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; Attention: Desk Officer for the 
U.S. Department of the Interior.
    The Department considers comments by the public on this proposed 
collection of information in:
    Evaluating whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
    Evaluating the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
    Enhancing the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    Minimizing the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of 
information contained in these proposed regulations between 30 and 60 
days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, a comment to the OMB is best assured of having its full 
effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. This does not 
affect the deadline for the public to comment to the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs on the proposed regulations.

    Drafting Information: The primary author of this document was 
Larry Blair, Division of Social Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
Department of the Interior.

[[Page 33878]]

List of Subjects in 25 CFR Part 21

    Indians, Indians--welfare contracts.

    For the reasons given in the preamble, part 21 of title 25, chapter 
I of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be revised as set 
forth below.

PART 21--SOCIAL WELFARE ARRANGEMENTS WITH STATES OR OTHER AGENCIES

Sec.
21.1  Who may negotiate agreements with States, Counties, and other 
Federal agencies?
21.2  Who may sign agreements for the relief of distress and social 
welfare of Indians?
21.3  What must the State, County, or other Federal welfare agency 
provide?
21.4  What standards must welfare service providers meet?
21.5  What will the Bureau provide?
21.6  What information is collected?
21.7  Definitions.

    Authority: 25 U.S.C. 454.


Sec. 21.1  Who may negotiate agreements with States, Counties, and 
other Federal agencies?

    The Secretary may negotiate with State, county, or other Federal 
welfare agencies to provide welfare services for Indians within a 
particular State and within the exterior boundaries of Indian 
reservations or on trust or restricted lands that are under the 
jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.


Sec. 21.2  Who may sign agreements for the relief of distress and 
social welfare of Indians?

    The proper officer of the State, county, or other Federal welfare 
agency must sign agreements to provide welfare services. Evidence of 
the officer's authority must accompany the agreement. Agreements to 
provide welfare services are not effective until the Secretary approves 
and signs them.


Sec. 21.3  What must the State, County, or other Federal welfare agency 
provide?

    (a) Plan of operation. A plan of operation describing the services 
and assistance to be rendered and a budget showing the plan of 
expenditures of funds must be submitted with the agreement. No change 
in the plan of operation may be made without the Secretary's prior 
approval.
    (b) Financial statements. Thirty days after the close of each 
fiscal year, a detailed financial statement showing all expenditures 
must be submitted to the Secretary. Any deviations from the approved 
plan of operation must be explained and the records of the contractor 
must remain available for inspection by representatives of the Bureau 
of Indian Affairs.


Sec. 21.4  What standards must welfare service providers meet?

    (a) Service. The standards of aid, care, and service for Indians 
can be no less than the standards for other clients requiring similar 
aid, care, and services.
    (b) Personnel. Unless the Secretary has agreed otherwise, the 
personnel employed for provision of public welfare services to Indians 
are subject to the contractor's merit system and the approval of the 
Secretary and local welfare authorities.


Sec. 21.5  What will the Bureau of Indian Affairs provide?

    (a) Cooperative services. The Bureau will maintain cooperative 
services at the local level.
    (b) Government property and facilities. The agreement must specify 
the terms under which the contractor may use Federal property, 
facilities and equipment. Agreements that allow use of Federal 
automobiles must require the contractor be responsible for damage or 
injury to property or persons and to return the equipment in good 
condition. The contractor must carry sufficient insurance and expressly 
relieve the Federal Government of any and all liability for any 
personal injury or property damages.


Sec. 21.6  What information is collected?

    The information collection requirements contained in Sec. 21.3 will 
be approved by the Office of Management and Budget as required by 44 
U.S.C. 1320 et seq. The information collected in the plan of operation 
will be used to determine how contract funds are utilized and to 
measure performance of the contractor and plan for future agreements . 
The information collected in the financial statement will be used to 
determine the adequacy of services and utilization of the budget 
provided to the contractor. A response is required to obtain a benefit.


Sec. 21.7  Definitions.

    Must means a mandatory or imperative act or requirement.
    Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

    Dated: June 6, 1996.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 96-16038 Filed 6-28-96; 8:45 am]
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