[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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