Agency Information Collection Activities: Existing Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Agency Information Collection Activities: Existing Collection;

Comment Request

ACTION: Extension of an existing collection; OMB emergency approval

request; Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death.

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The Department of Justice, Civil Division, Torts Branch, has

submitted the following information collection request (ICR), utilizing

emergency review procedures, to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with section 1320.13

(a)(1)(i) and (a)(2)(i) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The

Civil Division has determined that it cannot reasonably comply with the

normal clearance procedures under this Part because normal clearance

procedures are reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the collection

of information. This information collection is needed prior to the

expiration of established time periods. OMB approval has been requested

by October 31, 1997. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid

for 180 days. ALL comments and/or questions pertaining to this pending

request for emergency approval MUST be directed to OMB, Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Mr. Patrick Boyd, 202-

395-5871, Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, D.C. 20530.

Comments regarding the emergency submission of this information

collection may be forwarded by facsimile to Mr. Boyd at 202-395-7285.

During the first 60 days of this same period, a regular review of

this information collection is also being undertaken. During the

regular review period, the Civil Division, Torts Branch, requests

written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies

concerning the proposed collection of information. Comments are

encouraged and will be accepted until December 5, 1997. During the 60-

day regular review ALL comments and suggestions, or questions regarding

additional information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed

information collection instrument with instructions, should be directed

to Mr. Jeffrey Axelrad, 202-616-4400, Director, Torts Branch, Civil

Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P.O. Box 888, Benjamin Franklin

Station, Washington, D.C. 20044. Your comments should address one or

more of the following four points.

(1) Evaluate 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;

(2) Evaluate 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;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to

be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those

who

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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 responses.

Overview of this information collection:

(1) Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently

approved information collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Claim for Damage, Injury, or

Death.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the

Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form SF95. Civil

Division, Torts Branch, U.S. Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as

well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals and Businesses. This

information is needed to present a claim against the United States

Government under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2675(a).

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount

of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 300,000

respondents at 6 hours per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated

with the collection: 1,800,000 annual burden hours.

If additional information is required during the first 60 days of

this same regular review period, contact Mr. Robert B. Briggs,

Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Information

Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, Suite 850,

Washington Center, 1001 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530.

Dated: September 29, 1997.

Robert B. Briggs,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.

[FR Doc. 97-26361 Filed 10-3-97; 8:45 am]

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