Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Form FNS-227 and FNS-227A, WIC Program Annual Closeout Report With Addendum

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request Form FNS-227 and FNS-227A, WIC Program Annual Closeout

Report With Addendum

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this

notice announces the Food and Nutrition Service's (FNS) intention to

request an extension for a currently approved information collection,

the WIC Program Annual Closeout Report with Addendum.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 14, 1998.

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: Ronald

J. Vogel, Acting Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food

and Nutrition 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, and will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection form and instructions should be

directed to: Ronald J. Vogel, (703) 305-2749.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: WIC Program Annual Closeout Report with Addendum.

OMB Number: 0584-0427.

Expiration Date: 10-31-98.

Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection Form.

Abstract: Nonentitlement programs such as the WIC Program require

an annual closeout and reconciliation of grants. Departmental

regulations at 7 CFR 3016.23(b) require that ``a grantee must liquidate

all obligations incurred under the award not later than 90 days after

the end of the funding period (or as specified in a program regulation)

to coincide with the submission of the annual Financial Status Report

(SF-269).'' WIC Program regulations at 7 CFR 246.17(b)(2) instruct WIC

State agencies to ``submit to FCS, within 150 days after the end of the

fiscal year, final fiscal year closeout reports.'' The WIC Program

Annual Closeout Report (FNS-227) with addendum (FNS-227A) is

substituted for the SF-269, because a closeout form which maintains the

integrity of WIC's two grant components (food and nutrition services

and administration) and captures State agencies' decisions to shift WIC

grant funds between Federal fiscal years is needed.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of

information is estimated to average 5.7 hours per response, including

the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,

gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing

the collection of information.

Respondents: Directors or Administrators of WIC State agencies.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 88 respondents.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 501.6 hours.

Dated: July 1, 1998.

George A. Braley,

Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.

[FR Doc. 98-18661 Filed 7-13-98; 8:45 am]

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