E8-23882. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 3, 2008.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) Whether the 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 burden 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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Food and Nutrition Service

Title: 7 CFR Part 235 State Administrative Expense Funds.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0067.

Summary of Collection: Because the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is accountable for State Administrative Expense (SAE) funds by fiscal year, State Agencies (SAs) are requested to report their SAE budget information on that basis. If the State budgets coincide with a fiscal year other than that used by the Federal government, the SA must convert its State budget figures to amounts to be used during the applicable Federal fiscal year for this purpose. In 7 CFR Part 235, State Administrative Expense Funds, there are five reporting requirements, which necessitate the collection of information. They are as follows: SAE Plan, Reallocation Report, Coordinated Review Effort (CRE) Data Base Update, Report of SAE Funds Usage, and Responses to Sanctions. SAs also must maintain records pertaining to SAE. These include Ledger Accounts, Source Documents, Equipment Records and Record on State Appropriated Funds. FNS will collect information using forms FNS-74 and 525.

Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information on the total SAE cost the SA expects to incur in the course of administering the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP); the indirect cost rate used by the SA in charging indirect cost to SAE, together with the name of the Federal agency that assigned the rate and the date the rate was assigned; breakdown of the current year's SAE budget between the amount allocated for the current year and the amount carried over from the prior year; and the number and types of personnel currently employed in administering the CNPs. The information is used to determine whether SA intends to use SAE funds for purposes allowable under OMB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State and Local Governments; does SA's administrative budget provide for sufficient funding from State sources to meet the Maintenance of Effort requirement; and is SA's staff adequate to effectively administer the programs covered by the SA's agreement with FNS.

Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 87.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 13,913.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.