02-3936. Civil Division; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, Comments Requested

ACTION:

60-Day Emergency Notice of Information Collection Under Review, New Collection, Victim Compensation Fund Objection Form.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Division has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the emergency review procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. OMB approval has been requested by February 25th. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180 days. Comments should be directed to OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20530.

During the first 60 days of this same review period, a regular review of this information collection will be undertaken. All comments and suggestions, or questions regarding additional information, including obtaining a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, should be directed to Office of the Special Master, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20530. We request written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed emergency collection of information.

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 agencies 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 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: New Collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Victim Compensation Fund Objection Form.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form Number: SM-002, Office of the Special Master, Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Anyone expressing a potential objection to the filing of a claim by a purported personal representative of a deceased victim. Abstract: This form is to be submitted in connection with potential objections made to claims filed with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. The form asks that the objection be characterized and explained or be withdrawn.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 250 objectors with an average of 2.0 hours per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 500 hours annually.

If additional information is required contact: Robert B. Briggs, Department Clearance Officer, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, United States Department of Justice, 601 D Street NW., Suite 1600, Washington, DC 20004.

February 13, 2002.

Robert B. Briggs,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.