03-5079. Information Collection for Part 13, Tribal Reassumption of Jurisdiction Over Child Custody Proceedings

AGENCY:

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of submission to Office of Management and Budget.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking to extend clearance for an information collection request. The information collection, Tribal Reassumption of Jurisdiction over Child Custody Proceedings, is cleared under OMB Control Number 1076-0112. Interested parties are invited to comment on this collection.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before April 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments should be sent directly to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. Send a copy of your comments to Larry Blair, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Tribal Services, Division of Social Services, 1951 Constitution Avenue, NW., MS 320-SIB, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Interested persons may obtain copies of the information collection requests without charge by contacting Mr. Larry Blair, [phone], Facsimile number [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Department has issued regulations prescribing procedures by which an Indian tribe may reassume jurisdiction over Indian child proceedings when a state asserts any jurisdiction. Tribes have the right to pursue this alternative because this action is authorized by the Indian Child Welfare Act, Pub. L. 95-608, 92 Stat. 3069, 25 U.S.C. 1918, and is incorporated in 25 CFR 13.11. A 60-day notice for public comments was published on December 12, 2002 (67 FR 76413 ). There were no comments received.

II. Request for Comments

The Department invites comments on:

(1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of the Bureau's estimate of the burden of the information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and,

(4) Ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other collection techniques or forms of information technology.

Please note, any comments, names and addresses concerning this submission are available for public review during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m). If you wish your name and address withheld from public review, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will honor your request to the extent allowable by law. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

OMB is required to make a decision concerning this information collection request between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a comment will receive the best consideration by OMB if it is submitted early during this comment period.

III. Data

Type of action: Renewal.

Title of the Information Collection: Tribal Reassumption of Jurisdiction Over Child Custody Proceedings.

Summary of Collection of Information: The collection of information will ensure that the provisions of Pub. L. 95-608 are met.

Affected Entities: Federally recognized tribes who submit tribal reassumption petitions for review and approval by the Secretary of the Interior.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 2.

Estimated Time Per Application: 8 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 16 hours.

Dated: February 26, 2003.

Aurene M. Martin,

Acting Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.