E7-14243. Criminal Division, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested

ACTION:

60-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Annual Certification Report and Equitable Sharing Agreement.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Criminal Division, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, will be submitting the following new information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for “sixty days” until September 24, 2007. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

If you have comments especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact Clifford Krieger, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, 1400 New York Avenue, NW., Bond Building—10th Floor, Washington, DC 20005.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

—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;

—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;

—Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

—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—Authorization and combination of two collections.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Annual Certification Report and Equitable Sharing Agreement.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form Number: N/A. Criminal Division, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Law Enforcement Agencies that participate in the Federal Equitable Sharing Program. Other: None. The form is part of a voluntary program in which law enforcement agencies receive forfeited assets and proceeds to further law enforcement operations. The participating law enforcement agencies must account for their use of program funds on an annual basis and renew their contract of participation. DOJ uses this information to ensure that the funds are spent in accordance with the requirements of the program.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that 8729 respondents will complete a 30-minute form.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: There are an estimated 4365 annual total burden hours associated with this collection.

If additional information is required contact: Lynn Bryant, Department Clearance Officer, Policy and Planning Staff, Justice Management Division, Department of Justice, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: July 18, 2007.

Lynn Bryant,

Department Clearance Officer, PRA, Department of Justice.