2011-18432. Renewal of Agency Information Collection for Tribal Probate Codes

AGENCY:

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is proposing to submit the information collection titled “Tribal Probate Codes, 25 CFR 18” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The information collection is currently authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0168, which expires November 30, 2011. The information collection requires Indian tribes to submit their tribal probate codes to the Secretary of the Interior for approval in accordance with the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 19, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments on the information collection to Charlene Toledo, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Director, Special Projects, BIA Division of Probate Services, 2600 N Central Ave., STE MS102, Phoenix, AZ 85004; e-mail: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

You may request further information or obtain copies of the information collection request submission from Charlene Toledo, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Director, Special Projects. Telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

As sovereignties, federally recognized tribes have the right to establish their own probate codes. When those probate codes govern the descent and distribution of trust or restricted property, they must be approved by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. The American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004 (AIPRA) amendments to the Indian Land Consolidation Act, 25 U.S.C. 2201 et seq., provides that any tribal probate code, any amendment to a tribal probate code, and any free-standing single heir rule are subject to the approval of the Secretary. This statute also establishes the basics of review and approval of tribal probate codes. This information collection covers tribes' submission of tribal probate codes, amendments, and free-standing single heir rules to the Secretary for approval. We are adjusting the estimated number of respondents down to 10, based on the number of submissions received per year since AIPRA was passed.

II. Request for Comments

The BIA requests that you send your comments on this collection to the location listed in the ADDRESSES section. Your comments should address: (a) The necessity of the information collection for the proper performance of the agencies, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of our estimate of the burden (hours and cost) of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways we could enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways we could minimize the burden of the collection of the information on the respondents, such as through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that an agency may not sponsor or conduct, and an individual need not respond to, a collection of information unless it has a valid OMB Control Number. Approval for this collection expires November 30, 2011. Response to the information collection is required to obtain a benefit.

It is our policy to make all comments available to the public for review at the location listed in the ADDRESSES section during the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday except for legal holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personally identifiable information, be advised that your entire comment—including your personally identifiable information—may be made public at any time. While you may request that we withhold your personally identifiable information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 1076-0168.

Title: Tribal Probate Codes, 25 CFR 18.

Brief Description of Collection: Submission of this information is required to comply with ILCA, as amended by AIPRA, 25 U.S.C. 2201 et seq., which provides that Indian tribes must obtain Secretarial approval for all tribal probate codes, amendments, and free-standing single heir rules that govern the descent and distribution of trust or restricted property.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Indian tribes.

Number of Respondents: 10 per year.

Total Number of Responses: One per respondent, on occasion.

Estimated Time per Response: One-half hour.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5 hours.

Dated: July 15, 2011.

Alvin Foster,

Acting Chief Information Officer, Indian Affairs.