Civil Rights Division; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested

ACTION:

30-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired; procedures for the administration of section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, has submitted the following 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. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (Volume 67, Number 91, pages 1785-1786) on January 14, 2002, allowing for a 60 day comment period.

The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days for public comment until October 15, 2002. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice, especially the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to The Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention Department Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503. Additionally, comments may be submitted to OMB via facsimile to (202) 395-7285.

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:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies/components 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 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: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Procedures for the Administration of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(3) The Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form Number: None. Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as brief abstract. Primary: State, local or tribal governments. Other: None. Abstract Jurisdictions specifically covered under the Voting Rights Act are required to obtain preclearance from the Attorney General before instituting changes affecting voting. They must convince the Attorney General that proposed voting changes are not racially discriminatory. The procedures facilitate the provision of information that will enable the Attorney General to make the required determination.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply: There are approximately 4,873 respondents who will each require an average of 105 hours to respond.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The total annual public burden hours for this information collection is estimated to be 48,730 hours.

If additional information is required contact: Robert B. Briggs, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, Suite 1600, Patrick Henry Building, 601 D Street NW., Washington, DC 20530.