Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection, Comments Requested; Extension With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection

Application for Approval as a Nonprofit Budget and Credit Counseling Agency

AGENCY:

Executive Office for United States Trustees, Department of Justice.

ACTION:

30-day notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Justice, Executive Office for United States Trustees (EOUST) will be submitting an extension of information collection, through its Application for Approval as a Nonprofit Budget and Credit Counseling Agency, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register at 81 FR 38220, on June 13, 2016, allowing for a 60 day comment period.

DATES:

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for an additional 30 days until September 22, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have additional comments especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection with instructions, of if you need additional information, please contact Carrie Weinfeld, Department of Justice, EOUST, at 441 G Street NW., Suite 6150, Washington DC 205330 (phone: (202) 307-1399). Written comments and/or suggestions can also be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503 or sent to OIRA_submissions@omb.eop.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 Bureau of Justice Statistics, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

3. Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected can be enhanced; 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: Extension of a currently approved collection.

2. Title of the Form/Collection: Application for Approval as a Nonprofit Budget and Credit Counseling Agency (Application).

3. Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: There is no form number. The applicable component within the Department of Justice is the Executive Office for United States Trustees.

4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Agencies that wish to offer credit counseling services pursuant to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (“BAPCPA”), Pub. L. 109-8, 119 Stat. 23, 37, 38 (April 20, 2005), and codified at 11 U.S.C. 109(h) and 111, and Application Procedures and Criteria for Approval of Nonprofit Budget and Credit Counseling Agencies by United States Trustees, 78 FR 16,138 (March 14, 2013) (Rule).

The BAPCPA requires any individual who wishes to file for bankruptcy to obtain credit counseling, within 180 days before filing for bankruptcy relief, from a nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency that has been approved by the United States Trustee. The Application collects information from such agencies in order to ensure compliance with the law and the Rule.

5. Estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that 122 respondents will complete the application; initial applicants will complete the application in approximately ten (10) hours, while renewal applicants will complete the application in approximately four (4) hours.

6. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The estimated public burden associated with this collection is 560 hours.

If additional information is required contact Jerri Murray, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE., 3E.405B, Washington, DC 20530.