Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Request; 60-Day Public Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to hear what people think about a plan to keep using some special forms to help keep people healthy, and they're asking for ideas to make these forms better before a certain date. But the forms say they're only good until the past, which might mean the dates are wrong or not updated.
Summary AI
The Office of the Secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services has announced a request for public comment on a proposed information collection related to real property use for public health purposes. This collection, approved under control number 0937-0191, is aimed at extending the current process for such purposes and was set to expire on April 30, 2021. The office seeks feedback on the estimated burden, utility, and methods for enhancing the collection's clarity and efficiency. Comments should be sent by April 12, 2021, to Sherrette Funn via email or phone.
Abstract
In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of a proposed collection for public comment. The ICR is for extending the use of the approved information collection assigned OMB control number 0937-0191, which expires on April 30, 2021. Prior to submitting the ICR to OMB, OS seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate, below, or any other aspect of the ICR.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Register document presented is a public notice from the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It announces a solicitation for public comments regarding an information collection request (ICR) associated with the use of surplus real properties for public health purposes. This collection, identified by control number 0937-0191, was intended to be extended prior to its expiration on April 30, 2021. The notice invites stakeholders, including state, local, and tribal governments, along with nonprofit organizations, to provide feedback on the collection's burden estimates and methods.
General Summary
The notice is issued as part of compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. It seeks to extend a previously approved procedure by which surplus federal real property can be transferred to eligible entities for public health and homeless assistance purposes. Crucially, the transfers may occur at little to no cost, offering substantial opportunities for eligible institutions to acquire valuable property assets.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Noteworthy is the expired date of April 30, 2021, which raises concerns about the notice's currency and whether the information is outdated. This is an administrative oversight that could lead readers to question the relevance of the document. Moreover, the notice lacks specific criteria or outcomes that measure the proposed program's success, leaving it opaque regarding its effectiveness and the tangible benefits it provides.
The language used, such as "responses are dependent on when Federal surplus real property is made available," is vague, providing no clear guidance regarding timelines or availability. This vagueness can hinder potential applicants, as they might struggle to align their planning and application processes with uncertain federal timelines.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly, the document represents a bureaucratic channel that can significantly impact public health organizations and non-profit groups by enabling access to federal properties. However, potential applicants may feel confused by the procedural opacity and unclear benefits metrics, which might deter some from engaging with the program.
For specific stakeholders, such as state, local, and tribal governments, and non-profits, the program offers a unique opportunity to obtain government surplus properties to support their missions. However, these benefits are mitigated by the lack of updated and clear guidance on application processes and eligibility, potentially limiting the program's reach and efficiency.
Conclusion
Overall, the notice seeks to enhance public health infrastructure by leveraging vacant federal properties, a commendable goal. Yet, its effectiveness is compromised by communication gaps and outdated information that may reduce the engagement and utility for potential participants. To optimize outcomes, the administering body should address these issues by providing timely updates, clear eligibility criteria, and demonstrable outcomes, thus encouraging wider participation and maximizing public benefit.
Issues
• The expiration date mentioned in the notice (April 30, 2021) is past the current date, indicating that the notice might not be current or the date was not updated properly.
• The document does not specify the criteria for determining the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection, potentially lacking clarity for respondents.
• The use of 'responses are dependent on when Federal surplus real property is made available' is vague, lacking specific criteria or timeline.
• The notice lacks explicit examples or case studies of eligible property transfers, which could aid in comprehension and transparency.
• There is a lack of specific outcome data or metrics validating the benefits and effectiveness of the program, making it difficult to gauge its success or efficiency.