Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: Food Stamp Program: Non-Discretionary Provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, B-286699, November 7, 2000

Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: Food Stamp Program: Non-Discretionary Provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, B-286699, November 7, 2000

The Honorable Richard G. Lugar Chairman The Honorable Tom Harkin Ranking Minority Member Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry United States Senate

The Honorable Larry Combest Chairman The Honorable Charles W. Stenholm Ranking Minority Member Committee on Agriculture House of Representatives

Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), entitled "Food Stamp Program: Non-Discretionary Provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996" (RIN: 0584-AC41). We received the rule on October 23, 2000. It was published in the Federal Register as a final rule on October 30, 2000. 65 Fed. Reg. 64581.

The final rule implements certain nondiscretionary provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 that affect the Food Stamp Program. The rule includes changes in the minimum and maximum allotments, the standard shelter deductions, household composition, the fair market value of vehicles, the definition of homeless, and expedited service.

Enclosed is our assessment of the FNS' compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. Our review indicates that FNS complied with the applicable requirements.

If you have any questions about this report, please contact James W. Vickers, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-8210. The official responsible for GAO evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule is Cindy Fagnoni, Managing Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security. Ms. Fagnoni can be reached at (202) 512-7215.

Kathleen E. Wannisky Managing Associate General Counsel

Enclosure

cc: The Honorable Shirley R. Watkins Under Secretary Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Department of Agriculture

ENCLOSURE

ANALYSIS UNDER 5 U.S.C. Sec. 801(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iv) OF A MAJOR RULE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE ENTITLED "FOOD STAMP PROGRAM: NON-DISCRETIONARY PROVISIONS OF THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1996" (RIN: 0584-AC41)

(i) Cost-benefit analysis

The Food and Nutrition Service estimates that the total savings in food stamps issued from the rule for the 5 years from fiscal year 1998 to 2002 to be $9.039 billion.

(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. Secs. 603-605, 607, and 609

The Under Secretary has certified that the final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202-205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. Secs. 1532-1535

The final rule does not impose an intergovernmental or private sector mandate, as defined in title II, of over $100 million in any one year.

(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. Secs. 551 et seq.

The final rule was issued using the notice and comment procedures contained at 5 U.S.C. 553. On July 12, 1999, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in the Federal Register. 64 Fed. Reg. 37454. Comments were received from 10 state agencies and an advocacy group.

Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Secs. 3501-3520

The final rule does not contain any information collections that are subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Statutory authorization for the rule

The final rule was promulgated under the authority contained in 7 U.S.C. 2011-2036 and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193.

Executive Order No. 12866

The final rule was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget and found to be an "economically significant" regulatory action.

Executive Order No. 13132 (Federalism)

The final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to require the preparation of an impact statement under the order.