---
kind: "section"
citation: "44 U.S.C. § 3508"
title: "44"
title_heading: "Public Printing and Documents"
number: "3508"
heading: "Determination of necessity for information; hearing"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/44/3508"
units:
  - "Chapter 35 — Coordination of Federal Information Policy"
  - "Subchapter I — Federal Information Policy"
---

# §3508. Determination of necessity for information; hearing


Before approving a proposed [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall determine whether the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) by the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1), including whether the information shall have [practical utility](/usc/44/3502.md?p=11). Before making a determination the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) may give the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) and other interested [persons](/usc/44/3502.md?p=10) an opportunity to be heard or to submit statements in writing. To the extent, if any, that the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) determines that the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) by an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) is unnecessary for any reason, the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) may not engage in the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3).


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–13, § 2, May 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 179.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3508, added Pub. L. 96–511, § 2(a), Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2821, related to determination of whether collection of information is necessary for proper performance of functions of agency prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 104–13.

Another prior section 3508, Pub. L. 90–620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1304, related to unlawful disclosure of information, penalties, and release of information to other agencies, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 96–511. See section 3510(b) of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1995, except as otherwise provided, see section 4(a) of Pub. L. 104–13, set out as a note under section 3501 of this title.