Federal Register: March 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 57)NoticesPage 14468-14469From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr25mr99-105

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed new collection of ``General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts.''

A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addresses section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before May 24, 1999. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in comments which:

<bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary

[Page 14469]for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

<bullet> 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;

<bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

<bullet> 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 submissions of responses.

ADDRESSEES: Send comments to Karin G. Kurz, BLS Clearance Officer, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20212. Ms. Kurz can be reached on 202-606-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) awards funds to State agencies in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa (hereinafter referred to as the ``States'') in order to jointly conduct BLS/State Labor Market Information and Occupational Safety and Health Statistics cooperative statistical programs, which themselves have been approved by OMB separately, as follows:

Current Employment Statistics.............................. 1220-0011 Local Area Unemployment Statistics......................... 1220-0043 Occupational Employment Statistics......................... 1220-0042 Employment and Wages Report................................ 1220-0012

Annual Refile Survey................................... 1220-0032

Multiple Worksite Report............................... 1220-0134 Mass Layoff Statistics..................................... 1220-0090 Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries & Illnesses......... 1220-0045 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries...................... 1220-0133

(This list of BLS/State cooperative statistical programs may change over time.)

To ensure the timely flow of data and to be able to evaluate and improve the programs, it is necessary to conduct ongoing communications between BLS and its State partners. Whether information requests deal with program deliverables, program enhancements, or administrative issues, questions and dialogue are crucial.

II. Current Actions

Information collected under this clearance is used to support the administrative and programmatic needs of these jointly conducted BLS/ State programs.

Type of Review: New Collection.

Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Title: General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts.

OMB Number: 1220-New.

Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.

Total Respondents: 53.

Frequency: As needed.

Total Responses: 22,618.

Average Time Per Response: 42 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 15,639 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they also will become a matter of public record.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 19th day of March 1999. W. Stuart Rust, Jr., Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

FR Doc. 99-7326Filed3-24-99; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4510-24-M