[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 3901-3902] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-2270] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census 1996 Test Census ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 2, 1996. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Margaret L. Woody, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Edison Gore, Bureau of the Census, Room 3536, FOB #3, Washington, DC 20233, (301) 457-3998. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The 1996 Test Census is designed to test new and improved methodologies for reducing the differential in the census results among the various components of the population, and for containing costs associated with conducting a census. The Census Bureau will use the results of this test, in combination with other research, to decide how to conduct the 2000 census. The test will be conducted in two rural sites and one urban site with a combined housing unit total of about 10,000. The rural sites (roughly 2,000 housing units) will encompass two American Indian reservations. The urban site (roughly 8,000 housing units) will encompass six census tracts in Chicago, Illinois. A primary objective for both the rural and urban components of the test is to refine the Integrated Coverage Measurement (ICM) program. Other objectives are listed below. Major objectives for the rural component of the test:Use and evaluate tribal ``administrative records,'' such as tribal rolls, utility records, tribal school records, and tribal voter registration as coverage improvement tools. Use improved address list development and collection methodology. Implement and evaluate a ``partnership agreement'' with the tribes, and expand the Tribal Liaison's role to include involvement in census operational activities. Test the use of statistical estimation techniques to improve the enumeration of residents on American Indian reservations and trust lands. Major objectives for the urban component of the test: Test the ICM program in a reengineered census setting. Test techniques for measuring housing unit and noninstitutional group quarters coverage in a census setting. Test use of administrative records for coverage improvement. Test improved address listing techniques. The 1996 Test Census will include four questionnaires--two self- enumeration simple forms (consisting of basic population and housing questions), a self-enumeration Individual Census Report (used to gather population information from residents of group quarters), and a self- enumeration Be Counted form (used only in the rural sites and made available at convenient locations for persons who did not receive a [[Page 3902]] questionnaire or believe they were not counted). The two simple forms are identical in content, except for the household rostering questions. Another component of this test will be to evaluate two alternative approaches to household rostering. One roster design, called the ``rosterless'' version, does not require the respondent to create a traditional roster list. It includes an abbreviated set of instructions on who should be included and not included, and asks the respondent to provide the number of persons in the household. The second roster design, called the ``extended'' roster, includes a sequential set of reminders about whom to include, such as non-relatives as well as related persons, mobile persons who may have more than one residence, and persons with no usual residence. Enumerator-administered questionnaires also will be used in this test to conduct nonresponse followup operations for housing units that do not return their questionnaires by mail. These questionnaires will be addressed in a separate OMB submission. II. Method of Collection We will conduct a complete census in the three test sites. In the rural sites, census enumerators will deliver the questionnaires to the households. Respondents will be asked to complete the questionnaires and return them by mail in the postage-paid envelopes. In the urban site, census questionnaires will be mailed to the housing units and returned in postage-paid envelopes. III. Data OMB Number: Not available. Form Number: DT-1A, DT-1B, DT-10 (Be Counted), and DT-20A (Individual Census Report). Type of Review: Regular. Affected Public: Individuals and households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000 Housing Units. Estimated Time Per Response: 9 minutes (DT-1A and DT-10), 10 minutes (DT-1B), and 2 minutes (DT-20A). Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Total = 494 hours. The estimated burden assumes an anticipated mail-back response rate of 35 percent, and a vacancy rate of 11 percent on average for the three sites. Although total burden normally is calculated assuming a 100 percent response rate, the burden for this test does not include the time taken by field enumerators to complete the enumerator- administered census questionnaires during nonresponse followup for the remaining 65 percent of households that we expect will not respond by mail. The burden for the enumerator forms, including the portion of the form that is completed for vacant units, will be reported in a separate OMB submission. DT-1A = 233.6 hours [9 minutes x 4,450 occupied housing units x .35(mail return rate)]; DT-1B = 260.1 hours [10 minutes x 4,450 occupied housing units x .35 (mail return rate)]. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1.7 Million (FY96), and $0.3 Million (FY97). IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: January 29, 1996. Margaret L. Woody, Office of Management and Organization. (FR Doc. 96-2270 Filed 2-1-96; 8:45 a.m.) BILLING CODE 3510-07-P