[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 51401-51402] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-25139] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census Annual Capital Expenditures Survey 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 December 2, 1996. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, 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 Charles Funk, Bureau of the Census, Room 300-20 Iverson Mall, Washington, DC 20233, Telephone (301) 763-2542. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION I. Abstract The Census Bureau plans the continuing information collection for the 1996 and 1997 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES) measuring capital investment in new and used structures and equipment. The ACES is the sole source of detailed comprehensive statistics on actual business spending by domestic, private, nonfarm businesses operating in the United States. Major changes from the 1995 collection of ACES data are the annual collection of data from businesses with one to four employees and nonemployers, and a request from employer businesses for data on total company sales and receipts, and sales and receipts for the three ACES industries with the largest sales and receipts. Actual business spending will be collected from employer and nonemployer businesses. Business spending data are used to evaluate the quality of estimates of gross domestic product, develop monetary policy, analyze business asset depreciation, and improve estimates of capital stock for productivity analysis. Industry analysts use these data for market analysis, economic forecasting, identifying business opportunities, product development, and business planning. II. Method of Collection The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to collect data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey within 30 days of the initial mailing. Letters and/or telephone calls encouraging participation will be directed to respondents that have not responded by the designated time. Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) and Touchtone Data Entry (TDE) will be used on a limited basis with small and middle sized businesses in data collection activities. III. Data OMB Number: 0607-0782. Form Number: ACE-1 (Sent to employer companies reporting payroll to the Internal Revenue Service) and ACE-2 (Sent to nonemployer businesses). Type of Review: Regular Review. Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, non- profit institutions, small businesses or organizations, and self- employed individuals. Estimated Number of Respondents: 46,000 (34,000 employer companies, and 12,000 nonemployer businesses). Estimated Time Per Response: The average for all respondents is 2.5 hours. For companies completing form ACE-1, the range is 2 to 16 hours, averaging 3 hours. For companies completing form ACE-2, the range is less than 1 hour to 2 hours, averaging 1 hour. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total annual burden for fiscal year 1997, and 1998 is 114,000 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $3,450,000. Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Sections 182, 224, and 225. 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. [[Page 51402]] Dated: September 26, 1996. Linda Engelmeier, Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 96-25139 Filed 10-1-96; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P