[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 52774-52775] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-25801] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 1997 Census of Governments 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 9, 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 Henry Wulf or Donna Hirsch, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Governments Division, Washington, DC 20233-6800, 800-242-2184 (telephone), [email protected] or [email protected] (Internet e-mail address). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This census provides government organization, employment and finance data for state and local governments. The data are used to calculate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to monitor the government sector of the economy, and to formulate, develop, and review public policy. The organization phase provides statistics on the number of local governments by type and by selected characteristics. The employment phase collects data on employment and payrolls of state and local governments. In the finance phase, the information relates to several aspects of state and local government public finance: revenues, including related property tax bases; expenditures by function and character; indebtedness and debt transactions; and cash and security holdings. The 1997 Census of Governments excludes two portions of information collected in the 1992 quinquennial census; There will not be a taxable property value phase and the organization phase will exclude data relating to elected officials. In addition, there are two significant methodological changes; The reference date for the Employment phase will be March 12, 1997 instead of October 12, 1997 and all organization phase mail data will be obtained on joint employment/organization forms (EGO-forms). II. Method of Collection Canvass methodology consists of a mail out/mail back questionnaire. Responses will be screened manually, then put into an electronic format. Other methods used to collect data and maximize response include central data collection, electronic reporting, solicitation of printed reports in lieu of a completed questionnaire, and use of the Census Bureau's Federal Single Audit Clearinghouse. The organization phase includes, in addition, extensive legal research to determine the existence and organizational ties of governmental entities. III. Data OMB Number: Not available. Form Number: F-1, F-5, F-5A, F-11, F-12, F-13, F-21, F-22, F-25, F- 28, F-29, F-32, F-42, E-1, E-2, E-3, E-6, E-7, E-9, EGO-3, EGO-4, EGO- 6, EGO-7. Type of Review: Regular. Affected Public: State, local or tribal government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 134,119. Estimated Time Per Response: 1.27. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 170,017. Estimated Total Cost: The estimated cost to respondents for all phases of the Census of Governments is $2,261,226. The estimated cost to the Federal government is contained in the budgetary plans of the 1997 Census of Governments. In total, these amounts are projected to be about $13.4 million. Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Title 13 USC, Section 161. 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 [[Page 52775]] 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: October 2, 1996. Linda Engelmeier, Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 96-25801 Filed 10-7-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P