[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19134-19135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10077]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with 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 Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of approval for 
Form ETA 581, Contribution Operations. A copy of the proposed 
information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the 
office listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before June 17, 1997. The Department of 
Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
     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;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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.

ADDRESSES: Constance I. Peterkin, Room S-4522, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW, Washington, D.C. 20210; telephone number: (202) 219-5615, extension 
198 (this is not a toll-free number); internet address: 
[email protected]; facsimile number: (202) 219-8506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Unemployment Insurance Service (UIS) of the Employment and 
Training Administration (ETA) has three programs which evaluate the 
separate functions within the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. The 
Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) program assesses the accuracy of 
paying UI benefits. The Benefit Timeliness and Quality (BTQ) program 
assesses the quality and timeliness of UI benefit functions; while the 
Tax Performance System (TPS) evaluates the employer-related functions 
or tax operations of the UI program. The Contribution Operations report 
(Form ETA 581), is a comprehensive report of each State's UI tax 
operations and is essential in providing quarterly tax performance data 
to DOL/ETA/UIS, the source of grants funding authority. ETA 581 data is 
the basis for determining the adequacy of funding of States' UI tax 
operations and measuring the performance and effectiveness of such 
operations. These are required Federal functions under the Federal-
State UI program.
    Using ETA 581 data, the TPS program measures performance, accuracy, 
and promptness in employer registration (status determination), report 
delinquency, collections (accounts receivable), and the audit function.

II. Current Actions

    It is important that approval of the ETA 581 report be extended 
because it is the only vehicle for collection of information required 
under the TPS program. If ETA 581 data were not collected, there would 
be no basis for determining the adequacy of funding for States' UI tax 
operations, making projections and forecasts in conjunction with the 
budgetary process, nor measuring program performance and effectiveness. 
The ETA 581 accounts receivable data are necessary in the preparation 
of complete and accurate financial statements for the Unemployment 
Trust Fund (UTF) and the maintenance of a modified accrual system for 
UTF accounting.
    Type of Review: Extension (without change).
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Contribution Operations.
    OMB Number: 1205-0178.
    Agency Number: ETA 581.
    Affected Public: State Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: ETA 581.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 212.

[[Page 19135]]

    Average Time per Response: 8 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,696.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $33,920.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 11, 1997.
Grace A. Kilbane,
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service.
[FR Doc. 97-10077 Filed 4-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M