[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65103-65104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32291]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance, 
Confidential Data Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of labor, as a 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 the 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 is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed renewal of the information collection 
of the NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance Confidential Data 
Request, ETA 9043.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the contact section 
of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 10, 
1998. Written comments should 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 automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technnological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

ADDRESSES: Grant D. Beale, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance, 
Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, Room C-
4318, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, 202-219-
5555 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act 
amended Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trace Act of 1974 to add a 
Subchapter D--NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance Program. This 
program provides needed adjustment assistance to workers adversely 
affected because of imports from Canada or Mexico or shifts of 
production from the United States to those countries.
    Section 250 of the Act authorizes the Governor of each State to 
accept petitions for certification of eligibility to apply for 
adjustment assistance. Once a petition for NAFTA adjustment assistance 
is filed with the Governor in the State where the firm is located, the 
law gives the Governor ten days to make a preliminary finding of 
whether the petition meets the group eligibility requirements under 
Subchapter D, and transmits the finding to the Secretary of Labor. The 
NAFTA Confidential Data Request Form ETA-9043 establishes the format 
which has been used by the Governor for making a preliminary finding.

[[Page 65104]]

II Current Actions

    This is a request for OMB approval under [the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)] for renewal of a collection of 
information assigned OBM Control No. 1205-0339. This is a reduction of 
1,500 burden hours as the result of a reestimate of the number of 
petitions filed.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
    Title: NAFTA-Confidential Data Request.
    OMB Number: 1205-0339.
    Agency Number: ETA-9043.
    Affected Public: Businesses and State.
    Total Respondents: Estimated 1,000.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Average Time per Response: Respondents=3 hours; State Review=4.5 
hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: Respondents=3,000; State 
review=4,500; Total=7,500.
    Estimated Respondent Cost: Respondents=$53,610; State 
review=$79,110; Total=$132,720.
    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 will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: December 4, 1997.
Grant D. Beale,
Acting Director, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 97-32291 Filed 12-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M