[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 34634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16873]



[[Page 34634]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


1999 American Community Survey--Group Quarters Screening--Form 
ACS-2(GQ)

ACTION: Proposed collection; 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 August 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
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 John Paletta, Bureau of the Census, Room 3715-3, 
Washington, DC 20230, (301) 457-4269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    In 1999 the American Community Survey (ACS) will be conducted in 53 
counties. Data from the ACS will determine the feasibility of a 
continuous measurement system that provides socioeconomic data on a 
continual basis throughout the decade. The Census Bureau must provide a 
sample of persons residing in Group Quarters (GQs) the opportunity to 
be interviewed for the ACS. GQs include places such as student dorms, 
correctional facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, and 
military quarters. Obtaining characteristic information from the GQs 
will ensure that we include the necessary people residing at GQs in the 
1999 ACS.
    A GQ screening operation is being conducted in conjunction with 
1998 ACS activities. This request revises the existing GQ clearance for 
use in the 1999 ACS. Major changes are in the estimated number of 
respondents and in the estimated time per response. In 1998 we are 
screening a sample of the GQs in eight counties. In 1999 we will screen 
a sample of the GQs in 53 counties. After completing one-third of the 
1998 screening, we have learned that screening averages about 20 
minutes per response instead of 10 minutes as originally estimated. In 
1999 we will use the same questionnaire for screening that we are using 
in 1998, Form ACS-2(GQ), ACS GQ Screening.
    We will telephone a sample of GQs in the 53 counties where the 1999 
ACS will be conducted. We will verify/update information such as GQ 
name, address, type, and phone number. We will screen to determine if 
the residents stay for less than 30 days and have another place to 
live. If so, the GQ will be classified as out-of-scope for ACS 
interviewing. If the GQ is in-scope, we will screen to determine if we 
can complete ACS interviews of the GQ residents by mail, thus saving 
the expense of personal visits. We will obtain a list of rooms and/or 
residents from which we can select a sample. All ACS interviewing will 
be conducted under OMB clearance number 0607-0810.

II. Method of Collection

    Telephone interviews will be conducted from Census Bureau's 
National Processing Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0836.
    Form Number: ACS-2(GQ).
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit 
organizations, non-profit institutions and small businesses or 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 900 GQs in the 1999 ACS.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes (.33 hours).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 300 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The group quarters screening is part 
of the 1999 American Community Survey, the cost of which is estimated 
to be 38.8 million dollars.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, USC, Section 182.

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: June 19, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-16873 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P