[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49897-49898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25050]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Current Population Survey--Annual Demographic Survey for March 
1999

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 17, 
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 Bonnie Tarsia, Bureau of the Census, FOB 3, Room 
3340, Washington, DC 20233-8400, at (301) 457-3806.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau will conduct the Annual Demographic Survey (ADS) 
in conjunction with the March 1999 Current Population Survey (CPS). The 
Census Bureau has conducted this supplement annually for over 50 years. 
The Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Department 
of Health and Human Services sponsor this supplement.
    In the ADS we collect information on work experience, personal 
income, noncash benefits, expanded race items, and migration.
    The work experience items in the ADS provide a unique measure of 
the dynamic nature of the labor force as viewed over a one-year period. 
These items produce statistics that show movements in and out of the 
labor force by measuring the number of periods of unemployment 
experienced by persons, the number of different employers worked for 
during the year, the principal reasons for unemployment, and part-/
full-time attachment to the labor force. We can make indirect 
measurements of discouraged workers and others with a casual attachment 
to the labor market.
    The income data from the ADS are used by social planners, 
economists, government officials, and market researchers to gauge the 
economic well-being of the country as a whole and selected population 
groups of interest. Government planners and researchers use these data 
to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of various assistance 
programs. Market researchers use these data to identify and isolate 
potential customers. Social planners use these data to forecast 
economic conditions and to identify special groups that seem to be 
especially sensitive to economic fluctuations. Economists use March 
data to determine the effects of various economic forces, such as 
inflation, recession, recovery, etc., and their differential effects on 
various population groups.
    A prime statistic of interest is the classification of persons as 
being in poverty and how this measurement has changed over time for 
various groups. Researchers evaluate March income data not only to 
determine poverty levels but also to determine whether government 
programs are reaching eligible households.
    The March 1999 supplement instrument will consist of the same items 
that were included in the March 1998 instrument with a few minor 
changes. These include:
     Dropping the phrase ``because your income was low'' in the 
question which asks about receiving government payments, such as public 
assistance or welfare.
     Adding two new answer categories to the migration 
questions that ask about reasons for moving.
     Adding TRICARE to questions in the health insurance 
section. TRICARE has replaced CHAMPUS in some areas of the country.
     Adding the phrase ``FROM AN INSURANCE COMPANY'' to a 
question about health care coverage in the health insurance section.

II. Method of Collection

    The ADS is conducted at the same time as the Basic CPS by personal 
visits and telephone interviews, using computer-assisted personal 
interviewing and computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0354.
    Form Number: None. We conduct all interviewing on computers.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 52,000 per month.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 25 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 21,666.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There are no costs to the respondents 
other than their time to answer the CPS questions.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182; and 
Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9.

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 will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

[[Page 49898]]

(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: September 14, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-25050 Filed 9-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-70-P