[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16485-16486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8295]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


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 a proposed revision to Form ETA 581, 
Contribution Operations. A copy of the entire 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 4, 1999.
    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, DC 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 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

    A new item, ``Number of Employees Misclassified as Independent 
Contractors'' (discovered through audits of employers), is being added. 
Misclassification of employees as independent contractors represent 
lost revenues to State unemployment funds from taxes based on the wages 
of such employees and lower UI benefit recipiency rates upon their 
unemployment. The collection of this new information will provide an 
indication of the extent of misclassification and eliminate the need 
for periodic surveys requesting such information. As a result of adding 
this new item, the average response time is estimated to increase by 
0.5 hours.
    The ETA 581 report is the only vehicle for collection of 
information on States' UI tax operations 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: Revision.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Contribution Operations.
    OMB Number: 1205-0178.
    Agency Number: ETA 581.

[[Page 16486]]

    Affected Public: State Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: ETA 581.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 212.
    Average Time per Response: 8.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,802.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $45,050.
    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: March 29, 1999.
Grace A. Kilbane,
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service.
[FR Doc. 99-8295 Filed 4-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M