[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 54619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26189]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


1999 Economic Census Pretest

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 6, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Bruce M. Goldhirsch, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 
2614/3, Washington, DC 20233-6100, (301-457-2626).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The proposed information collection is a test of an alternative 
form design for collecting retail trade data in the upcoming 2002 
Economic Census. Currently, we collect the retail trade statistics in 
the economic census using a two column 8\1/2\ x 14 inch size report 
form. The current design has the most important questions, total 
receipts, payroll, employment, and kinds of business activity on the 
first page of the questionnaire.
    The Census Bureau will test the effects of changing the report form 
from the two column 8\1/2\  x  14 to a single column 8\1/2\  x  11 
form. The single column 8\1/2\  x  11 inch form has the advantage of 
being easier to fax, photocopy, download from the Internet, and has 
been requested by our respondents. Items we are looking for in this 
pretest are the possible effects on the response rate because the forms 
will have more pages and possible higher item nonresponse rate for the 
key data items that will move from page one of the questionnaire to 
page two.
    There will be four panels comprising the 1999 pretest. Each panel 
will use the existing 1997 data content. The first panel will be the 
standard two column 8\1/2\  x  14 inch form and will be a control 
panel. The second panel will be a two column 8\1/2\  x  11 inch form. 
The third panel will be a single column 8\1/2\  x  11 inch form. The 
fourth panel will be a single column 8\1/2\  x  14 inch form.
    Each panel will have 2,381 respondents. This will enable us to 
measure a reporting change of 5 percent or more with a 90 percent 
confidence level assuming a 50 percent response rate.
    For the pretest we have selected three retail trade forms from the 
1997 census. They are the RT-5504, Gasoline Stations; RT-5801, Eating, 
Drinking Places; and RT-5901, Health and Personal Care Stores. Each 
report form will be subjected to the same four panel treatment.

II. Method of Collection

    The collection for the 1999 Economic Pretest will use a mail-out/
mail-back method.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: RT-5504A, RT-5504B, RT-5504C, RT-5504D, RT-5801A, RT-
5801B, RT-5801C, RT-5801D, RT-5901A, RT-5901B, RT-5901C, and RT-5901D.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Single unit retail establishments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,524.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .77 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,333.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: We do not expect respondents to incur 
any costs other than that time required to complete the questionnaire. 
The total time cost is estimated to be $97,095. The information 
requested is of the type and scope normally carried in company records 
and no special hardware or accounting software or system is necessary 
to provide answers to this information collection. Therefore, 
respondents are not expected to incur any capital and start-up costs or 
system maintenance costs in responding. Further, purchasing of outside 
accounting or information collection services, if performed by the 
respondent, is part of usual and customary business practices and not 
specifically required for this information collection.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 131, 193, 
and 224.

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: October 1, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer,
Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-26189 Filed 10-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P