[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8193-8194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2526]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2002 Economic Census General Refile Survey

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 April 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to James E. Kristoff, Bureau of the Census, Room 
2129, Building 4, Washington, DC 20233-6100, and 301-457-4631 or email 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector of timely, relevant 
and quality data about the people and economy of the United States. 
Economic data are the Census Bureau's primary program commitment during 
non-decennial census years. The economic census, conducted under 
authority of Title 13 U.S.C., is the primary source of facts about the 
structure and functioning of the Nation's economy and features unique 
industry and geographic detail. Economic census statistics serve as 
part of the framework for the national accounts and provide essential 
information for government, business and the general public.
    This data collection, Form NC-9923 is designed to collect 
information needed to assign an appropriate NAICS industry 
classification. This form will be mailed to: (1) establishments with a 
significant amount of receipts but without payroll, (2) new businesses 
with large amounts of payroll but with little or no industry 
classification information, and (3) establishments misclassified as 
farms but reporting large amounts of non-farm payroll. Establishments 
with significant amounts of receipts but without payroll are normally 
excluded from the economic census. This data collection will not only 
determine accurate NAICS classifications, but will also identify 
whether or not these establishments have paid employees.
    New businesses are assigned industry classifications by the Social 
Security Administration (SSA). However, many of these businesses do not 
provide sufficient information to assign an industry code. This refile 
operation will ensure a proper NAICS classification assignment, 
ensuring that an appropriate economic census questionnaire is mailed to 
all businesses.
    Finally, establishments currently classified as farms and reporting 
substantial amounts of non-farm payroll may be misclassified and 
excluded from the 2002 Economic Census. This refile operation will 
identify the appropriate NAICS classification for these establishments 
and determine whether or not these establishments are in scope of the 
2002 Economic Census.
    In addition to the NC-9923 form, these establishments will also 
receive a

[[Page 8194]]

new Company Affiliation/Locations of Operation Flyer. This flyer will 
allow the Census Bureau to identify companies that operate multiple 
locations prior to the 2002 Economic Census mailout. This form will be 
tested and evaluated and, if effective, will be used in the 2002 
Economic Census.
    The Census Bureau is not requesting any economic data in this 
collection. The collection of this NAICS information will greatly 
reduce processing costs and ease reporting burden for the 2002 Economic 
Census data collection.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will mail out Form NC-9923 to the following 
groups: (1) large establishments without a detailed NAICS 
classification, (2) establishments with significant receipts but 
without payroll, and (3) establishments currently classified as farms 
with substantial amounts of non-farm payroll.
    The form will contain a list of codes and descriptions describing 
business activities. Respondents simply check the box that best 
describes their business activity or describe their business activity 
if no box is appropriate.
    The Company Affiliation flyer will ask the respondent to indicate 
if they are part of or own another company. If the respondent indicates 
it is part of or owns another company, the Census Bureau will link 
those establishments prior to the mailout of the 2002 Economic Census.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not Available.
    Form Number: NC-9923, Company Affiliation/Locations of Operation 
Flyer.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Businesses or Other for Profit Organizations, 
Small Businesses or Organizations, Non-profit Institutions, State or 
Local Governments, and Farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 33,333 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $506,662

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: January 23, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-2526 Filed 1-29-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P