[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19237-19238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9214]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


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,

[[Page 19238]]

conducts a pre-clearance 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. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments 
concerning the revision of the ``Labor Market Information (LMI) 
Cooperative Agreement.'' A copy of the proposed information collection 
request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below 
in the addresses section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section of this notice on or before June 12, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20212, telephone number 
202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
telephone number 202-691-7628. (See Addresses section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    BLS enters into Cooperative Agreements with State Employment 
Security Agencies (SESAs) annually to provide financial assistance to 
the SESAs for the production and operation of the following LMI 
statistical programs: Current Employment Statistics, Local Area 
Unemployment Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Covered 
Employment and Wages Report, and Mass Layoff Statistics. The 
Cooperative Agreement provides the basis for managing the 
administrative and financial aspects of these programs.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The BLS is particularly interested in comments that:
     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.

III. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance is being sought for 
the LMI Cooperative Agreement. The existing collection of information 
allows Federal staff to negotiate the Cooperative Agreement with the 
SESAs and monitor their financial and programmatic performance and 
adherence to administrative requirements imposed by common regulations 
implementing OMB Circular A-102 and other grant-related regulations. 
The information collected also is used for planning and budgeting at 
the Federal level and in meeting Federal reporting requirements.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Labor Market Information (LMI) Cooperative Agreement.
    OMB Number: 1220-0079.
    Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments.
    Frequency: Monthly, quarterly, annually.

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                                                                                                         Total
      Information collection          Respondents        Frequency     Responses          Time           hours
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Work Statements..................                 55               1          55  1-2 hr.............     55-110
BIF (LMI 1A, 1B).................                 55               1          55  1-6 hr.............     55-330
Quarterly Automated Financial                     48               4         192  10-50 min..........     32-160
 Reports.
Monthly Automated Financial                       48              *8         384  5-25 min...........     32-160
 Reports.
BLS Cooperative Statistics                         7              12          84  1-5 hr.............     84-420
 Financial Report (LMI 2A).
Quarterly Status Report (LMI 2B).               1-30               4       4-120  1 hr...............      4-120
  Total..........................               1-55                     774-890    .................   264-1300
  Average Totals.................                 55                         832    .................       781
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 *Reports are not received for end-of-quarter months, i.e., December, March, June, September.

    Total Burden Cost $ (capital/startup):0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the information 
collection request; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 9th day of April, 2001.
W. Stuart Rust, Jr.,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 01-9214 Filed 4-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P