[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50737-50738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19635]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


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 is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the ETA 204, Experience 
Rating Report. A copy of the 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 
addresses section below on or before October 4, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Edward M. Dullaghan, Office of Workforce Security, 
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room 
S4231, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC, 20210; telephone 
number (202) 693-2927 (This is not a toll-free number); fax (202) 693-
3229; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The data submitted annually on the ETA 204 report enables the 
Employment and Training Administration to project revenues for the 
Unemployment Insurance program on a state-by-state basis and to measure 
the variations in assigned contribution rates which result from 
different experience rating systems. Used in conjunction with other 
data, the ETA 204 assists in determining the effects of certain factors 
(e.g., seasonality, stabilization, expansion, or contraction in 
employment, etc.) on the unemployment experience of various groups of 
employers. The data also provide an early signal for potential solvency 
problems, are useful in analyzing factors which give rise to these 
potential problems and permit an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
various approaches available to correct the detected problems. Further, 
the data are the basis for determining the Experience Rating Index; the 
index allows for the evaluation of the extent to which benefits in 
states are effectively charged, noncharged, and ineffectively charged.

II. Review Focus

    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.

[[Page 50738]]

III. Current Actions

    The extension of the Experience Rating Report will allow for the 
continued calculation of the Experience Rating Index and to continue 
experience rating analysis and research on a national, regional or 
state level.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Experience Rating Report.
    OMB Number: 1205-0164.
    Affected Public: State Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: ETA 204.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Responses: 53.
    Average Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 14.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $350.
    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: July 30, 2002.
Grace A. Kilbane,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security, Employment and Training 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-19635 Filed 8-2-02; 8:45 am]
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